The hot book at Rutgers College is a tome penned by one of the New Jersey school's own juniors — Cheating 101, an 87-page how-to guide written by Mike Moore, 24. Though the mildly witty quickie, outlining dozens of tactics for shafting the authorities, is only being sold in two local bookstores, it's got Rutgers officials in an uproar.
''He's the lowest common denominator of public commentator,'' says James Reed, dean of Rutgers, which gave F's to or expelled 29 cheaters last year. ''His book is puerile nonsense, not funny but tragic. If you cheat, you'll get caught eventually.''
Moore, who has never himself been charged with cheating, counters disingenuously, ''If professors cared about students, we would learn and we wouldn't have to cheat. Anyway, cheating's the American way.''
''Look at our politicians,'' he continues. ''Statistics show that almost everyone cheats. I've just provided what everyone wants.''
The journalism major published the six-chapter book himself and included tips on changing one's grade, finding the best classroom seat for deceit, and buying a pen that comes with a pullout crib sheet.
Moore's first printing of 1,000 copies, each going for $6, sold out in six days this fall. Cheating 101 is now in its second printing, and the author says mainstream publishers are interested.
Steal this book, indeed.
