So, as the semester continues at USM, many of you will begin to write papers and take exams. This tradition is quite stressful, often leading to student behavior that is questionable, provocative, and unethical.
I have been told that I teach the largest-enrolled three-credit course at USM called Introduction to Communication (COM 102J). I have taught the course virtually every semester since my arrival to USM. With an average enrollment of 250-300 a year, I have taught nearly 2000 students alone in that course over the years. ?I do my best to communicate the course’s requirements, classroom procedures and evaluation components in my nine-page syllabus.
That said, last semester was the most difficult semester I’ve had in COM 102J since I began teaching in 1991. I dealt with five students who decided to cheat on exams, plagiarize their papers, or steal other students’ journals. The semester challenged every notion of student academic integrity of which I am aware at USM.
Aside from that, it prompted me to think about what I can personally do to try to inculcate a process of ethics in my students. Speaking to my colleagues at Marquette University, Northeastern and the University of Minnesota, I certainly know that USM is not unique in this area. Every school struggles with academic difficulties like cheating and plagiarism. ?
Contrary to what many students think, most professors hate dealing with cheating and plagiarism. Few of us enjoy challenging student ethics and we must absolutely be?certain about our accusations.
My experiences with USM students who violate the University Academic Integrity Policy suggest that many students “don’t get it” with respect to what they are doing. Many students seem to be completely oblivious to the fact that what they are doing is not only unethical, but in some cases, illegal at USM. ?
It is within this spirit that I offer the following advice to students as they begin to construct essays and complete exams. The information below is not meant to be a magical elixir to unethical behavior, but merely an abbreviated rehashing of what many professors try to instill in their students: a code of ethics.
Here’s my advice to you, the USM student, as you consider issues of academic honesty this semester:?
1: CREDIT THE SOURCE.
A great number of students look at the internet as a vast depository of “free information.” This is not the case. Although the web has no accountability (at least not from an academic angle), this does not mean that you are free to download information and claim it as your own. Today, more than ever, professors now have software available to them that allow them to assess the veracity of written claims and also permit them to check on the originality of a student’s written work. If and when you wonder whether or not you should credit the source, be conservative: Give credit where credit is due.
2: IT’S YOUR EXAM; LOOK AT IT.
Most professors in both large and small courses have seen it all. They know, for instance, whether or not you are really trying to read a test question by holding your exam up in front of your face or simply trying to read the answers of a classmate sitting in front of you. And, guess what? That water bottle where you put your cheat sheet inside of the label? Yep, we know that one, too. For obvious reasons, professors generally give students the benefit of the doubt come test time. So, unless the exam format calls for an alternative to the individual exam, keep your eyes on your own exam.
?3:KEEP IT TO YOURSELF.
Other students may unwittingly be complicit in the academic dishonesty of others. For instance, how many times have you allowed a close friend or roommate to copy something you’ve written? Or, does a good romance get in the way at times and you allow your partner to cheat off your exam or copy parts of your paper? Or, maybe you live in a fraternity, sorority, or a large house with a lot of housemates and you all “share” papers or copies of past exams. Will someone please explain to me how this helps the learning process of anyone?
4:ASK IF YOU’RE NOT SURE.
Okay, so I previously mentioned that some students are unaware of their ethical actions. What advice can I offer to those of you who may not be sure about your behaviors? With respect to cheating on exams, the only advice is simple: don’t even try. Don’t engage in “suspicious” test-taking behaviors, such as reaching for something in your backpack or showing an affinity for the palm of your hand! With respect to writing, several suggestions come to mind. First, USM has an Office of Community Standards (780-5242) where any sort of academic ethical question can be asked. Second, I know of no professor at this University who would be unwilling to sit with you to talk to you about whether or not your citation process is appropriate. Third, always keep in mind that the words of another writer are owned by that writer. In other words, you do not have the liberty-unless otherwise noted by the author-to take another’s words and claim them as your own.
I could go on and on discussing the academic ethical issues surrounding the teaching and learning process. Although my call here is for students to adhere to the highest ethical regard in their classroom performance, I also believe professors should steadfastly present their ethical concerns in their syllabus and discuss it the first day of class. Doing anything less will allow students to misinterpret or obfuscate the classroom procedures and policies. We-both student and professor-are all part of the academic ethical equation.
I know no letter to The Free Press will end the ethical breaches going on at USM. Yet, perhaps my words will make some of you consider your future behaviors or even prompt others of you to reconsider your current way of understanding material. Violating academic integrity can have far-reaching consequences at USM. Beyond our academic walls, this unprincipled behavior only undermines the USM degree and can have lasting consequences in one’s career paths. ?
Please feel free to contact me if you have thoughts regarding my views ([email protected]). Thank you.