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Cheating is not an option for the majority of UCLA students

BY BRIAN CARLISLE

In all my years of teaching and administering Student Affairs programs, I have slowly begun to learn something valuable about students at UCLA: They do not usually cheat simply because they can; they usually cheat because something else is wrong.

The option to cheat may be triggered by social or academic adjustment difficulties, the breakup of a relationship, divorce in a family, death of a close friend or family member, or a myriad other challenges.

Yes, UCLA is a very large place, and competition, especially in certain majors, can be intense. But I have learned that the pressure to excel is often a force that drives UCLA students to work harder, study longer, sleep less and focus more. Cheating is usually not an option for our students — despite the multitude of sophisticated electronic resources that makes it so tempting for some.

We are fortunate to have some of the most talented and dedicated faculty the world has to offer. When our students face challenges, it is not uncommon for faculty members to meet with students and offer referrals to the many services that are available on our campus. I have even had faculty members call me, walk students to my office, and meet with me and the student in an effort to assist the student in navigating the complexities of the university.

With nearly 38,000 students, it is no surprise that there are cases of cheating and plagiarism at our institution. We often hear that the university is a microcosm of a much larger society. Each year, hundreds of students are found responsible for attempting to gain or successfully gaining an unfair advantage on an academic exercise. The good news, however, is that the overwhelming majority of our students do not cheat, at least according to anecdotal evidence I have seen.

Students are extremely proud to be Bruins. True Bruins. Spend an hour walking around campus — at no other institution have I seen more students proudly wearing T-shirts and sweatshirts with their institution’s name affixed boldly on the front. Our students are committed to the values of integrity, excellence, accountability and respect. These commitments can be seen in the quality of undergraduate research, the thousands of hours dedicated by our students to university and community service, and, among others, the multitude of student-led initiatives and student groups.

Although some students are faced with tumultuous challenges and, as a result, make poor decisions, I believe students value their place at UCLA and understand the quality of their educational experience. I also believe they choose to make ethical decisions, not because they are concerned about how others may view them, but because making ethical decisions is the right thing to do.

Finally, I believe students are proud to be part of a university that values them and their contributions to our own growth and development.

Carlisle is associate dean of students.