"They're always harping on us to follow those rules."

Of an incident of copying in a graduation speech by Dr. Philip Baker at the University of Alberta:

The dean wrote that when he was researching his own speech, he was inspired by the text of a convocation address called "The Velluvial Matrix" that was given last year by Dr. Atul Gawande to graduates at Stanford University in California. It touched on personal family stories about overcoming adversity. Baker admitted that the theme and much of the content for his address came from what Gawande said.

"The talk was intended for a private audience, nevertheless, my failure to attribute the source of my inspiration is a matter of the utmost regret," Baker wrote.

** One student, Cam Breckon, commented: If he violated the student code of conduct, then yeah, he should be fired and kicked out of the university. They're always harping on us to follow those rules." IPBiz suggests Cam Breckon talk to the Harvard Crimson about divergences in punishing plagiarism between students and professors. [see
Harvard Crimson on reprimand of Laurence Tribe] As they say at the Harvard Business Review: Plagiarize with Pride!

** Of the Baker matter [ It touched on personal family stories about overcoming adversity. ], one recalls the Joe Biden speech incident wherein Biden appropriated facts from a Kinnock speech on overcoming adversity that were not true as to Biden. Biden did invite Kinnock to the inauguration. [see Biden invites Kinnock to inauguration ]


On Leno on June 13-14, there was a discussion of plagiarizng by Jason Sudeikis from Jerry Seinfeld. Jay himself talked about his own plagiarism, a purchased paper on Hotel/Motel Managment.

**UPDATE

Professor defends embattled U of A dean at centre of plagiarism allegation