Across America, cheating continues to be a major problem within colleges and universities. While they typically have created policies to prevent it and faculty use strategies to catch those that do, it still continues to be a problem. As Maryellen Weimer, Ph.D. pointed out a few years ago, “Are we doing enough" to promote academic integrity? Indeed, can more be done in order to deter students from cheating or plagiarizing? Many educators feel that while efforts have been done to prevent cheating, academic integrity as a whole hasn't been promoted enough to make these solutions actually work.

Teaching Personal Integrity

The reality is that most students aren't confronting themselves when it comes to what cheating will do to them. The damage to their self-worth and the chance of being expelled can be two things that are difficult to repair for students. By deciding to cheat, they are telling themselves that it doesn't matter that they haven't done the work or learned the assignment and that it's okay to pretend to others that they have. While cheating may help them to improve their grade, it lowers their personal integrity. Cheating can be addictive to some students and oftentimes doesn't stop with one exam or assignment but continues throughout an educational career.

Individuals with academic integrity work ethically, accurately, and most importantly, honestly. Taking full credit for their own work and not giving it to those they cheated from is unethical. As educators, it is their responsibility to help prevent these incidences from occurring and to ensure that those that do are because of a lapse in judgment and not a false accusation.

Questions to Consider

Some important things to consider as either a student or an educator are:

• What does cheating entail?
• What is plagiarism and how can I avoid it or deter students from it?
• How do you properly paraphrase work?
• What is academic integrity and why does it even matter in the classroom?
• When is it okay to collaborate with other students on assignments?
• What are the consequences of cheating or plagiarizing on personal and academic aspirations?
• What should the penalty be for cheating or plagiarizing?

Speak to a Student Defense Attorney

If you or your student has been accused of cheating in college or a university, a student defense lawyer such as Joseph D. Lento can represent at a time when you need legal expertise by your side the most. Don't allow a lapse in judgment or a mistake cost you your education.

Joseph D. Lento has years of experience, skills, and resources to successfully represent you during all disciplinary hearings. He prides himself on working diligently to protect his client's rights throughout the entire legal process. Contact his office and you can discuss your situation and ask any questions you may have for him. Ultimately, Joseph D. Lento has a proven track record of success representing students in the same situation as you. Don't hesitate to contact him today.