UoN faced issues including damaged reputation, potential punishment, media scrutiny, and impacted revenue due to a plagiarism incident. Professor Roger Holmes, the Vice-Chancellor of UoN, was scheduled for an interview on TV to address the situation. Prior to the interview, the education minister expressed that the government would not be sympathetic to universities that compromise education quality. Professor Holmes had to choose how to respond to regain trust and support for UoN.
2. 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 Assessment Post Mortem of Holmes’ actual interview Agenda
3.
4. Jan 2003 –Ian Firnsrealised the plagiarism and reported it
9. Culprits of cover up (Deputy Director and Head of the Graduate school of business at UoN, Robert Rugimbana & Professor Paul Ryder)
10. 27 Feb – Ian Firns brought up the matter again to UoN’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Roger HolmesTimeline – Jan to Feb '03
11. 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
12. August - Mr Firns furious over results by Professor Lamond and UoN dismiss his allegations Mr Firns lodged a complaint with NSW ICAC Professor Holmes openly expressed to the media that he welcomed the move? WHY? And why choose media to express? Timeline – Aug'03
24. Framework – UoN Reputation & Resources UoN reputable for being top research universities UoN wants to restore reputation No punishment by the state and continuous funding Short 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 Resources HR 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)
25. 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
26. 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
27. 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
28. Choice 3: Logo – Only Misunderstanding Message: Not admitting any mistake Explain 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 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 the reasons provided by Holmes
29. 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?
30. 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
Culprits of cover up (Deputy Director of the graduate school of business at Newcastle University, Robert Rugimbana – re-mark, approval by Head of the Graduate School of Business, Professor Paul Ryder)
