Need Advice: How to Handle Suspected Cheating in College

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>First of all, I greatly appreciate you for clicking on the thread and any advice would be very helpful. I have a lot on the line: scholarships that are the only reason I can attend college and a clean reputation, which is vital for a student working towards CPA certification and a masters of accountancy. </p>

<p>I would appreciate any comments about how to proceed. Again, much thanks.</p>

<p>Here's the situation:</p>

<p>I haven't been doing well in my Intermediate I. I made C grades on the first quiz and test. This was particularly upsetting, but before I completely gave up on my non-existent career in accounting, I thought I'd give it one last go. Taking up caffeine, energy shots, and vitamins (and giving up sleep), I powered through studying until I made an B+ on the next quiz and, at last, a A- on the next midterm. </p>

<p>Since my professor doesn't give exams back, I went to her office to review my exam. I thought it would be a good time to talk to her and maybe ask for a recommendation for our college's program in accounting. </p>

<p>I wasn't sure why she was being hostile but I asked for my exam and reviewed it. She interrupted to tell me that it had been reported to her by someone that the area of the table that I sit at had "writing on the table that had been erased". This sounded strange to me but I had a bad feeling already. Apparently, she suspected cheating had occurred and she emphasized that it was where I was sitting. The she confirmed that I did indeed sit there. </p>

<p>It wasn't as if there wasn't other classes that used the classroom, but I was worried that the someone who reported this had somehow mentioned me. I was so shocked at the implied accusation that I immediately became on the defensive. I commented that I had people very close by the area I sit, on all sides. I regret this, I didn't cheat and why would I? How does that help on the CPA exam anyway?? </p>

<p>I looked through my test, thinking "what do I do now?" I was still in shock. I had worked so hard to finally pass Intermediate I (so important a class that recruiters had told us that if we don't make at least a B+, we are not qualified to be an accountant). Finally, I thanked her for the time and began getting up to leave.</p>

<p>Here, she stopped me and said these exact words, "If I ever find evidence that a student was cheating, not only would they be kicked out of class, they would be kicked out of business school."</p>

<p>If these words written here don't show it, then I'll tell you, she was very much intimidating and hostile at this point. Despite being in a private school, my family is lower middle class and we may not be able to hire a lawyer. So then I somehow heard the sound of my accounting career, everything that I worked for, the scholarships and the reputation I have, and any recommendations from any professor here fall apart and crashing to the ground.</p>

<p>I have spoken to my parents, who are very upset at the way the professor handled this and tell me not to be alarmed. Truth is, I know I have not been accused, but I also know that just because I haven't doesn't mean the professor isn't biased that I am cheating. And I know that cheating is a big deal in college. I am not taking any chances.</p>

<p>I want to know: Is there any way she could change my grades on the suspicion of academic dishonestly? How does due process in education work? What can I do? Why does this happen to people? What are our rights as students? (Because that lame student handbook say we only have 3 rights, none of which include implicitly or explicitly state due process, but I know it must be there. I may not be born in the U.S. but I am an American citizen. I don't even know if that matters but I am hoping if I throw this out there, this will all go away and I can focus on how I am going to get through finals.)</p>

<p>Note: Sorry for the grammar errors and horrible writing. I had to write it again when this site did not process it the first time.</p>

2

<p>I wouldn’t do anything. It is possible that she will do nothing. In this case, I think being reactionary is the appropriate response.</p>

3

<p>For every test from now on, I would sit right up front as close to a proctor as I could get.</p>

4

<p>Thank you. I’m very worried I could be accused. I don’t know if suspicion is enough for an accusation. If she changes my grades because of this, how high is the possibility for me to change it without taking the course over again? I am a double major and don’t have room in my schedule.</p>

5

<p>If she changes your grade, SUE THE UNIVERSITY for literally EVERYTHING it has. If she did that, you could charge her with so many things, she would have no choice but to resign. I don’t think you should back down from her. If she pulls that stuff again, you look her in the eye and say “if you do anything to me, enjoy this semester because you’ll be gone by the next.” That will make her tremble, because she never knows how much power you actually have.</p>

6

<p>I would not recommend following the advice in post #5.</p>

7

<p>Thank you Burgsoccer09, though I think Baelor is right. But I’m so angry at the way she is acting, I have always been the perfect student- I do the extra credit and I’m always in class on time. I participate in class and ask questions. If she continues treating me unfairly, I would consider taking it up as a grievance case. I have no idea if they would take me seriously though</p>

8

<p>When she first mentioned it you should of said:</p>

<p>I work very hard for my grades, and I do not appreciate anyone suggesting that I cheat</p>

<p>Then you look her in the eyes, stand up, and say</p>

<p>If there are any more accusations you can email my parents. Good day.</p>

<ul>
<li>No you will not get kicked out. She needs hardcore proof that you cheated. Which is A) you were obviously looking at your notes/ talking to another student during the exam or B) the entire class received 100% on the midterm.</li>
</ul>

<p>Saying erased writing appeared on your desk is ridiculous. You have better things to worry about then some sorry professor throwing threats around.</p>

9

<p>^Did you just mentioned…parents? What is this? Middle school?</p>

10

<p>Yes, ignore post #5. Threatening a professor will not go over well in any situation, and it would sound juvenile. Also, do not involve parents unless it would get to the point of legal action. Again, that is not how you handle things at the college level. </p>

<p>If she is really horrible, she could try to give you a 0 for the test, but she should have some kind of proof to do that - if she didn’t (which it sounds like she didn’t), you could repeal the grade. Otherwise, she cannot lower your grade from an A- to say, a B or C because she can’t just make a guess of what you deserved if your answers were correct.</p>

<p>Be very careful not to do anything suspicious on future tests. Be aware of how you are sitting, looking around, etc. during tests so she cannot point to anything else. It is not like you went from a D to an A overnight - it sounds like you had a steady upward trend from test to test, so I don’t think there’s much she can do but watch you more closely on future tests.</p>

11

<p>I had a sophomore friend who had a horrible, hostile teacher in some advanced bio class. She purposely lowered and raised people’s grades based on what she felt of them. My friend was working hard and was getting an A-. Then after this one test, he asked the teacher about a question he got wrong (there’s nothing wrong with that right??). He pointed out that according to the textbook, his answer was right. She freaked out… and later lowered his grade to a B+. My friend took that issue to some advisor or Dean. The hostile professor had a temper tantrum when the advisor/Dean/superior confronted her. Then she was fired…</p>

<p>I would recommend telling her that you did not cheat (if you haven’t already). If you see her taking any unnecessary actions such as giving you a zero, lowering your grade, or reporting you to the Integrity Office then you should report her to a superior such as your advisor or the Business Dean/assistant Dean. Those higher-up people are usually best at handling these situations.</p>

<p>Yea, some profs suck. Don’t accuse her… worst idea. Don’t try to butter her up either, she’ll probably hate you more.</p>

12

<p>Thanks, bigshot. I agree, it is ridiculous. How does she know the writing wasn’t a scribble someone drew on there and then erased? It could be from anything. I never even noticed anything on my desk. But someone reported it, so here I am wondering if someone is committing libel against me. </p>

<p>Square- Yes, my parents say they will get involved if she decides to accuse me or kick me out. </p>

<p>I just don’t think I can handle the humiliation and treatment, especially how she acts like she’s “out to get me”. I feel like I am being attacked and very much betrayed by a professor I had previously admired. Isn’t there something I can do to end this? I would retake the quiz but when she told me, more than a month had already passed since that incident.</p>

13

<p>aStyle- that is really great advice. How exactly do you go about reporting a professor to a higher authority? Make an appointment? </p>

<p>Now I am wondering, if this was reported a month ago (and it had to be then, because how can you accuse someone for writing on a table weeks later?) why did she wait? </p>

<p>And I really can’t do anything unless she tries to lower my grades? Well Quiz 3 grades come out next week, and I’ll be going to her office for the exam. I guess I have to wait and see. God. I am not looking forward to round 2 of whatever she’s going to say next. It’s clear she hates me.</p>