Author to discuss 'cheating culture'

February 20, 2006 —

The issue of academic integrity has come to the forefront at SVSU, and a lecture on Wednesday will be designed to raise more awareness about the topic.

David Callahan, author of the book The Cheating Culture: Why More Americans Are Doing Wrong to Get Ahead, will speak in the Rhea Miller Recital Hall at 4 p.m. and address the causes and effects of this so-called "cheating culture" and why it has spread so wildly throughout the ranks of college students.

Further, it is hoped that his lecture will promote conversation among faculty and students about the growing problem of academic integrity and help the University benefit from his approach on how to deal with the pressures of school and the want to cheat.

"It starts here at college, but then continues into the business world as well," says Kelly Stewart, Student Association's Academic and Leadership Development chair. "Once a student begins the habit here at college, it will branch out into other aspects of their lives."

SA is also taking steps to address the issue of academic integrity by the recently passed code of academic integrity that will be handed out to incoming freshman as well as posted in several areas around campus, in hopes to remind students why they are here and bring back to them a sense of dignity and pride in what they are doing. Stewart says the hope is that Callahan's lecture will have the same effect.

SVSU is neither Callahan's first stop nor his last. With his book selling nationally, he has held lectures at such universities as Columbia University, University of California at Berkeley, UCLA Law School, and Harvard Medical School, as well as several other locations across the country. All have come back with positive reviews. According to one such university, "he really motivated and inspired the students and faculty members to promote academic integrity on campus. He challenged people to get involved."

Callahan received his Ph. D in politics from Princeton University, and his writing credits include The New York Times and The Washington Post as well as frequently appearance for commentary on CNN, MSNBC, and several other TV news networks.

For further information on the lecture, contact SA in Curtiss Hall, Room 118 or at (989) 964-4232. More can be learned about David Callahan at www.cheatingculture.com/aboutdavidcallahan.