OSU Could Revoke Degrees Under Anti-Cheating Policy

Sunday, May 6th 2007, 1:55 pm

By: News On 6

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) _ Oklahoma State University's anti-cheating campaign has been expanded to allow for the revocation of diplomas from graduates later found to have cheated. The new policy, drafted by the OSU Faculty Council, allows for students to appeal to an advisory committee, before the matter is forwarded to the president and then regents for action. Interim President Marlene Strathe said OSU Regents can rescind degrees if they find a graduate substantially cheated on an assignment.

The university launched its anti-cheating campaign last spring, aimed to curb academic dishonesty by implementing the ``F-shriek,'' a grade of F followed by an exclamation point. The F-shriek can go on transcripts of students who fail a class because of cheating on an exam or major assignment, which lets employers _ and parents _ know why they failed.

Timothy Dodd, director of The Center for Academic Integrity at Duke University, says colleges are using several means to discourage and punish cheating. It's easier now

Students aren't necessarily more dishonest these days, he said, but technology _ especially the Internet _ has made it easier to cheat.

``Students still believe in apple pie and motherhood, but when they come to the table they'll steal the apple pie and insult motherhood,'' Dodd said.

Strathe said she hopes a diploma is never revoked, but this gives due process to students accused of cheating.

Cases at other universities have involved graduate students who plagiarized much or all of their thesis or dissertation _ lengthy documents in which plagiarism can be difficult to detect quickly.

OSU zoology professor Donald French said the degree revocation policy is fair, and needed.

``The integrity of the students reflects on the institution,'' he said. ``We have a responsibility to all stake holders to act responsibly.''

Since the F-shriek policy went into effect one year ago, more than 20 students have gotten the punitive mark on their transcripts. Most have taken steps to get the exclamation mark removed: taking a noncredit course and having no further violations.