Synthesis Essay: The Consequences Of Cheating

Despite the threat of expulsion or a tarnished academic record, many Belmont students say they cheat regularly.

College students are familiar with heavy workloads, but when finals come around the added work combined with the pressure to do well is intimidating. In an effort to keep grades up and please expectations many students turn to cheating for help.

“Any time I’ve cheated it was because I felt like I had no other option,” said Belmont senior Dillon Poff. “It usually happens around midterms and finals because professors all assign an insane amount of work at the same time.”

Technology has made cheating easier and more accessible. Students have even figured out a way to make it look like they weren’t actually using phones or computers during

“I wasn’t going to pass the test if I didn’t cheat and I was never going to need that information in the real world,” said Poff. “Basically, I didn’t want a horrible grade in a useless class to affect the rest of my college career when I only took the class because I had to.”

Disinterest in a class, lack of time and being unaware of the rules are excuses often used by students trying to defend their actions.

Janelle Briscoe, Director for Community Accountability, said consequences for guilty students are strict, and being uninformed of the rules is never a valid excuse. “Students must be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct,” Briscoe said.

Before enrollment students agree to abide by an honor code that forbids any form of academic fraud. It also states that it’s each student’s responsibility to make sure their classmates are following the same rules. Many students say they have witnessed cheating, but haven’t reported it, like the honor code asks.

I don’t feel like it’s my place to call someone out when I know they’re cheating because I’ve been on that side too,” said Belmont junior, Dylan