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State Looks to UC Expert for Advice on Catching Cheaters

Philo Called Upon to Testify at Senate Meeting

Written By Dan Shanley '12, PR Intern

Contact - cleogrande@utica.edu

Utica, NY (02/02/2012) - In light of recent alleged breaches in exam security, state senator Joseph Griffo requested the testimony of Raymond Philo, executive director of the Economic Crime Institute, at the senate’s higher education committee meeting on January 24.

The hearings were called in response to alleged acts of cheating that occurred in 2011 where some Long Island high-school students hired “proxies” to take SAT exams in their place.

Philo offered testimony centered on new technologies and protocols that could be used in test locations to better authenticate identity, as well as proposed new laws that address the criminality of such cheating actions. 

“The consequences of cheating on competency exams, be they SAT exams, professional licensing exams, or civil service exams has a detrimental effect on our society, our safety, and ultimately on this nation’s ability to compete effectively in a competitive global economy,” Philo testified.

Philo offered insight on various techniques such as challenge questions and biometrics to help increase the level of identity security at testing locations.  In addition, Philo made reference to Utica College’s Center for Identity Management and Information Protection (CIMIP), a research collaborative dedicated to furthering a national research agenda on identity management, information sharing, and data protection.
Philo’s unique background as both a career law enforcement officer as well as an academic provided unique and valuable insight to the committee’s mission of maintaining the credibility of competency exams.

Also serving as research director for the Department of Economic Crime and Justice Studies at UC, Philo was a member of the New Hartford Police Department for more than 30 years, serving as chief from 1993 until his retirement in 2010.  He holds a bachelor's degree from Utica College, and a master's degree in political science/public administration from Marist College.