Editor's note: This is the third
story in a series of articles and interviews
dealing with the issues and concerns
of plagiarism at ETSU.
In recent weeks, the East Tennessean
began addressing the issue of plagiarism
in an effort to raise the level of
awareness among students at ETSU,
and to alert them to the seriousness
and possible ramifications associated
with this act.
Last week, the ET sat down
with Paul Davis, a returning student
studying computer science, and listened
as he voiced his concerns regarding
integrity at the university level.
"We're here to learn how to think,
to live away from home, to balance
a checkbook, to live with other people
in a dorm," Davis said. "We're not
here to get a job, or get our ticket
punched."
Davis, a graduate of the U.S. Naval
Academy, Medical College of Virginia
and the University of Richmond, said,
"The students are missing it, because
it's about why are we here."
Davis, a non-traditional student
who holds an MBA, returned to college
this spring to increase his knowledge
in computers.
"How are you going to learn if you
don't do the work?" said Davis, a
former employee of Symbion Healthcare.
"We are learning to think. To grow
and mature. To grow as a person, to
develop character.
"Character is what you do when no
one else is looking."
Davis said that his interest was
caught the first week of school, listening
to a professor citing the student
handbook: "Don't do this, don't do
that." It seemed to be a formality,
missing the whole point.
"[Plagiarism] needs to be an ethical
question, more than a policy," Davis
said.
"If they haven't learned to do their
own work here, they'll fail in the
business world. Significance is more
important than worldly success."
Davis cited examples of why he believes
that learning is critical.
"It's not because the policy book
says so," he said. "Students' character
and integrity should tell them that
it's wrong to lie, cheat and steal,
which is what the issue of plagiarism
is all about. Policy, set the boundaries.
The greater question should be ethics.
"Nixon won't be remembered for his
foreign policy, but for Watergate
and resigning. The Nixon-Ford era
was replaced by a man with integrity,
Jimmy Carter.
"When you leave ETSU, and you're
under the gun, what are you going
to do? Lying, stealing and cheating
became a way of life, so you don't
question it."
Davis said that he had seen more
than his share of dishonesty in the
business world, having seen executives
stand and lie, leave the room and
then laugh about it.
Policy is neither the question or
answer, but the consequence.
"It's about doing the right thing."
Davis said.
"You are not fooling the professors.
Some students are just looking for
a free ride.
"A mistake in combat can cost you
your life and those around you."
"If you don't learn it here, don't
expect to learn it after you leave.
Learning starts here."
