(BUTTON) More Plagiarism -- Universities blame others for plagiarism. They need to look at themselves Frank Furedi -- -- Every now and then there is an outburst of concern about the curse of plagiarism in higher education. The Department for Education has indicated it is considering cracking down by not only fining, but also handing out criminal records, to students submitting commercially -- -- The targets of this mini crusade are essay mill websites, which market “original” professionally produced essays that allow students to circumvent their university’s plagiarism detection system. These paid-for essays allow students to buy a degree. -- -- But this is only a small part of the culture of cheating in higher education. A long time before the commercialisation of plagiarism, cheating was rife in the system. Back in 2004, when I was chief -- cheating was rife in the system. Back in 2004, when I was chief examiner for my department, I was shocked by the amount of plagiarised coursework brought to my attention. When I consulted colleagues at other universities it became evident that the problem was not confined -- -- rather than rich kids, was identified as the source of the problem. Academic discussions on plagiarism sometimes sought to deflect the problem by claiming that overseas students were disproportionately involved in copying. Some suggested they had come from different -- -- external to university life is driven by the institutional imperative to minimise the significance of this practice. All universities have policies on this problem; most have made plagiarism detection software available to staff and the issue is under constant discussion. But this is a case of being seen to do something rather than confronting the -- -- available to staff and the issue is under constant discussion. But this is a case of being seen to do something rather than confronting the problem – which is that plagiarism is not a technical issue but one that raises questions about the working of academic culture. -- -- that raises questions about the working of academic culture. Plagiarism is a mortal sin and last taboo – or is it? Read more -- -- them to embark on a quest for knowledge. But if higher education continues to treat students according to a business model it is only a matter of time before plagiarism loses its stigma. Topics -- -- Topics * Plagiarism * Higher education -- -- * Universities urged to block essay-mill sites in plagiarism crackdown Watchdog issues guidance to help institutions address ‘pernicious’ cheating through use of sites for written-to-order papers -- -- cheating through use of sites for written-to-order papers Published: 9 Oct 2017 Universities urged to block essay-mill sites in plagiarism crackdown * -- -- more students are cheating Poppy Noor Of course plagiarism is wrong. But treating students as consumers sends them a very clear message: your money is just as important as your mind -- -- Plan to crack down on websites selling essays to students announced Universities minister Jo Johnson has asked institutions and student bodies for guidance to combat plagiarism via so-called essay mills Published: 21 Feb 2017 Plan to crack down on websites selling essays to students announced -- -- All rights reserved. [p?c1=2&c2=6035250&cv=2.0&cj=1&comscorekw=Plagiarism%2CEducation%2CHigh er+education%2CExams%2CTuition+fees%2CStudents]