Dear Miss LARE,
I am taking a college marketing course. We are doing a group project for our final exam, and I am in charge. I came up with this really cool idea on doing a presentation on casinos. Everyone was assigned a portion of it. I got the final pieces from each person, and I noticed something familiar. XXX had plagiarized their portion directly from the annual report we were given by the casino. I’ve known this person for over two years, and I can tell this isn’t their style of writing. I’m afraid we will get caught and fail the course, or worse, expelled. What do I do?
Rolling the Dice
Dear Rolling the Dice,
It’s good you came to me. This is a serious accusation. If you can prove the plagarism, there are a few ways you can deal with it. It’s all about trust, and using communication to build that trust.
First, approach XXX in private. Show them the parts that were taken directly from the annual report. It’s against college rules, and tell them to rewrite it before anyone gets in trouble. XXX should get their head out of their rear end and fix it.
Secondly, if XXX refuses, approach the team members with the same concerns. Communication is necessary. Everyone affected should know. Ask them what you should all do.
As a last resort, if they agree to ignore the problem, I would tell them you will take it to the teacher on your own. Do it immediately. Don’t be nasty, just state the facts. Honestly, you will be labeled a tattletale and have a scarlet letter on your chest, but it’s better than being expelled.
You will face this in the real world. There are dishonest people in the world, and they will do anything to get ahead, no matter who they hurt. I would never cover for someone else’s mistake. Like the saying goes, CYA.
Good luck!
Miss LARE