Hi,
I am facing academic dishonesty at a community college. I was caught forging my counselor signature for an a class at my local CC. My highschool is usualily was really slow at processing these forms, and I needed the summer class to get my Associate’s. So I approved my form to take the class under the pretense of my counselor. During an audit of my form, I was caught and facing a hearing soon. My counselor knows I forged the form since I felt really guilty and admitted it to her. I apologized and she accepted my apology. Consequently, nothing happened at my high school. I was expecting a parent and counselor meeting to discuss the wrongdoing of my actions, however, that never came. I am extremely thankful for that. So, What should I expect at the hearing? I am going to admit the wrong doing of my actions, and I myself have already apologized to my counselor. Is there anything I can do to not be expelled? I really need my associate degree since I am two classes away from graduating. I know what I did was wrong, and please help me figure out what to do, I am in a lot of distress.
Advice @hanna?
When is the hearing?
In our experience, many schools first recommend education or counseling for academic dishonesty. Forging a signature is different from cheating or plagiarizing. Explain why you did it and what you have learned.
If you are feeling very anxious, maybe you could see a counselor. That might help in the short term.
What you did was wrong, but if it is as you imply, that the high school bureaucracy was so slow about processing the forms that it put you at risk of being unable to register for the last class you needed for your Associate’s degree, that really does seem like extenuating circumstances to me. Can you get a letter from your high school counselor stating that they would have of course approved the course, and acknowledging the slow turnaround time on processing paperwork?
Please read the student handbook and find the consequence of your mistake along with the process.
This is great advice. Thank you so much!
Its 20 days from now! Thank you for your help so far
I wonder if it would help to talk with a lawyer, since there are almost 3 weeks before the hearing. That might give you an idea of what to expect and lessen anxiety, and also give you strategies to use. There are lawyers who specialize in educational matters. You could just meet once, to keep costs down. Avvo online is a resource to find one.
the community college should have a student handbook. look for the section of Academic Integrity. there should be an appeal process as well. academic integrity usually covers sale of academic product, academic enticement or influence, academic misconduct, cheating, fabrication, collusion, plagiarism, etc. The consequences usually includes dismissal of the charge, written warning, reduction of grade, etc.
@sonethings would forging a signature be in the handbook?
Might be viewed as “extenuating circumstances” for a late filing or for an extension of time in which to file, but not for forgery.
Yeah, I have to go with Publisher on this. I’m concerned that “excuse-making” could backfire. They likely want to see you own up to the mistake and feel regret for it, understanding that it was wrong to do. If you try to justify it with “extenuating circumstances”, it could appear that you don’t fully acknowledgment your culpability. That, in turn, could possibly lead to a harsher punishment.
my understanding is it falls under fabrication/falsification.
I fear that you are right about this, but I cannot help but think that it was only the school’s slow processing time that pushed him to do it.
I have no doubt that it was done in desperation as a result of the school’s inaction…I just don’t think shifting blame to the school would be the best strategy for a disciplinary hearing - I think (and this is just speculation on my part) that they usually want to see true contrition on the part of the student. Anything else could indicate the student’s potential to perform the misdeed again in the future.
Hi everyone,
I am so thankful for everyone’s advice. I took @parentologist advice and sent a really long email to my counselor explaining what I am going through, and got an automated repose back saying how she is not going to be in office until 08/05. I also took compmom’s advice specifically and is on a lookout for a lawyer. I am planning to fully admit the wrongdoing of my action without blaming it on the school. I know what I did was wrong, and I am going to admit it at the hearing. Its just these days, I can’t even study with the thought of the hearing on my mind, and I end up just crying over it. But thank you so much for all your advice so far, and I plan on continuing updating this thread after I hear back from the lawyer. Thank you again, if there is a strategies that will help me not get expelled, please let me know.
Good that you’re getting a lawyer. Maybe the atty should contact your school district for help with this.
You should not have done this prior to meeting with your/an attorney.
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