Course: Computer Science (CSC) 116
From the faculty perspective: During the first week of exams, a faculty member in CSC 116 finds two final projects that concern her. While the work is not 100% identical, the amount of work that matches indicates that the two students collaborated in some way. All work in the course is to be independent and that is stated on the syllabus and in class. The only help students can receive is from the TA or the professor. Tim is an 'A' student and Seth has struggled all semester. The faculty member believes either Tim gave Seth the work or Seth took it from Tim without permission. The faculty member calls each student at home to request a meeting.
The professor meets with them individually and they both tell the following story:
Tim and Seth are best friends and are both majoring in computer science. They have been friends since the seventh grade and their families are very close. Tim knows that Seth's parents are very strict. Seth has been struggling in his classes and Seth's parents have told him that if he doesn't do better this semester they will pull him out of school. About one week prior to the due date, Tim and Seth discussed the project. Seth did not seem to understand the material and Tim realized that it was unlikely that he would be able to pass the final project on his own. Later in the week Seth asked Tim for help on the project. He asked Tim if he could copy his work and turn it in. Seth stressed to Tim that he really needed a good grade. If he failed this class his parents would make him move home. He was doing well in everything else so this was the only thing might cause him to leave school. He needed this one favor. Tim knew all projects were to be done independently. Tim decided that even though it was against the rules, his relationship with Seth was more important. As part of the conversation with the faculty member Seth asked that Tim not be held responsible for cheating because Seth asked him for the help. Seth also asked the faculty member to give him the F without turning in the violation. He said that having this on his record would ruin his academic career.
Issues to Consider:
1. Approach: What is the best approach to discussing the situation with the students?
It is best not to make any announcements regarding individuals cheating in class. Students' judicial files are protected by federal law and it is important not to share any identifying information with the class (this includes sharing information with parents or anyone who calls on the student's behalf without a release of information signed by the student). It is best to contact the student after class, at home, or through e-mail. If you are interested in more information regarding how to conduct the meeting, please see "How to Confront."
2. Student Learning: What do we want students to learn from these incidents?
- Cheating is wrong regardless of the circumstances. They always have other alternatives.
- It is possible to help a friend without doing exactly what the person requested. In this situation Tim had more choices than to cheat or not cheat. He could have encouraged Seth to get help from the teacher or TA, call his parents to explain the situation, etc.
- Behavior does not define the person. Sometimes great people make poor choices. It is the behavior that needs to be confronted.
- When in a difficult situation, students should go to their instructor for advice.
- If they deserve an F in a class then they should accept the F. They can retake the class. If they cheat they lose self-respect as well as risk their opportunity to attend NC State. If the F means they will have to leave school (although one F in one class rarely means leaving school) then maybe that is the best solution. Sometimes students need time off to reevaluate their priorities.
3. Separating behavior from the person: Was there really no other choice?
While the story provided by the students may assist in understanding their motivation, there is no circumstance in which cheating should be used as an alternative. Part of the lesson learned by students when they are confronted and sanctioned is that they must consider all their options prior to making a choice. People experience difficult and even desperate times in their life. If they choose to take the easy way out then there will be consequences for everyone involved. Not processing a violation for this reason sends the message that it is an acceptable alternative during a "crisis."
4. Bargaining: What do you do when the student pressures you to respond in a specific way?
Avoid bargaining. It is a common strategy for students to offer alternatives to the faculty member's initial response. While some students fully accept responsibility for their behavior and the appropriate consequences, others may not. At times students become extremely emotional and either intentionally or unintentionally manipulate the faculty member into believing they should not hold them accountable in a specific instance. If a student becomes very emotional or tries to bargain with you and you begin to question whether or not you should pursue the charge, we suggest that you stop the meeting and call the Office of Student Conduct for a consultation.
In this particular case, Seth has made two requests of the faculty. One is to not report the violation and simply give him an F in the course. Reporting the violation has two major benefits. The first is accountability. If this is not the first incident in which the student has cheated, then the records will show a pattern. Judicial files are confidential so if it is a one-time mistake, it will be kept in the Office of Student Conduct and is not usually noted on their transcript. The second benefit is that reporting the violation helps to protect the faculty member. As long as University procedures are utilized, faculty members are acting within the scope of thier job.
Seth's second request is that only Seth be held accountable. Both students, not just Seth, were aware or should have reasonably known that the work was to be done independently. Aiding and abetting students to cheat is a violation of the Code of Student Conduct. Tim and Seth are both responsible for the violation. Seth must learn that there are always other options when he feels backed into a corner. Tim must learn that helping a friend does not mean that he has to do what the friend requests.
5. Processing Violations: What is next?
The next step is to fill out the paperwork. It can be located at Report of an Academic Integrity Violation (RAIV). When a student admits guilt by signing the RAIV, the faculty member determines the appropriate sanction. The form provides several alternatives as well as a place for the faculty to write in a sanction. An F on an assignment and an F for a class are common sanctions. Faculty members usually consider a number of elements when determining a sanction. They consider the extent to which the student cheated (copied one answer verses an entire paper), the weight of the assignment (5% verses 50%), the student's response to the situation, and other relevant information. The staff in the Office of Student Conduct can provide case precedent upon request.
In cases where the recommendation is an "F" in the class and the student chooses not to sign the paperwork or plans to appeal the sanction, he or she should be allowed to continue to attend class until the matter is settled. When a student does not sign the form, send the unsigned form and all the supporting material to the Office of Student Conduct (OSC) at Box 7321 NCSU. The staff will contact the student to review the situation and possibly schedule a hearing. For more information regarding Academic Integrity Review Boards, call the Office of Student Conduct at 515-2963.
The student's file is kept confidential and the violation is only indicated on their transcript if they are suspended or expelled. The record is kept for five years from the date of resolution. If they have no prior violations and do not violate the academic integrity policies in the future, then the situation will likely end with the faculty's sanctions. Please see the Academic Integrity Procedures or Common Questions for Faculty for more information or contact the Office of Student Conduct at 515-2963.
Student Conduct Home / Links / Student Conduct Mission Statement / Student Conduct Staff / NCSU Home
