Stiff penalties don't deter university cheaters

The threat of lengthy bans from lectures has not deterred university students from cheating in exams and assignments.

Unisa confirmed this week that from the beginning of last year until now, 495 students have been barred from studies for between two to five years because of academic dishonesty.

Suspensions and expulsions for academic dishonesty at other universities include:

Walter Sisulu University: 15 suspended for one year for exam infringements;

North-West University: two expelled and 24 suspended for academic dishonesty;

Tshwane University of Technology: 29 students expelled for between one and two years;

Durban University of Technology: 90 cases investigated resulting in several fines, five suspensions and two expulsions;

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University: 36 suspended;

Mangosuthu University of Technology: 30 suspended for between one to three years;

University of KwaZulu-Natal: 29 cases of exam irregularities. A second-year student was given a warning for plagiarising in two assignments;

The University of the Witwatersrand: 20 suspended for plagiarism and seven for cheating in exams; and

University of Johannesburg: 85 cases of academic dishonesty reported, including 61 for the use of unauthorised notes and 24 for plagiarism.

UJ said students found guilty of cheating were awarded zero for assignments, and it had developed an academic integrity campaign to highlight behaviours that reflect dishonesty.

University spokesman Herman Esterhuizen said students could not use ignorance as a defence for plagiarising work.

"Students are expected to master the ability to recognise and avoid plagiarism," he said.

Wits registrar Carol Crosley said in a statement that as a minimum punishment, students would receive no credit or zero for the "offending" work.

"In many cases, the student is ordered to complete a number of hours of community service where he or she is required to reflect on his or her conduct."

TUT spokeswoman Willa de Ruyter said it was the only university of technology in the country with an independent student ombudsman to deal with cases where students felt they had been treated unfairly.

"The university has embarked on a drive to eradicate academic misconduct and dishonesty from all tests and exams at the institution."

She said those found guilty could be suspended for up to two years.

"The verdict becomes part of their academic record and they will therefore not be accepted at any other university in South Africa for the period of the suspension."

Dr Retha Visagie, Unisa's manager of research integrity, said its new academic integrity policy was in the process of being approved by the university's council. "The policy aims to promote responsible teaching and learning, research and community engagement," she said.