Cheater's Never Win-USC Academic Integrity

In my interview with Kelly Eifert of Academic Integrity, I faced the grim reality that cheating still very much exist at this level of higher academia. The pressure to be the best, brightest and smartest drives students to unbelievable levels to win "by any means necessary."

The Office of Academic Integrity is a considerably young office. Ironically, "cheating" has been around for a long time. However the university only centralized how it handles acts of academic dishonesty recently. Before the office if a student cheated it was up to the professor to lay down the law, sometimes the college would reprimand the student and that college administrator would essentially serve as the judge, jury and final say so on a student's academic discretion.

When a student is admitted to the University they sign the Carolinan Creed and the Carolina Honor Code, both of which clearly states the prohibition of cheating, plagiarizing, and all other forms of academic dishonesty.

The Office of Academic Interity's statement on academic interity states, academic ethical behavior is essential for an institution dedicated to the promotion of knowledge and learning. The University of South Carolina is committed to fostering a university environment which exemplifies the values embodied in the Carolinian Creed. All members of the University Community have a responsibility to uphold and maintain the highest standards of integrity in study, research, instruction, and evaluation; as well as adhering to the Honor Code.

The Honor Code states, tt is the responsibility of every student at the University of South Carolina Columbia to adhere steadfastly to truthfulness and to avoid dishonesty, fraud, or deceit of any type in connection with any academic program. Any student who violates this Honor Code or who knowingly assists another to violate this Honor Code shall be subject to discipline.

With the above being mentioned I am happy to say that the University is taking progressive steps to ensuring the quality of its degrees awarded are more than a fancy sheet of paper but when taken and compared to other worthy institutions an alum with be comforted in knowing hey earned their degree and the academic system hadn't been watered down with those to lazy to DO THEIR OWN WORK.

Student Leadership and Diversity Conference

Black Greek 101 Twisted
The Student Leadership and Diversity Conference also known as SLDC is USC's annual leadership a one day annual conference that is sponsored by Leadership Programs and the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs in the spring semester. There will be a keynote speaker for each topic - leadership and diversity.

I had the opportunity to present during one session. Black Greek 101:Twisted. The purpose of the presentation was to provide participants a brief overview of the structure and organization of the National Pan Hellenic Council. For the presentation the format was similar to a class. During Greek 101, we discussed the structure, history and organization of various Greek councils. NPHC, NPC, NIC/IFC, NALFO, MGC and other councils. Once the participants had all their questions answered "class was dismissed." Greek 102 was identifying the differences between the various councils, accepting that the differences exist but embracing the similarities and realizing that regardless the letters on one's chest, we are all Greek and the purpose is to uplift the community, develop its members and sisterhood/brotherhood.

During the presentation we touched on various topic relevant to Greek communities and offered ideas on how to cross councils and aid in the development of a Greek community and not only a system. The difference in s Greek system is several individuals organizations existing separately on a campus with no unique programming for its members. A Greek community is those say organizations coexisting on a campus and being provided networking opportunities, leadership development, joint philanthropies and other events that promote unity.