Print this article | Email this article
Click here to receive your FREE subscription to T.H.E. Journal
Intellectual Honesty in the Era of Computing
The same is true of institutional policy. A policy specifically outlawing
software piracy and copying pictures, sounds and graphics is extremely
difficult to enforce. Why would a college or university bother to spend
the time and energy to promulgate such a policy? Two reasons come to
mind—liability and environment.
Institutions proclaim such policies to ensure that members of the
campus community and the general public are aware of its formal
position on a subject such as intellectual property. The policy may be
the basis for mitigating liability if an employee is found acting counter to
the policy. But more important, the policy is a critical factor in creating
an environment, a context, within which students, faculty and staff
function. The fact that the policy may be difficult to enforce d'es not
void its value in establishing a climate by formally stating that this
institution values intellectual honesty and that includes not just
plagiarism but piracy as well.
Rules Alone Won't Hack it!
But it takes much more than a policy to effectively deal with issues and
concerns surrounding intellectual property. Since such laws and policy
are not easily enforceable in this age of computers, both society and
organizations look to and depend upon the personal integrity of those in
their communities. That requires not only a foundation in policy but also
a commitment to enabling the policy via education, facilities and
example.
Institutions need to make training available and strongly encourage
members of the community to take advantage of the training. Education
is needed for students, faculty and staff not only about the importance
of intellectual honesty but also on the laws, rules, procedures and
expectations of society and the institution regarding intellectual
property.
Institutions need to provide facilities and resources that foster respect
for the institution's policy. When students, staff or faculty are expected
to use resources, the institution ought to have those resources readily
available rather than encourage pirating by making access difficult,
limited or impossible. Faculty particularly need to be aware that
assignments that encourage and reward use of resources not available
to every student encourage class members to ignore the institution's
and the instructor's stated policies.
Perhaps the most important tool for fostering a climate of intellectual
honesty and respect is example. Clearly one of the most critical
responsibilities for faculty members is the proper character formation of
students entrusted to their tutelage. The expectation that students will
respect intellectual property is hollow if the teacher fails to personify the
expectation. So too, administrators and staff set an example for each
other and their subordinates. It is example that creates a day-to-day
awareness of, or disregard for, intellectual honesty.
