For those of you who think cheating is a way out, that it can be done without being caught, and that in the “right situation” it is ok, you may want to think twice before doing it.

In the fall quarter of last year, I was involved in an incident where I thought I could help a friend by cheating and being dishonest on a test. Though I was scared, it never entered my mind the possible outcomes and punishments that I am facing today.

Sometimes in life we feel that it is ok to push our ethical framework of which we hold ourselves up to. We make excuses and think that other options besides cheating are just too detrimental and a pain to deal with. When looking back I wish I had realized where I stand today. I am no longer a student for the current quarter and have jeopardized the academic integrity of my friend, the University community, and myself.

Most of us students get stressed with the occasional homework, juggling of class schedules, and the harsh test every once in a while. And while most think that cheating only affects you, in fact, it affects the University as well. DU has invested a lot of time, money, resources, and energy into each and individual student. Our ethics department alone stands as one of the top in our country.

To cheat, no matter how small or large of a situation it may be, degrades the University and the hard work it has put toward us, that much more.

I write today as a suspended student who is reaching out to you fellow students and tell you that cheating is never ok, under and circumstances. There is never an “ok situation” that you’ll be in that is worth sacrificing the integrity of the University, yourself, and your fellow students.

–Anonymous DU Junior