<p>In an act of desperation I forged a letter of recommendation from a professor for a job. I had a professor writing a letter, but she had an accident and did not inform me that she could not write it until the day before the job application deadline. Needless to say, they found out and sent the letter to my professor who sent it to the college. I've been informed that the school is forming a hearing team to review my conduct and to decide on the consequences of my behavior. I will be notified of a hearing date once the team is formed and will be provided due process rights as stipulated in the policy of the school. This is my last semester, 4 weeks away from graduation. I am terrified of being expelled and don't know what to do. I have contacted my adviser about the matter and sent my professor an email of deep apology about the entire thing. This is the policy: University Action and Student Due Process: "If a student is believed to be in violation of any of these behavior policies, the student will be notified by the local Dean of Instruction or his/her designee of the alleged violations, the hearing date, and appointment details to review the circumstances of the incident. At the hearing or through documents presented in advance, the student is allowed to present information or evidence on his/her behalf. If the accused student should so desire, one additional person is allowed to attend the hearing for personal support; however, that additional person may not formally speak during the hearing. After the hearing, the University official will determine whether a sanction is warranted, which may include remedies, resolutions, or penalties; however, the University reserves the right to suspend or dismiss a student for a specific period of time, or permanently separate the student from the University as a result of the student behavior violation. Following the hearing, the student will be notified of the Universitys decision in a timely fashion, usually within 10 business days. The student is limited to one appeal - all student behavior-related disciplinary actions may be appealed one time to the local Campus Executive. The students appeal must be submitted, in writing to the local Campus Executive, within 10 business days of notification of the hearing sanction decision. Decisions of the local Campus Executive are final in student behavior issues." What can I do to keep from being expelled? What is the likely hood of this happening? I am deeply regretful of my actions and just feel like an idiot. I am a good student with no bad history prior to this event. I was going through a very rough time when I decided to write the letter and did not fully think everything through. I've typed a personal statement explaining my actions and an apology. What else can I do?</p>
<p>That statement never said that expulsion will result from your actions. </p>
<p>You could say that it was a spur of the moment kind of thing. You were worried, out of sync, and did something stupid. It does not sound like it intended malice or was that pre-meditated. Tell them how close to graduation you are, how responsible of a person you have been, and how regretful you feel now?</p>
<p>Also, what do you mean by “forged?” Did you just forge her signature, or did you write the letter yourself and forged her signature? How badly did your actions damage the university? What’s your relationship with the professor? How badly did you need her rec.? What level of a job was it?</p>
<p>Check out what the process is like for your school. At mine, there are different punishment levels–if someone commits a violation for the first time and depending on the seriousness, they can get either a disciplinary probation (where a student will likely be suspended or dismissed if they are found in violation again, but they retain the right to a formal hearing if they disputes the charges) or they can get Deferred Separation (where if the student in question gets referred to Student Judicial Affairs again for any kind of theft or misappropriation, they have the right to an informal hearing with a judicial officer but has given up their right to a formal hearing), and only those students who commit a violation more than 3 times got expelled. So look up how the disciplinary process works for your school!</p>
<p>My suggestion, Post this on Parents Forum asap. You will get more mature help and advice there.</p>
<p>At my school, this would probably result in a suspension of a semester or 2. I doubt the comittee would actually not let you ever graduate, though.</p>
<p>This is my first offense. I am an A&B student, good GPA, no history of anything negative. I only sent it to one employer. I created the letter and forged the name. I am literally 4 weeks from graduation. Is there a possibility that I will lose this semesters course work?
I cannot find any cases on the website or examples, so I’m pretty much blind to the process (other than what is stated above).
The job was a teaching ESL job overseas. I’m not sure how this would have damaged the university other than a student not showing their standards of conduct. The application process for the job requires all documents, including the LoR, to be in at a certain time or your application is declined. The Letter of Recommendation was necessary for the application and it had to be someone who is your academic superior. I could have gotten a LoR from one of my professors, but I know they could not have written one overnight. They are just too busy. I’ve lost the opportunity to teach with this program now and in the future. Basically, I am blacklisted from applying. My actions were done out of desperation and stress. I was under a lot of stress due to health problems (I have an auto-immune disorder) and my family is going through a rough time with a lawsuit. We are not financially stable. I even moved back home to help them out. Again, I feel ridiculous for my error. I’m a good person who made a mistake I highly regret. I’m pretty much what they call a goody-two-shoes.</p>
<p>So many excuses, so little honesty.</p>
<p>Your best bet before the committee? Lose the laundry list of reasons why this is anyone’s fault but your own, man up, apologize, and hope that they see it your way.</p>
<p>I have been nothing but honest on this thread. I have not once pointed the blame to anyone else, I taking full responsibility for my actions. My “laundry list” as you call it is not a way to point blame. Rather, it is an explanation for my poor decision. Unless you are in a persons shoes, you cannot judge them. I have had to deal with many problems and stress beyond my ability. I admit I made a wrong choice and I’m paying for it. I only ask the advice and insight of the other members. I have already taken responsibility for my actions, apologized to the professor and the dean, and have written a personal statement as an apology and explanation for my actions. I am scared and that’s why I came to this forum so that maybe I could find some insight and help.</p>
<p>Just be repentful. It’s obvious to anyone why you did it; whether you regret doing it is what’s judged. Expect some degree of lenience. Your action does not tarnish the university as much as it tarnishes yours.</p>
<p>If you really have a clean record, you’ll be fine. From an outsider - myself - who has no emotion invested in this, I can’t see them expelling you for such a silly infraction. Your intentions were pure. Of course it was stupid, but you weren’t doing anything malicious. The professor was gonna give you the letter anyway.</p>
<p>You’ll be fine.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for the advice. It has put me a little less stressed. My hearing is this Friday, so I will post what the outcome is as soon as I know. I am so nervous, but I will be sincere and honest. Now with just a few weeks from graduation, I just don’t want to lose my work. I just want to get my degree. I’m going to accept the punishment for my actions though. I’m hoping my good record will help me out and my honesty of the situation.</p>
<p>At my university we have two students that serve on this committee. I have been on of these students for the past 3 semesters. Honestly, if you came in and told me everything you just told me, I would not be very sympathetic. I can understand that you’re going through a hard time, but so is everyone else. </p>
<p>If you want to get more sympathy then show them that you completely understand what you did was wrong, that you are regretful for doing so (not because you got caught but because of the action, and lastly that you can understand why you are in trouble. (Make sure you let them know that you are regretful for the action, not for being caught. Tell them how your actions have made you less of an honest man etc,.)</p>
<p>If you were to come in saying this then I would be a lot more understanding. </p>
<p>I can see that you are giving explanations for your actions; however, it comes across as an act of blaming others/situations for your actions. </p>
<p>If you truly are regretful, let them know. However, if you are only regretful for being caught, then you deserve your punishment. </p>
<p>Best of luck,
-C</p>
<p>Consider talking to a lawyer. This is a very serious matter which could well result in expulsion.</p>
<p>P.S. Punishment is certainly forthcoming since you’ve admitted the falsifications & forgery in writing. Make sure your lawyer gets a copy of any & all of your communications.</p>
<p>You should get expelled.</p>
<p>OP: If you’re still around, PM me & I’ll tell you how to handle this with your lawyer so that you at least get your degree.</p>
<p>Update: My hearing was Friday. I was honest and focused on what this experience has taught me. I did not go to far into my personal problems. I realized a lot of my problems come from my poor time and stress management and regardless of the outcome I need to work on this.
I was supposed to hear back about the hearing results Monday, but I’ve yet to hear back. I’m very nervous about the results. It is a week and a half left of this semester and this is my last semester. The dean may be busy, and that is why he hasn’t told me the results yet. I’m.going to continue with my school work and hope for the best. I’ll update again when I get the results.</p>
<p>what happened?</p>
<p>I’m assuming something not good, or the OP would have told us already how it turned out.</p>
<p>I feel bad for the guy.</p>
<p>He should not have been allowed to graduate. This is such a serious offense. It’s hard to see how the punishment would be light. He’ll live. Hopefully, he learned.</p>