Are students being held to a higher standard than a candidate for Governor?

[Whitewater, WI] – On Friday, Buzzfeed first reported that Mary Burke, democratic candidate for Governor, plagiarized several parts of her jobs plan. UW-Whitewater College Republicans, Chairman, Allison Strauel released the following statement.

“The revelation that Mary Burke plagiarized parts of her jobs plan has been alarming to many Wisconsin voters.  Burke’s blatant display of dishonesty demonstrates her inability to be the trustworthy leader our state needs.  As students, we are expected to follow standards of intellectual integrity and we should expect no less from a candidate for governor.  Wisconsin can do better than copy and paste plans, and Wisconsin can surely do better than Mary Burke.”

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater academic misconduct policy says, “As members of the UW-Whitewater community we are subject to the highest standards of personal integrity. Personal integrity is reflected by our respect of the dignity and privacy of others and our adherence to standards of intellectual integrity.

Members of the UW-Whitewater community have a responsibility to promote and a right to expect:

1.    That all members will perform to the utmost of their abilities in an honest and sincere manner. Cheating, plagiarism, and the use of unauthorized materials is dishonest and a violation of our community’s trust. The misrepresentation of our work in any manner threatens the spirit of community and cannot be tolerated. In giving credit for others’ contributions and taking credit for our own when appropriate, we can celebrate each others’ ideas.

2.    That the privacy of personal records will be maintained in accordance with legal statutes and our ethical responsibilities.

3.    That all members have access to a fair and timely hearing, and a resolution of grievances and complaints.”

– Allison Strauel
Chairman of College Republicans
UW-Whitewater