To some students, a passing grade is worth a lot. To one woman, it was apparently worth a $1,200 stereo.

State College Bureau of Police Services and University Police Services are investigating a case involving a Penn State student who told State College police she offered a student a stereo in exchange for taking her exam.

Because he failed the exam, she told police she may sue him for a breach of contract.

According to University police, paying someone to take an exam is a third- degree misdemeanor. A person could be fined $2,500 and serve up to one year in prison, said University police officer Dwight Smith. The person who took the exam could also be found guilty for the same offense.

State College police, who called it "an oddball business arrangement," became involved because the contract was allegedly settled downtown. When the issue became an academic one, University police stepped in.

Both students will be referred to the University's Office of Judicial Affairs, 135 Boucke, Smith said.

Police say the student originally told them she may sue, but she currently refuses to comment.

The story has appeared nationwide in newspapers like USA Today and on TV shows like "The Tonight Show."

"You're here to learn and you take an exam yourself. I think it takes some nerve to say it's a breach of contract," said Janet Younger (senior-exercise and sport science), calling it academic dishonesty.

Other students agreed.

"That's really strange that you can get away with that," said Bill Sharp (senior-exercise and sport science). "The University should be tighter and be able to catch things like that."

Tiffani Farls (sophomore-nursing) said, "I think she's stupid for reporting it."

"If she was going to do it in the first place she just set herself up to get caught," she added. "I think I would have studied instead of paying $1,200."

"I'd rather fail a test than give up a stereo," Sharp agreed.