<p>I am wondering if anyone has had any experience with the student conduct committee. I am rising sophomore and got caught cheating on a midterm last spring. The information was sent to the dean who then referred it to the committee. I am guilty. I am scared out of my mind. I haven't even told my parents or friends because I don't want anyone to look down on me. I have always been a good student and a great person. I just lost myself last year and went through a tough time. That's not an excuse for my actions but it's the truth. I don't know what to do or what to expect. Will I be suspended? Expelled? On my record? Not be able to go to grad school? Any advice would be appreciated. Should I admit to it, or deny til you die?</p>
<p>It depends on the school. It depends on the severity of the offense. There’s a big difference between peeking at your neighbor’s paper and taping a crib sheet to your arm. There’s a difference between copy-pasta and buying an essay from a service.</p>
<p>Yes, admit it. DO NOT excuse it. They’ve heard it all and won’t believe you or care. Tell them you panicked and mixed up your priorities. Now that it’s done, you see with absolute clarity that you were wrong and that you’re so ashamed of yourself you could die.</p>
<p>EDIT. Cry if you can.</p>
<p>Thank you. What happens was I copied some short answers from my neighbors paper and it was obvious! Not my looking but on paper I copied the answer to the wrong question. So like I put the answer to number 3 in the space for my answer to number 2. If that makes sense. You advice this helpful. </p>
<p>I looked on my schools code of conduct and it had nothing about the repercussions just said It will be sent to the dean. </p>
<p>I’m also a student athlete and don’t want my coach to find out or be kicked off or suspended. </p>
<p>When I said I wasn’t myself I meant that I’ve been suffering from depression and an eating disorder. I’ve been getting help this summer tho and am doing better. Do you think I should mention this. (I have proof to prove it). </p>
<p>Thanks! </p>
<p>Actions have consequences. And it sounds like you are about to dine on a banquet of them. About all you can do is admit what you have done, provide any relevant and true explanations but realize that an explanation is not an excuse, and wait for the verdict. The specifics will depend on your school’s policies. You should familiarize yourself with your school’s conduct code and identified consequences for infractions before appearing before the committee. You might even consider taking a copy of the code in with you. Then, if you feel you are being unfairly treated, you can respectfully ask the committee to direct you to the exact portion of the code they are following in your treatment. Realize that they are probably under no requirement to answer you, but that they may do so out of the goodness of their hearts if you aren’t a jerk about it.</p>
<p>Rather than trying to figure out how to best play the system (admit or deny “til you die”), you should use this experience as a chance to develop some character. Sounds like your cheating episode might be the manifestation of some larger issues, including a propensity to lie if it would further your goals. Perhaps you should spend some time in reflection, and perhaps with a counselor, to determine why you cheated in the first place and how to fix yourself so that you will not be tempted to take any other shortcuts when you feel lost or in a difficult situation.</p>
<p>There’s an excellent chance your coach will find out. Depends on the school.</p>
<p>Mention the depression as a mitigating circumstance, but not an excuse. Be sure you understand the difference. If it gets sent to the school, there might be an interview step where he/she decides on the consequences. Mention it there. If you have anxiety/panic with your depression, and you genuinely flipped out during the test, tell em.</p>
<p>That said, they might treat it as a relatively minor offense. But that’s for them to say, not you.</p>
<p>Do you have any idea the chances of them treating it as a minor offense? Or the chance it will be taken seriously. I’m scared there is going to be a zero tolerance policy </p>
<p>Also what do you think would be the right punishment for this? Suspension for a quarter? A year? Expulsion? Or just a slap on the wrist since it was a first offense? </p>
<p>I also live on the east coast but go to school on the west coast. Classes haven’t started yet bc of the quarter system and I don’t fly back until classes start. So I don’t know when this meeting would take place? Over the phone maybe? I’m not sure. Will that change anything? </p>
<p>Were you given credit for the class or did the professor fail you or give you an incomplete? Also, I would call your coach and explain what happened. Don’t allow him or her to be blindsided when they find out. Make sure your coach understands you are taking responsibility for what happened. As others have said, make them aware you are being treated for depression and an eating disorder. Let them know that you are not using it as an excuse; but rather mentioning it so they can understand some of the circumstance that led up to your very poor decision. </p>
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<p>I’m sorry that you did this. </p>
<p>Colleges can’t take this lightly and maintain their academic integrity and credibility. </p>
<p>What do I think would be the right punishment?</p>
<p>First offense: Failure in the class, immediate suspension for the rest of the school year, loss of any scholarship. Obligation to repay all of the institutional financial aid that is not recoverable by the school such as non-refundable tuition. </p>
<p>Reinstatement only after signing a promissory note to repay amount owed from above. </p>
<p>Second offense: Expulsion. </p>
<p>At my school, it would be remanded to the instructor, who could do what he wants, up to failing the class. But we do not have a zero tolerance policy.</p>