Collegian reporter plagiarized
Maria Schmitt
Issue date: 2/12/09 Section: News
A Hillsdale College consultant unintentionally plagiarized two paragraphs of a story about Hillsdale College's shooting range from the Sept. 25 issue of the Collegian, for an article published in the National Rifle Association's "American Hunter" magazine this fall.
The two paragraphs, written by Collegian reporter Liz Essley, a sophomore, were not credited to her or the Collegian.
Chris Bachelder, associate vice president for strategic marketing, said the consultant did not purposely use the paragraphs without giving Essley credit.
"I determined that it was not done with either malice or dishonor," he said after speaking with the consultant. "It was inadvertent and careless."
Bachelder refused the Collegian the consultant's name, contact information and details about the incident.
The college and the NRA will forgive the mistake unconditionally, other than publishing an attribution for the paragraphs in the magazine's April issue.
Bachelder said he did not find out about the mistake until Essley called External Affairs in mid-January, after two friends told her about the magazine article.
She said Bachelder was enthusiastic about making sure he found out how the incident occurred and that he was very helpful.
Two photographs taken by Collegian photographer William Clayton also appeared in the magazine and were credited to Hillsdale College External Affairs. Clayton said he originally too the photos for the External Affairs department and later shared them with the Collegian, which means they were not also plagiarized.
The two paragraphs, written by Collegian reporter Liz Essley, a sophomore, were not credited to her or the Collegian.
Chris Bachelder, associate vice president for strategic marketing, said the consultant did not purposely use the paragraphs without giving Essley credit.
"I determined that it was not done with either malice or dishonor," he said after speaking with the consultant. "It was inadvertent and careless."
Bachelder refused the Collegian the consultant's name, contact information and details about the incident.
The college and the NRA will forgive the mistake unconditionally, other than publishing an attribution for the paragraphs in the magazine's April issue.
Bachelder said he did not find out about the mistake until Essley called External Affairs in mid-January, after two friends told her about the magazine article.
She said Bachelder was enthusiastic about making sure he found out how the incident occurred and that he was very helpful.
Two photographs taken by Collegian photographer William Clayton also appeared in the magazine and were credited to Hillsdale College External Affairs. Clayton said he originally too the photos for the External Affairs department and later shared them with the Collegian, which means they were not also plagiarized.
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