Plagiarism: writing the wrongs by Michael A Kazanjian . editor in chief
Students can now plagiarize easier than ever before. With multitudes of information, on any subject available on the Internet, the need for students to plow through mile-high stacks of encyclopedias is becoming obsolete. This wealth of information, however, has been leading students to cut comers and lift materials from various websites, otherwise known as plagiarizing. Professors today face many more difficulties when it comes to catching plagiarism than they did 10 years ago. Dr. Margaret McGuinness, professor of religious studies and chair of the department said, "Before we could go to an encyclopedia or two and know within a few minutes if the student had plagiarized or not. Now, with so many options, it is
becoming harder." That does not mean that it is anywhere close to being impossible for a professor to catch plagiarism. Tumitin.com is a website devoted to comparing students papers against Internet materials to see if any matches come up. A professor can also log on to a search engine like Google.com, type in a sentence, hit the search key and within seconds any matching materials to that students work will appear. Mariana Peiretti, a first-year student at Cabrini, said, 'Tm too afraid to get caught." In this instance, fear could be a good thing. With professors teaching multiple courses, time does not allow the professor to double check every paper for plagiarism. Professors need to rely mainly on instincts. John Heiberger, chair of the business department and associate professor, said, "If I see a level of work far superior to what-
photo by Justine DiR/ippo
Student plagiarizing is a violation of the college's academic honesty policy.
ever I've seen from th.is student, •has plagiarized, they must go to the student first before any other that's a red flag." Once a professor has gathered actions occur. See PLAGIARISM on 2. reasonable evidence that a student
Co-ops offer students experience should think about how to do their schedule first before they come in," Kristie Conway Beucler, assistant director of co--0p education and career services, said. Co-ops - are available from two to six credits per semester. A maximum of 12 credits may be used for coop positions. The credit amount is dependent on the number of hours worked. On average, students do three credit co-ops, which equals about 15 to 20 hours a week. The co-op credits qualify as general elective photo by Sharvon Urbannavage credits. Large and small compaThis board is outside the Co-op and Career Services office. It lists jobs and nies, non-profit organizaposts sample resumes. tions, educational institutions and government agenstudents in the Cooperative Edu- cies all offer co-op and internships by Sharvon Urbannavage assistant perspectives editor cation and Career Services Office for students in all majors. Co-ops located in Grace Hall. Once stu- usually last for three or four Experience is one of the most dents have attained 45 credits and months and are usually done durcrucial attributes necessary for a possess a 2.0 grade point average, ing the fall and spring semester college graduate in order to find they are eligible to apply for a co- due to payment for credits. "We the perfect position when search- op or internship. Transfer students have about 50 students registered ing for a job. This experience can are required to have received at this semester, but it's lower during be acquired through a co-op or in- least 15 credits at Cabrini. the summer," Beucler said. A ternship while pursuing a college If the basic requirements are summer co-op would have to be degree. met then a student can begin paid on a per credit basis. Co-op and internship informa- searching for a co-op. "They Interested students must foltion is readily available to Cabrini
low a process in order to obtain a co-op. "It's harder to find a co-op the later you wait," Beucler said. The first step is to visit the co-op office the semester before the coop would begin and get an application, which must be signed by the student's advisor before returned to the co-op office. Every student on campus can access the Career Connections web site to view co-ops that are available throughout the year. Beucler said, "Students can browse the site and decide just by looking if they want to go through with a co-op." By logging on as a guest, one can view the list of organizations until the co-op office has approved their application. After being approved, one must upload or create a resume on the Career Connections web site. "We definitely help with resumes," Beucler said. The student may then browse through the site for positions that catch their interest and submit their resume to the organization utilizing the web site, which eliminate the hassle of standard mail. See CO-OPS on 3.