Tough Situation

Rich is a grad student at a City college, in a Special Ed program for teachers. Their final exam was just before Christmas.

Rich got an email from the professor the other day (it was a mass email to the whole class) saying that he was made aware that there was exchange of answers and question discussion during the 3 minutes that he stepped out of the room. This violates the academic code, blah blah blah.

He is asking people to step up with information.

Rich wasn't involved in the cheating, but doesn't want to admit that he witnessed it, because then, according to the academic code of ethics, he's just as guilty as the cheaters (because he witheld info when he witnessed the cheating.)....

He has to email back, but doesn't know what to say.

I told him to say that he heard discussion, but wasn't paying any attention to the speaker or what was said. He got a 78 on the exam - there's no way he cheated!

What would you do?

Rich is able to identify the area of the room where the discussion took place, because he was sitting in it. Should he say anything, or should he just say that he was too focused on the exam?

He will have several other classes with this same professor in upcoming semesters, and wants to stay on his good side.

What would you do????

---TIA----

How pathetic is it that a group of ADULT EDUCATORS felt the need to cheat on a final exam when the teacher stepped out of the room??!?!?

Message edited 1/2/2006 8:56:26 PM.

Re: Tough Situation

This is the email from the professor:

Hi Students--It has come to my attention that an allegation has been made of cheating during the final exam. I take this very seriously, since this is a serious offense that can result in unversity disciplinary action. The allegation is that people were looking at other people's papers during the test, and that during the three minutes I was in the hallway talking to another student, some people were openly talking about the questions on the test.
I am angry and saddened that teachers who are supposed to be role models and supposed to value honesty and intergrity would engage in cheating. I am asking you to share any information you have about this incident with me or with the department chairperson, Dr. X. I believe there are lessons to be learned in each life experience. I guess the lesson here is that any teacher who is naive enough to be totally trusting of his/her students will sooner or later be proved to be a fool.

Thank you,
XXXXXXXX

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I think your suggestion sounds like what he should say or that he didn't hear anything at all.
that is a tricky situation.

good luck.

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I would have him tell the professor he was very focused on his exam, didn't see or hear specifically who was talking, but it came from the rear/front of the room. Thats not giving anyone up, but seems like he is pointing the professor in the right direction!!

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Here's my drafted suggestion:

Hi Dr X,

I just got your email – my computer was out of commission for a little while. I thought I should respond and share what I heard during the exam. When you stepped out of the room, there was some talking in the back corner of the classroom, but I was too focused on the exam to determine who was speaking and/or what was said. I don’t know anything about students looking at other students’ papers.

I studied and prepared for this test a great deal, and I managed to score a 78. It disgusts me that I tried so hard, and others were apparently just sharing answers. I can’t believe that a select few “adults” thought it appropriate to cheat on an exam. Isn’t that behavior the exact opposite of the ideals that we teach our students everyday?

Unfortunately, I don’t have any details, but I hope the situation is resolved in accordance with the Academic code, and the cheaters are punished properly.

Looking forward to seeing you in the future.

Thank you,
Rich XXXXX

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that sounds good. crazy that you have to deal with this!

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I'd be careful about him passing judgement on those who cheated. I would skip the whole second paragraph. It seems like he is trying too hard to cover something up.

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I think it sounds good. Though you want to keep it really positive and instead of

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I also wouldn't refer to those who cheated as cheaters. It just sounds juvenile. He wants to sound as professional as possible.

ETA: I do not think he needs to let the professor know that he was upset that he studied so hard and got a 78. That's a separate issue, and has nothing to do with the cheating. He very well could have cheated (I know he didn't) and gotten a 78. Just because you cheat does not mean you get an A. I would just have him state that yes, he did hear people talking quietly in a corner of the room, however, he was concentrating on his own test and did not even think about whether those talking were cheating or not. He should also say, " I am well aware of the academic code, and had I thought there was a chance that the people talking were cheating, I would have contacted you immediately. Please feel free to contact me with any further questions."

Message edited 1/2/2006 9:00:23 PM.

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gheeesh I hope his professor or anybody he know does not read this posting....Shame on the professor for putting his students in this situation...because of his own stupidity..Its very unprofessional and thats what your dh should tell him...your dh is there for an education not this kind of drama...

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OK - nix paragraph 2 altogether

THanks for the help ladies - anything you would add?

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whay dont you just say that

I think the STUDENTS were unprofessional - Who cheats on a final exam while a professor is out of the room?!?!?

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Nic, I edited my above post with what might be a better alternative.

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Melissa, seriously! Its insane! 20-sometings, 30-somethings...no better than middle schoolers.


Thanks Rach

Message edited 1/2/2006 9:00:31 PM.

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Posted by Shorty

Melissa, seriously! Its insane! 20-sometings, 30-somethings...no better than middle schoolers.


Thanks Rach

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I'd just cut a lot of it, and leave it with this.

Message edited 1/2/2006 9:02:23 PM.

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check your FM.

IMO, the professor is partially at fault as he chose to leave the students unattended. i think it was unprofessional of him to do so and to send this email to the class.

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Posted by Shorty

Posted by nov04libride

I'd just cut a lot of it, and leave it with this.

Posted by Shorty

Here's my drafted suggestion:

Hi Dr X,

I just got your email. When you stepped out of the room, there was some talking in the back corner (right? left? does Rich remember?) of the classroom. I don't know who was speaking or what was said.

Looking forward to working with you in the future.

Thank you,
Rich XXXXX

Thanks Beth - he does remember where the talking was...I'll show him this.

How ARE you, by the way? Merry Christmas, Happy New Year.