The column written by Chip Skambis for Monday’s issue of the Alligator presents an irresponsible solution to a difficult situation.
Cheating is morally wrong and shows a lack of respect for everyone involved. Not to mention that it is a criminal act in many cases.
By cheating, students are telling instructors that their time and energy is worthless. By cheating, students are telling the people from whom they cheat that their effort and creativity in generating the work is meaningless. By cheating, students are disrespecting their fellow students, many of whom are working hard and still might be struggling to earn good scores, only to have the A’s go to dishonest classmates.
Lastly, cheating shows a lack of respect for the student’s own talents and abilities.
Skambis states that cheating is the only recourse a student has against what he considers to be a poor, unfair, disregarding, biased and morally superior instructor. There are many ways in which a student may seek redress for legitimate complaints about their instructors.
First, talk to the instructor. Despite Skambis’ ranting, most instructors wish to be fair in their dealing with students. However, if this is not satisfactory, there is a whole chain of command available to the student. Next up, the department chair, followed by the college office. Finally, the Dean of Students office can offer any number of options for disgruntled students.
Perhaps the most important action a student can make is to do a little research. Every instructor at UF has detailed evaluations available online for almost anyone to access. Read up on the instructor before taking a class. If the instructor does not have good evaluations, maybe you should adjust your schedule.
I am sorry that Skambis has such a distorted and paranoid view of his instructors. I believe that most of us are here to educate and improve the Student Body. One way to do that is to discourage cheating.
But no matter how hard we try to improve the life of a student, it cannot happen if the student doesn’t wish to improve. I suggest that students attempt to meet their instructors. The students might actually find out that instructors have their best interests in mind.
There is far too much cheating in this world. From politics to Wall Street, we live with the ramifications of dishonesty daily. I sincerely hope that no one reads Skambis’ words and accepts them as rationalization for cheating.
Benjamin Killian
Lecturer, UF chemistry department
