“Study files” leave Greek leadership concerned

PULLMAN, Wash. – Tucked in the basement of Washington State fraternity and sorority houses, you’ll find filing cabinets loaded with old essays, exams, papers, and quizzes.

The academic support tactic has been dubbed “study files” by the community; however, not all are on board.

“For the most part, it is a direct violation of the academic integrity policy,” Andrew Poulton, the scholarship chair of his fraternity, said. “Most study files contain old tests and quizzes. So really the students who are using these study files aren’t learning anything. They’re really just memorizing answers and questions.”

WSU’s Academic Integrity policy is clearly outline in WAC 504-26-010, but it is often abbreviated to two prongs – plagiarism and unauthorized collaboration.

And with students putting pen to paper less and less in the classroom, the raise of digital study files has already taken place.

“A lot of people just don’t take handwritten notes anymore,” Student Kelley Phelan said.

The University’s main safeguard in place resides in Blackboard’s SafeAssign. The software tracks plagiarism in electronically submitted essays and papers. It has no guard in place for hard copy papers or un-proctored online exams.

According to a survey by Kessler International, 8 out of every 10 college students admit to some form of cheating while virtually none of them got caught.

“I recommend setting them up with older members who have taken the class and having those older members teach them and give them better understanding of the material. That way they’re actually learning it.” Poulton said.