From: ASUH-Leeward Community College Student Government

/ Associated Students of University of Hawai‘i- Leeward Community College

September 17, 2012

To: Faculty Senate

Re: Faculty Senate Plagiarism Discussion

We, the ASUH-Leeward Community College Student Government, believe that it is necessary for the College to implement a reporting procedurefor plagiarism. There is currently no consistent reporting procedure if a student plagiarizes. Student Government believes it is important to implement a reporting procedure for the following reasons:

Ensuring that each individual student is treated equally. Without a reporting procedure, students can and have beenreceiving different forms of consequences for the same offense.
The students who are academically honest believe that students who plagiarize should receive a consequence.
In other Universities or Colleges plagiarism results in automatic expulsion. Student Government is not suggesting expulsion for every student, however we want students to be aware of the reporting procedure and the possible consequences that results from plagiarizing.

We suggest that when a student plagiarizes that the professor still have the freedom to give the student the consequence that they see fit. However, we do believe that both the Division Chair and the Dean of Student Services, since it is a student conduct code issue, be notified of the incident. At that point the Division Chair or Dean will be able to determine if the student needs to have further counsel orconsequence. With this reporting procedure, repeat offenders would be addressed and the students would receive a consistentconsequence.

We also feel that educating students as to what plagiarism is and the consequence of such an act is essential; and it should be a required part of what is taught in our institution.

We have attached survey results, in detail, from our student body that supports our recommendations. Overall 84% of students, at the Pearl City campus, surveyed thought that there should be a reporting procedure in place or the student should be sent to the Dean. At the Wai'anae campus about 54% believed that it should be left up to the teachers, which is why we feel it is important to have the Professors be the initial person that will counsel the student and give them the consequence.

Please take this in to consideration as you vote.

Thank you

Tracey L Imper

Student Government President

University of Hawai'i- Leeward Community College

96-045 Ala ‘Ike

Pearl City, Hawai‘i, 96782-3393

Telephone: (808) 455-0208

Fax: (808) 454-8804

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution