Harvard Students in Cheating Scandal Say Collaboration Was Accepted
Recently, an investigation of Harvard university students has uncovered that almost 125 students have been linked to plagiarism in a class that concluded last spring. Harvard—an institution known for educating exceptionally smart minds—is dealing with a problem that has become increasingly renown: academic dishonesty in the 21st century. A deeper look into the story shows that the accused students felt that many of their ‘collaboration’ methods had been accepted in the past by other students and the graduate-student teachers. Students taking the seemingly-easy class would mass-produce and distribute notes of the lecture topics to other students for use on the take-home exams. The accused students also point out that the take-home exams included the use of the internet, notes, and textbook. The students find these rules to be extremely lenient and wonder why the test couldn’t include other’s notes. Now, because of their actions, the students are facing a possible mark of plagiarism on their record, or suspension from the university. Some students could have their degrees revoked.
Recently, an investigation of Harvard university students has uncovered that almost 125 students have been linked to plagiarism in a class that concluded last spring. Harvard—an institution known for educating exceptionally smart minds—is dealing with a problem that has become increasingly renown: academic dishonesty in the 21st century. A deeper look into the story shows that the accused students felt that many of their ‘collaboration’ methods had been accepted in the past by other students and the graduate-student teachers. Students taking the seemingly-easy class would mass-produce and distribute notes of the lecture topics to other students for use on the take-home exams. The accused students also point out that the take-home exams included the use of the internet, notes, and textbook. The students find these rules to be extremely lenient and wonder why the test couldn’t include other’s notes. Now, because of their actions, the students are facing a possible mark of plagiarism on their record, or suspension from the university. Some students could have their degrees revoked.
The story was
written using a wide variety of sources to explain and provide an inside look
into the incident. Students were
interviewed and direct quotes were used.
Harvard’s Q Guide (an online, university-sanctioned, database of student
feedback relating to Arts and Science courses) was referenced, along with press
statements from the university.
Plagiarism allegations
are severe and should be treated as such—especially when involving an
institution of higher learning. As usual
with any academia investigation, the process can be perceived as messy and
chaotic. This whole article has the undertone
of the foreboding frenzy that will follow in the upcoming weeks of scrutiny.
This story seems to
be targeted at the young adult category in the professional world (the ages of
18-35). Its purpose was to educate the
public regarding a current event involving the prosecution of plagiarism on a
university level. Students and adults
need to understand the gravity of participating in academic dishonesty. A few questions relating to this case were
raised in my mind. Were the students
completely clueless of their acts of fraud?
Or had they chosen to fall into the proverbial sheep-mentality and hope
to get away with it? Every time a
student plagiarizes, they commit academic dishonesty and take a great risk of
their actions being discovered. This
leads me to another question. Is it
possible for students in this day and age to grasp the concept that actions always precede consequences? It is certainly attainable; universities should
be crucial in educating students about academic dishonesty in every aspect. It is
important to pay attention to the compilation of the investigation and note the
disciplinary actions taken by Harvard.
They could shape future standards for every college in the country.
The crest of Harvard University. It reads, "Veritas" which is Latin for "Truth." Source: Wikimedia Commons.
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