BU writes off on-line term papers

Have you ever thought about buying a finished term paper on line? If so, you had better do it soon, because Boston University is suing on-line term paper companies with the aim of putting them out of business. BU filed its suit in federal district court October 20 against eight Internet companies that sell term papers to students. The university is asking for a court order to force the companies to stop selling term papers, in addition to punitive damages. "We expect academic work presented by students to be the product of their own efforts," BU President John Westling said in a written statement. "We will take whatever steps are necessary to preserve the integrity of the academic process." Westling stressed that pre-written term papers are not fair to other students who write their own papers. "The vast majority of students at this university and, I am sure, at other schools, are honest and hard-working, and their efforts must not be undercut by the few who would defraud universities, either as purchasers or purveyors of dishonest and illegal materials," he added. BU's current lawsuit follows a 1972 suit filed by the university against companies selling finished term papers to students. The 1972 victory facilitated the shutting down of several "term paper mills." And the Massachusetts legislature passed a law prohibiting these term paper companies from operating. Westling said in the written release that this Internet sale is merely an adaptation of prior business in which companies passed out flyers to interested students. "It is an insidious game that results in harm to all students and to the public, which expects that a diploma represents genuine achievement," he added. BU's lawsuit comes after a several-month Internet sting operation orchestrated by university officials, who searched databases for companies claiming to sell term papers and "research materials." Lawyers from the BU Office of the General Counsel subsequently contacted these companies, posing as students who needed term papers for an English class. Staff members made clear that they intended to submit the paper as their own work when they spoke to representatives from the companies. Although Internet disclaimers on many World Wide Web pages stated that the papers were for "research purposes only," staff members were provided with a final product from each of the companies. A title page listing the name of the person who ordered the paper and the course number was even enclosed with many of the term papers. BU wants the court to order the companies to stop distributing term papers in Massachusetts. It is also asking for the dissolution of the companies, the safeguarding and seizing of all business records and compensation for legal fees and damages, according to a written release. This is the first time legal action has been brought against term paper companies selling over the Internet. BU spokesperson Colin Riley said that, unlike in 1972, when many other universities joined BU in its lawsuit, the university is not actively soliciting the participation of other schools. Riley added, however, that other universities are "generally endorsing" BU's actions as this is an issue upon which universities tend to agree. Riley said he does not know when the suit will go to trial.

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