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Math 99 Collaboration Policy:

You are not allowed to work together on the problems sets or exams. This means you may not discuss the problem sets outside of class with anyone but the course instructor. That includes other members of the class, other students, other professors, your parents, your siblings, or your dog. I take this policy seriously, and so does the College. I interpret this to mean that if someone asks you "How is the problem set going?" your response should be "I'm sorry, I can't discuss the problem set until after it is turned in." Here "discussing" means any form of communication about the problem sets, including talking, looking at another student's written work, scratch work, or notes, and looking at old copies of problem sets from previous years. Please read the instructions for each problem set carefully and abide by them.

I recognize that there are strong incentives to try to get good grades and that you are presented with opportunities to cheat. 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 importance. 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 a stockbroker who cheated to get his 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 that 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 temptation 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: Mar 24 1999 --- Last modified: Mar 26, 1999 11:57:51 AM