Wichita

Student newspaper runs ads for research service

An offer to conduct academic research for $20 an hour, advertised in the Wichita State University student newspaper, has created a “faculty furor” among professors who say such a practice violates the school’s honor code.

“This is not illegal; it’s just immoral,” said faculty senate president and physics professor Elizabeth Behrman. “I can see how a student might think, ‘Oh, I can use this.’ But they might get thrown out of the university.”

In a letter to the newspaper, the faculty senate said it was “appalled” and cited university policy on academic dishonesty, which states that “students who compromise the integrity of the classroom are subject to disciplinary action.” Violations include cheating, plagiarism and misrepresentation of work.

The ads, which have run four times this month, were placed by Sherri White, the owner of Research Rocks. She said she does not write papers for students but sees nothing wrong with providing students research she develops from the Internet and encyclopedias.

Since the ads were published, White said, she has received two or three inquiries daily for her $20-an-hour service.

Emporia

Graduating 15-year-old denied prom attendance

An Emporia High School student who started the year as a sophomore but earned enough credits to jump ahead a year has lost her fight to also attend the prom a year early.

The Emporia School Board rejected a request from 15-year-old Zahra Nasr-Azadani, who appealed a school policy that allows only juniors and seniors to attend prom.

Zahra presented the school board with a petition for early graduation at its Tuesday meeting. The board consulted with the school’s student council, and the junior class decided not to make an exception, saying the prom is only open to students who enter the school year as juniors or seniors.

This year’s prom takes place May 1.