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Show Students admit-to cheating in class Convocation By VERONICA GARNER SENIOR STAFF WRJTER There's nothing worse than a lousy, ronen cheater. But according to recent surveys, most undergraduate students are in no position to judge. A nationwide study conducted in 1996 by Bowling Green State University revealed that 70 percent of undergraduate students surveyed admitted to cheating in class. The survey found that business and engineering majors attracted the highest percentage of cheaters, at 89 percent and 78 percent, respectively. On a locaJ level, 200 Southern U~ University students were surveyed, of which 189 admitted to cheating at least once during their college career. The students said that the majority of cheating occurs during midterm and final exams, "when grades really matter," according to one student. Those surveyed said professors provide easy opportunities for cheating, and they blame the faculty for the h igh incidence of cheating. Professors who arc using the same tests year after year and those who arc too lenient with students who get caught p rovide those open windows to struggling students. One student, a sophomore physical education major who wishes to remain anonymous, said, "I think that's silly. It's the student's responsibility not to cheat." Sterling Church, vice president for student services, said that instructors have an ohligation to minimize the probability that cheating will occur. · "Faculty members arc responsible for their classrooms," he said. "Part of their duties include being aware of what's going on tn the classroom. If they sec anything improper in terms o f cheating, it is the1r responsibility to review the case." Different measures such as s pacing students apart during exams, collecting and redistributing blue hooks and giving different test variatio ns help reduce the chances of cheating. For example, Associate Professor of Physics Brent Sorensen, distributes fi ve versions of his astronomy tests, each a different color. He does this to ensure that no cheating goes on in the classroom. A survey given to Professor of Physical Science Paula Michic's Geology 10 t O class indicated that of the 75 enrolled in the course, 25 percent had cheated in the last two weeks. Of the students in the class, about 46 percent, said they would like co sec more preventative steps taken to curb cheating. However, of the 200 polled, only 28 percent had an understanding of the campus cheating policy, which is not very detailed as listed on page 45 of the '98-99 Student Handbook and Planner. The policy states: '"Cheating, forgery, plagiarism, o r other use of work belonging to another, falsification of records, including knowingly furnishing false or misleading information to University officials or on University records or altering or tampering with such records (including official identification cards)(can result in disciplinary action] ." "The definition of what not to do is clear, but what will happen to us?" said another anonymous student, a junior communication major. According to Church, if a student cheats, the first step is for the faculty member to deal with the problem. "Whether the student receives a faili ng grade for the class or the assignment, whatever the professor secs fit for the occurrence," he said. If the matter is on a larger scale, the student can he referred to the Office of the Vice President for Student Services for hearing. " We haven 't had a case of cheating reach us in quite a while, most times, the problem is dealt with hetween the professor and the scudenl," said Church. "H's just a mau er of integrity on behalf of the students who make the cho ice to cheat. "Just let me say this: Do yo u want to arrive in the emergency room and recognize the doct0r who is treating you as the guy you saw cheating in chemistry?" Church said. "Letting others gee away with cheating is only go ing to hurt you in che long run." NOW RENTING 3BD 2 Bth 2 BD I Bth features tV10 speakers The Convocation Series featuring Barrie Thome, a professor of sociology and women 's studies at UC Berkeley, will be part of t wo convocations to be held today here at SUU. Zev Kedem, a s urvivor of the horrors of six World War II Jewish concentration camps, will share the reasons he discovered to celebrate life during a special evening presentation at 7:30 p.m. in the Starlight Room of the Sharwan Smith Center. The l.ecture is titled MA Survivor Cclehrates Life." Originally , Kcdem was to speak Nov. 19, hut his appearance has heen rescheduled for tonight. The speaker to be sch eduled for Nov. 19 will he announced next week. Thome will speak on M l'ransNational Childhoods: The Partic ipation of Children in Family Migration." heginning at 11 :30 a.m. in the SUU Auditorium. "Dr. Thome is nationally pro minent as an author of b ooks and articles dealing with feminism , gender, c hildren, and fam ily," Lana Johnson , director of lectures/ special projects at SUU, said. New and Recycled Fashions at Everyday Lowf rices Traveling TOGS •n•s Too Good to be Threw· QUALITY, PRICE, SELECTION OPEN LATE 426 E. Nichols Canyon Cedar City Ph: 856-1455, Fax 865-1427 All uni ts feature Central Air, Gas Heat, Dishwashers, Garbage Disposal, Covered Parking, Washer/Dryer, Cable, Extra Sto rage. We also have two spacious clubhouses w ith kitchens for special events. 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