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[kerrosario]

I graduated from Penn State in the early 90's and Dr. Olsen was my thesis adviser. I can attest to the fact that he required you to write your thesis the way he wanted it- to the word! It does not surprise me that two theses he reviewed would have similar verbiage as described. This is definitely not due to plagiarism just his strict editing style. I would bet that if you reviewed a dozen theses that he advised, the wording of key components would be nearly identical in format. I hope the professors are reinstated because the alleged "plagiarism" cannot be proven and it appears that their sexual harassment by Dr. Olsen (through pornographic emails) has been proven. This seems to be a clear case of illegal retaliation.

[expatinuk]

link?

[kerrosario]

Sorry- I'm new to this! The article was "New Mexico State U. President Fires Off New Allegations in Dispute With Professors"
By SCOTT CARLSON; see
http://chronicle.com/daily/2008/07/3725n.htm?utm_source=at&utm_medium=en 

[expatinuk]

can't read it unless I pay to subscribe to the Chronicle.

[kerrosario]

I don't subscribe, other than what's free. Look at the link in the upper left of your screen "The Chronicle's FREE email news update Academe Today"- that's where I got this article.

[donttasemebro]

I don't understand why NMSU hasn't done a better job of protecting itself legally on this issue. Not only does this seem like retaliation (and why bother to attack two faculty members whom you have already fired?) but it is sure to be very expensive for the university when it has to defend itself in court. A person who has already committed to move on to another institution can ruin his existing institution with impunity.

Next question: To what extent is the president of the board of regents implicated in the decision to "check" the theses for plagiarism? I would propose that there's a "plausible deniability" thing going on. And are other faculty members who dare to critique the NMSU administration going to be next in having their work scrutinized for no apparent reason than to raise doubts about their integrity?