<p>I was recently accused of cheating on two of my common exams, and presented my story to one the faculty members, who seemed to understand that I was telling the truth, however, he then took the case to another faculty member( no doubt someone higher up on the food chain), and he was less believing. He told me there would be an “investigation” and that they would contact me again. For the record, I am telling the truth and did not cheat on either of the exams. Then this morning I received this e-mail from the Associate Dean Of Students: </p>
<p>You have been charged with multiple violations of the universitys academic integrity and professional conduct codes. You therefore must call the number below to have the secretary schedule a meeting with me. I have placed a hold on your record until that meeting occurs. You will not receive a grade for your course until this matter is resolved, and, due to the serious nature of the charges, you also face expulsion from the university.</p>
<p>What should I do now? Should I just plead guilty even though I am not, because maybe that will get me a lesser punishment. If I get expelled my life would basically be over, and if I plead guilty and lose the case, do you think I will be expelled? Please help!!</p>
<p>In cases of cheating, there are distinctions. I have had students say that I accused them of plagiarizing when in fact I caught them. I did not think they plagiarized; I knew they did because I found exactly what they copied on-line. I do not ever say a student cheated without proof in hand.</p>
<p>You need a very good explanation of why they think you cheated. If they are accusing you (they think you did but do not have proof), it is different than having identical papers in hand. Universities do have software that runs checks on multiple choice exams that show items missed and exact items missed (where students have missed the same questions and have the same incorrect answers). Only you know what you did or did not do, but do not say you cheated if you did not.</p>
<p>I find it interesting that OP is accused of cheating on two different exams (I think that’s what OP stated, if I am reading it correctly). It’s plausible if you were behaving the same way at both exams, which some people may mistakenly think it’s cheating when it’s not. Example, you used calculator or notes at those exams and didn’t know it wasn’t allowed. But if you were looking over someone’s tests at both of those exams, then you cheated. I (I am sure your school’s board) would be interested in knowing how you were accused of cheating on two exams.</p>
<p>I am with other posters, if you didn’t cheat then you shouldn’t plead guilty.</p>
<p>Don’t plead guilty in hopes of getting a lesser sentence since that won’t happen. If you plead guilty more than likely you will get expelled. Read up on the process for your school on due process, how these investigations are handled, whom you can bring to support you (typically not a lawyer and that person typically can’t actually say anything during the hearing, though they can whisper to you to assist you in responding/advocating for yourself). Really read and UNDERSTAND your student handbook. You need to understand the possible punishments handed out for these type of accusations.
If you are guilty than yes, plead guilty because if they feel you are lying on top of cheating you will definetely be expelled because lying is usually considered an automatic violation of a school’s honor code (obviously so is cheating).
Make sure you call in a timely manner because the honor committees typically adhere to strict timelines and going outside of those timelines can be very problematic.
So call and schedule the meeting, and read and re-read your student handbook. Bring your parents into this too, you will need them for support and to assist you in understanding your rights (no matter how “smart” you are, you need assistance). The school won’t notify your parents about this since you are an adult, but trust me your parents will want to know, and will want to support you…especially if these are false allegations.</p>
<p>Do students who are accused of cheating at your university usually involve a lawyer or an advocate of some sort in their defence? If so, you would be wise to find yourself an advocate.</p>
<p>Also, are you allowed to know the evidence against you or the basis of the university’s suspicions before you go into the meeting you are about to schedule? If you can find out, it will certainly help you to be prepared.</p>
<p>Finally, is there information about students who have been accused of cheating or other infractions, but have been exhonerated? Is there an archive of information from your school’s disciplinary committee or someone who knows how the system works with whom you could speak?</p>