By Aidan Bearden / Staff Writer

A conflict has erupted as MVC students are being questioned about academic honesty. Samantha Perkins, assistant dean of Library and Academic Support Services, sent an email to MVC coaches warning of academic dishonesty from students. Perkins said that there have been recent instances of cheating and falsified study hall hours.

This semester, there has been an increase in required study table hours for freshmen. Perkins believes that the required study hall hours for freshmen can be valuable for the transition from high school to college. However, she cautioned that the hours won’t be beneficial if they’re not used effectively, encouraging students to take advantage of the time they have.

“A lot of the outcome depends on what you’re doing while you’re in here,” said Perkins. “But if you’re not actually utilizing your time while you’re here, there is not going to be a direct correlation to that benefit.”

Perkins said that since more study hall hours have been implemented, library traffic has increased, introducing students to resources they might not have used before.

Freshman El-Roi Hasabu believes his required study hall hours have helped him become more productive and a better student. 

“Sometimes it sucks, but I get my work done here, and I don’t get my work done in my dorm,” said Hasabu. “I do a lot of my assignments in here, so it gets my grade up and allows me to be eligible for my sport.”

While many students have been participating in their study hall hours, the library staff has caught some students finding ways to cheat their hours. 

“We’ve seen dishonesty when it comes to logging their study table hours,” said Perkins. “Whenever you’re recording hours with us, you have to actually stay in the building, and then you have to check out before you leave the building.” 

Perkins reported that students have been caught fraudulently checking in their friends for study hall hours. Other faculty members have also reported instances of academic dishonesty, particularly in the testing center.

“I talked to a faculty member last week who said they unfortunately caught someone using their phone in the middle of a test,” said Perkins. “One faculty member in particular caught three different people cheating via Proctorio.”

Cheating and academic dishonesty are nothing new to schools or colleges. Nevertheless, Perkins feels that keeping students accountable is an important aspect of her job, as it not only helps develop better students. But honesty is a trait that Perkins wants students to have when they graduate. 

“We want to send people out into the world who are honest and have good character, values, and morals,” said Perkins. “[Dishonesty] is not something that you’re going to be able to do in your job, so why do it now?”

Perkins’ primary goal for holding students accountable is for the benefit of the students, and not to agitate them. She seeks to make MVC known as a college where honest academia and people are fostered.