The Dark Side of Academic Research: A Critical Look at Academic Fraud and Harassment
Academia is often held up as a noble pursuit of knowledge and excellence. However, behind the academic facade lie stories of unethical practices, manipulation, and harassment. This article delves into these dark corners, highlighting instances of academic fraud and misconduct that have been observed in both graduate programs and research assistantships.
Academic Fraud and Unethical Practices: A Case Study
Professor Valerie Shalin, a faculty member at Wright State University, enforced an arbitrary grading policy that required students to use Excel for ANOVAs, a task that is never performed in real-world settings. When a student, who had already covered ANOVAs in their undergraduate studies, failed to meet these requirements, the student was given an F grade with the false accusation of having a learning disability due to negative values appearing in their Excel responses.
Another instance of fraud is the Proposal Poaching, where a student's proposal was dismissed by their advisor, Kevin Bennett, at Wright State University. The advisor then claimed the student had written a new proposal without ever showing it to the student. Bennett also resorted to unethical research practices, such as Bait and Switch, by offering research opportunities that did not exist in his lab, while using students' work for his own credit.
There have been allegations of cyber-stalking and harassment, with a graduate student's Facebook account being hacked and their conduct misrepresented to affect their academic standing and social environment. These actions led to a manipulation of grades, evaluations, and even grade appeals, demonstrating a clear pattern of systemic abuse.
Systemic Issues and the Impact on Graduate Students
The academic environment at institutions like Fordham University and Wright State University has been fraught with systemic issues that affect not only academics but also the well-being of graduate students. A proposal poaching scenario at Wright State University saw students being pushed into writing more proposals without their input, while bait and switch tactics coerced students into research opportunities that were a dead end.
The intimidation and harassment continue, with examples such as fake grading and lab hours that do not exist. Students have reported feeling overworked and under-supported, with no clear structure or advising beyond their supervisors. This has led to a toxic work environment where graduate students are subjected to extreme workloads and are forced into unethical research practices, often at the cost of their personal and professional integrity.
The role of Faculty and Institutional Policies
Institutions like Fordham University and Wright State University often fall short in enforcing their own policies, leading to a institutional culture that tolerates or even encourages misconduct. Faculty members like Kevin Bennett at Wright State and Andrew Rasmussen at Fordham have been accused of violating policies, yet they manage to maintain their positions without any serious consequences.
The failure to follow grading rubrics and guidelines is another issue that continues to plague these institutions. Moreover, backdoor grade faking and lies about appropriate class selections have left many students in a difficult position, often without the necessary funding or opportunities to continue their studies.
Conclusion: Addressing Academic Fraud and Misconduct
The examples of academic fraud and misconduct detailed herein are not isolated incidents but part of a broader issue within academic institutions. It is essential for schools and researchers to address these problems head-on by implementing stricter accountability measures and providing comprehensive support for graduate students. Policies must be enforced consistently, and a culture of transparency and ethical conduct must be established.
The safety and well-being of all members of the academic community are paramount. It is imperative to investigate and address these serious issues to restore trust and create a more equitable and just environment for all.