What is the Plagiarism Policy of USF's First-Year Composition Program?

If a student plagiarizes an assignment in ENC 1101 or 1102, the instructor will notify the student in writing and request an individual conference to discuss the paper.  The FYC Program requires the instructor to keep copies of the assignment and and a written report of the meeting.   After the initial conference, the instructor may choose to give the student an “F” on the assignment and may ask the student to rewrite it. 

If the instructor or student chooses to involve the Policy Committee, the student will be required to complete a rewrite and compose a two-page (suggested length) statement  about the nature of the original plagiarism and the reason(s) why he/she plagiarized.  The instructor will submit the assignment to the First-Year Composition Policy Committee with the following attached: 

1. The original plagiarized assignment and photocopies of all sources with plagiarized passages highlighted. 

2. A copy of the student's graded plagiarism quiz or a copy of the Blackboard grades showing credit for the quiz (in order to prove that the student finished the plagiarism assignment satisfactorily). 

3.  A copy of the student's signed Classroom Policies Agreement, indicating he/she agreed to the course policies and requirements. 

4. The rewrite with photocopies of all sources and all things properly documented. 

5.  A copy of the two-page (suggested length) statement by the student about the nature of the original plagiarism and the reason(s) why the student plagiarized. 

If the Committee decides the student is guilty of an infraction covered on the plagiarism quiz, the “F” will stand on the plagiarized assignment. 

If the quiz was not given or taken for some reason (which will immediately be discussed with the instructor) and the Committee is satisfied with the student’s statement and rewrite, the rewrite will be given to the instructor for grading. This new grade will be an average of the “F” and the grade of the rewrite. Both the rewrite and the plagiarized paper should be part of the final portfolio. 

If the student disputes the instructor's charge of plagiarism or refuses to submit the required materials to the Committee, then the student may be charged under the University's policy for plagiarism and academic dishonesty, which entails the option of an FF for the course.  The student should then consult the University's academic grievance procedures in the current USF catalog: http://www.ugs.usf.edu/catalogs.htm.

Student papers will be kept on file in the Department of English and consulted by the First-Year Composition Policy Committee when recommending follow-up actions to the teacher and Composition Director.

Students have the right to appeal the First-Year Composition Policy Committee’s decision following the Student Academic Grievance Procedures outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog at http://www.ugs.usf.edu/catalogs.htm within four weeks of the decision.

NOTE: This is a policy, not a suggestion. It was created to facilitate the job of teachers and administrators in dealing with a complicated situation swiftly and fairly.