Spring Break
Editorial
University should release numbers on cheating
Editorial Board
Issue date: 2/15/08 Section: Ed-Op
While most the coverage of the Jocelyn Kirsch arrest is being focused on the lives of those involved, The Triangle has uncovered a systemic problem of cheating and if allowed to continue, it could tarnish the University's reputation and lead to under-qualified graduates.
No school can completely prevent cheating and Drexel is no exception. What really concerns us is that Drexel administrators do not publicize the statistics of how many students are cited for academic misconduct while other schools, like Temple and Northeastern, make this information public.
The University's stance on enforcement of cheating policy is weak at best, and negligent at the worst. The words of Drexel officials and the policy do not match.
"[It is] important to recognize student academic dishonesty and that it is caught and is to be reported and the record maintained," Vice Provost for Academic Affairs John DiNardo told The Triangle in a Feb. 1 report.
The Editorial Board applauds DiNardo for speaking up, but unfortunately his words do not translate into policy.
Professors are not required take basic precaution such as check student IDs. Checking ID alone could have prevented the embarrassment of a non-Drexel student allegedly taking exams for arrested senior Jocelyn Kirsch.
One chemistry professor interviewed by The Triangle explained he checks student IDs, however, a University wide policy is needed.
The Drexel "pledge of honor" was cited as a way to prevent cheating. People who choose to cheat through college are not likely to read any honor codes.
Cheating in class is only one side of the problem. Drexel should follow Northeastern University is publishing statistics on academic dishonesty.
"It is our preference for our conduct process to be as transparent to students and our community as possible. We feel that publishing statistics is one way to enforce our philosophy," Valerie Randall-Lee, the director of student conduct at Northeastern said.
The Editorial Board urges Drexel to publish all student conduct statistics, while maintain the privacy of the individual student.
Raw data can give parents, students and prospective students a clear picture of cheating at Drexel.
Drexel will not, under current policy disclose the number of students cited for academic dishonesty.
The Editorial Board calls on Provost Stephen Director and Assistant Dean for Student Conduct and Community Standards Stephen Rupprecht to release monthly statistics on the number of academic misconduct incidents reported and strengthen the University's cheating policy.
Anecdotal evidence including interviews with past and current students gives the impression that cheating is widespread and being ignored by the University. We hope this is not the case and with specific data that can be made clearer.
No school can completely prevent cheating and Drexel is no exception. What really concerns us is that Drexel administrators do not publicize the statistics of how many students are cited for academic misconduct while other schools, like Temple and Northeastern, make this information public.
The University's stance on enforcement of cheating policy is weak at best, and negligent at the worst. The words of Drexel officials and the policy do not match.
"[It is] important to recognize student academic dishonesty and that it is caught and is to be reported and the record maintained," Vice Provost for Academic Affairs John DiNardo told The Triangle in a Feb. 1 report.
The Editorial Board applauds DiNardo for speaking up, but unfortunately his words do not translate into policy.
Professors are not required take basic precaution such as check student IDs. Checking ID alone could have prevented the embarrassment of a non-Drexel student allegedly taking exams for arrested senior Jocelyn Kirsch.
One chemistry professor interviewed by The Triangle explained he checks student IDs, however, a University wide policy is needed.
The Drexel "pledge of honor" was cited as a way to prevent cheating. People who choose to cheat through college are not likely to read any honor codes.
Cheating in class is only one side of the problem. Drexel should follow Northeastern University is publishing statistics on academic dishonesty.
"It is our preference for our conduct process to be as transparent to students and our community as possible. We feel that publishing statistics is one way to enforce our philosophy," Valerie Randall-Lee, the director of student conduct at Northeastern said.
The Editorial Board urges Drexel to publish all student conduct statistics, while maintain the privacy of the individual student.
Raw data can give parents, students and prospective students a clear picture of cheating at Drexel.
Drexel will not, under current policy disclose the number of students cited for academic dishonesty.
The Editorial Board calls on Provost Stephen Director and Assistant Dean for Student Conduct and Community Standards Stephen Rupprecht to release monthly statistics on the number of academic misconduct incidents reported and strengthen the University's cheating policy.
Anecdotal evidence including interviews with past and current students gives the impression that cheating is widespread and being ignored by the University. We hope this is not the case and with specific data that can be made clearer.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Steve
posted 2/21/08 @ 9:46 PM EST
I'm curious on why Temple and Northeastern were colleges that were used as colleges that publish those records. It would've made sense to put in some Ivy League schools that publish those records. (Continued…)
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