This is an interesting phenomenon. It’s the night before the final exam. As it nears midnight, I receive two emails frantically distributed to the entire lecture course for “History of Early Christians”–the class for which I am a reader (that is, a grader). That’s an email plea to about 120 people.

The first student says that his computer “blue-screened” him. So, he can’t get the study guide that he has been preparing for the last few days, nor his notes for the class. The second email contained an explanation of how his flash drive was stolen from the computer lab earlier today. Normally, he sends an email to himself with the files for a backup, but alas, this time he did not. Both acknowledge how hard many of the other students have worked and how unfair it seems to send their hard work along. But they both ask for understanding and look for empathy: “I wish you would put yourself in my situation.”

Who am I to judge whether these apparently otherwise responsible and capable students have really just hit a snag at a very inconvenient moment? After all, I don’t have Sylar’s new ability from this past week (does that work for emails?). It all seems very suspicious to me, though. And I’m inclined to say, “Well, you’ve studied on these things for days. Go with the hard work you’ve already put into it. With that much hard work, you must remember something.” But the reality is, with 120 other students, you’re going to get a few generous people who will indeed share their hard work.

Even if these pleas are both hoaxes, they will probably be successful. Trouble is, how will they know whether the study guides they receive are reliable?

I’d be interested to know what professors do these days with the various digital excuses that come their way. Do tell.

Update (12/11/08): Another student sent the following satire to the class:

I totally did not do any of the work this quarter.  I just watched tv and went to the movies.  i guess i am just lazy, or incompetent.   i didnt read anything except cracked.com‘s top ten most underated smurfs.  Please find it in your heart of hearts to send me your complete study guide with all of the answers you tirelessly worked on for hours.  I totally don’t do this every quarter in every class.  i know its asking a lot but…

What would jesus do?

cmon seriously. I voted for Barack Obama! and against Prop 8!!

turn my water into wine.

a fellow Christian Classmate