<p>Not sure what to do - our student has yet to receive a grade for a Fall computer science class. The professor sent an e-mail to the class shortly before Christmas stating that grades were posted. If a student’s grade was not posted, it was because a project was being investigated for “some similarities.” </p>
<p>It was odd, because the project had already been graded and there was no mention of “some similarities” at that time. The professor said it would be another week before he would post the rest of the grades from that class. It appears that about 80% of the class is still waiting for grades for the class. </p>
<p>Our student e-mailed the professor and offered to come in to talk to him and show him all of his work and tests that showed when and where the project failed and what changes he made to the program to make it work, etc. The professor said that was not necessary as he wasn’t making any accusations, he was just looking at the projects more thoroughly. Several other students also contacted the professor and were told he needed 2 weeks to sort through the “similarities.” He has yet to say or explain what he means by “similarities.” They are concerned that he is accusing them of cheating even though he said he hasn’t accused them of anything. These are smart and seemingly good, conscientious students. Further complicating the matter, some of these students “graduated” this past semester so they still don’t know if they actually graduated. Some of them have now missed deadlines to apply to law school because their transcript is missing a grade for the computer science class. Some might lose scholarships as the lack of this grade puts them below full time status. Others are anxious because they have accepted positions with google, Microsoft, Amazon, etc. Some are applying to and likely to be accepted to Stanford, MIT, and Berkeley. Many of these students are B/K students. Many of them are leaders at the university. These are not students who needed to cheat which is another reason why this is so confusing. </p>
<p>Grades were due by January 2nd. It is now January 15th and still not grade, no accusation, nothing. The students do not know what to do. The parents don’t know how to advise them. Does anyone have any advice as to what the students should do? Should the parents get involved? </p>
<p>Currently, we have another child (a junior) looking at colleges and frankly, UMD is not looking so good. :(</p>
<p>Obviously there must have been blatant cheating going on in the class for the professor to take such measures. Not saying your child was involved but it must be pretty serious for him to withhold grades. Have your student talk to their academic adviser and see if they can help out.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the department appears to be understaffed. The department has lost 5 advisors in the past 2 years. As a result, it takes several weeks to hear back from the advisor. </p>
<p>Also, normally I would agree with you in thinking cheating was going. But I can’t figure out then, why hasn’t he accused them of it. While I don’t know all of the kids, I just for the life of me can’t imagine 80% of them cheating. Many of these kids already had high A’s so failing the project, which was 15%, doesn’t seem to indicate a need to cheat. These kids had way to much to lose and well, it would have been stupid to cheat and these kids aren’t stupid. Thanks for your suggestion though. I’ll think I’ll advise him to go ahead and schedule the appointment since it’s taking so long as it is.</p>
<p>A couple of years ago at San Diego State University 25 students failed a business ethics class and were put on probation for cheating. Think the pressure gets to the students and they make the wrong choices.</p>
<p>I read about that and the cheating scandal at Harvard. It’s quite sad actually. But how long is a reasonable time for a professor to make a decision? It’s been a little over a month since the project was graded and almost a month since the final. Still no grade. No accusation. No (or little) communication. We’re just trying to figure out what to do.</p>
<p>No grade yet. No formal accusation yet. The grades were due December 21st (could have been the 23rd, I forget) Lots of problems though. Right not I am NOT a fan of UMD Computer Science program. I would seriously consider looking elsewhere if I had someone looking into going into Computer Science.If it were blatant cheating it shouldn’t be this difficult to resolve. My guess is that it was caused by poor communication - it was an out of class project. I just wanted you to know that over a month after grades were due, the department still hasn’t resolved anything. I will not comment anymore as things are getting really ugly. </p>
<p>I’m reading these posts for the first time. as a professor who encounters plagiarism frequently, I can think of lots of reasons the grades haven’t come out yet if they involve cheating. And you cannot just accuse a student of cheating. You have to have all your ducks in a row at that time or risk a lawsuit. If it’s a mass cheating scheme, almost certainly administrators are involved and the professor herself is undergoing the 3rd degree from them. The professor is almost certainly not enjoying this one bit. It’s a lot of work, and if you’re not tenured it’s dangerous stuff. That the month in question includes the holidays and perhaps an inter-session may be complicating things. That it is perhaps NOT blatant means a) one must be very careful and perhaps take a lot longer and b) it is no less cheating for all its subtlety.</p>
<p>You wouldn’t believe who cheats. This is not always a rational behavior. And it leads to this kind of ugliness that sucks up a lot of resources and reputations. I can only counsel patience, OP.</p>