Sharing notes isn't exactly cheating, and selling notes isn't quite the same as selling quizzes or written essays.

Why shouldn't students be able to sell their hard work to other students who, for whatever reason, be it injury, illness, or just plain laziness, want to buy them?

Of course, this idea should be allowed within reason.

J.E. Saffold, SF State's vice president of Student Affairs, recently sent a mass email alerting all students to the illegality of selling notes online.

The website in question, NoteUtopia.com, has been cited for violating a Student Conduct Code.

Specifically, California Education Code 66450, section 41301, Subsection (b) (14) of Title 5, California Code of Regulations.

The code "prohibits the 'unauthorized recording, dissemination, or publication of academic presentations (including handwritten notes) for a commercial purpose.'"

In today's struggling economy where class size increases each semester, why shouldn't we be offered an online space to get help?

Many professors have already made the shift away from paper to web, posting lecture notes and Powerpoint slides on programs like iLearn and class websites.

These services are free, but they are not always available. When your boyfriend gives you mono and you miss a month of school, where do you turn for help?

If you don't already have a class clique to copy notes from, NoteUtopia.com proves to be a helpful option.

In a society that no longer encourages real social interaction, instead gearing us to online socialization, why not provide a place for us to connect academically with others?

NoteUtopia.com states the rules of note sharing:

"It's simple. Just quickly upload the notes that you are already taking, set a price, and then cash out."

It's a lucrative idea that could easily fall into exploitative hands.

As of now it's violating the Student Conduct Code and some unlucky note taker is liable to end up with university expulsion or criminal penalties. The website should monitor and regulate content sharing, and the state should amend the code.

It's the least California can do for students.