WHAT MONEY CAN Buy a1 {gor Zakarov, a Russian student from Moscow, has a 3.8 GPA and is in the honors program at a prestigious university in Virginia. He has taken 16 credits each semester and is now in his third year, with plans to go to summer school in order to graduate a semester early. Igor already is looking into which graduate schools to apply to for his MA in political science. But right now, April 24, Igor is totally exhausted and feeling somewhat annoyed that although the semester is almost over, he still has to turn in a twenty-five-page research paper in his Amer- ican Presidency course by May 1. {Igor wants badly to get an excellent grade on that paper, but he is so wor ‘out that he feels unable to even walk over to the library and begin his research, which he should have completed by now. In addition, writing has always been extremely difficult for Igor: his papers take him a long time to complete, and they usually have minor errors in grammar, particularly the use of articles and some- times verb tenses and prepositions. After drinking a few cups of coffee and eating a sandwich, Igor had finally gotten himself into the mood for the library. But just then his bestfriend, George, arrived at his door. gor and Geonge decided to go out, and two hours later, Igor was starting to tell George about his research paper that was due in a week. “George, | just can’t yet going on this damn paper,” said Igor with irritation, in his voice. “And to make matters worse, if I don’t get an A on the paper, my final grade for the course could be a B since the paper counts for 60 percen! of the course, and | didn’t do too well on the midterm.” “Hey, don’t sweat it, Igor. | can solve your paper problem in no time. What topic are you writing on?” asked George. “Oh, anything about Franklin Delano Roosevelt. | was going to concentrate (on his brain trust mostly, but it could have another focus if | want. Why? Do you have material on this subject” igor looked at George with curiosity. “Not really, but | can get you a paper—did you say about twenty-five pages long—on Franklin Roosevelt if you want me to,” said George. “What do you mean by “get mea paper’? Are you joking? Don’t tell me you are in the business of buying term papers for lazy students,” laughed Igor “"No, actually, I'm not in the business, but | can get my hands on papers an just about any topic you need, sa how about if help you out, and you'll owe ‘me something when you get your A," replied George. “It won't be the first time this has happened on this campus.”142 gor considered what George was proposing for a few minutes. I wasn't that Igor had not heard of students buying ready-made term papers, but until now he hadn't seriously contemplated doing such a thing. He knew several students back in Russia who had done it. Of course, plagiarism was not treated in the same way in Russia as it was in the United States because in Russia, published ideas were seen as belonging to everyone. So the rules about borrowing other people's ideas were less strict, which made a lot of sense, especially for univer- sity students, and it really cut down on the footnotes. ‘The more he thought about it, the more he could see the practical value in George's suggestion, and he felt tempted but worried. "George, what if Professor Graham finds out | didn’t write the paper?” Igor said fearfully. “Maybe | could be expelled from the university.” ‘That won't happen,” promised George. “Your writing is good, and this ‘paper will be similar to your other papers, except you won't be spending your valuable time writing it. Oh, sure, it will cost you a few bucks—maybe $50, but look what money can buy,” said George, laughing, “guess that’s not too much, considering how busy I am and how I hate to do research. When can you get the paper?” Igor asked. “Til have it in a couple of days,” promised George. {gor grinned and drank some more beer. He had tp admit that George really knew how to play the academic game. What a relief not to have to read all those books and articles and write all those pages. As Igor continued ta turn the idea over in his mind, it began to make total sense. “Well, give me a call as soon as you have the paper so | can read it to make sure it is good. 1 can’t turn in something unless itis first rate, you know.” he wamed George “Relax, Igor,” George replied. “Ill be great.” Igor was pleased with the twenty-five-page paper on Franklin Roosevelt that George brought him two days later. It was clearly and logically written, with excellent use of supporting sources, plenty of footnotes, and a long bibliography. After he tumed it in, he relaxed and began planning his summer schoot sched- tle. When the phone rang the following day, igor was surprised to hear the voice of Professor Graham. “Igor, could you drop by my office this afternoon? | would like to talk with: you about your paper,” said the professor. “Oh, sure,” stammered Igor. ‘What time?” “How about three o'clock?” suggested Professor Graham, “That's fine,” said Igor, whose head was beginning to ache at the thought of what his professor might ask him. Professor Graham was not looking cheerful when Igor entered his office. “igor, | am surprised that you would hand in this paper on Franklin Roosevelt. It is very different from your usual writing style, and I regret that | ‘must ask you if itis your own work or if you have plagiarized it,” said Graham.9: ACADEMIC INTEGRITY 143 “Uh, yes, sure, it is my own work. | did all the research and spent a long time writing it, and there were so many revisions and rewrites over the past month,” answered Igor defiantly, “Well, | have some serious doubts and will have to ask you to bring me all your notes and also to write an abstract of the paper at this time,” said Graham. “Now? | have another appointmert—couldn’t just take the paper home ancl write the abstract there tonight?” asked Igor. “No, I'm sorry, but you have to write it here. Let's get goings on it, Igor. Since you have been reading about this topic for so long and rewriting and revising, you should have no trouble doing a 200-word abstract,” said Graham with a severe expression on his face. Igor began his abstract, but it wasn't easy for him, and when he finished one hour later, his headache had become: an intense throbbing pain. He handed the abstract to Professor Graham, who handed him a piece of paper in return. “This is a section of the University Academic Integrity Policy that you might want to read,” said Graham. “Ill be in touch.” As Igor left Professor Graham's office, he quickly read the following state~ ment: “In accordance with the University’s Academic Regulations, cheating in any form will not be tolerated. This includes plagiarism and receiving inappro- p¥iate assistance on examinations and assignments. Cheating is an extremely serious academic offense. Allegations of cheating will be referred to the dean for action.” Igor felt sick. How would he ever be able to explain this if Professor Graham decided to formally charge him with plagiarism? He was ashamed and panic stricken. If only he had weitten the paper himself, Why had he listened to that dum George? What a major mistake!