2008 Woodie Awards
If You Don't Stop, I'm Telling!
Issue date: 10/8/07 Section: Editorials
- Page 1 of 1
This edition of The Commentator includes the first of a six-part series on academic integrity and misconduct at Yeshiva College. The editorial decision to devote so much space to this topic was certainly not one made in haste. While the decision to initiate the series was made solely by The Commentator's Governing Board, the series' organizer and writer, Zev Eleff, communicated with YC administrators and faculty throughout the series' preparation to make sure that information disclosed was sensitive to the privacy of students and professors. Recent changeover in the Sy Syms Dean's Office made it impossible to include useful information on the school's recent experiences with academic integrity and misconduct. However, owing to the fact that Syms students are required to take courses offered in YC and that Syms students are part and parcel of the Wilf Campus culture, information and insights offered in this series should be considered by SSSB students and faculty, too.
Another point that warrants mention is that we do not know with any kind of certainly how many students have cheated. The reason for this is two-fold. First, as evidenced by the recent establishment of Yeshiva's Office for Institutional Research, the University has finally decided to cease making decision based on anecdotal evidence alone. As Dean Srolovitz continues to marshal YC into better academic standing, he and Dean Sugarman have redoubled their efforts to properly document data on academic misconduct. The other primary reason for lack of information is that it seems that many faculty deal with accused cases of academic misconduct without involving the Dean's Office. Indeed, not only is this a breach of contract, but possibly more important, it violates the rights of students. Students deserve to defend themselves under the guidelines established by the Dean's Office. Imploring faculty who attempt to strike deals with students or levy threats to instead play by the rules is another crucial reason for the run of this important series.
Still, some senior professors believe that YC is no different than any other college. As noted in this issue, a recent report indicates that nearly 70 percent of college students cheated on a test at least once. And yet, cheating at Yeshiva should never be comparable with cheating at secular colleges. Beyond the breach of academic integrity, cheating is a biblical violation. In the eyes of Halakha, acts of cheating and plagiarism far exceed whatever violation comes with praying without a minyan. In a word, such conduct is simply inexcusable.
Another point that warrants mention is that we do not know with any kind of certainly how many students have cheated. The reason for this is two-fold. First, as evidenced by the recent establishment of Yeshiva's Office for Institutional Research, the University has finally decided to cease making decision based on anecdotal evidence alone. As Dean Srolovitz continues to marshal YC into better academic standing, he and Dean Sugarman have redoubled their efforts to properly document data on academic misconduct. The other primary reason for lack of information is that it seems that many faculty deal with accused cases of academic misconduct without involving the Dean's Office. Indeed, not only is this a breach of contract, but possibly more important, it violates the rights of students. Students deserve to defend themselves under the guidelines established by the Dean's Office. Imploring faculty who attempt to strike deals with students or levy threats to instead play by the rules is another crucial reason for the run of this important series.
Still, some senior professors believe that YC is no different than any other college. As noted in this issue, a recent report indicates that nearly 70 percent of college students cheated on a test at least once. And yet, cheating at Yeshiva should never be comparable with cheating at secular colleges. Beyond the breach of academic integrity, cheating is a biblical violation. In the eyes of Halakha, acts of cheating and plagiarism far exceed whatever violation comes with praying without a minyan. In a word, such conduct is simply inexcusable.
Be the first to comment on this story