What To Do If You Suspect or Find
Evidence of Plagiarism

First and foremost, you should understand the nature of the academic dishonesty issue which you are addressing and follow the Office of Student Conduct Policy.

If you desire, find evidence to determine if the plagiarism is intentional, unintentional, or something else. Follow the steps outlined in under "how to spot it". Your next step will depend on what you find, or if you find anything at all.

1. If you determine that the student's plagiarism is intentional: (follow the procedure outlined in the Office of Student Conduct guidelines, summarized in the following 6 bullet points)
   
   
   • Collect evidence. Print out or photocopy the original source material that you found that the student has reproduced in the paper handed in to you.
   • Compose a document explaining the situation and outline the evidence that has helped you come to the conclusion that the student has intentionally plagiarized. This will help others see what steps you have taken to come to the conclusion you have.
   • Inform the student that he/she is suspected of violating the academic integrity policy in an in-person meeting. Tell the students that he/she can make a written reply.
   • Assign the student a grade in writing and give the student a copy.
   • Notify the appropriate authority in your department. Contact your department to find out who handles academic dishonesty cases in your department.
   • Notify the Office of Student Conduct using the Electronic Report Form.
2. If you cannot prove that the student has plagiarized, or if you cannot determine if the plagiarism is intentional or unintentional:
   
   
   • Gather what evidence you have, if you have any. If you only have a suspicion, be as specific as you can in finding and pointing out what features of the writing have led you to suspicion.
   • Set up a meeting with the student to discuss the situation. Ask the student to bring drafts and/or other evidence of previous work on the writing in question.
   • During the meeting, ask the student to clarify his or her process to you. Do not accuse at this point, only ask for clarification. The student should be given a chance to explain to you how he or she wrote the paper, and to show you that he or she is being honest.
   • If the student alleviates your concerns, you are finished. This outcome would be harder to arrive at if you begin the conversation by accusing the student of plagiarizing.
   • If you still have concerns after hearing the student’s explanation, let the student know your concerns that they have possibly plagiarized. Without hard evidence, accusations are not meaningful and may damage your relationship with the student
   • Remind the student of WSU’s plagiarism policy and your own plagiarism policy (which should be made clear in your syllabus). Make sure that you and the student have a common understanding of the expectations that the student produce their own writing, and the consequences for academic dishonesty.
   • From your discussion with the student, decide on your next course of action. You have many choices, including making an accommodation with student or following steps for intentional or unintentional plagiarism.
   • Lastly, you could reflect on how you could prevent future plagiarism events through plagiarism preventative teaching strategies.
3. If you determine that it is unintentional:
   
   
   • Set up a meeting with the student.
   • During the meeting, remind the student of the seriousness of the mistake. This could include reviewing the WSU policy, and your classroom policy. The student needs to understand that it is important that he or she learn to cite correctly, if only to protect him or herself.
   • Teach the student about correct citation. You can teach this in whatever manner you feel is the most helpful for the student.
   • If you do not want to teach this, let the student know about resources where he or she can learn about correct citing. The Writing Center may be such a resource (CUE 303).

Consequences and Punishment

1st Offense: The student receives a letter of concern from the Office of Student Conduct in addition to instructor (professor) and department level actions.

2nd Offense or Serious Offense: If through an official hearing involving the University Conduct Board, the student is found in violation of academic integrity statutes, he/she will face suspension or explusion.

If a student is found in violation of the academic integrity statutes, he/she can make one appeal. In addition to an appeal concerning conduct, a student may also appeal an academic grade.

(See the Washington State University Standards of Conduct for Students to view more detailed information)