Graduating, false accusations, and insanity -- Oh, my!

Student Lounge College Life
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<p>First, thanks in advance for anyone who can offer any advice or assistance. *** Edited to add: I did NOT cheat. I used online dictionaries and other forms of assistance, but all of my work was my own. We don't carry French speakers around in our back pockets here in Texas to do our homework. ***</p>

<p>I attendance a university in Texas and am graduating from the liberal arts college with one of my minors in French. In a particular class taught by the head of the department, we were asked to retrieve our last exam during Finals week (we had already completed the course, as there was no cumulative final exam). The prof had never had a bad word to say to me, I was absent twice (WELL within the limit for punishment), and I did fairly decently on both exams and homework.</p>

<p>The day I went to pick up my exam, she made a photocopy of it and then accused me of having someone else write my homework for me because I "had too many differences between exams and homework". I said, "Well, I'm not sure what to say... I used the online resources we were allowed to use...", at which point she said, "You had someone else help you." When I returned home, I discovered that she had changed only a SINGLE homework grade to half credit (out of the ten grades available) and left me a note to the effect of, "You cheated on this and LOTS of other homework, so I changed the grade to reflect that". The statute of limitations is nearly up regarding a formal hearing, as the faculty AND student handbook require the instructor to notify in writing within 5 days of suspicion, at which point the committee has five days to notify me of a formal hearing. I have received no such letter.</p>

<p>My question is this: Because the prof confronted me AFTER the class was over, offered no proof, and violated staff protocol by not submitting academic dishonesty forms when she should have**, if I submit paperwork regarding breach of contract and request my grade be changed, do they have to change it because the ONLY reason why it was changed is due to a suspicion of cheating which was not only fallacious but also improperly handled? The grade change affects my honors status, my reputation (I'm going to grad school after this), and results in a lower overall grade for the course.</p>

<p>** I say "should" because she claimed in writing and speech that I "cheated" on more than one assignment, at which point she was required to say something to either myself or the committee.</p>

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<p>My own university has an official policy that all allegations of academic dishonesty have to be handled through the official university channels - it’s not up to the instructor to handle the situation (and they certainly would not be allowed to lower your grade as ‘punishment’). </p>

<p>If your university has a similar policy, you should definitely bring your case to the attention of the proper authorities. You have a strong case since your instructor told you in writing that the grade was lowered because of suspected cheating. </p>

<p>Do consider that involving the university might trigger your instructor to file a formal report of the suspected instances of cheating. (Her reputation will be on the line…) If you choose the official route, be prepared to defend yourself in front of the university committee and be aware that there’s a small chance that you’ll be falsely found guilty.</p>

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<p>Agree with above.</p>

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<p>And that’s what I’m afraid of. Obviously in English-language courses, it’s easier to discover plagiarism, etc, and to prove it due to the advent of programs like TurnItIn. However, the burden of proof is still on the believer in that instance. I understand that my uni has specific rules regarding foreign language (not permitted to let the tutor look over your work, no online translators, etc), but I don’t know what constitutes “proof”. I will not be receiving honors (.01 grade point shy) due to this, so I’m going to have to speak with her and then go through the channels should it not be resolved to my satisfaction. I’m just afraid; this is a huge deal to me not only because I didn’t do it but also because I’m going to grad school and it’s MY reputation. I’ve taken 2 other French courses with a different prof at the same time as this one and never has there even been an inkling of anything insidious. </p>

<p>Anyone have any advice?</p>