Paige Laurie under investigation for academic fraud
Published Nov. 30, 2004
Elizabeth Paige Laurie's four years at the University of Southern California could disappear in a flash if an investigation at her alma mater leads to her losing her degree.
USC launched a formal investigation after Laurie's former roommate alleged that Laurie paid her $20,000 to do school work for her.
Laurie graduated from USC in May with a bachelor's degree in communication.
Laurie's freshman roommate, Elena Martinez, accused Laurie when she appeared on ABC's news program "20/20" on Nov. 19 during a segment about cheating on college campuses.
USC officials said they will investigate Martinez's claims and will contact the Wal-Mart heiress and Martinez. Officials said there is a precedent to revoke a degree.
The Lauries declined to comment and said in a statement to "20/20" that "Paige Laurie's college record was a private matter."
Representatives from USC could not be reached for further comment.
Michael Kramer, associate professor of communication and member of the Faculty Council Academic Affairs Committee, said MU students could be expelled for cheating.
"If you're caught cheating you can receive a zero on an assignment or be expelled from the university," Kramer said.
Kramer said incidents of students reporting other students cheating are rare.
"If a student says 'I think so- and'so is cheating,' we wouldn't launch an investigation," Kramer said. "If there was some reasonable evidence, the student would have to present it first to the professor involved, from there it would go to the provost. But it's pretty unusual for that to occur."
Bill Lamberson, chairman of the Academic Affairs Committee, said any possible allegation must be reported to the provost's office, even if it is from a student or there is little evidence.
"The student accused can then appeal, but we are required to report any possible allegation," Lamberson said.
Kramer said though a university can do less once the student has graduated, universities can rescind degrees if there is evidence a student has cheated.
"Any university could rescind a degree if it had evidence that a person didn't complete the coursework to earn their degree," Kramer said. "Universities maintain the right to do that, but it's rare that it happens."
Lamberson said he did not feel qualified to comment on whether it would be more difficult to rescind the degree of a student who was accused of cheating and already graduated, but said there must be "really compelling reasons."
