Deb,
I don't understand how any entity--academic, business, nonprofit, whatever--can uncouple dishonesty from anything. It's all about character, regardless of the quality of the work or the economics involved. But then people do accuse me of being an idealist...*smile*
A long ago boss and I had a spirited discussion about stealing. He believed that helping one's self to $100 of company funds was a different infraction from helping one's self to $1,000. I didn't see it that way. Stealing is stealing. It's the same with dishonest and cheating. The "degree" of the fib or theft doesn't change the fact that lies or taking something that wasn't yours happened. But so much of what happens in our culture today aligns itself with my boss' view.