<p>I had a computer science lab test worth 15% of my grade last week that I solved myself. I had two friends next to me that are close to failing the course and didn't know most of the answers, so stupid that I am, I let them look at mine and didn't think much of it coz I thought they wouldn't be too strict about this as the whole atmosphere in the lab room was really relaxed. I understand this was a huge error in judgement on my part, and today I got an email saying I was guilty of academic dishonesty and would receive a 0 on the lab test, losing 15% of my grade right there. The other two guys who copied my answers got the same email as well.</p>
<p>I am pretty much a straight A student, whereas one of the guys who copied it is taking the class for a 2nd time, and both of them have GPA's of like 1.5. What do you think the chances are of me getting at least half my grade back if, given my way better academic record compared to the other 2 students, I admit to letting them copy my answers, stating that I solved all of it (like I did).</p>
<p>Who sent the email? Who watched you in the lab? If it was a professor, appealing might be tough. If it was a TA, you could appeal to the professor. Also, you can phrase it as you were helping them, not letting them copy your answers.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t pursue it, personally. You should be happy that you don’t have a really strict professor who would give you a 0 in the class for that kind of thing.</p>
<p>^ Seconded.
You should only appeal if you aren’t guilty of what you’re being accused of. If you are guilty, suck it up and be glad you got out easy.</p>
<p>I think you guys are being harsh on him, IMO. I only feel no pity for those with no conscience, who cheat/sabotage work with no regard for others. The OP seems to let a minor slip occur. Argue that the class did not outline the policy well and did not make it clear that the work has to be individual. Argue that the punishment does not fit the crime, they only copied 10 percent of your work so at worst you should only lose credit for that 10 percent. If the events are truly as you described, you may have gotten the shaft. Also, you can argue that the TA/supervisor should have warned you. During a test, someone was glancing at my exam, so a TA moved me and the problem was solved.</p>
<p>Nobody watched me as far as I know. I was stupid enough to not take the academic regulations seriously and did not care when they were looking at my answers and computer screen. The two guys next to me are close to failing the class so I thought I could help them out with atleast 15% of the grade and didn’t think it would end this way. They must not have had enough common sense to even change the answers around a bit and copied mine word to word. The email I received was from my professor, and from the Chair of the Academic Judicial Committee stating that the laboratory test I submitted had answers identical to those of other students writing the same exam, which was evidence that I participated in academic dishonesty. The email also said I could either acknowledge academic dishonesty but intend to appeal the proposed sanction by emailing the department head, which is what I am planning to do. Or I can appeal the allegation.</p>
<p>I’m glad I was let out “easy” and wasn’t given a straight F on the course, but since there IS an option to appeal the penalty, maybe if I let them know those answers were all mine and the other two guys copied it, and if I get those two morons to send out an email admitting they copied my answers, maybe something will happen. It’s a long shot but I guess I should try. blah. Learnt my lesson :</p>
<p>I suppose the University considers all kinds of academic dishonesty on an equal level i.e giving someone else the answers versus copying someone’s answers, but I really don’t feel like I deserve the same penalty on a test that I solved honestly because two other guys copied answers off my test.</p>
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A 0 for the whole class because I helped someone out who would’ve failed? Have you never helped anyone out during a test?</p>
<p>
That is true. The TA and lab instructor never said anything to me even though they could clearly see the two guys glancing at my stuff, so I thought they were taking this casually and didn’t bother covering my work.</p>
<p>Hmmm, I suppose so. I guess I never took stuff like this seriously before, so maybe this is good in a way. Atleast I won’t let this happen again and risk even more severe penalties.</p>
<p>I hear what you’re saying, but you’re screwed regardless.</p>
<p>No one is going “to go easy on you” because you GAVE the answers rather than RECEIVED them.</p>
<p>Now if you tried to spin it like they were looking but you didn’t realize, or didn’t care, or you were uncomfortable with it but didn’t feel like reporting them, then maybe. But they may smell b.s. - after all you’re being charged with dishonesty to begin with. I personally don’t care about the ethics but I say “lesson learned.” Don’t give out answers. No benefit to you at all.</p>