# The Dean caught plagarizing or, How to bring shame and discredit to your university in one easy step **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 14, 2011, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dean-caught-plagarizing-or-how-to-bring-shame-and-discredit-to-your-university-in-one-easy-step/585424 "2011-06-14T14:06:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dean-caught-plagarizing-or-how-to-bring-shame-and-discredit-to-your-university-in-one-easy-step/585424/21 "2011-06-17T16:46:06Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > You know, had a student done this their academic career would be over. Every semester we get the same lecture: Don’t plagiarize or Jesus will punch a baby. And you’ll be kicked out of school with your tail between your legs and the only university you’ll ever be able to get into will be the University of Mogadishu. > > I feel as though the same standard should apply to faculty. Especially the dean. I see what you did there. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dean-caught-plagarizing-or-how-to-bring-shame-and-discredit-to-your-university-in-one-easy-step/585424/22 "2011-06-17T18:32:44Z")
You know, had a student done this their academic career would be over. Every semester we get the same lecture: Don’t plagiarize or Jesus will punch a baby. And you’ll be kicked out of school with your tail between your legs and the only university you’ll ever be able to get into will be the University of Mogadishu. I feel as though the same standard should apply to faculty. Especially the dean. And to posters on the Straight Dope. ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dean-caught-plagarizing-or-how-to-bring-shame-and-discredit-to-your-university-in-one-easy-step/585424/23 "2011-06-17T19:05:58Z")
Plagiarism is the sincerest form of flattery. ---
**Author:** ![A.Gwilliam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@A.Gwilliam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.Gwilliam)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dean-caught-plagarizing-or-how-to-bring-shame-and-discredit-to-your-university-in-one-easy-step/585424/24 "2011-06-17T19:15:37Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > You know, had a student done this their academic career would be over. Every semester we get the same lecture: Don’t plagiarize or Jesus will punch a baby. And you’ll be kicked out of school with your tail between your legs and the only university you’ll ever be able to get into will be the University of Mogadishu. > > I feel as though the same standard should apply to faculty. Especially the dean. > > And to posters on the Straight Dope. Pfah. Noob! ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dean-caught-plagarizing-or-how-to-bring-shame-and-discredit-to-your-university-in-one-easy-step/585424/25 "2011-06-17T21:25:09Z")
…And three babies have just been punched by Jesus. In other news, the Dean resigned. Good on him. ---
**Author:** ![chorpler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chorpler/32/2888_2.png) [@chorpler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chorpler)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2011, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dean-caught-plagarizing-or-how-to-bring-shame-and-discredit-to-your-university-in-one-easy-step/585424/26 "2011-06-18T03:07:47Z")
I just wanted to say that “Jesus will punch a baby” is the best consequence line ever. ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dean-caught-plagarizing-or-how-to-bring-shame-and-discredit-to-your-university-in-one-easy-step/585424/27 "2011-06-20T00:51:07Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > So he resigned as dean but is keeping his professorship. If this is true, it’s a great lesson for the youth of today. 1. do as I say, not as I do. 2. if you do it, you will still get booted out of the university if you get caught. 3. If you are good looking enough and willing to go down on me, I will look the other way (HAW!). 4. Life isn’t fair, people are lazy, and the shits of the world usually skate through the shitstorms they create. 5. Turning someone in for academic dishonesty is an exercise for an idiot. Better to mind your own business, cheat yourself, get better grades, get a better job, make more money. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dean-caught-plagarizing-or-how-to-bring-shame-and-discredit-to-your-university-in-one-easy-step/585424/28 "2011-06-20T00:53:18Z")
It’s true that he resigned. Here’s the [press release](http://www.expressnews.ualberta.ca/en/NewsArticles/2011/06/20110617Update.aspx). ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dean-caught-plagarizing-or-how-to-bring-shame-and-discredit-to-your-university-in-one-easy-step/585424/29 "2011-06-20T01:30:52Z")
I wonder if his research is of the same integrity as his convocation speech? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dean-caught-plagarizing-or-how-to-bring-shame-and-discredit-to-your-university-in-one-easy-step/585424/30 "2011-06-20T02:33:21Z")
> [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > Plagiarism is the sincerest form of flattery. Hey, great original quotation! ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dean-caught-plagarizing-or-how-to-bring-shame-and-discredit-to-your-university-in-one-easy-step/585424/31 "2011-06-20T03:13:21Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > It’s true that he resigned. Here’s the [press release](http://www.expressnews.ualberta.ca/en/NewsArticles/2011/06/20110617Update.aspx). I’m glad to see that the University was concerned about its reputation, and that the Dean resigned. Let’s not forget, though, that this was the Dean of the medical school, and not of another professional faculty, like, say, law. Spoons LL.B., U of Alberta 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dean-caught-plagarizing-or-how-to-bring-shame-and-discredit-to-your-university-in-one-easy-step/585424/32 "2011-06-20T04:20:15Z")
Spoons, should the University review his research? ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dean-caught-plagarizing-or-how-to-bring-shame-and-discredit-to-your-university-in-one-easy-step/585424/33 "2011-06-20T04:59:01Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > Spoons, should the University review his research? Tough call. My first inclination is to say “yes,” but at the same time, I’m aware that a lot of medical research is done with others, and peer-reviewed prior to publication. I would hope that his colleagues would catch any irregularities; and if they didn’t, then the reviewers would. However, if the University decides it is in their best interests to review all his work, then let them have at it. I was not in medicine, as you know, but I would prefer that a U of A degree (of any sort) remains untainted by even a hint of plagiarism. If a review does that, then let the U of A go for it. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dean-caught-plagarizing-or-how-to-bring-shame-and-discredit-to-your-university-in-one-easy-step/585424/34 "2011-06-20T05:18:17Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > Spoons, should the University review his research? Now you’ve got me wondering, **Muffin** : do _you_ think the University should review his research? ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dean-caught-plagarizing-or-how-to-bring-shame-and-discredit-to-your-university-in-one-easy-step/585424/35 "2011-06-20T05:54:56Z")
> [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > Plagiarism is the sincerest form of flattery. > [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Hey, great original quotation! Now, now, he was just being flattering! ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dean-caught-plagarizing-or-how-to-bring-shame-and-discredit-to-your-university-in-one-easy-step/585424/36 "2011-06-20T10:45:57Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Now you’ve got me wondering, **Muffin** : do _you_ think the University should review his research? At this time, his credibility is impinged due to the whopper he told in his role as Dean, so I suggest that a review of his research should be made to ensure that it can be relied upon, or ensure that amends are made, depending on the outcome. 1. Was it solid research, or were corners cut? 2. For research solely attributed to him, did he do it, or did he take credit for work done by others? 3. For research jointly attributed, did he carry his weight, or did he add his name to co-authored projects without significantly contributing? ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dean-caught-plagarizing-or-how-to-bring-shame-and-discredit-to-your-university-in-one-easy-step/585424/37 "2011-06-20T12:25:44Z")
Let’s face it: he’s a dean. “Honest dean” is an oxymoron. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dean-caught-plagarizing-or-how-to-bring-shame-and-discredit-to-your-university-in-one-easy-step/585424/38 "2011-06-20T12:42:24Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > Let’s face it: he’s a dean. “Honest dean” is an oxymoron. I strongly disagree. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dean-caught-plagarizing-or-how-to-bring-shame-and-discredit-to-your-university-in-one-easy-step/585424/39 "2011-06-20T22:02:49Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > I strongly disagree. How many deans do you know? ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dean-caught-plagarizing-or-how-to-bring-shame-and-discredit-to-your-university-in-one-easy-step/585424/40 "2011-06-20T23:14:59Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > How many deans do you know? 10 over the years. Not a dud in the lot. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dean-caught-plagarizing-or-how-to-bring-shame-and-discredit-to-your-university-in-one-easy-step/585424.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dean-caught-plagarizing-or-how-to-bring-shame-and-discredit-to-your-university-in-one-easy-step/585424.md?page=3)