Facing disciplinary sanctions

College Life
1

Background: I am an international freshman at NYU CAS. During the first semester, I had a great GPA (3.9 while taking writing the essay). During the second semester, I was going through a lot of emotional hurdle and underwent medical treatment for it. During that period, I got super scared for my grades and plagiarized. I also excessively helped a friend with his assignment in my attempts to make a close friend.

I recognize that my actions violated university policy. I don’t want to make any excuses because I understand that I am to be blamed. Now, I am much better and no longer need any treatment. My professor detected my first case of plagiarism and reported me to the dean. I explained the circumstances under which it happened (me undergoing treatment) and they let me go with a warning letter saying that any further violations may result in a semester long suspension. I should have admitted to my second violation there but I got scared of the consequences and didn’t mention it. Given the high overlap in ideas in my friend’s assignment and mine, my professor is now also reporting me for a second time (in less than a week). Now I will have to meet with the Dean and will be given an opportunity to respond before they give me terms on which I can resume my studies at NYU which may include a second warning letter, disciplinary probation,suspension or dismissal.

Suspension would result in me losing about $40k in private financial aid and being ineligible for loans in my home country, a suspension can be equated to a dismissal in my scenario. I am thus trying to think of some arguments which could help me avoid suspension. Note that once more, I realize that I am guilty and am only trying to limit the damages caused by my actions. The only argument that I can think of right now is being entirely honest and saying something on the lines of:

  • After my first violation, I vowed to my Professor that such a violation would never occur again and I truly meant it. It is unfortunate that another violation had already happened. I should have admitted it … (then I would go explaining the situation why I was terrified of admitting it)

Would any of you have some advice for me? Thanks a lot in advance.

2

I’m not sure that there’s anything you can do at this point. They’ve given you repeated chances, and you’ve continued the same patterns. From their point of view, you’re a liability.

3

You did plagiarize and they busted your fair and square. You were very lucky they went easy the first time.

Your best bet at this point is to be honest. Also maybe talk about how much you like it in America and don’t want to be deported.

4

You can say that you did previously help someone too much during the same time period. And after the last action you had resolved to be impeccable in academic honesty going forward and that you have been. You have to say that no other violation has occurred and they will not find anymore, if that is true. Yes admit that you were afraid to admit it because of losing your scholarship.

You have made a very serious mistake. I think that you can understand how they can no longer trust you.

5

You shouldn’t be writing in the passive voice regarding the second incident:

It just didn’t happen – you did it.

Is the person that you “helped” also subject to disciplinary action?

6

Did the two violations occur concurrently? Your only argument is that your first warning took place after the second violation (since they happened in the same time frame) and that you have since remained true to your word about refraining from academic dishonesty.

7

Yes the other person is also facing disciplinary actions.

There wasn’t an overlap between the two violations but it was in the same time frame (less than a week between the two of them)

Thanks for your advice people