Help with ethical dilemma: Cheating

[Nameless]

I'm a student in a graduate school program. Here's what happened:

During a particularly rigorous recent test, I took a moment to stretch in my seat and let my eyes wander around the room. my gaze happened to fall on a classmate sitting a few seats down from me (the rows are curved, so I can see the people sitting at the end of the row...I sit in the middle). I saw her glance sideways, presumably at the test of the student next to her, then write something on her own test, then glance sideways again, then write something...and on like this for probably about a minute before I looked away. I sat there for a few minutes before looking again, and she was still doing it. It distracted me so much I decided I had to do something, so I wrote a note on my exam sheet and went up and showed it to the professor. A few minutes later, the professor whispered something in the student's ear whose test was being looked at, and the student angled away and covered her test with her arm. End of story.

Today I was summoned to the office of the asst. dean. She told me the prof had told her what I said, and she wanted to hear what I had to say. I told her exactly what I saw, but I did say that I can only be sure of what I saw, not what the intent of the student was. After a long conversation, bascially she told me that the choice lies with me whether or not to file a formal complaint with the ethics committee (because the professor has not decided to make a formal complaint, so it's just me), who would then follow protocol and go through all the hearings, etc, for a cheating accusation. if I make a formal complaint, my identity will be made known to the student. A formal complaint could ultimately lead to expulsion, but it could also lead to less serious consequences, such as just a reprimand or having to repeat the test or the course.

This is a big deal to me, since I don't take cheating lightly. But on the other hand, what if I just saw something innocent that just looked bad? But if I don't do anything, the issue gets dropped and nothing happens (although the asst. dean has the option of calling the student into her office and telling her someone thinks she was cheating without actually going through the formal process.)

I'm going to try to meet with the professor to see if she has any insight to the situation, but essentially it all falls in my lap.

[Nameless]

Also, the dean was careful to point out that if I go ahead and make a complaint to the ethics committee, it's no longer a matter of saying "I'm sure of what I saw", it becomes "I'm sure I saw her cheating." There's a big difference, IMO.

[CompassRose]

I'd leave it. You have no actual evidence that she was cheating, since you couldn't see what she was writing. She was stopped on that particular test. I'd say, if she was cheating in that kind of grade-school way at university, it is not a regular thing for her, believe me -- maybe she was just hungover or didn't study for the questions asked -- and being caught may well have given her a stunner anyhow.

The professor and the dean both know now, and are likely to keep a careful watch on her (grad students are not usually a large pool, are they?) so really, making a formal complaint gets you nothing except possibly a rich sense of self-satisfaction.

[Meganator]

Dilemma, indeed. I don't have any words of wisdom, other than - in theory - I hate it when cheaters get away with it. But I understand your position. But can't the professor tell by comparing the two tests whether it was likely that cheating was occurring? I guess it depends on the type of questions on the test and whether the cheater was clever enough to reword, or whatever. But maybe it will be obvious.

[Nameless]

Originally posted by Meganator
Dilemma, indeed. I don't have any words of wisdom, other than - in theory - I hate it when cheaters get away with it. But I understand your position. But can't the professor tell by comparing the two tests whether it was likely that cheating was occurring? I guess it depends on the type of questions on the test and whether the cheater was clever enough to reword, or whatever. But maybe it will be obvious.

It was multiple-choice. And they did compare the answers, and I guess it was significant enough for the prof to then go to the dean. I think they compare incorrect answers in that case, to see how many correspond.

[Jessica]

I probably would let it go unless I saw her cheat again. I hate when people get away with it, but you could end up making lots of trouble for her and for yourself if you make the complaint and it sounds as if you are not 100 percent sure.

It is frustrating, especially when you are working so hard to achieve your goals as a student.

[colleency]

It sounds rather unfair that they're dumping this in your lap. You can't say you saw her cheating. You can only say exactly what you saw, what you told us here.

I would express your concerns about this to the dean who said you could file a charge. And definitely talk to the teacher involved. They may have a specific reason for not filing a complaint.

I would think that if there was more than one person who observed the behavior or if the behavior was repeated more than once, it would be important for you to come forward to report what you saw.

I guess it's hard for me to understand how they want you to make the leap from "I saw her looking and writing" to "I saw her cheating." You have empirical evidence of the first. The second is a conclusion.

[Clara]

I think you did your part by alerting the professor. Beyond that, unless it's affecting you personally (that person's grade is affecting your grade in some way), then I would leave it alone.

Cheaters are always found out...maybe it will be on the next exam...maybe it will be when they get a job and have no idea what they're doing. If this person is truly a cheater, it will come back to them.

[ccooney]

It's too bad the professor didn't sit and watch her for awhile so that he could verify that he saw her doing it himself.:(

[PAMMELA]

Originally posted by Clara
Cheaters are always found out...maybe it will be on the next exam...maybe it will be when they get a job and have no idea what they're doing. If this person is truly a cheater, it will come back to them.

What goes around, comes around.

[Chefzhat]

I can't figure out why you felt it your obligation to tell to begin with?

Since you felt it was a worthy enough problem to bring it up originally, you should follow through with the rest of the process.

JMHO

[funniegrrl]

At my university we had (have) an honor code. One of the points of the code is that NOT reporting cheating or plagerism is just as bad an offense as cheating. Before your first day of class you are required to sign a pledge to abide by the code, and infractions are taken seriously. A student honor council adjudicates all cases.

I'm with you -- even if I didn't go to a school that takes this so seriously, it would still burn me up. The circumstances don't matter -- hungover, a coincidence of opportunity, whatever -- cheating is cheating is cheating. And, by all reports, it is a RAMPANT problem; it has become more and more accepted as the norm and acceptable by students of all ages. This ethos has far-reaching repercussions. Why do you think there is such a crises of ethics in the business world today? Why are more and more journalists for respected publications making up stories, quotes, and the like? And it doesn't apply only to cheating ... my best friend teaches a literature class at a community college, and he gets research papers that have NO footnotes. None. It just doesn't occur to these college students to cite sources!

It does not sound as though your school has a code like my school, though. Given that, and given that you reported it to the professor and talked to the dean at their request, I think you've done all you should do. It would be one thing if they wanted you to serve as witness, but it's another that they are leaving it up to you for formal action. Having worked in my alma mater, even with an honor code as strict as ours, I know the chances of this student "being watched" in the future are slim to none. It is also VERY hard to get a "conviction" in these cases, even with evidence stronger than in this case. I'm not saying it's an easy decision to let this go, but I think the decision lies in whether you care more about the letter of the law or the spirit of the law. If it's the former, then I would let the professor and dean both know that you are disappointed that the professor is not shouldering responsibility, but you feel you've done your duty. If the spirit of the law trumps, then yes, file a complaint.

I wonder if the student in question knows anything about this? If you don't file, I would CERTAINLY talk to her personally and tell her what's happened and that you aren't filing, but that you hope in the future she'll do her own work.

[donnamp14]

She takes her comps alone, right?????

I had something similar happen to me when I was an undergrad, about 7 years ago. The offender was complaining several months after the incident (which I reported but was not identified) that he couldn't get into grad school. Well, d'uh!

She'll gets hers. Don't you worry.

[Meganator]

Ok, I guess I'm opening a can of worms here, but:


I can't figure out why you felt it your obligation to tell to begin with?

?? Because, as a society we shouldn't tolerate it. Unfortunately, the discussion on this thread has shown that the implementation of that ideal is more complicated. But the intentions of Nameless in reporting the incident to the proper authority can't seriously be questioned.

[Nameless]

Originally posted by funniegrrl
At my university we had (have) an honor code. One of the points of the code is that NOT reporting cheating or plagerism is just as bad an offense as cheating. Before your first day of class you are required to sign a pledge to abide by the code, and infractions are taken seriously. A student honor council adjudicates all cases.

My undergraduate institution was the same was. The honor code was a HUGE deal, and not reporting was considered an offense. That has not left me, which was why I found it so hard to continue on with my test after seeing what I saw.

What bothers me is that it's NOT as big a deal to most people. Does that make me right and them wrong, or does that just make me paranoid? That's what I'm trying to get past here.


The circumstances don't matter -- hungover, a coincidence of opportunity, whatever -- cheating is cheating is cheating. And, by all reports, it is a RAMPANT problem; it has become more and more accepted as the norm and acceptable by students of all ages. This ethos has far-reaching repercussions. Why do you think there is such a crises of ethics in the business world today? Why are more and more journalists for respected publications making up stories, quotes, and the like?

Agreed, agreed, agreed. Yes, realistically, it probably doesn't matter. She will probably do fine in her career, and I doubt she will hurt anyone. But then what are we saying if we just let it go? My dean did say that there have been several cases in the past where professors reported it but didn't want to punish the student, and so didn't "press charges" (file a formal conplaint with the ethics committee). That bugged the heck out of me, that people aren't held responsible for their actions.



I wonder if the student in question knows anything about this? She doesn't. There are only three ways for her to find out: 1)I file a complaint, she goes before the ethics committee, and my identity is revealed; b)I don't file a complaint, but the dean decides to call the student in to discuss the matter (no actual consquences here, just an FYI type of thing. Also, the dean doesn't have to do anything); 3)I decide to talk to her myself.

[Gecko]

Originally posted by ccooney
It's too bad the professor didn't sit and watch her for awhile so that he could verify that he saw her doing it himself.:(

This was my first thought too. He could have then verfied what was going on, and checked the answers after the exam to confirm the cheating. I think that it is horrible that they are dumping this in your lap. I am sorry that you are caught in such a predicament.

[Nameless]

Originally posted by ccooney
It's too bad the professor didn't sit and watch her for awhile so that he could verify that he saw her doing it himself.:(

I think the prof did watch for a while. There was a 10-minute-or-so lag between when I told her what I saw and when she whispered in the other student's ear (the student whose test it was).

That's why I want to talk to her before going forward with anything, to see if she saw what I saw. Maybe if I describe what I saw (I didn't have the chance to do that during the exam), she will change her mind and file a complaint.

Ick.

[Gilgamesh37]

I find it so unfortunate that this is being handled in this way and dumped back in your lap. On the other hand, I listen with horror all the time to my best friend, who is a teacher (albeit high school) and what happens when she catches students cheating (on one occasion a student ran out of the room with the exam, even though other sections of the class hadn't taken it yet. He was witnessed showing the exam to his friends who had not taken the exam yet--and yet his parents complained when she gave him a zero for cheating. And administration forced my friend to give him a make up exam. So he had basically no consequences) Obviously college and especially grad school SHOULD be different, but I know that colleges & Universities are increasingly cautious about instituting discipline in light of potential lawsuits, which, though they may be meritless, take time and money to defend and leave the institution with a black eye no matter what the outcome.

My undergrad college had a huge honor code--student adjudication board, mandatory reporting, the whole thing--so I understand the culture you're coming from. However it sounds like your grad school does not share that same culture, for whatever reason. I would let it go at this point. Express to your professor and the dean your disappointment in their handling of it, but then let it go. I would absolutely not speak to the woman directly--you just have no idea what her situation is or how she might perceive your approach. Maybe she was just having a bad day or maybe she is under tremendous pressures and on the verge of a true (and potentially dangerous) outburst or breakdown.

[Ms. Chevious]

I'd say drop it, especially if the professor is declining to make a complaint. That makes it a personal issue of you versus the cheater and she's probably already gotten hers - who knows if the guy she cheated off was getting an A? For all you know, she cheated off someone getting a D. Not to mention the professor is already aware of the possibility that she could cheat and will presumably act accordingly for the rest of the term (checking the work carefully, moving her, etc.) You can't swear that what you saw is cheating and to risk getting a girl expelled seems too much to ask of you.

[Gecko]

Originally posted by Nameless


I think the prof did watch for a while. There was a 10-minute-or-so lag between when I told her what I saw and when she whispered in the other student's ear (the student whose test it was).

That's why I want to talk to her before going forward with anything, to see if she saw what I saw. Maybe if I describe what I saw (I didn't have the chance to do that during the exam), she will change her mind and file a complaint.

Ick.

Then it sounds to me as if the professor is shirking responsibity. If they saw what was happening then they have an obligation to make the report. They should not be passing it onto the student. Also it sounds as thought the person cheating is aware of the fact that they have been caught because they would have noticed the professor advising the other person of the situation, and them angling their desk away from her and covering their test.

[gertdog]

Nameless, sorry you're in this situation. I was a Teaching Assistant for too many years and saw more instances of cheating than I care to remember. It really is a rampant problem. Everything from students copying test answers to having someone else take a test for them to flat out plagiarism. The honor code encouraged but did not require students to report incidents of cheating to a professor or TA; as a TA I was required to report suspected cheating to the professor, who then decided how to handle each incident (i.e. pursue it or not with the academic integrity board).

If I was in your shoes, I think I'd skip making a formal complaint, especially if, as the asst. dean explained, this means that you're saying you're SURE the student cheated. I think you did your part by bringing the problem to the attention of the professor, and it's the professor's and the university's obligation to decide how to handle the incident from here. JMHO.

I know from experience that professors at my school often chose not to pursue cheating incidents because they didn't receive much support from the administration. I recall one instance in which the prof. I worked for caught two students cheating on a test and the prof. pursued the issue. The two students, who were hometown friends, showed up at the academic integrity hearing with their parents and lawyers, who threatened to slap the prof. with a lawsuit for wrongful something or other. The university provided a single arbitrator who was totally overwhelmed by angry parents and lawyers, and the girls got off with a warning. (Fast forward two years later- same girls get caught signing in for each other at lab sessions where attendance is required- i.e. only one attended but both got credit. They got off again and graduated with honors a year later. Still makes my blood boil.)

It will be interesting to hear what the professor says in this case.

[BarbaraL]

Personally, I wouldn't speak to the girl myself. We already know she is ethically-challenged. Who knows, she might try to take some kind of revenge against you -- spike your tires, accuse YOU of cheating, etc. Maybe I'm paranoid, but I think you've done your duty.

[Escher]

Blackmail the cheater.

Two wrongs always make a right, correct? ;)

[memartha]

An almost identical thing happened to me back in 1984 or so! I witnessed the cheating; it disturbed me; I told the professor. My friends called me a "narc"!!! You did the right thing, but I wouldn't take it any further.

[wallycat]

I have not read all the posts, but here is what I would do, right or not...

I would not go any further with this.
First, as a graduate student, if the girl was cheating, she should be ashamed of herself. I am not sure what type of class this is, but it is her money, time and education she is flushing as she is not learning a thing.
SEcond, the professor is getting paid to manage/teach/hold accountable a classroom. I do not think it is fair that you be forced to make right something that is the responsibility of the prof/dean/college.
Finally, as my husband forces me to hear over and over, it is not your job to be a score-keeper (I hate when he says this to me.) Your job is to learn and graduate and contribute to society and not monitor what other students are doing. I agree 100% that it is not fair she possibly cheated and could get away with it, but as I have been told repeatedly, life isn't fair.

I say walk away from it and let them do what they need to without your input.
just my 2cents.

[Jessica]

Well said, Wallycat.

[Chefzhat]

Originally posted by wallycat
Finally, as my husband forces me to hear over and over, it is not your job to be a score-keeper (I hate when he says this to me.) Your job is to learn and graduate and contribute to society and not monitor what other students are doing. I agree 100% that it is not fair she possibly cheated and could get away with it, but as I have been told repeatedly, life isn't fair.

My point exactly.

[Nameless]

Originally posted by Chefzhat


My point exactly.

But if everyone just turns their back and says it's not their job, then everyone gets away with everything and we live in a lawless society. I think that's an irresponsible way to look at things.

I think what I'm going to do at this point is talk to the professor to hear what she has to say, and also to talk to the student whose test it was. I trust her to keep things confidential. I'd like to know what the professor whispered to her, and whether or not that student later said anything to the student I saw possibly cheating. If she already knows someone saw her, maybe that's enough.

[Chefzhat]

But you didn't turn your back, you reported it. I wonder why, though, that you are drawing the line at following through with the rest of the process? If it was so important to tell, then it follows that it must also be important enough to continue with the process. I'm saying that if it was right to tell, it is also right to go forward with the ethics committee process. If you don't, then how does this support your claims as to honesty and integrity in education? The cheater is getting away with something, and you have effectively done nothing.

Nameless, I am certainly not beating on you. I am just looking at the logical process here. We can all wail and beat our breasts about unethical behavior by students, but we balk at doing the one thing that would bring the cheater to justice. It doesn't make sense.

[Kathy B]

Originally posted by Chefzhat
But you didn't turn your back, you reported it. I wonder why, though, that you are drawing the line at following through with the rest of the process?

I think the answer to that is here...


Originally posted by Nameless
Also, the dean was careful to point out that if I go ahead and make a complaint to the ethics committee, it's no longer a matter of saying "I'm sure of what I saw", it becomes "I'm sure I saw her cheating." There's a big difference, IMO.

[Cookin4Love]

Just last night, I finished a l-o-n-g research paper on the issue of cheating in higher education for my own graduate class, and this discussion is quite interesting in light of what I've read in the last few weeks. Nameless, I agree with you and completely understand why you felt you needed to say something to the professor. I believe you did the right thing. My research revealed that the number of people who cheat in universities is astronomically high. Equally high, however, is the reticence of professors to follow through. I think the Dean and the professor have unfairly put this on your shoulders, perhaps to spare themselves from threats of litigation.

Obviously, you are a person with strong ethics and moral values; you want to do the right thing--if you can only figure out what it is. I think the reason you brought this to the table for discussion is that those ethics--the same ones that propelled you to bring this to the professor's attention--are getting in the way of carrying this further. You want, and need, to be completely honest. You know that you cannot say that you KNOW the student in question cheated. It would violate the core values you have to do that. It looked like it, you think she did, the professor thinks she did, and she probably did. But can you say for sure? Nope.

I think you're on the right track to talk to the professor and the other student involved. Beyond that, I don't think you can carry it forward. You've fulfilled your responsibility, and it's now up to others to determine what to do with it. As a teacher, I often have to report suspicions about gang involvement, drug use, or even child abuse to my superiors. They don't always do anything, even though I KNOW there's something going on that needs to be looked at. It frustrates me, but I've fulfilled my responsibilities and done everything I CAN do, so I have to leave it in God's hands to take care of the rest. I think that's where you are right now. Just MHO. May your integrity always stay as strong as it is today.

[Chefzhat]

Originally posted by Kathy B


I think the answer to that is here...
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Nameless
Also, the dean was careful to point out that if I go ahead and make a complaint to the ethics committee, it's no longer a matter of saying "I'm sure of what I saw", it becomes "I'm sure I saw her cheating." There's a big difference, IMO.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I agree. And my point is that if she was so sure of what she was seeing that she felt compelled to tell the teacher, she should have no problem following the process through to it's conclusion. If she wasn't sure of what she saw (and it's possible, since she was way across the room), she should have kept her own counsel and talked to the cheated-upon student later.

[valchemist]

I don't have much to add here but that I agree with you, Debie (chefzhat). All the posts you have made are consistent and to the point, with no room for waffling.

[Nameless]

Originally posted by Chefzhat


I agree. And my point is that if she was so sure of what she was seeing that she felt compelled to tell the teacher, she should have no problem following the process through to it's conclusion. If she wasn't sure of what she saw (and it's possible, since she was way across the room), she should have kept her own counsel and talked to the cheated-upon student later.

Debie, I definitely understand all of your points; I'm not trying to be argumentative. It troubles me that I can't see this in complete black and white, since I bet if someone else were in my situation asking me for advice, I'd be more eager to tell the person to follow through. But since I am the person who practically holds the future of the "cheater" in my hands, the issue suddenly has many more shades of gray. I've gotten a lot of good advice from the board; thanks, everyone.

For the record, not that it matters a whole lot, I wasn't exactly across the room. I was probably 8-10 feet away. The only thing I couldn't see was the exact spot on the paper that the girl's eyes fell on when she was looking that way. That's why I say I can't be sure...if there's any doubt that she was cheating, far be it from me to be the person who ruins her life. That's why it's not as simple as just "following through."

Anyway, thanks, everyone. Ultimately this is something I have to figure out on my own. If anything comes of it, I'll update the thread.

[NewMrsG]

I have to jump in here with a professor's perspective and say that I think you've acted responsibly and reasonably thus far.

I agree completely that cheating is rampant and I'm amazed at how long students frequently get away with it for so long. I actually think that students cheat because, simply put, they can. Professors are disinclined to call students on it - likely for a variety of reasons, including not being able to prove it, not wanting to deal with the hassle, not being aware of it, etc. To be honest, I'm far more concerned about the professor's actions than I am about anyone else's here - in my mind, it's the professor's responsibility to be looking out for this behavior, to be holding students accountable, etc. NOT fellow classmates. Had this occurred in my classroom, I would have made sure to follow up on it, not exposed another student to whatever negative consequences might ensue by stepping forward.

I do think it might be worth your effort to share your frustration with the professor - let s/he know the difficult spot you're now in and inquiring why s/he isn't pursuing the matter further.

Just my two cents.

[Chefzhat]

Nameless, I have to say that I don't agree with the position that the professor has put you in - I don't think that the burden to police the classroom should be in the hands of the students. I also don't think that the professor should have talked to the student who was being cheated upon. The correct action should have been to remove the test of the cheater and discuss the issue with him/her in a private setting. After your observations were made known to the professor, he/she should have taken the ball out of your hands and dealt with the situation appropriately. Placing you in the hotseat is totally inappropriate. I agree with NewMrsG - the professor should have taken control of the situation.

Val, thanks. And, congrats - I just now realized that you were pregnant. Babies are truly a gift.

Debie

[Nameless]

OK, one more question. Can I get sued if I go ahead with this (not saying I'm going to; I just want to be prepared)?

[Jill123]

If you AREN'T entirely sure that this person cheated, you simply CANNOT go forward with this.

I was always a very good student and earned very good marks all through college. However, on one of my tests in Psych 101, my professor wrote on the top of one of my quizzes (we took weekly quizzes) "Cheat again and you'll flunk my course!" I was shocked! I'd never cheated -- and was sick to my stomach at the idea that he thought I had!

Turns out, the guy who sat next to me was cheating off of ME (and admitted this to me later, when he showed me the comments on the top of HIS quiz -- "Allowing someone to cheat off you is the same as cheating yourself!") What killed me was that I received a 9/10 on the quiz and the real cheater got a 6/10! Who would you think was cheating off of whom?!?

My point is: Things are not always what they seem. I'm not saying that this person didn't cheat; but there's no point in putting this person in jeopardy if you're not absolutely positive what you saw. If you ARE sure -- turn him/her in!

[badunnin]

I'm going to weigh in here both as a graduate student and as a teacher.

As a graduate student, I like to think that the degree I'm earning means something, that it carries some weight. It only has that credibility, IMO, if it shows that I have accomplished something, that I have done work that others have not - that degree will differentiate me from someone like Natasha, who has a law degree. That being said, I do believe that it is up to students within the university community to police each other, to maintain the status of that degree. If I earn my degree in an honest fashion, but someone else who holds the same degree engaged in academic dishonesty, then I believe that my degree is worth less - it has been tarnished.

As a teacher, I find it appalling that the university faculty has put this on your shoulders. I would like to think (and I'll need to look up the code of conduct at my university on this issue) that there is some sort of process (or a Prozess, the German word for trial, may be more along the lines that I am thinking of) that allows for all sides to weigh in on this matter in a mediated manner. That is, a party that is not affiliated with the department in question would hear your side and her side and the side of the instructor, giving her a chance to defend herself, in a way that allows you to maintain your anonymity, but also allows you to state your side of the story, telling what you saw, but without you having to imply her intentions, in a non-threatening setting.

As an instructor, I am ultimately the one that is responsible if someone in my classroom cheats, not the other students in the room. If a student suspects another student of cheating, and I have been approached, I am then the mediator in the situation. It should not be up to the student to go to admininstration with that concern.

[badunnin]

For what it's worth, here is my university's policy on academic dishonesty.

http://www.doso.wayne.edu/judicial/academic-integrity.htm

It is handled through Student Judicial Services.

[Escher]

I will not lie, cheat, nor steal, nor tolerate anyone who does.

USMA Honor Code.

[beckms]

On my honor, I have neither given nor received any aid on this (exam, homework, paper).

Rice University Honor Pledge, handwritten on every document handed in by students.

At Rice, if you are reported by someone else as having violated the honor code, you can potentially get an F in the course and be suspended for 2 semesters. If you turn yourself in, the most you can receive is an F in the course, but no suspension. People are so serious about the honor code that there are several people every year who turn themselves in for what turn out to be either very minor infractions or non-infractions.

Escher, what is USMA?

[beckms]

Ah. I looked it up. US Military Academy.

Either that or US Metric Association.

Well, I guess we don't want people from either place cheating!

[Escher]

I was indeed referencing the Acadamies.

I'm assuming that it's the same across branches (Annapolis, West Point, Colorado Springs), but I know that it's engraved prominently on one of the buildings at the Air Force Academy.