MSU faculty members fear an unprecedented number of students are using the Internet to cheat and plagiarize.

"It's becoming clear to the faculty that it's becoming more widespread," said Tom Wolff, associate dean for undergraduate studies for the College of Engineering, citing an incident in a computer class during fall semester where several students shared answers.

After the incident, Wolff said the engineering college made a statement that cheaters will not be tolerated.

"We're sending a message among faculty that if you invoke the appropriate penalty grade that the college will stand behind you," he said.

As it becomes easier to cheat off Internet sources, professors say they can use simple techniques to hold students accountable.

"Google is a wonderful source, but let's keep in mind that it takes as long for a professor to run the same search," Wolff said. "And the faculty is surprising students."

University Ombudsman Stan Soffin said his office publishes a report each year that includes the number of students who cheated. This year's edition has not yet been published.

Soffin wouldn't say if his office has received increased plagiarism complaints this year, but added "it appears from the faculty calls that there's an increased interest in academic integrity."

And faculty members hope to deter cheating with strict penalties, Wolff said.

"At the extreme, you could be suspended or kicked out of school," he said, adding the school has software that analyzes papers to track cheaters.

"We will use software that compares it to other years," he said. "I know for certain that we caught cases three years back."

The software they employ is similar to the programs offered by Glatt Plagiarism Services Inc.

"The benefits are awareness on everybody's part," said Barbara Glatt, president of the Chicago-based company.

Glatt's company offers three programs, including one for detection of cheating and a free online program for students to self-detect their own cheating, in case they might have inadvertently cheated.

She's also noticed the increase in academic dishonesty.

"With the advent of Internet, it has been growing," Glatt said. "The availability of research, there's greater access."

Internet search engines have also diminished homework's purpose, Wolff said. "Homework is just not worth anything anymore," he said.

The problem is students need to practice work each day, and when teachers are forced to assign little - if any - credit to homework, then many choose not to do it.

"It's hard to put the value on it that you'd like to," he said. "But we all should be motivated."

Students can easily pay by credit card on any of the many of the Web sites that offer term papers or answers to homework.

One site, www.fastpapers.com, has a disclaimer at the bottom to warn students of the consequences of cheating.

"Students who use our service are responsible not only for writing their own papers, but also for citing The Paper Store as a source when doing so," the disclaimer says.

Economics senior Steve Cohen said he's had practice being under pressure for finals, but has never considered cheating or plagiarizing to get the grade he wants.

"Chances are, I'd know as much as the person sitting next to me," he said. "So what's the point?"

Staff writer Aaron Foley contributed to this report.

Amy Bartner can be reached at bartnera@msu.edu.