Investigation into mass cheating closes as ten students face punishment
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 02/27/2009
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Ten students who were caught cheating in a sophomore-level engineering course will face disciplinary action, according to University officials.
The investigation into the incident began when University officials were informed that an unidentified number of students enrolled in an ECE 270 course may have cheated on a test. The investigation has since identified 10 students who were involved and the University has cited them for academic dishonesty. The University announced the investigation was closed Tuesday night.
“This incident has cast a cloud over hardworking students who are here to earn a Purdue degree with honesty and integrity,” said Steve Akers, the executive associate dean of students, in a statement. “Cheating is not tolerated and will be punished because to do anything less would be a disservice to all of our students.”
Earlier this week, Trae Mitten, assistant dean of students, said the incident was the largest such incident he has seen in his three years at Purdue. When contacted Thursday, administration members would not comment on how the incident compared to previous incidents.
Abby Hayden, a freshman in the College of Engineering, said it’s unfortunate the University received bad publicity due to the actions of a few students.
“I think it’s unfair to the teachers that they have to deal with this,” Hayden said. “I think that it’s unfair that Purdue has to take the fall.”
Other students feel that a strict punishment for the students involved is a fair penalty for their actions.
“I don’t think it’s fair that they get to cheat and others don’t,” said Justin Arnold, a junior in the College of Engineering. “Why should they get an unfair advantage?”