The Association has written two articles in its Blog about cheating and many more on systematic errors. On June 6, 2016, an article was shared on cheating related to higher ed, followed by an article shared to the public on December 7, 2018. Recent college admissions scandals may complete the long list of systematic errors phenomena found in the US higher ed industry. In the past 6 years, one can see the types of cheating in the US higher learning institutions. Basically, they can be grouped based on the players’ side either as the suppliers and consumers in the so-called higher education game. What do these phenomena tell the American public and what do they have in common? Well, it won’t take Albert Einstein’s brain to recognize or to find the communalities among those who have such a behavior–which is lack of moral and integrity.
If moral is not in the equation when decisions are made, then one should expect the outcomes are tainted. It is independent of who the decision makers are. When moral is compromised, then it is just a matter of time before the stinks are spread. Lack of moral led to all kind of unfortunate behaviors such as selfishness, corruptions, laziness, lack-of-fighting attitude, lack-of innovation or creativity, greed, crimes and others. The list can go-on and-on.
The results of such unfortunate attitudes are griefs, failures, frustrations, defeats, pains, sorrows, miseries, sadness, anguish, distress, agony, torments, afflictions, sufferings, heartaches, heartbreak, broken-heartedness, heaviness of heart, woes, desolations, despondency, dejection, despair, angsts, mortification, mourning, mournfulness, bereavement, lamentation, ament, remorse, regret, pining, lost of jobs. The effects of recent college admissions bribery tell them all.
No one will win when moral is set aside in the decision making process. Unfortunately, it was only Adam Smith who considers the importance of moral virtues (Aristotle) which will ensure the existence of market equilibrium. Its negative effects are universal, and independent of what kind of decisions are made. In addition, to what the public has learned about college admissions cheating scandals, Uncle Sam is still trying to cope with student loan debt. As the election is around the corner, each candidate is trying to throw their mantra to dupe the voters. This is not about campaign promises, rather it is about moral choice. When moral as one of the important virtues that affect human’s life is left out from the equation, all affected parties will suffer regardless of their economic status. One may escape in the short-run, but may not in the (near) future. As moral virtue is fading away, one will expect more pains occur in the society.