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Media Release - Students Accused of Plagiarism - Police Involvement

MEDIA RELEASE

24/09/2011

STUDENTS ACCUSED OF PLAGIARISM – POLICE INVOLVEMENT:

Newcastle University Students’ Association (NUSA) is deeply concerned about the effect that the unfounded accusations of collusion from the Faculty of Business and Law in the plagiarism cases at Newcastle University is having upon the students.

Over thirty international students (more than half a class) have been accused of colluding with other students in an assignment. Some students have been accused twice. Even more students received informal accusations, but had to wait weeks to receive official notice from the University. One student waited over seven weeks to receive official notice which was given only after media attention.

The Students’ Association’s International Student Convener, Eduardo Carvajal, said that “…the issue had gone on for too long. This is now impacting upon the lives of these students, who are in distress”.

“When over half of a class is accused of plagiarism, this is a strong message to the University that something has gone wrong.” said Mr. Carvajal.

Between 2-3 am on Saturday, 24.09.11, morning, police officers entered the residence of one of the accused students. NUSA understands that the University contacted police early on Saturday morning because they had become concerned about his wellbeing after the student sent an email to Professor Kevin McConkey regarding the plagiarism cases, the lack of University support and the effect this was having upon him. On Tuesday, 20.09.11, evening, this student collapsed, as a result of stress, during a meeting and was sent to hospital.

“Why did the University take so long to contact the police if they were so concerned about the student?” asked Mr. Carvajal.

To protect their identity, classmates of the student are referred to as ‘a student’ in the following quotes:

Regarding the police action, a student said, “I was very upset. We are from an overseas country. When police come to us it means we have done something wrong; we are guilty. We feel scared.”

Students feel that they have been unfairly treated by the University and that the University is dragging their heels with the plagiarism cases. On Monday 19.09.11, forty-five (45) students attended a meeting with the PVC of Faculty Business and Law to discuss the matter. The PVC said his hands were tied and that he could do nothing for the students.

“The University makes us wait, how long, a whole year? The University should give us deadline.” said a student.

“The situation is now urgent. Students are looking to transfer University or to return home. They are trying to contact media outlets in their home countries because they believe they have been mistreated by the University.” Ms Richards.

On Monday, 19.09.11, some students received a response from the University instructing them to resubmit their assessments for remarking; some receiving a penalty even though none have yet been found guilty of plagiarism.

Ms Richards and Mr. Carvajal met with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Professor Kevin McConkey the next day to discuss the matter.

Ms Richards said that: “NUSA is pleased that Professor McConkey gave a verbal commitment to maintain communication with NUSA regarding this issue and that the University will assist students who are concerned about their trimester enrolments”.

“We (NUSA) have even been contacted by a domestic student who is extremely worried about the affected students, saying that the cases are detrimental to all the students in the class and that the accused students cannot concentrate on their group work which is impacting upon all group members.” said Ms Richards.

On Wednesday, 21.09.11, some of the students were informed that the second cases against them had been withdrawn.

“This just shows how unfounded these accusations are.” said Ms. Richards “It is because of this that NUSA is demanding the following from the University:

• An independent marker to remark the assignments.
• A time-frame within which the cases will be resolved.
• That the University drop the second allegation of plagiarism against the students
• The university conducts an enquiry into the Faculty to find out why so many students were accused”.

- ends –

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Heather Richards	Eduardo Carvajal

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