To the editor:

I am writing in support of professor Mike Hoeflich’s opinion with regard to the need of the plagiarism software, “Turnitin,” to curb student cheating at Kansas University (Journal-World, Sept. 27). Professor Hoeflich astutely addresses the university’s (i.e. Provost Richard Lariviere) very weak justifications in his “opinion” article. Did Provost Lariviere ask for faculty input before making this far-reaching decision? From the amount of public reaction, it would appear not.

Considering the vast amounts of money that are graciously showered upon KU’s athletic department and coach Mangino, in particular (Journal-World, Sept. 5), any reasonable person would agree that a mere $22,000 out of the university’s annual budget of about $500 million (Hoeflich, Journal-World, Sept. 27), is a mere pittance to aid in reducing student cheating.

Perhaps Provost Lariviere would consider dipping into the additional revenues the KU athletic department brings in by charging infants full admission to attend our treasured Jayhawk games (“Everybody pay,” Public Forum, Sept. 9), to supplement the Turnitin software program.

Rodd Hedlund,

Lawrence