A little nip here, a little tuck there. No one will notice. Someone did.
My hometown of Fort Lee, NJ got a little unwanted notoriety today. It seems that someone in the high school system has been altering transcripts sent to colleges on behalf of an unknown number of students. In today's Record, our local newspaper, it is reported that this practice has been going on for at least 6 years. The length and scope of the deception has not yet been made public knowledge. The perpetrator or perpetrators have not yet been named.
It is as though the steroids era has now reached the world of college advocacy. The line between right and wrong has been moved once more.
In 2007, Touro College's former admissions director and former computer center director, along with 3 New York City public school teachers were indicted on charges that they were among 10 people in a "cash for grades scheme" in which transcripts were altered and degrees were created for people who never attended the institution, including the 3 teachers. (New York Times, July 17, 2007)
In 2008, 2 high school students were charged wtih hacking into the school's computer system and changing the grades on their transcripts. (Orange County Register, June 17, 2008).
From initial reports, it appears that this latest incident was neither for money or for personal acceptance into a college. We now find ourselves on to the next level of irrationality.
One wonders where the win at all costs philosophy will take us. Living in today's world, we are surprised by almost nothing. The next chapter awaits around the bend.
4 comments:
For the next ten+ years we must assume that no matter what the organization and no matter who the person, no one is above prevarication, chicanery or larceny. We've all become or are victims of misanthropes
that's a lot of big words in 2 sentences.
It is scary out there.
rsn
As an alumni of Fort Lee High School, it is finally becoming clear after nearly 40 years just how I got into college in the first place!
Thanks Bob, as a writer (at least), you're down to a 2 handicap. Keep up the good work.
thanks for the compliment on the writing (what do I have to do to become 'scratch'?)
the Fort Lee saga is very interesting, and depending how it plays out, I would not be surprised if it had some national exposure.
RSN
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