Missouri considers crackdown on plagiarism

The Missouri State Senate is considering a bill that, if passed, could make certain forms of cheating and plagiarism punishable under the law.

The bill, which would classify cheating on standardized tests and term papers as a Class B misdemeanor, would carry a penalty of up to six months in jail and a $500 fine for those who aided a student in cheating.

Sen. Steve Ehlmann (R-St. Charles, Mo.) said the bill would effectively allow universities in the state to seek punishment for businesses and persons offering their test-taking and paper-writing services to students planning to cheat.

"The bill really deals with the people who take the (American College Test) and the (Scholastic Aptitude Test) for other people, and it deals with people who sell their term papers to others," Ehlmann said. "It actually would punish those aiding ... in cheating."

Ehlmann said that because universities do not have the authority to reprimand those who are not affiliated with the school, it has been difficult in the past to punish non-university people who have helped a student cheat.

"We're not going to throw the student who cheats in jail - that will still be up to the (university) to discipline that person," Ehlmann said. "But the school has no jurisdiction over the person who gave him the answers (if he is not university affiliated), and this bill would address that."

Sara Johnson, associate dean of Washington University's College of Arts and Sciences, said it is still too early to determine the possible impact of such a bill. Johnson said higher education institutions should not concern themselves with non-university parties, and they should not depend on state laws for aid in discipline.

"I see our primary role here on campus as interacting with our students, not people outside the university," Johnson said. "But if a county prosecutor wants to take these matters to court, that would be great."

LSA Assistant Dean Esrold Nurse handles most cheating cases that are reported in LSA. He said he fails to see the benefit of this type of bill.

"I don't know if this bill is the answer," Nurse said. "It would be nice to punish those who aided in cheating, but I don't know if this would help the problem."

Nurse, who meets with students accused of cheating and has the authority to take some types of action against them, said that most cases of cheating are resolved without severe action.

"I don't think it's as extensive as some people believe," Nurse said. "It has changed with the advent of technology, (but) I don't think there has been any massive increase."

LSA sophomore Heidi Malsack agreed, saying that while she knows of incidents of cheating on campus, she does not feel it is a widespread or frequent occurrence.

"There doesn't seem to be a lot of cheating, or at least not that I've seen," Malsack said. "I may be oblivious, but I don't really think there is."

Malsack said she does not approve of the proposed bill.

"I think it is a little drastic," Malsack said. "I think the student is the one making the choice to cheat, and so it's their responsibility. Only they should suffer the consequences."

Lisa Baker, associate vice president for University relations, said the state should not interfere with matters concerning a university.

"It's very complex," Baker said. "I think that what we have here has stood the test of time, and we make adjustments as needed, but I don't see a need for legislation like this. I think the institution could best manage these issues without new laws on the books."

03-20-98