Editor’s note: This is the perspective of a senior English major who wished to remain anonymous for fear of self-incrimination.

Fairfield University, following suit with an ongoing trend at many universities, has attempted to combat plagiarism in a variety of ways.

Despite all of the honor code disclaimers on blue books and threats found in syllabi, the paper trade is still alive and kicking on campus.

While many professors have learned to utilize programs that check papers for plagiarism, it is virtually impossible for professors to know that a student is handing in a paper authored by someone else so long as the as the paper was not purchased online.

Ever wonder how the kid sitting next to you in class can pull A papers and drink seven nights a week while you’re scrambling to earn a B?

As you waste your thirsty Thursdays making source citations and running spell-checks, that kid is earning citations from a Public Safety officer and running from his RA.

But when you arrive in class the next day, he has a paper that is as good as or better than your own. That’s because he didn’t write his paper; he merely shelled out a fair share of cash to have someone type it up for him.

Granted, you’ll probably do better on a test on the subject matter, but nonetheless he’s enjoying life while you dread it (and he’s enjoying the fruits of someone else’s victory when that A boosts his GPA).

The irony of this situation is that the state of academic integrity at Fairfield University is actually hindered by the high volume of intellectually gifted students who are attending classes here. Some of those students are using their smarts to avert being snagged by the anti-plagiarism defenses set in place by the University, while others are cashing in on the new market by placing a price tag on their intellectual abilities.

Taking into consideration that most students are heavy in the pockets, it’s no wonder that a lucrative underground business is flourishing on campus. The industrious nature of the Arts and Sciences students involved in this system would make Mr. Dolan proud.

In hindsight, this system is not altogether bad.

Fairfield University’s ever-expanding core requirements force students to take more and more classes that don’t interest them and, thus, hurt their GPAs. Furthermore, most students have nothing to gain from comparative writing.

Secondly, those students who are capitalizing on the paper trade through their production of papers are adding to their background knowledge and are strengthening their writing skills.

It is more than probable that these students, unlike their clients, will benefit from the diverse topics and different writing styles they are exposed to while satisfying this demand.

I’m not advocating academic dishonesty, but I’m acknowledging the harsh reality of Fairfield University market forces.

And who says arts and sciences majors aren’t good at business?

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