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Sadly, I am writing to discuss the moral bankruptcy of IU. Here are some facts.
- Pam Whitten’s dissertation she wrote contains over 100 examples of plagiarism including copying 85 consecutive words.
- IU’s only public response to this plagiarism is an “invisible” law report stating that the plagiarism is “meritless.” Despite public record requests by media, and requests by faculty, the report has not been made public.
- Meanwhile, many IU students are punished for less egregious plagiarism. Pam’s only punishment is to receive bonus after bonus. The Student Code of Conduct does not seem to apply to her.
- I have written over 10 emails to the VP of Student Success, Office of Student Conduct (which enforces plagiarism) and Chancellor Reingold about this ethical discrepancy and have received no responses.
- The hypocrisy of this situation speaks for itself.
- Please, IU Board of Trustees publicly release the law report that purports to clear President Whitten of plagiarism in her dissertation or explain why you can’t
- Not releasing this report is covering up the prior board’s coverup of Pam’s plagiarism.
Wayne Winston is a professor emeritus of operations and decision technologies at the Kelley School of Business. He is married to Vivian Winston, who served on the IU Board of Trustees until June 2 when Indiana Gov. Mike Braun removed her and two other elected trustees from the board.
