Spring Break, Warning to Parents and Cheating

Three interesting bits of information to pass along: Spring Break research, a column on how colleges undermine student inhibitions, and a new way that schools are monitoring plagiarism.

It’s that time of year. Thousands of students are heading down to tropical destinations to take a break from partying at their own colleges or universities in order to party where it is hot and sunny. Last week, for strictly research purposes, I watched The Real Cancun, a documentary following 16 “real-live” college students as they partook in the many festivities in Cancun. Don’t waste your money. The movie is not worth your time. I watched most of it in fast-forward. What is worth your time is reading some research released by The American Medical Association concerning what goes on at Spring Break and the dangers that women students face. Dr. J. Edward Hill, AMA’s president, is trying to call attention to underage drinking among women because their bodies process alcohol differently and put them at greater risk for health problems. You can read a summary of AMA’s research here.

A few weeks ago, our local paper ran a column by L. Brent Bozell entitled “Colleges undermine student inhibitions.” Although a bit cynical, it is a helpful article written to warn parents of the dangers that their college-bound students will face. I was able to find the article online under a different title: Sex, Culture, and the College Student.

Finally, did you know that a poll conducted by Who’s Who Among American High School Students in 1998 revealed that 80% of America’s top students admitted that cheating helped them climb to the top of their class? (I learned this here.) Here’s an interesting article about what some schools in New York are doing to combat the problems of plagiarism: High Tech War Against Plagiarism is Coming to New York Schools.