After an extensive review and analysis of the University's usage of the Turnitin software, and because of a recent change in the cost structure by Turnitin, the University made the determination that it would no longer support Turnitin as of the August 1, 2008 contract expiration date.
In an effort to continue to offer University faculty anti-plagiarism software, the Office of Information Technology (OIT) reviewed several Web-based anti-plagiarism services and found that SafeAssign, which already is bundled with the WebVista course management structure, is a viable alternative to Turnitin, and also allows for a significant cost savings to the University. Several current faculty users of Turnitin were asked to evaluate SafeAssign and found it to be an acceptable option. Support for SafeAssign is provided by OIT.
SafeAssign will continue as a resource that instructors can use either to detect incidents of plagiarism or to confirm suspected plagiarism and identify the improperly used or cited source material, by providing the ability to compare submitted papers with previously written papers stored in its database. Instructors who wish to use SafeAssign will access the service through WebVista, but do not need to use WebVista for other purposes if they choose not to. Instructors can request a WebVista site by completing the WebVista Site Request Form.
Additional information about SafeAssign and how to use the service is available on the SafeAssign page on the WebVista support site, and on the SafeAssign page in the Digital Media Center Web site.