September 14, 2007
Faculty panel to review plagiarism allegations
CARBONDALE, Ill. — A panel of seven senior Southern Illinois University Carbondale faculty members will review the allegations of plagiarism made last month against SIU President Glenn Poshard.
SIUC Chancellor Fernando M. Treviño announced the formation of the committee today (Friday, Sept. 14).
"The members of this group are among the most respected faculty members on our campus," said Treviño. "Each is well known for their integrity, their scholarship and their commitment to the academic reputation of this University."
The seven members are:
• Ramanarayanan Viswanathan, professor of electrical and computer engineering and president of the SIUC Faculty Senate. Viswanathan will chair the committee.
• Peggy Stockdale, professor of psychology and vice president of the SIUC Faculty Senate.
• David S. Worrells, associate professor of aviation management and flight and secretary of the SIUC Faculty Senate.
• Spyros Tragoudas, professor of electrical and computer engineering and chair of the SIUC Graduate Council.
• Brad Colwell, professor and chair of SIUC's Department of Educational Administration and Higher Education and vice chair of the SIUC Graduate Council.
• Lenore Langsdorf, professor of speech communication and a vice president of the SIUC Faculty Association.
• Philip C. Howze, professor of library affairs and a member of the SIUC Faculty Association.
Treviño is asking the committee to review Poshard's dissertation and master's thesis in historical and disciplinary context, to meet with Poshard in order to better understand the use of literature, data and other materials used in his research, and determine the pervasiveness and significance of any source attribution problems that are found to exist.
Treviño also asks the committee to offer suggestions for further action, and to determine if any instances of alleged plagiarism can be remedied.
Treviño's charge to the committee closely follows the University's existing policies and procedures regarding charges of this nature directed at former students. The SIUC Faculty Senate and the SIUC Graduate Council both gave unanimous support to the method earlier this month.
Treviño asked the committee to issue its final report, which will be forwarded to the SIU Board of Trustees, in an expeditious manner.