Western Carolina University suspended operations at the Western Carolinian, the school’s student-produced bimonthly newspaper, from Friday until Wednesday morning because of plagiarism accusations.

The newspaper staff was not given an actual reason for the suspension, but the paper was recently accused of plagiarizing the local newspaper, The Sylva Herald.  According to the Justin Caudell, editor-in-chief of the Western Carolinian, rumors have been spreading about the accusations.

“A lot of things have been said about the suspension,” Caudell said.  “We’re trying to find out what rumors are being said.”

The plagiarism is being investigated by the University.

“There were accusations,” Caudell said.  “We’re being investigated right now, but we’re going to still be allowed to publish.”

According to Bill Studenc, the senior director of news services, the investigation is internal and being conducted by Student Affairs at Western Carolina University.

“An interim suspension of the Western Carolinian‘s activities was imposed, pursuant to WCU’s policies regarding student organizations, on the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 24,” Studenc said. 

“The action was part of an internal investigation by Student Affairs personnel into allegations that portions of articles in a previous edition of the Western Carolinian had been plagiarized from a local weekly newspaper, The Sylva Herald.”

Katherine Smith, the advisor for the Western Carolinian, said she is not allowed to speak to the press about the allegations.

“I would love to comment, but WCU policy requires all media inquires be directed to public relations,” Smith said. 

Fortunately, according to Caudell, calendar publication of the newspaper was not affected.

“We had a paper being distributed on Friday,” Caudell said.  “We were also in the middle of getting together articles for the next paper, so we’re not sure how that will affect us, since [Western Carolina] officials could not talk to us.”

Caudell said he’s happy the newspaper has been taken off suspension.

“I’m glad WCU has been reinstated and the suspension of the staff has been lifted,” he said. “But keeping in mind the First Amendment violation, if this happens again, I hope the administration doesn’t jump to suspension again.”