Internet plagiarising student sues university

A student who was caught plagiarising work he had downloaded from the internet is to sue his university for negligence. Michael Gunn, a 21-year-old English student at the University of Kent, contends that the university had failed to warn him that such an action was punishable. The student was informed the day before his final exam that he need not take it as he would not be awarded his degree. Gunn, who has debts of £11,000, does admit to plagiarism. Speaking to the media, he said: “I hold my hands up. I did plagiarise. I never dreamt it was a problem. I can see I have gone against the rules, but they’ve taken my money for three years and pulled me up on the day before I finished.” He claims that had he been warned of the ramifications earlier, then he could accept culpability. "If they had pulled me up with my first essay at the beginning and warned me of the problems and consequences, it would be fair enough. But all my essays were handed back with good marks and no one spotted it." According to reports, Mr Gunn’s father, Leonard, alleges that one tutor told Michael: “Everybody does this. You’re the unlucky one. You got caught.” The vice-chancellor of the university, David Nightingale, has not spoken directly in relation to this case, as the external examiner’s meeting for the School of English convenes next week to discuss exam entries. However he did make the university’s stance and approach to plagiarism clear. "I would stress that throughout their time at Kent, all students are given clear guidelines as well as practical advice and support as to what constitutes plagiarism. These spell it out that it is not acceptable under any circumstances. For example, in the School of English this information is provided in the faculty handbook and in the department's own handbook, both of which are issued to all students." The university is currently operating plagiarism detection software to analyse students' work, though it’s unclear if this was how Gunn’s copying was identified.