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At Harvard, zero tolerance for plagiarism

CAMBRIDGE, MASS. - Harvard University has rescinded the admission of a New Jersey student who made headlines this spring after she sued successfully to be the sole valedictorian of her high school, according to The Harvard Crimson. The reason, writes the student paper: plagiarism.

In a column published last month by the Courier-Post of Cherry Hill, N.J., Blair Hornstine conceded that she did not attribute material she used in a column she wrote for the paper's teen page.

Ms. Hornstine, who has been diagnosed with an immune deficiency, received much of her high school instruction from tutors at her home. Though she had the highest grades in her class, the school administration wanted her to share the valedictorian title. She won her lawsuit in federal court on a discrimination complaint.

TRENTON, N.J. - The New Jersey Supreme Court is the latest to rule that public schools have a broad right to administer random drug tests to students in an effort to rid schools of illegal drugs. In a 4-to-3 decision last week, the court ruled that public-school students have diminished rights to privacy under the state constitution.

At Hunterdon Central Regional High School in Flemington, N.J., students who participate in extracurricular activities or who park vehicles on campus are eligible to be selected for random drug-testing. The policy affects about 4 in 5 of the school's 2,500 students.

TOKYO The world's top teenage math whizzes met Saturday at the International Mathematical Olympiad, where they'll test their ability to solve complex equations. More than 500 high school students from about 85 countries are taking part.

The Olympiad is a grueling, two-day competition that has steadily grown in size since 1959, when Romania hosted the first contest. China won the most individual medals at last year's contest in Glasgow, while Russia and the US tied for second place. This year's winners will be announced at a closing ceremony Friday.