University of Newcastle

UoN

Short summary of the plagiarism event at Newcastle

UoN’s problem includes tainted reputation, punishment by state, media humiliation and revenue impacted

Holmes options?Argenti Strategic Communication Framework

AssessmentPost Mortem of Holmes’ actual interview

Agenda

• 1998 - a partnership formed with the Institut Wira, a Malaysian private business school

• Jan 2003 –Ian Firns realised the plagiarism and reported it

• Late February – Ian Firns found out that • 1) his comments were erased• 2) 15 scripts remarked by Rachid Zaffane and were given

top marks• Mr Firns revealed an interview with Sunday– Culprits of cover up (Deputy Director and Head of the

Graduate school of business at UoN, Robert Rugimbana & Professor Paul Ryder)

• 27 Feb – Ian Firns brought up the matter again to UoN’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Roger Holmes

Timeline – Jan to Feb '03

14 March – UoN appointed Professor David Lamond as an external investigator - “ Did not exercise their responsibilities in dealing with Mr Firn’s allegation” and individuals “acted in good faith but on the basis of a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of plagiarism”

-Recommendation to put the staff members through remedial training session

Timeline – March '03

August - Mr Firns furious over results by Professor Lamond and UoN dismiss his allegationsMr Firns lodged a complaint with NSW ICACProfessor Holmes openly expressed to the

media that he welcomed the move?WHY? And why choose media to express?

Timeline – Aug'03

Before ICAC investigation is revealedMedia, Channel Nine’s Sunday

granted an intervewi with Roger Holmes after the story goes on air

Pre- interview – a talk on Plagarism. Invited guests Ian Firns and Australia’s Education Minister Brendan Nelson“There will be absolutely no

sympathy from the commonwealth government, if quality of education is compromised”.

Problem Brewing

Dr Brendan John NelsonMinister of Education

Professor Vice-Chancellor Roger Holmes at the University of Newcastle, Australia

What should he do?

UoN Spokesperson

What Roger Holmes did prior to Sunday’s interviewRequest all expert lectuere involed to stay away from

mediaConvinced David Lamond to withdraw from interview

What are the sentiments prior to Roger Holmes’ interview?All accusation directed to UoNMinister of Education unsympathetic and will take

action against universityMedia is aggressive and opinionatedOn –Air interview arranged after story covered on UoN

suspected plagarism

The Tell-All Interview

Framework – Analysis of Choices

Argenti Framework

MessageChannel: On Air MediaStructure: 3 Options

Constituency/Audience1) Government

2) Potential and Current Students3) Overseas Students

4) Lecturers

Response

UniversityDesire: Uphold Reputation &

salvage situationsResources: Got HR, no issues

UoN reputable for being top research universities

UoN wants to restore reputationNo punishment by the state and continuous

fundingShort lived media coverage Lecturers to be united in supporting Holmes’

decision Restore confidence in Australian education

Maintain revenue stream from overseas students and future students

ResourcesHR to organize training for teaching staff and

to synchronize all definition of plagiarism to both student and lecturers

Time – to implement new protocol by January’04 (New Semester)

Framework – UoN Reputation & Resources

Ethos: We will do what is Right - Apologize and provide solution

Logos: We are not Along but - Plagiarism common in Australian Universities and UoN will step up to strengthen its quality

Logos: Only Misunderstanding - Different form of marking schemes because of differences in expectations in overseas students. Solution is to standardize marking

Roger Holmes Choices

Message: Very Apologetic about the compromised quality at UoN. (Focus on UoN) Explain there is misunderstanding in the nature of

plagiarism among staff. Staff with unlawful conduct will be dealt with. (not to be

named) Solution: Define proper protocol to correct plagiarism.

Constituency/Audience Government – to continue with government funding Potential and Current Students – supportive of

Australian education Overseas Students – to endorse the quality of Australian

education Lecturers – to support stringent measures against

plagiarism

Choice 1: Ethos – We will do what is right

Message: Plagiarism common in Australian Universities and UoN unfortunately was one of them. Not naming other Universities UoN will step up to strengthen its education quality Staff with unlawful conduct will be dealt with. (not to be

named) Solution: Define proper protocol to correct plagiarism

Constituency/Audience Government – to continue with government funding Potential and Current Students – supportive of

Australian education Overseas Students – to endorse the quality of Australian

education Lecturers – to support stringent measures against

plagiarism

Choice 2: Logos – We are not Alone but

Message: Not admitting any mistakeExplain there is misunderstanding in the nature of

plagiarism among staff.Explain that there could be difference in marking

schemes because of differences in expectations in overseas students.

Solution is to standardize marking Content vs Plagarism (originality of ideas)

Solution: Define proper protocol for plagiarismConstituency/Audience

Government – to continue with government funding Potential and Current Students – supportive of Australian

education Overseas Students – to endorse the quality of Australian

education Lecturers – to support the reasons provided by Holmes

Choice 3: Logo – Only Misunderstanding

Professor Vice-Chancellor Roger Holmes at the University of Newcastle, Australia

Reputable in professional and community activities.

The culprit is Head of the Graduate of Business, Professor Paul Ryder, suspected corruption.

Who should deliver the message?

Lecturers – to assess their opinions on the reasons provided (Any grievances or is there unity?)

Government – to continue with government funding and no penalty to UoN

Potential and Current Students – supportive of Australian education

Overseas Students – to continue apply into UoN

Media coverage died down within a few months

Effectiveness of Message

http://sgp1.paddington.ninemsn.com.au/sunday/political_transcripts/transcript_1352.asp

What Actually Happened?