story and photos by Mackenzie O'Bannon

Cheaters at UCF: Beware! Eight out of 10 students polled at UCF said students who cheat on tests and asignments should be punished.

The Punishers

J.S., a junior majoring in journalism, said although some of her friends cheat, she chooses not to do so. "I think cheaters should be punished, " S. said. "They should receive a zero on whatever it is they cheated on because it's not fair to others who studied hard."

Other students think cheaters should receive harsher punishment. Paula Ann, a junior majoring in hospitality management, said that she would never cheat in her classes and agrees that those who do should be punished. "Cheaters should definitely be punished. Their entrails should be pulled out through their ears," Ann said.

Ken Carpenter said: "I think people who cheat in their classes should be stripped naked and made to sit in the reflection pond"

Ken Carpenter, a grad student whose blood pressure rises when he catches someone cheating, said, "I think people who cheat in their classes should be stripped naked and made to sit in the reflection pond."

While Carpenter does not think of himself as cheater, he claims that a certain family memeber is guilty of cheating. "My wife cheats off my work in Bible Study," Carpenter said.

Carlos Lopez, a junior majoring in journalism, worries about the consequences of not catching cheaters while they are in college. "No one wants incompetent people running around with degrees," Lopez said. "If cheaters are punished, then there is less of a chance that they will get a degree and be able to ruin people's lives because he or she does not know what they are doing."

While many UCF students pass their classes honestly, there are a select few who do not fear punishment and cheat whenever possible.

The Cheaters

Maria Falangie considered Prada Lan (right) to be a good friend until she was turned in during a Spanish test.

Dolemite Jones, a senior preparing for medical school, said he cheats often and never feels guilty. "I cheat a lot; especially in math." Jones is not alone in his love for cheating. "All of my friends cheat; we have a club." Jones said he has motivation for his cheating ways. "I think UCF is evil. My cheating is a way to stick it to the man." Like most of the people who said they cheated, Jones didn't want his real name used.

Other students think it is okay to cheat on certain assignments in class. Margaret Smithies, a sophomore majoring in psychology, said: "I cheat in classes that hand out worksheets and on take-home assignments. Worksheets are trivial; it's not really cheating, it's more like sharing."

Unfortunately for cheaters, the Golden Rule at UCF does not give a special provisionrovision for those who like to "share."

Note to readers: How do you think cheaters should be punished? E-mail in your favorite punishment for cheaters and the top five will be posted in the next issue!

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