Gilbert and Rob were great friends and always enrolled in the same classes. As my class progressed, both Rob and Gilbert seemed to be doing quite well with their assignments. It then came time for the first examination. Rob took the exam, but earlier in the day, Gil phoned to let me know that he would not be able to take the exam. He would take it tomorrow. All tests are taken in the classroom and the printed policy is that a test can be taken late as long as it is completed before the next class period and the instructor has been notified. Rob did quite well earning a B, while Gill got an A-.

Four weeks later, it was time to take the second exam. The same scene was replayed, but time had caused me to forget what had transpired with the previous test. When the same drama unfolded for exam three, I finally sensed that something seemed a little "fishy". I called Rob aside after the test and shared my suspicions. At first, he wouldn't talk, but then he finally opened up. Rob said that it was very hard for him to make friends, but when he met Gilbert, they became buddies immediately. One of the conditions of being friends was Rob would always take an exam first because Gilbert struggled with tests. Rob would write down the key points and provide this information for Gilbert to memorize.

Test scores comprise 40% of the final grade and 60% of the grade is from lab work which Rob and Gilbert have done individually with me present. Rob and Gilbert both have high A's in their lab work.

Questions:

What should be done with Rob?

With Gilbert?

With their grades?

Is this really a true friendship for both young men?