I might be ignorant, but I don't understand how one gets the authority to impose "fines" in the first place. I can understand a government declaring its right to extract fines for clearly delineated violations of law. But, what allows me to ask a student to pay money for some violation of my rules, even if I believe that there is a consensus about the "correctness" of my rules? Recently, my college decided to fine $50 from anyone who smokes within 30 feet of the door of a college building. Where do they get the right to demand money from students who break the rules? There is no explicit contract signed by students saying that they will submit to this. Our college used to fine students for not attending chapel (we haven't done so for 35 years). We still use that money as the basis of our campus investment club. I believe the entire fund is based on illigitimate proceeds.
Bill Scott ----- Original Message ----- From: "Miguel Roig" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Teaching in the Psychological Sciences" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2004 8:20 PM Subject: Re: Random Thought: On Lying, Cheating, and Plagiarism > Louis, we are talking about an academic situation; not speeding. In > addition to being ethically questionable, another concern that arises is > that the intended effect of your 'fine' will differ as function of the > offending student's socioeconomic status. > > I'd love to see the relevant statement in your syllabus but, nevertheless, > I think that you should consider changing your penalty statement. > > Miguel > > > At 01:22 PM 6/2/2004 -0400, you wrote: > >Why is it ethically questionable? It's a "fine" for lying like a fine for > >speeding--and is in the syllabus. Reasoning behind it? It gives them > >"food for thought." The students tend to remember their omission a lot > >longer when they have to pay such a fine while at the same time being > >given another chance. I'm not one of those "one strike and you're out" > >guys. I do the same thing with cell phones ringing in the classroom. In > >fact, I've even had to pay that penalty when my son called about literally > >a second before I switched the phone to vibrate. > > > > > >Make it a good day. > > > > --Louis-- > > > > > >Louis Schmier www.therandomthoughts.com > >Department of History www.halcyon.com/arborhts/louis.html > >Valdosta State University > >Valdosta, Georgia 31698 /~\ /\ /\ > >(229-333-5947) /^\ / \ / /~ \ /~\__/\ > > / \__/ \/ / /\ /~ \ > > /\/\-/ /^\___\______\_______/__/_______/^\ > > -_~ / "If you want to climb mountains, \ /^\ > > _ _ / don't practice on mole hills" -\____ > > > > > > > >--- > >You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > --- > You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
