1 Most universities believe that students should be expelled immediately due to acts of plagiarism. But is it really safe to jump to such an extreme conclusion for an action that, in most cases, requires some sort of investigation or trial? For many years universities have battled students on this particular topic. Plagiarism has levels that should be addressed by first identifying the cause, examining the evidence, and determining whether it was planned on purpose or not. Students, just like their professors, sometimes make simple mistakes, and no student should be immediately expelled for non-obvious plagiarism. Immediate expulsion is unruly and unfair to students who work really hard, but may not have the knowledge to spot plagiarism.2 The problem with immediate expulsion and why it is unfair to students is because can overlook the truth too soon and cause permanent damage. to their future without an explanation. It would be unfair to penalize in this way students who have no history of plagiarism and who may even have excellent grades in their current classes. Some universities do not focus on raising students' awareness of plagiarism prevention, so why should innocent students be forced to fail the entire class? According to Pilot Online News writer Zinie Chen Sampson, Allison Routman, an Ohio University student who attended an off-campus program for the University of Virginia, said she was shocked when a professor accused her of having plagiarized an online synopsis of a film. The University of Virginia has a single-sanction honor code, meaning students risk expulsion after a violation. The professor had suspected the plagiarism of some students for the assigned assignment and had allowed them to introduce themselves...... middle of the paper ......or to ask the questions necessary to pass, not only that course, but everyone else as well. Works Cited Chapman, Lindsey. “Expelled Student Sues Classmate Over Plagiarism Charges.” In search of Dulcinea. November 21, 2008. Web. June 21, 2011. Sampson, Zinie Chen. “Students Expelled from UVA Shipboard Program for Plagiarism.” Online Pilot | Hampton Roads. The Associated Press, August 11, 2008. Web. June 21, 2011. Waldman, Loretta. “Lawsuit is latest chapter in CCSU fraud allegation” The Hartford Courant. The Hartford Courant, November 18, 2008. Web. June 21 2011.