Feature Story Prep

My topic is student ethics with an emphasis on cheating and plagiarism at SJSU and how academic integrity has been an issue.


Facts: Information from the 2009-2010 Student Conduct Report and Academic Senate Report from the Office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development -

• During the 2009-2010 academic year, the Office of Student Conduct & Ethical Development experienced a decrease of number of cases (1788) as compared to the 2008 – 2009 academic year (2036) for an overall decrease of 12%.
• During the 2009-2010 academic year, 232 reports of violations to the Academic Integrity Policy were filed with the Office of Student Conduct & Ethical Development. 77 were for incidents of cheating. The remaining155 were for plagiarism.
• Of the 232 cases reported, 88 (38%) were referred to the Office of Student Conduct & Ethical Development for administrative disciplinary sanctions.

Possible interviews: 

• Richard D. Craig, Associate Professor of Journalism and Mass Communications at SJSU - Professor Craig is listed as an expert in student ethics.
• Daniel L. Murphy, Lecturer of Kinesiology and Health Science at SJSU - Professor Murphy teaches a Diversity, Stress and Health class and a Stress Management class and has experience in dealing with students.
• Matthew Masucci, Assistant Professor of Kinesiology at SJSU - Dr. Masucci is a listed as an expert in sociology and ethics.

Similar articles: 

Lit Hum cheating sparks fresh scrutiny - Columbia Spectator
It's called stealing - Florida Today
Plagiarism: A trend in cheating across college campuses - Associated Content on Yahoo!


Possible sidebars: I would like to do a breakdown of which colleges at SJSU have had the most cases of academic cheating and plagiarism, possibly an infographic or a list. I would also like to write a sidebar story, if I can find a student who is willing to talk about how he or she was caught cheating and reprimanded for it.