Erica Ocker | Contributing Writer
Integrity is very important when it comes to receiving an education. Academic honesty is expected from all students at Buena Vista University (BVU), and anything that is dishonest will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty can fall under the category of, but is not limited to: cheating, plagiarism, falsification/misinterpretation of information, helping another student cheat, computer crimes, multiple submissions, or tampering with official records.
If a student is caught cheating or being involved in any form of academic dishonesty, they will be punished by faculty. It is then up to the faculty members to decide which punishment is appropriate for the type of academic dishonesty the student was involved in. Punishments could include failing the assignment, failing the course, or being involved in some sort of academic probation. A student does have the opportunity to appeal the faculty member’s decision. Here at BVU, it is done through a written request and a meeting with the dean, the faculty member, the advisor, and the student(s) involved.
The most recent scandal of cheating was at an Ivy League school, Harvard University. Almost half of the students who took the Introduction of Congress class course are being accused of cheating through collaboration. They gathered and collaborated on writing exam answers as well as completing the final take-home exam in unison. The penalty that these students may face is suspension from Harvard. If academic dishonesty has occurred and the dishonest students have already graduated from Harvard, they may also get their diplomas revoked. The direct effects of such decision would cause them to lose their jobs and everything else they have worked for. So why do we do it? Cheating or any other form of academic honesty is not worth the troubles that it brings.
Cheating is not tolerated at any university, as it should not be. If a student is expecting to become a productive member of society and be a professional, they cannot be successful through cheating. In the actual work force, these college graduates will have to do things on their own and come up with solutions to their problems by themselves. Therefore, they should practice being independent, hard-working individuals while in college.
Academic dishonesty is not worth the trouble, so instead, use positive resources such as tutors. Professors will find it difficult to trust you, and you will have to gain back your integrity and a clean slate if you are caught being a cheat. If caught cheating, the offense is recorded and kept in your file, along with that grade and will always be part of your transcript. In order to keep a positive image, it is important to work hard and do your own work.
Photo by Tyson Domingo