The focus should remain on evidence directly related to the examination; other opinions are not material to the determination. The general principle is that responsibility should be acknowledged if a violation occurred, and if no violation occurred, the allegation should be contested. This blog will walk you through preparation for conducting meetings and highlight your rights as a student.
Understanding University Misconduct Policies
Evidence supporting allegations
The majority of colleges mandate that the “preponderance of the evidence” standard be used when making decisions about misbehavior. This implies that the proof must demonstrate that your cheating was more likely than not. Without specific evidence, a professor’s personal suspicion, such as where your phone was or how you moved your mouse, is typically insufficient.
what does evidence includes
- Screenshots or proctoring logs that display copied exam responses.
- Records from a phone or other device during the exam.
- Testimony from witnesses (e.g., a proctor observed answers being discussed).
The burden of proof, however, is not met by conjecture (“you must have cheated because your phone was on the desk”).
Reason Suspicion is not Proof
Common false positives
Mouse movements: Professors occasionally assume that odd clicking indicates accessing external content. However, it’s common for a wireless mouse to malfunction or move in order to wake a screen.
Phones: Being close to a phone does not equate to cheating. One student on Reddit’s r/Professors thread, for example, described how their phone lit up from a notification and was misinterpreted as being used, even though there was no proof of use.
Real-life example
Students have successfully defended themselves at a number of universities when charges were made based only on little actions like “eye movements” or “fidgeting.”
For example, a student who was accused of cheating on an online proctored exam was ultimately exonerated after it was demonstrated that the software had mistakenly identified typical head turns as “suspicious activity” rather than real misconduct, according to a case published by The Chronicle of Higher Education.
How to Prepare Your Defense
Phone Records
Ask your carrier for your call and text history for the exam date and time if your professor suspects that you used your phone. This can demonstrate that nothing happened throughout the test window. Some students in Reddit’s r/Professors community, for instance, have shared instances in which phone logs refuted claims of wrongdoing.
Device records or IT Verification
A lot of testing systems and laptops maintain usage records. To obtain activity data verifying that your laptop actions or mouse clicks were restricted to the test platform, get in touch with the IT department at your school. The Academic Integrity Guide from the University of Toronto states that technical proof can help dispel misconceptions.
Witness Statements
Peers or proctors can attest that they did not see any instances of cheating if you were in an actual exam room. Witness statements frequently lend credibility to misconduct proceedings when technology or presumptions raise questions.
How to Prepare Your Statement
Stay with Verifiable Facts
Be specific rather than making nebulous denials. For instance: “I didn’t use my mouse to access unauthorized materials; I just moved it to keep the screen active.”
Maintain a Professional Tone
Academic Integrity Matters (AIM), a student advocacy organization, advises remaining composed and refraining from defensive or emotional reactions.
Expect Frequently Asked Questions
Consider the questions the committee might pose:
- What made your phone visible? (Explain if it was out of reach or turned off.)
- What caused your mouse activity to appear erratic? (If you constantly move your mouse to maintain concentration or prevent the exam platform from logging out, describe it.)
Answers that are prepared in advance give you a more assured and trustworthy appearance.
During the Meeting
Remain composed and professional
- To avoid coming out as defensive or contemptuous, listen carefully before answering; wait for the lecturer or conduct officer to complete speaking.
- Answers should be succinct and factual, concentrating on the actual events rather than conjecture.
- Respectfully draw attention to the difference between speculation and evidence. The majority of institutions demand a “preponderance of the evidence” requirement, which means that there must be concrete proof rather than merely conjecture. Like Cornell University Academic Integrity Handbook states that students may appeal on the basis of insufficient evidence.
If you’re found responsible
You typically have the opportunity to appeal if the committee nevertheless finds you guilty in spite of the absence of concrete proof. Typical grounds for appeal are:
There was no evidence of wrongdoing; the judgment was made only on suspicion.
Procedural errors include, for instance, failing to follow the correct hearing procedures or denying you access to the evidence against you.
Conclusion
It can be frightening to be accused of academic misconduct based just on suspicion, but keep in mind that colleges need proof, not just conjecture, in order to sanction students. Prepare for your student conduct meeting, make sure your response is fact-based, and don’t be scared to politely refute rumors. Make use of your right to appeal if the decision is unfair. Your greatest defense is a composed, fact-based strategy, which frequently makes the difference between an accusation and a finding of blame.
