Most students don’t give a damn about Cornell’s Code of Academic Integrity. That is, until I see them shaking uncontrollably, sobbing hysterically, scared that one mistake or misunderstanding has ruined the academic record they have worked so hard to build. I have sat on the Academic Integrity Hearing Board of the College (AIHB) of Arts and Sciences for two years — the group which hears appeals of all violations of academic integrity in Arts and Sciences courses. I have seen how students’ legal and moral rights have been violated by a few professors who should know better. I have witnessed how the ambiguities in Cornell’s Code of Academic Integrity have caused leaders around campus, straight-A students, and most often, students who never had any intention to cheat to be convicted of violations of academic integrity. Our code is deeply flawed — its inconsistent application leads to excessively harsh punishments for some, none for others, and injustice for all Cornellians.

Harvey Weinstein, a titan of the silver screen, the man behind many of the greatest films of the last decade, convincingly stated, “Hollywood has the best moral compass.” Come again, Harvey? Celebrities might protest the Iraq war with their Oscar speeches; they might dedicate time to charitable causes and maybe every single member of the Screen Actors Guild drives a Prius and eats organically grown legumes for lunch, but that definitely does not make Mel Gibson my Mother Theresa. Case and point: Hollywood’s reaction to the arrest of longtime fugitive and film director Roman Polanski.

He just didn’t see it coming. As University of Florida hero and legend Tim Tebow looked for the open man, Kentucky’s defensive end blind-sided him, knocking Tebow to the ground in an oh-that’s-gotta-hurt kind of way. To make matters worse, as the 2007 Heisman winner fell from grace, the back of his helmet slammed into the knee of his own offensive lineman, Marcus Gilbert. Tebow lay motionless for more than a few seconds, and the 70,000 plus faithful of Gator Nation fell silent. As the American hero was finally carted off the field, the TV cameras captured him heaving his breakfast into a bag. But not to worry, Gator faithful, Tebow’s concussion shouldn’t keep him out too long, and he’ll probably be back for Florida’s next big game.