An unusually high number of students at Stanford University are suspected of cheating during the most recent term , putting faculty members and administrators of the prestigious institution on alert . University Provost John Etchemendy sent a letter to faculty members highlighting what he called 'troubling allegations ' that stem from ' a smattering of concerns from a number of winter courses , ' the San Jose Mercury News reported Friday . Etchemendy said the students are cheating themselves and risk severe consequences . All new students are told of the university 's honor code and agree to abide by it , he said . Concerns : An unusually high number of students at Stanford University are suspected of cheating during the most recent term ( file photo ) 'But with the ease of technology and widespread sharing that is now part of a collaborative culture , ' he wrote , 'students need to recognize and be reminded that it is dishonest to appropriate the work of others . ' University spokeswoman Lisa Lapin declined to discuss details with the newspaper , such as the course or grade level of the students , but she said such concerns are routine . She says that in the 2013-2014 academic year , 83 students violated the honor code . In the most recent term , the newspaper reported that one instructor believes that 20 percent of students in a large introductory course may have cheated . Lapin said that Etchemendy 's note underscored the need for faculty members to be clear with their students about expectations at Stanford , which prides itself as being one of the world 's leading teaching and research universities . Students accused of cheating have the opportunity to defend themselves against the charge . First-time violators are usually suspended for a quarter and must perform 40 hours of community service , with increasing disciplinary action for subsequent violations . 'We have a lot of classes and a lot of students , ' Lapin said . 'It 's not unusual to have a handful of concerns raised every term . ' Punishment : First-time cheating violators are usually suspended for a quarter and must perform 40 hours of community service , with increasing disciplinary action for subsequent violations ( file photo )
An unusually high number of students at Stanford University are suspected of cheating during the most recent term . Faculty members and administrators of the prestigious institution have been put on alert . University Provost John Etchemendy sent a letter to faculty members highlighting what he called 'troubling allegations ' Those stem from ' a smattering of concerns from a number of winter courses '