New evidence alleges Indiana University President Pamela Whitten plagiarized her dissertation, The Herald-Times reported last week.
Plagiarism is often taken very seriously at universities and can result in serious consequences for the student accused.
A professor may ask the student to redo the plagiarized assignment, but they also could give the student an "F" on the plagiarized assignment or require withdrawal and assign a failing grade to the entire course.
If the professor finds the plagiarism particularly egregious, it could be escalated to disciplinary probation, suspension or even expulsion.
Here's what happens to Indiana University students when they are caught plagiarizing.
What is plagiarism?
According to the definition by Merriam-Webster, someone who plagiarized has "stolen and passed off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own : used (another's production) without crediting the source."
All students, but especially college students, are expected to complete and submit their own original work during their enrollment in order receive their diploma, degree or certificate. This is why plagiarism is typically taken so seriously within universities and why it goes against student codes of conduct and academic honesty policies.
What happens when IU students plagiarize?
Students who are accused of plagiarism at IU can face a number of serious consequences, according to the Indiana University Student Code of Conduct.
If a faculty member suspects that student misconduct occurred, they have to meet with the student to discuss it in-person. If the student does not attend despite the professor's best effort to speak with them, they should complete their investigation.
If a faculty member determines misconduct occurred, then sanctions will be imposed and those sanctions must be reported to the Dean of Students.
Sanctions that may be imposed by the faculty member include but are not limited to one or more of the following:
A lower or failing grade for any assignment(s) in which misconduct occurred.
A lower or failing grade for the course; the penalty for a serious act of academic misconduct ordinarily should involve the recording of a failing grade for the course.
Repeating the assignment(s) in which misconduct occurred.
Completing additional assignment(s).
Required withdrawal from the course, with a grade of either F or W at the faculty member’s discretion, regardless of when during the semester the student withdraws from the course.
From The Herald-Times: New evidence arises alleging IU President Pamela Whitten plagiarized her dissertation
Does failing a class due to plagiarism impact your GPA?
Yes; once an "F" is added to an academic transcript as a saction for plagiarism, the grade will not be removed for any reason and it will be calculated as part of the student's GPA.
The Registrar is notified about the reason for the failing grade, and it is their job to maintain that it does not disappear from the student record and is added into their GPA.
Even if a student later redoes the same course for credit, the "F" will be on their record permanently.
Katie Wiseman covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Contact her at [email protected]. Follow her on Bluesky @katiewiseman.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Mail: What are the consequences of plagiarizing at Indiana University?
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