So during my finals this week I accidentally took my final exam home. I had three finals scheduled on the same day with two of them being hours apart and on different campuses that were nearly an hour drive away from one another. After finishing my first exam I waited to receive my final grade as she always handed us back our grade after and when I got my graded scantron, I also received material from old exams and I assumed that it was all mine to take home. Well I left and went straight to my next exam. After finishing I checked my email and I had received an email from the first professor saying that she was writing to the school to have me suspended or expelled for removal of a final exam. I pulled out the papers she had given me and went through the stack where I did indeed find the exam. I immediately responded to the email and apologized and tried to explain the situation. I then called the campus to try to reach her office but there was no answer. I went to the campus and ran into her as she was leaving and she yelled at me for compromising the exam. She withdrew me from the course and that is now on my record. I returned the exam and I left and am now waiting for a response from the college to see what is going on.
What are my actual chances of being expelled/suspended? I’ve been in college for four years now and have never had any sort of disciplinary action taken against me for anything. I’m in two different leadership societies and am one semester from graduating. I take responsibility for taking the exam but on my life I truly did not realize I had it. And not to play vitctim but my grandmother had had a heart attack earlier that morning and in another state as well as the fact that my car broke down and I had to call an Uber to make it to school on time for the exam, so my brain was not exactly all there.
I’m already mad enough at myself for the situation so please no mean words. I understand it is my fault and I and just seeking advice. Thank you in advance.
HS senior here so I’ll try my best but I don’t know how college disciplinary action works that well. I think if you explain yourself like you just did here, you’ll be fine. It was just a mistake, and you were honest about it. Don’t stress yourself, just be honest and explain the situation.
Thank you iiRoMii. I have really bad anxiety about pretty much everything so I’ve been in a funk since it happened.
So the prof accidentally gave you an old exam Along With your graded exam?
Help me understand. The prof made a mistake and is holding you responsible?
According to the prof, you should have done what- looked at your graded scantron and realized that she passed some other papers to you as well?
When prof gives you the scantron does she typically return the test so you can check your answers?
I guess I’m not clear if you turned in the scantron only, kept the test, received the graded exam then left (with the test).
Or did you turn everything in, she graded the scantron then gave both the exam and scantron back to you…?
What “old papers” did she return to you?
IF this is the true version, IF she handed you the exam and you can show you went stratight to the next college, didn’t have a moment to look and disn’t receive her message until that class was over, that’s what you tell the administration. Line your ducks up. IF the only way you could get that exam in-hand was to be given it, that’s the basis.
But don’t sit around waiting for admin to form their opinions and contact you. Do something.
In most colleges, it takes more than one prof saying so, to get you kicked out. There’s a process. Learn what that is. But don’t sit on your hands, in the meantime. Go to the dept chair, your advisor, etc.
Go immediately to your Dean of Students and ask for a meeting. Explain the situation and ask for their assistance. Also look through your university’s regulations concerning student discipline. Your professor has to follow them and I believe she can unilaterally withdraw you from her class. Ask for a hearing before a discipline board and appeal any decision. Stay on top of everything. I am sorry about all that is happening to you. As others have said, also go to your advisor and dept. chair. Write them an email. Explain what happened. Don’t just accept what your professor has done. Do everything in your power to correct this situation. Don’t be discouraged and hang in there.