The other day, one of my best friends called me and updated me on her most recent final exams. She told me how well she did, and how she had been applying the tips and tricks she learned to play her “A” Game. She was so excited that she now believes she will be getting an “A” in that college class.
Then with disgust, she mentions that while she was taking her test she heard two students talking during her final exams. She looked at them, but could not understand a word they were saying – they were speaking another language.
As she sat there, another student too witnessed these two men talking during the final exams. What were they talking about at this crucial time? They were cheating!
Should they turn these students in or should they let this pass?
“Tell or don’t tell? That is the question!
In my first year at Georgia Institute of Technology, I came to better understand the importance of honor. There was a situation that took place during my first semester that I had never experienced before. I was taking an engineering test in a class made up primarily of international students. The professor was not present. During the exam, I heard a foreign language spoken in the classroom. To this day, I have no idea what was said, but I know there should not have been any talking during the test. I assumed that a few students were cheating, but I blocked the thought out of my head. Unfortunately it happened again during another test, except this time I heard papers being passed around. Despite the evidence, I again let the situation slide.
When it happened a third time, I wrote an unsigned letter to the department head and to all the professors of the classes in which I believed the students were cheating. In my letter I expressed my observations during each test session. I specifically mentioned each instance I felt the students were cheating. I expressed my belief that these actions were unfair to other students and that a flagrant violation to the honor code tookplace that required an investigation and possible disciplinary action.
After a few days, the professor returned the exams and made a public comment about the letter in which I had written. He went on to express that the institution held the Honor Code in the highest regard and required that all students abide by it. In addition, the professor stated that students who were witnesses to cheating were required to report what they had observed.
I knew about the first part of the code, but not the latter. The professor suggested that the “disturbed graduate student” come and see him to discuss the matter personally with him; thereafter, he would investigate the situation. I met with him after class in his office, and he explained to me my part of the honor code; to report violations by confronting the student personally or informing the professor of the alleged infraction. When he had finished speaking, I told him of my observations.
After two semesters of investigating and keeping a thorough watch on the alleged violators, these students were caught red-handed. The professors finally realized that what I had observed and reported was obviously true.
Is cheating something that you witness, but don’t say anything? Do you let it pass like so many do?
I encourage you to walk in honor, even if situational ethics say it is okay to “sneak a peek” or plagiarize something.
Honor is doing what’s right when no one is looking. Honor is directly related to one’s character. It defines who you are, when you are all alone without any classmates or supervision. So what does your character say about you? Are you the student that occassionally goes the extra mile to get the anwers for the test from your peers. Or are you the student that spends time writing the answers to the exam on the palm of your hand? Maybe you are the “techie” cheater, who knows how to program the answers and study notes in your cell phone or scientific calculator? If you are one of the above, I encourage you today to cut the nonsense out. Stop living a dishonorable life, and make a decision today to walk in integrity. “God don’t like ugly” is what my elders use to say.
PS: My friend, did the honorable thing. She notified her teacher by writing a huge note to her professor ON HER EXAM.
So what will you do? Tell or Don’t Tell? Let me know what you think about this?
Kantis, This is great! It really makes you think. I have recently read how high students are cheating using text messaging. It’s deep out here these days. We used just write on our hands…thank God for change and honor. lol. Great Blog. You inspire me.