Self-Reported Academic Integrity Violation Quesions/Advice

College Life
1

I am a current second semester sophomore at a top 20 university. Last semester, I took a business fundamentals course which included career planning activities. As part of said career planning activities, we had to conduct ‘informational interviews’ with different professionals and write reflection papers on each of them. Long story short, I made an egregious mistake and wrote the ‘reflection paper’ for my final informational interview and turned it in without actually having done it. My professor didn’t notice it at all and I got an A in the class, but I didn’t feel good about what I had done and didn’t feel like I had actually ‘earned’ the A. This had been on my mind for the last two months, but on Friday (the 17th) my conscience just couldn’t handle this any longer. I emailed my professor stating that I never actually did my third informational interview. She responded and copied the class’ “lead professor” on the email (stating that he would advise me on next steps) and stated to me that she “admired my courage” in admitting what I had done.

I am glad I did the right thing, but I am terrified about the possible ramifications this may have. My hope is that I will somehow be able to resolve this informally with my professors , negotiating something like a one letter downgrade (since the reflection paper was 11% of the final course grade). I am worried about possibly getting an F in the course. I do not believe suspension or expulsion is in the picture at this point given it is my first AI violation and my university doesn’t go that far with first time offenses according to their AI policy. So, my questions are:

  1. How much does the fact that I reported myself (out of conscience and respect for the professors and integrity of the university) count? Obviously this is all my own fault, but is it ‘better’ than getting caught or accused?

  2. I am having a lot of trouble focusing on anything else right now given that my future is at stake. Luckily, I don’t have any more midterms until the week of March 5, so I am hoping I can somehow resolve this in the next week or two.

Any other general advice any of you may have on how I can handle this situation would be very helpful as well. Thanks!

2

The only person who can answer your questions are the officials at your school who deal with this sort of thing. I would hazard a guess that because you reported it yourself, they might be more lenient.

3

Also you could volunteer to actually do the interview.

4

I actually resolved this a few days ago, I only got a one letter downgrade since I was honest. This violation does go on my transcript and if any AI-related issues happen again I am likely burnt toast at this school.

5

@blah679 I’d like to commend you for your honesty and your courage in reporting when you knew there would be negative consequences.