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Math 15 Collaboration Policy:

You are encouraged to work together on homework problems; working with others is one of the best ways to learn the material, and even if you understand it, it often helps to articulate it to others.

You may not work together on exams or quizzes. The college takes plagiarism very seriously, and so do I. You should be sure to read the material on plagiarism and academic honesty that you received in your freshman orientation package.

I recognize that there are strong incentives to try to get good grades and that you are presented with opportunities to cheat, particulalry by the take-home quizzes that I am using. Remember that what you are here for is education, not grades. It does you no good to get a good grade by cheating. In the long run, your grades in this course are of little consequence, but your actions as a person are of great consequence. They are what define who you are, not your grades.

Think of it this way: Would you go to a doctor who cheated her way through her medical exams? Would you go to an stockbroker who cheated to get is certification? If you cheat here, what will that mean for you in the future? Your actions here will be with you the rest of your life; make sure they are actions you are willing to carry with you. Make them represent the kind of person you want to be.

I have a great deal of respect for someone who can admit that he does not know how to do something hard. I have no respect for someone who cheats to make it appear he does. When students say they don't know how to do a problem, it makes me want to help them understand how; when students cheat in my class, it just makes me angry and want to stop helping them.

To those of you who resist the tempation to cheat, I say "Thank you, you're doing a great job. I appreciate it a lot, and am proud of you." To you others, I say "I'll see you in the Dean's office." You get to choose the path you'll take. Make it one you can live with.


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Comments to: dpvc@union.edu
Created: Jan 4 1998 --- Last modified: Jan 4, 1998 3:59:30 PM