GThe
UILFORDIAN
Mars Hill plagiarizes college brochure
Peter Smith
News Editor
Guilford officials are distressed over a
recent attempt by Mars Hill College to
solicit donations to their institution by
fraudulently duplicating a Guilford Col
lege Loyalty Fund brochure.
The Mars Hill brochure, mailed to their
alumni in early September, is a word-for
word reproduction of the Guilford Col
lege brochure except for the names and
profiles of the college and students.
In a letter sent by Guilford College on
September 19th to Dr. Fred B. Bentley,
President of Mars Hill College, President
Bill Rogers expressed both "shock and
dismay" at a "clearly fraudulent duplica
tion of [Guilford Collegers original work."
Dr. Rogers also stated in the letter that
Guilford is considering legal action and
made four requests to Dr. Bentley. The
requests ask Mars Hill to immediately halt
"circulation and dissemination" of the
brochure, to write a letter of apology to all
recipients of the brochure "owning up to
the piracy of another institution's profes
sional work," and to submit to Guilford
College the name of the designer or design
firm that produced the material.
President Rogers also requested for Mars
Hill's chief development officer and de
signer of the brochure to meet with Jim
Newlin and the Guilford College attorney
for a "full explanation of how this situ
ation came about."
When asked directly about the possibil
ity of legal action by Guilford College,
President Rogers indicated that the
college's legal council had been informed
and was considering possible legal op
tions.
"We have consulted our council and we
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VOL. 74 No. 6
have asked to consult with Mars Hill's
council," said Dr. Rogers. "It is some
thing we are considering. Of course, you
just can't sue somebody for plagiarism,
but we are exploring our options."
The original Guilford brochure, which
was mailed to Guilford alumni and friends
of the college during the early fall of 1988,
was not protected under U.S. copyright
laws; however, Jim Newlin, Vice Presi
dent for Finance and Development, indi
cated the possible need to copyright pro
motional material in the future.
"Our material was not copyrighted so
there is no violation here," said Jim Newlin.
"But based on our experience we may
copyright our promotional material in the
future."
Newlin also spoke of possible legal
implications concerning the fraudulent
duplication, but indicated that chances are
small that Guilford will take legal action.
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photo by Charles Almy
Award-winning Guilford brochure (right) juxtaposed to Mars Hills'
strikingly similar brochure.
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C LEAS Afct QUITE 06tf 8
GUILFORD COLLEGE, GREENSBORO, N.C.
"It is unlikely we will take legal action
if they meet our request," said Newlin.
'The chances of recovery from legal ac
tion are slim. Although their action was
highly unprofessional, they have not
damaged Guilford financially."
In a phone call with Guilford officials,
Mars Hill apologized for the brochure and
stated they would print a retraction in their
upcoming Alumni newsletter. It was not
clear, however, if Mars Hill would meet
the other requests stated in Dr. Rogers '
letter.
In the discussion with Guilford College,
it was learned that that Mr. Ed Hoffmeyer,
an official in the alumni office at Mars
Hill, was responsible for the design of the
brochure. When asked why the duplica
tion occurred, the President of Mars Hill
said that an alumnus of Mars Hill had sent
Guilford's brochure to Mr. Hoffmeyer,
who, in turn, was so impressed with its
design that he decided to use it for Mars
Hill's Loyalty Fund. The college apolo
gized and expressed regret in failing to
receive Guilford's permission before imi
tating the design.
In an interview with The Guilfordian,
Mr. Hoffmeyer refused to answer ques
tions concerning the incident, indicating
that his official statement was included in
Dr. Bentley's and Dr. Rogers telephone
conversation. When asked if any students,
faculty, or administrators at Mars Hill had
expressed concern over the fraudulent
duplication, Mr. Hoffmeyer again refused
comment.
Mr. Ed Hoffmeyer is currently listed as
the Director of Alumni Activities at Mars
Hill, according to the 1990 Case Member
ship Directory. It is unclear, however, of
his exact position at the college.
The original Loyalty Fund brochure was
designed by Gayle Fishel of the College
Relations Department Fishel's design
won a regional first prize for the most
unique Annual Giving brochure. The
brochure is also being considered by the
publisher for national competition.
Fishel was both amazed and concerned
over the brochure's fraudulent reproduc
tion. She felt honored that another institu
tion would use her design, but she was
concerned over the exact reproduction of
her work.
"A lot of times you gauge your success
by other people imitating your work," said
Fishel. "It's not unusual to be cloned, and
its kind of flattering - a good affirmation.
But there is a real difference in imitation
and plagiarism. I have had design work
copied, but I've never had it done this
flagrantly. I was amazed."
Mars Hill College is an independent,
four year coed college located in Mars
Hill, North Carolina, approximately 20
miles north of Asheville.
Football d P A
nates Randolph- ®
Macon 10
OCT. 2,1989