Whose side are you on? [assignment edition - mod edit]
The
Teacher's intent is for the students to complete 5 projects and the best 4 of 5 will be chosen.
you must not write contracts for a living.
Intent is irrelevant. How is anyone supposed to know what someone else intended? If your intent was to have 5 papers submitted of a certain quality, state that.
If you want the hot tub included with the house you bought, you gonna intend for them to give it to you through the spirit of mutual satisfaction? No, you are going to put it in the contract.
The word that matters is explicit. As in written.
The only one who is doing anything morally wrong is the professor. He is assuming intent and leaving his students to figure it out. And when one did, they got bent.
With that said the kid is not only completely correct here, they should get extra credit it for working efficiently.