GUEST COLUMNISTS: The eyes and ears of academic integrity

Kevin Hodges, Rajarsi Gupta and Hemal Parmar Kevin Hodges, Rajarsi Gupta and Hemal ParmarWe're watching you? We're watching your neighbor?. And we've been watching you for a while. Scared yet? Good. You didn't know it, but we've been there all along. We're in your classes, your dorms, your frats and your sororities. We're the University Honor Council. But not anymore. This year's Council is sick and tired of the disregard that most students have toward academic integrity. Think about your crimes against our intellectual community at Penn. We've all heard that when you cheat, you cheat yourself, but you also cheat your classmates out of the grade they deserve. That's all changing now. The Council's new message to students: you cheat at Penn, and now we're going to get you. Don't think we won't see you. We know what happens on those Computer Science homework assignments. We saw you fabricate the Bio lab data and then share your report with a friend. And don't think you weren't seen cheating on your Accounting 101 or 102 final last semester. I wouldn't bet on trying that again. You might have not actually been caught, but don't think we aren't working with professors and TAs to make it next to impossible next time. Remember those professors and classmates that you wanted to impress? Kudos to you for staging a good front at Penn, but when your high GPA lands you that great job, you will probably end up being fired after failing the first assignment. That situation is a lot more depressing than doing honest work while at Penn. You obviously don't understand how much you have already hurt yourself, but be warned: the members of the Honor Council are making great strides toward keeping your dishonorable habits in check. An intellectual community is based on a sense of honor. Researchers need to be able to trust the data of colleagues. Students must be able to believe the lessons the professors teach. Still believe integrity is not important? A group of well-established individuals will beg to differ with you. They are the people who you will be reviewing your resumes in the future. If I were you, I'd really shape up and even consider listening to what these people have to say about integrity and honor. You weren't able to get by without Penn seeing you cheat, so you definitely won't get passed them. So even if we don't catch you, your boss will. Academic dishonesty doesn't pay at Penn or anyplace else. Keep that in mind as you take your finals.