The officials of Stanford University are probing into reports that there is an increasing number of students in the university who are engaged with cheating.

In a letter sent to the university's staff and faculty members, Provost John Etchemendy said their office had noted an unusual peak in reports of dishonesty.

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"Among a smattering of concerns from a number of winter courses, one faculty member reported allegations that may involve as many as twenty percent of the students in one large introductory course," he added.

The rise of technology and digitalization was cited as probable cause that led many students to cheat. Etchemendy, however, reminded students that taking credit for other people's work is a dishonest act.

In his letter, Etchemendy also told the teachers to help the students in understanding the seriousness of academic dishonesty. He stressed the importance of the university's Honor Code and how each student should follow it.

The university's Honor Code was written in 1921 by Stanford University students themselves. Upon entering the university, each freshman is being introduced to this Honor Code and is being asked to abide by it.

Etchemendy also cited the high responsibility of teachers in providing proper guidance to students for academic excellence and in embedding to them the importance of academic honesty.

Meanwhile, it was not mentioned which class was reported to have many students who were accused of dishonesty.

There were speculations, however, from multiple sources that the class was identified as CS 106A: Programming Technology. The class is one of university's famous classes and had 655 enrolees in the last winter quarter. The class deals with introductory lessons in computer programming.

TagsStanford University, cheating