Thriving in Academe

Tales from Real Life
Reflections on Honesty and the Academy

I remember vividly an incident early in my career. I was instructing international TAs in an intensive institute on teaching. We were discussing the question of what is "cheating" and what is "just helping."

The discussion focused on when "just helping" turns into "cheating." The students agreed instructors must clarify expectations about individual versus group work.

Shortly thereafter, I assigned an in-class, individual assignment on a set of readings from the previous week. Looking up from my desk, I noticed a small group obviously discussing the individual assignment.

I cleared my throat to announce, "Gang, this is not a collaborative effort." The students looked at me, smiling. "We know," said one. "We're not 'just helping', we're 'just reminding' each other!"

"Just reminding each other," I gasped! "What's the difference?" "Well, 'just helping' is trying to give each other a hand up," the students replied, "while 'just reminding' is trying to get everybody on the same footing."

I was totally befuddled, and said something like "perhaps 'just reminding' is indeed all too similar to 'just helping.'" I don't think I ever got the distinction really clear in their minds-and maybe not in my own mind either.

I felt like I was trying to draw a line in ever shifting sands. As I look back, I think this is what really started me thinking about academic honesty.

—Art Crawley
Louisiana State University

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