According to the report released last spring by the University Task Force on the Honor Code in the spring of 2001, over 50% of honor code violations were committed by male members of sports teams. Jeremy George’s honor board case is just one example of this phenomenon.
As a general rule on this campus, male athletes, especially those who belong to large team sports, are viewed as a group, not as individuals, and are often judged solely based upon the sports they play. Unlike members of performance troupes or activist groups, athletes tend to be defined by a single activity and are denied the versatility afforded to many other students.
The first step towards alleviating the disproportionate number of Honor Board violations committed by male members of a sports team is acknowledging and addressing this stigmatization and dichotomy. To be truly open-minded means to refrain from jumping to conclusions based upon superficial evidence of character.
The University as a whole should be commended for refusing to alter standards for student athletes. However, if those with exceptional athletic ability continue to be given special consideration in admissions, it is irresponsible to leave these students to flounder in an academically rigorous environment. The point is made particularly relevant due to the fact that sports practices and games consume such a large part of athletes’ time.
Many sports teams have faculty advisors, but according to reports by members of these teams, these advisors often play a relatively invisible role in athletes’ lives. This system of academic advising should be revamped so that academics are given a more prominent place on sports fields and so that athletes who find themselves overwhelmed don’t feel as though they have no resources available to them.
Moreover, a late-night academic support group similar to 8 to 8 could be established for use campus-wide to prevent students who realize that they are unable to complete an assignment, and in a frenzy, consider plagiarism. Extended library hours, particularly during crunch times like midterms, might also cut back on the number of students who cheat out of desperation because they lack access to needed resources. Though last minute completion of assignments may be frowned upon, it is a reality in any collegiate setting.
Leave a Reply