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Whatever gooses your gander ([info]khym_chanur) wrote in [info]otf_wank,
@ 2004-05-30 15:19:00
Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Current mood:energetic

Since JF doesn't have mock_the_stupid
Web-cheat student to sue university:

A student who was booted off his degree course for plagiarism is to sue the university. He says tutors at the University of Kent should have spotted what he was doing and stopped him sooner.


(Post a new comment)


[info]lurker32
2004-05-30 11:39 pm UTC (link)
It's good to know America doesn't have a corner on moronic lawsuits.

Where "good" = some value of perverse satisfaction, of course.

(Reply to this)(Thread)


[info]lulinda
2004-05-30 11:53 pm UTC (link)
Heh, I was just going to say something similar.

We're not alone!

(Reply to this)(Parent)


[info]rachelmap
2004-05-31 12:02 am UTC (link)
I hope the judge tells him that he's obviously too stupid to be in university.

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[info]dawnswalker
2004-05-31 12:46 am UTC (link)
""I can see there is evidence I have gone against the rules," he concedes. "But they have taken all my money for three years and pulled me up the day before I finished. If they had pulled me up with my first essay at the beginning and warned me of the problems and consequences, it would be fair enough."

Did it ever occur to this dumbass that plagiarism is a "one strike and you're out" offense in most universities?

Besides, this past semester, in every class I took it was mandatory for the professor to devote the first lecture to telling the class that plagiarism was an expulsion-worthy offense. Then again, I can't see this guy as being devoted to perfect attendance either.

(Reply to this)(Thread)


[info]elfy
2004-05-31 02:02 am UTC (link)
At my uni on every work requirement handout there is usually half to three quarters of a page dedicated to plagiarism. The lecturer will spend at least ten minutes every WR wiffling about plagiarism. Like you mentioned, the first lecture is devoted to more wiffling about plagiarism.

How on earth you could not have "PLAGIARISM IS BAD" hammered into you at ANY university, I do not know.

People are stupid. -.-

(Reply to this)(Parent)


[info]elfy
2004-05-31 12:56 am UTC (link)
I love how no one ever takes responibility for their own actions any more.

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[info]ashenmote
2004-05-31 03:07 pm UTC (link)
It's not our fault that we take no responsibility for our actions anymore.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


[info]llama_treats
2004-05-31 07:26 pm UTC (link)
It's Hitler's fault!

Oh, sorry. Wrong wank.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


[info]ashenmote
2004-05-31 08:34 pm UTC (link)
Not at all. When you come bearing Hitler there is no such thing like a wrong wank.

(Reply to this)(Parent)


[info]criticalcricket
2004-05-31 01:08 am UTC (link)
Moron.

That sort of stuff is hammered into you early on. There's often a list of such offenses in standard issue university handbooks. English classes often pass out warnings in new classes. I find that it's talked about a lot in university settings.

He knew exactly what he was doing, just as he knows he's pulling that lawsuit out of his ass. That's like crashing your car and saying "Oh, well it's not my fault. They should have recognized the fact that I'm an incompetent driver sooner and taken my license away!"

Give me a break. (Can we make it a Kit Kat please?)

(Reply to this)(Thread)


[info]littleshebear
2004-05-31 02:15 am UTC (link)
That sort of stuff is hammered into you early on

Yeah. I've been enrolled at two UK universities in my time and they both read us the riot act in the first week of classes. They give out handouts/booklets with the rules, your tutors tell you verbally what constitues plagiarism and that it won't be tolerated. They made you sign a declaration with each assignment affirming that it was your own work. I can't imagine that Kent would be radically different.

Puh-lease. This guy's either a chancer with a brass neck or he's very, very stupid.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


[info]khym_chanur
2004-05-31 02:53 am UTC (link)
They made you sign a declaration with each assignment affirming that it was your own work.

Whoaaah. When I went to the University of California at Santa Cruz (1992-1996), they had nothing like that; it was just sort of assumed that what you turned in was your own work. Are British universities a lot more fond of paper-work, or have things gotten worse since I graduated.

This guy's either a chancer with a brass neck or he's very, very stupid.

Ooooh, Brit slang! What's "chancer" and "brass neck" mean?

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


[info]littleshebear
2004-05-31 03:09 am UTC (link)
Are British universities a lot more fond of paper-work, or have things gotten worse since I graduated.

I was a St.Andrews undergrad from 1998-2002. If memory serves, they brought in the plagiarism declaration for undergraduate work in my final year. That was a pre-written, photocopied thing that we signed. For my post-grad submissions I had to write a note basically saying it was all my own research and writing. I think it's the growth in internet plagiarism that's prompted this. But even before that it was drummed into you that cheating is bad, mmkay?

As for the place I'm at now, I think it's been standard practice to sign a declaration for a long while. They even select essays at random and run them through this nifty wee programme that does an internet search looking for similarities with on-line papers. Scary stuff.

What's "chancer" and "brass neck" mean?

Chancer = Someone who'll try their luck, an opportunist.
Brass neck = Has no shame.

Chancer's more of a Scottish word I think...sorry I just wrote without thinking, my inner academic was enraged, omg! ;p

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


[info]big_bad_wolf
2004-05-31 07:28 pm UTC (link)
Chancer = understood by filthy Southerner, so Britain-wide. :)

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


[info]littleshebear
2004-05-31 07:29 pm UTC (link)
Ah cool, the Sassenachs have that word too. :p

(Reply to this)(Parent)


[info]mireille
2004-05-31 03:41 am UTC (link)
In a lot of the classes I've taken (at several different schools, as I've been waffling around with post-grad stuff for ages, and am now an undergrad again) there's just been a statement at the top of an exam, where you put your name, saying that this is your statement that it's your original work. And I've had English profs who made us make a statement to that effect on the cover page for essays.

When I was a proper undergrad (Mercer University, Macon, GA, 1988-92), we had something called the Honor Code, and during freshman orientation week, we had to pass an exam on it or we were dropped from our classes. Part of that "class" was having it hammered into our heads that we were obligated, from then on, to follow the code. Most of it was about plagiarism. Of course, Mercer, much as I love it, was often on the sparkly purple crack, and I doubt too many other schools do that.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


[info]kijikun
2004-05-31 03:45 am UTC (link)
sparkly purple crack

Where can I find some of that?

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


[info]mireille
2004-05-31 03:47 am UTC (link)
I do not know, but it is the *only* possible explanation for some of the things that happened during my undergraduate career.

(Reply to this)(Parent)


[info]cleolinda
2004-05-31 05:40 am UTC (link)
Birmingham-Southern (AL) was doing shit like that when I was there (1997-2001). Big deal about The Honor Code On The Hilltop, all that jazz. The good thing was that we never had proctors in our exams, and we could come and go as we pleased--drinks, bathroom, whatever. Mostly because no one in that room was going to let anyone else have an unfair advantage--we policed ourselves.

(Reply to this)(Parent)


(Anonymous)
2004-06-01 08:21 pm UTC (link)
Of course, Mercer, much as I love it, was often on the sparkly purple crack,

Is that what they call the Wesleyannes now?

--former Wesleyan 'Pirate' :)

(Reply to this)(Parent)


[info]adinaj69
2004-05-31 11:09 am UTC (link)
The last paper I turned in had full cites whenever quoted, yet the Professor still left notes indicating they thought I'd copied without citation: she'd circled the paragraphs in question and wrote 'where did you get THIS?'.

Apparently my own writing was too good to be true; and even after I pointed her to my sources, I didn't make enough effort to make it 'less professional', therefore earning a lower grade.

*shakes fist*

It all depends on who you ask, I guess (though, believe me, I give no leeway to the OP -- sounds like an ass of the first degree to me).

(Reply to this)(Parent)


[info]vassilissa
2004-06-01 10:24 am UTC (link)
Are British universities a lot more fond of paper-work, or have things gotten worse since I graduated.

They do the same thing at my university (in Australia).

(Reply to this)(Parent)


[info]visp
2004-05-31 02:12 am UTC (link)
"I hold my hands up. I did plagiarise. I never dreamt it was a problem."

Not a problem? Okay, he should have been kicked out of school just for being a fecking moron!

(Reply to this)

On its way out...
[info]littlest_lurker
2004-05-31 02:17 am UTC (link)
One day, when I'm old and feeble, before my memory starts to fade, my grandchildren will cluster around my feet and beg that I tell them a story of times past.

"Granny Jen, Granny Jen," They will say, "Tell us a story!"

"What d'you want to hear?" I will shout (My hearing will be the first thing to go.)

"Tell us about that thing you called 'personal responsiblity' Granny Jen. What was it? What happened to it? Where did it go? Tell us Granny!"

"Ah, I can still remember those days. Those were good days, but there are few who live today that can tell of them..."

(Reply to this)(Thread)

Re: On its way out...
[info]sagralisse
2004-05-31 05:24 am UTC (link)
If you hear a whispery voice from behind the curtains saying, "Got that right," it'll be my ghost.

(Reply to this)(Parent)


[info]silvernutmeg
2004-05-31 02:37 am UTC (link)
Well, if that's the best logic he can come up with, no wonder he had to plagiarize his stuff.

(Reply to this)


[info]snowglassapples
2004-05-31 02:55 am UTC (link)
*boggles* Sadly, I know an awful lot of people with that view, but that's truly special.

(Reply to this)(Thread)


[info]criticalcricket
2004-05-31 03:04 am UTC (link)
OMG! *points wildly* Wendell and Cass icon!!1!! Partners 4 evah!!! [/fangirl moment]

*coughs* Ok, I'm over it *insert small squee*

Did I mention that I love the icon? ;)

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

Re:
[info]snowglassapples
2004-05-31 03:07 am UTC (link)
Yay, a kindred spirit! *pets the penguins*

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


[info]littlest_lurker
2004-05-31 03:12 am UTC (link)
Hee! I'm assuming that Wendell and Cass are those infamous gay penguins?

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


[info]snowglassapples
2004-05-31 03:32 am UTC (link)
Yes indeed, see here. :)

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


[info]iczer6
2004-05-31 04:13 am UTC (link)
Is it bad I was horribly amused by the fact that Wendell seems to be the classic seme and Cass the classic uke?


Icz

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[info]chaimonkey
2004-05-31 04:32 am UTC (link)
Not at all - I am completely in agreement. X3

(Reply to this)(Parent)


[info]littlest_lurker
2004-05-31 06:14 am UTC (link)
Eight years going strong? Aww :D <3

The part about the two other gay penguins taking care of an egg is equally sweet.
*gets all verklempt*

(Reply to this)(Parent)


[info]chaimonkey
2004-05-31 04:27 am UTC (link)
Hey, it's a fellow Wendell+Cass fan!
*points at icon* I gots one too! XD

(Reply to this)(Parent)


[info]melange
2004-05-31 03:23 am UTC (link)
Actually, this guy might have a case if he can prove that the university knew about the plagiarism, and willfully ignored it in the hopes of getting more of his money. But I still can't wait to see the judge (or whatever you've got over there... I'm a typical ugly American) throw him out on his ass.

(Reply to this)(Thread)


[info]littleshebear
2004-05-31 03:38 am UTC (link)
if he can prove that the university knew about the plagiarism,

That would be very hard to prove. Depending on the size of the department, they'd be getting in at least hundreds of essays every two weeks or so. They can't possibly check every single one against every single source on the web, so they probably do random checks. He probably wasn't caught until now. If they make it clear to students that they shouldn't do it (which I'm SURE they would have done), he doesn't have a leg to stand on. You're just not supposed to do it, whether they caught him at the beginning of his course or at the end is irrelevant. The onus is on him to abide by the rules.

And in England it would be judge. ;)

(Reply to this)(Parent)


[info]khym_chanur
2004-05-31 03:59 am UTC (link)
From http://www.plagiarized.com/deadgive.html

As an instructor, watch for these signs...
  • Essay contains a reference to its origin (e.g. "This essay is from www.essays.com - join today!") on the last page. It is very common for students to miss this.
Gah! What are these people even doing in college? Or with their hands on a high-school diploma, for that matter?

(Reply to this)(Thread)


[info]littleshebear
2004-05-31 04:04 am UTC (link)
The ultimate sign of sloth... The essay has been printed from the student's internet browser. Very Very sad.

HAHAHAHAHAHA!

Oh my, I weep for the state of higher-education.

(Reply to this)(Parent)


(Anonymous)
2004-05-31 02:38 pm UTC (link)
Yeah, but then there's this, from the same site:

If an essay/composition does not require a bibliography, it is a "give away" if the student's composition/essay is beyond or does not reflect the student's grade level, OR, it has no or very few English--spelling,syntax,etc.-- errors contained within it.

This really pisses me off, particularly the latter part. So if you're really careful with your syntax, know how to use a spell-checker, and are good at grammar, you must be a plagiarist? Blech.

renata_hpjc at LJ

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


[info]mirabellawotr
2004-05-31 03:20 pm UTC (link)
Sadly, having graded hundreds of college-level papers, I can indeed see that being a tipoff. I have to admit, though, that when I see a paper like that I'm more likely to say "Yay, one of them's actually literate!" than "Ew, plagiarism."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


[info]rhi_silverflame
2004-05-31 05:53 pm UTC (link)
when I see a paper like that I'm more likely to say "Yay, one of them's actually literate!" than "Ew, plagiarism."

Sadly, I can totally understand where you're coming from, and all I did was help proofread friends' papers a few years ago. Ugh.

(Reply to this)(Parent)


[info]mirabellawotr
2004-05-31 03:21 pm UTC (link)
Essay contains a reference to its origin (e.g. "This essay is from www.essays.com - join today!") on the last page. It is very common for students to miss this.

I live for the day when I get one of those. I will hang it up in my office and add it to my collection of Stupid Plagiarism Stories.

(Reply to this)(Parent)

LOL
[info]calystarose
2004-05-31 05:51 pm UTC (link)
My favorite part of that site is the Google Ad Words ads:

Ads by Google

Custom Essays in 8 hours
Creative custom writing free of plagiarism. Prompt delivery!
ProfEssays.com

Custom Essay. $16.95/page
Guarantees Original Quality Writing No Charge Revision, Bibliography
www.thepaperexperts.com

Your thesis or your essay
Advanced, highly personal editing. Free phone consultation and sample.
www.oceancooperative.com

*giggle*

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

Re: LOL
[info]khym_chanur
2004-05-31 11:25 pm UTC (link)
Yeah, I tried to point that out to them, but "webmaster@plagiarism.com" doesn't exist.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

hmmmm
[info]calystarose
2004-06-01 02:55 pm UTC (link)
Maybe try admin@plagiarism.com?

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

Re: hmmmm
[info]auroraceleste
2004-06-01 05:35 pm UTC (link)
From the Links page:

An important note about the Google ads on our site: We unfortunately do not control the content of the ads Google targets for Plagiarized.com. Google's system uses keywords on our pages to decide what ads it should show you. As a result - you are likely to see some ads for plagiarism services, essay downloads, custom written papers, etc. We're working with Google to see if we can fix that.

I'm guessing they already know.

(Reply to this)(Parent)


[info]chaimonkey
2004-05-31 04:28 am UTC (link)
That's like suing an airport because they didn't catch your bomb. He-llo!

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[info]ashenmote
2004-05-31 03:14 pm UTC (link)
Every encounter with the silly little sheep is a good encounter.

(Reply to this)(Parent)

  
   
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