By Annette Froste, Special to the On-line Forty-Niner May 5, 1997
James Keely, 34, a former Cal State Long Beach student, admitted to cheating in class as a way of passing midterms when he did not have an opportunity to study. His methods would vary from keeping his notes next to him on the floor to cheating off one of his friends.
CSULB schedule of classes defines cheating as the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain or aiding another in obtaining academic credit for work by the use of any dishonest, deceptive or fraudulent means.
Some examples would include copying from someone else's paper, writing on one's hand or the bottom of a shoe, or using a "cheat sheet."
Photo illustration by Brittany M. Solo
According to a Baird study that surveyed American college undergraduates, two common forms of cheating were copying from someone else's test and obtaining information from other students.
Stephen Katz, head of judicial affairs on campus, said disciplinary action is up to the teacher.
"Cheating is a serious breech of the academic environment."
Every semester, a list of academic actions are placed in the general information section of the schedule of classes. These actions are available to faculty members for students who are caught cheating.
When a case comes before judicial affairs, there are two possible avenues of disciplinary actions taken, according to Katz.
The first is called an informal action, which consists of an agreement between the student and university and is usually resolved through a conference.
It is the most common form of action used.
The second, called a formal hearing, only occurs if the student and university do not come up with a mutual agreement. During this hearing, a decision of probation, suspension or expulsion is made.
This form of action is seldom used. About one dozen cases a year make their way to judicial affairs.
A faculty member or student can request a review of the evidence (notes, scantron, student, etc.) by writing to the Academic Integrity Committee no later than 14 calendar days following the allegation by the faculty member, according to the CSULB schedule of classes.
Listed in the general information section of the schedule of classes are students' rights and their entitlements.
Wanda Albano, a 21-year-old CSULB student, said she has never cheated while in college.
"Cheating has really never crossed my mind," she said. "I think it's kind of stupid."
She said she has never caught anybody cheating off her tests. If she did, she would cover her scantron and discuss it with the person trying to copy answers from her.
One of the most effective ways to control cheating is to use identical tests with the answers presented in a different order.