Speech Story

CHEAT THE SYSTEM NO MORE

Hundreds of Students at the University of Central Florida Cheat on Midterm Exam

Business instructor at UCF said the days of being able to cheat the system are over.

Richard Quinn said nearly 200 students were caught acquiring answers from a test bank prior to the midterm exam and many of those students can face expulsion if they do not own up to their wrongdoing.  

Quinn said there was one lecture he hoped he would never have to give and his luck ran out Friday, Nov. 5 when he addressed his class about the cheating scandal that has the university’s Academic Affairs in an upheaval.  

            Quinn has taught at UCF for 11 years and said he has delivered course content to tens of thousands of students. He said the incident left him “physically ill, absolutely disgusted and completely disillusioned”

            The class sat speechless as Quinn used forensic analysis of data to verify that the cheating took place. He used data from the summer and fall course and said the results jumped a grade and a half. He said, “You do not see that kind of improvement by chance.”

            To put it in perspective, Quinn said, “When you get into your labs this week, look at the person on your left side, look at the person on your right side. Statistically, one of them cheated on the exam.”

            Quinn said the midterm grades are being tossed and everyone in the class will have to take the newly revised exam that is composed of 200 questions, none of which are from a test bank. He said he doesn’t care if you are giving birth, everyone must complete the new exam before Wednesday, Nov. 10.

            Quinn said he worked out a negotiation with the Dean and said if students come forward, he/she will be able to finish the course but would have to complete a 4-hour ethics course offered by Academic Affairs in order to graduate. He said those who do not come forward will be turned in and can face expulsion from the university.

            Quinn said “I do not want to be the one to have to explain to your parents why you are not going to graduate.” He said “this kind of behavior cannot, and will not, be tolerated.”

            In a stern manner, Quinn said, “For those of you who took the shortcut, do not call me. Do not ask me to do anything for you ever.”