Fake Electronic Files that Cannot Be Opened by Professors

Is it acceptable to buy extra time to turn in an assignment by submitting a bogus electronic document that cannot be opened by a professor ("The New Student Excuse?," Inside Higher Ed, June 5, 2009)? Corrupted-Files.com offers such a service for $4.95 (until August 31, 2009) to students who cannot or do not care to finish coursework on time. The web site provides Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint "files" of different lengths depending on the assignment requirements. Based on an email response from an address listed at the web site, the creator of this service responded to Inside Higher Ed that Corrupted-Files.com should not be considered cheating or plagiarism because the student eventually must submit a genuine assignment.

Discussion Questions:

1. Is it better to give an honest explanation to a professor if you cannot turn in an assignment on time than use Corrupted-Files.com? Why or why not?
   
2. One of the examples of academic dishonesty in the Lone Star College System brochure on Academic Integrity & Student Success (PDF) is listed below:
   
   "Using counterfeit documents or false information to delay testing or manipulate course work to an advantage over other students."
   
   Do you think this example above would agree that sending corrupted files to a professor is academically dishonest? Why or why not?
   
3. Is using a file from Corrupted-Files.com worse, better, or about the same as buying a paper from an online site that can be opened and graded by a professor? Why or why not?
   

In the Case of Scott McClellan and Workplace Ethics . . .

U.S. News features a story from June 3, 2008 that discusses George W. Bush's former press secretary Scott McClellan's new book and whether loyalty to a supervisor is more important than demonstrating ethical behavior on the job. An interview with law professor Stephen Goldman, author of Temptations in the Office: Ethical Choices and Legal Obligations, is featured. Goldman mentions that if someone knows about unethical actions at work, they can say nothing, speak up, or quit that job. However, he notes that many people don't have the luxury of jeopardizing their current employment, so they keep quiet.

Interestingly, Goldman points out that the Bush administration didn't dispute McClellan's comments, but accused him of being "disloyal" to the president. The best way to inspire workers to be ethical is to make sure the top brass act with integrity and say that they expect their employees to do the same, he continues. Furthermore, he adds that everyone in the company should take responsibility for their actions and not blame others for lapses in judgment.

Discussion Questions:

1. Is loyalty to your supervisor more important than speaking up for fairness and honesty?
2. Would you work for a business that doesn't value honesty and fairness as long as they paid you an outstanding wage?
3. Did you ever report wrongdoing on the job either anonymously or directly to a supervisor? What was the result?