Accused of "Plagarism", should I drop this class and take the W?

[Professor Deej]

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So my prof called another student and me up to her desk after class because her student assistant believed that we somehow "copied each other's homework". It turns out that my lab partner copied my homework word for word when we were in tutoring lab.

He told me that he just wanted to get an idea of how to start the problem, so I gave him my workbook and continued studying. As it turns out, he copied the whole thing and my prof's assistant noticed it and decided to inform the prof.

The guy admitted what he did so that I wouldnt get in trouble but I still think the prof thinks I knew what was going on. Anywhoo... She said that she wasnt going to penalize me since I didnt know, but her student assistant kept insisting that we "copied each OTHER word for word". Long story short, i got full credit for my work and my lab partner got a zero and a long speech about plagarism.

I dont feel comfortable in her class anymore and I'm thinking about dropping it. Mostly b/c I know I wont be able to get an LOR now and I really depise her assistant. It's physics and I really need to take the class now but it wouldnt be the end of the world if I dropped it and took it later with a different prof. What do you think I should do?

 

[CodeBlu]

Stay in the class.

Don't be stupid.

 

[poorracerkid]

Defend yourself

 

[Chir0nex]

Meet with your professor and talk the whole thing over. Try to get a sense if she really believes you or not. If it is only the lab assistant who has it out for you I think you should tough it out since ultimately the prof decideds your grade not her.

As for the lor, I don;t see why you have to get a letter from your physics teacher. Get some from chem/bio and pass on this professor.

 

[ppfizenm]

I agree with the others. Talk to the professor if you feel the TA isn't acting fairly anymore (but be careful with your words and don't sound whiny) and if you have misgivings you can always voice your concern to a dean. If you got full credit though I am inclined to think the professor believes you so this point is most likely moot.

Also, you don't need an LOR from every professor you've ever had. Only need two science professors (pref the ones who know you best (advisers, research mentors, multiple classes, heads of departments, clubs advisers) and pref a combo of two or more of these).

 

[Professor Deej]

Thanks for the advice guys. I guess my biggest concern is the fact that the assistant does all of the grading for the class and I have had an issue with his grading before this incident happened. Now I'm going to have to keep a REALLY close eye on his grading since some of the work we do is graded subjectively.

 

[CodeBlu]

Thanks for the advice guys. I guess my biggest concern is the fact that the assistant does all of the grading for the class and I have had an issue with his grading before this incident happened. Now I'm going to have to keep a REALLY close eye on his grading since some of the work we do is graded subjectively.

There's always the prof. to complain to.

 

[cyanide12345678]

So my prof called another student and me up to her desk after class because her student assistant believed that we somehow "copied each other's homework". It turns out that my lab partner copied my homework word for word when we were in tutoring lab.

He told me that he just wanted to get an idea of how to start the problem, so I gave him my workbook and continued studying. As it turns out, he copied the whole thing and my prof's assistant noticed it and decided to inform the prof.

The guy admitted what he did so that I wouldnt get in trouble but I still think the prof thinks I knew what was going on. Anywhoo... She said that she wasnt going to penalize me since I didnt know, but her student assistant kept insisting that we "copied each OTHER word for word". Long story short, i got full credit for my work and my lab partner got a zero and a long speech about plagarism.

I dont feel comfortable in her class anymore and I'm thinking about dropping it. Mostly b/c I know I wont be able to get an LOR now and I really depise her assistant. It's physics and I really need to take the class now but it wouldnt be the end of the world if I dropped it and took it later with a different prof. What do you think I should do?

This is not reason enough to have a W on your transcript. It will make getting into medical school (or whatever your plans are for later) that much harder. Talk to the professor. Make sure that things are clarified. And apologize for everything that happened (make sure to throw in that you really thought that the person was just going to look at a certain section). And tell the professor that you really like the course and that you hope that this wouldn't affect your grade for the course. But really DO NOT DROP IT! A "B" is going to be 100 times better than the W !!!!

 

[willen101383]

I will share a story. Sophomore year of undergrad I had a cell bio project in which we had to take photomicrographs and identify the type of cell...and essentially compile them into some sort of poster. I downloaded a few similar pictures for comparison to try to ID these cells. Long story short I ended up mistaking one of the pics and putting it in the project along with all the shots I took. This professor was a well known asshat..and ended up catching the photograph I had downloaded...and turned me in. I ended up having to sit before the academic grievance board. Long story short they believed me and dropped it. After that I spoke with the professor and asked him if he honestly thought he would be able to grade me fairly...and he replied yes.

Ended up doing alright in the class. Just ask the professor if he/she really thinks they can fairly grade you after the (super minor) incident.

 

[TriagePreMed]

Just monitor how your grade goes. Right now you're in the good side of the professor. Keep things that way. Even if you don't get a letter, you're doing much better by staying.

No need to ask the professor if he'll be fair.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

The only way to settle any differences.

 

[ponyo]

I agree with the others. Talk to the professor if you feel the TA isn't acting fairly anymore (but be careful with your words and don't sound whiny) and if you have misgivings you can always voice your concern to a dean. If you got full credit though I am inclined to think the professor believes you so this point is most likely moot.

Also, you don't need an LOR from every professor you've ever had. Only need two science professors (pref the ones who know you best (advisers, research mentors, multiple classes, heads of departments, clubs advisers) and pref a combo of two or more of these).

^absolutely this

I was in the exact same boat last semester (study partner who may or may not read SDN copied my work in a fit of sleep-deprived idiocy; he confessed and took the 0 while I got my credit). Did not drop the class. Did fine. Definitely keep an eye on the TA and you might have to be REALLY nitpicky with your work, but I don't think it's worth a W.

 

[jsl09]

just be glad nothing is going on your transcript. Med schools don't take too kindly to cheating/plagiarism.

 

[pancakesyrup]

I think one W isn't a big deal. But if you're doing well in the class and the professor likes you, then stay in the class.

 

[dmf2682]

You should challenge the TA to duel for insulting your honor.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

You should challenge the TA to duel for insulting your honor.

Not sure if serious..........but 100% accurate.

 

[Propylene]

You're fine, don't worry

 

[isoquin]

Agree with all of the above. Including the jousting.

 

[Gastrapathy]

When you handed your notebook to the other student to "help him get started," you may have violated the honor code of your school. This really depends on the expectations for doing your own work in the class and the way your honor code is written.

Because of that, escalating any conflict to the Dean, etc is a very risky idea for you. Its possible that outside scrutiny of your decision would get you in a lot more trouble.

So, if you stay in the class, I would recommend switching lab partners or even sections to get away from your friend and ideally the TA.

 

[n3xa]

So my prof called another student and me up to her desk after class because her student assistant believed that we somehow "copied each other's homework". It turns out that my lab partner copied my homework word for word when we were in tutoring lab.

He told me that he just wanted to get an idea of how to start the problem, so I gave him my workbook and continued studying. As it turns out, he copied the whole thing and my prof's assistant noticed it and decided to inform the prof.

The guy admitted what he did so that I wouldnt get in trouble but I still think the prof thinks I knew what was going on. Anywhoo... She said that she wasnt going to penalize me since I didnt know, but her student assistant kept insisting that we "copied each OTHER word for word". Long story short, i got full credit for my work and my lab partner got a zero and a long speech about plagarism.

I dont feel comfortable in her class anymore and I'm thinking about dropping it. Mostly b/c I know I wont be able to get an LOR now and I really depise her assistant. It's physics and I really need to take the class now but it wouldnt be the end of the world if I dropped it and took it later with a different prof. What do you think I should do?

Man up, stay in, and don't **** up again.

 

[locus000]

DROP IT. I had a friend that was accused of Plagiarism and she dropped her class ASAP and got away with no problem.
you can get into medschool with a W but it will required a lot of explanation if Plagiarism is on your record!!

If you dont feel comfortable in the class, why stay.

At My undergrad they did FF (double F) which you can never get off your record/transcript.

 

[gettheleadout]

DROP IT. I had a friend that was accused of Plagiarism and she dropped her class ASAP and got away with no problem.
you can get into medschool with a W but it will required a lot of explanation if Plagiarism is on your record!!

If you dont feel comfortable in the class, why stay.

At My undergrad they did FF (double F) which you can never get off your record/transcript.

The OP isn't being charged with plagiarism...

Also, what makes an FF so special? You can't ever get a normal F off of your record either.

 

[raltima07]

The OP isn't being charged with plagiarism...

Also, what makes an FF so special? You can't ever get a normal F off of your record either.

Yea, but FF is like a big mac - two patties.

 

[Neurosis]

You should challenge the TA to duel for insulting your honor.

literally LOL'd

 

[Morsetlis]

I was a TA for 2 years and I didn't hold any of those vendettas. There are simply too many other things to do than worry about a single plagiarizing student.

But then again your TA might just be really mean.

Yes, some of the materials are graded subjectively. However, it's a science class, not a Humanities class. If you would've gotten an A, no amount of subjective grading can turn that into a B. You can always appeal with your professor.

 

[ScarlettOHara]

If your TA is mean and does hold some sort of grudge they may not grade you fairly on your next assignment. Fine, you show it to the professor, the professor thinks it's an error and gives you points back. If the TA is brazen they'll grade you unfairly again, you'll submit it to the professor again, the professor will think it's odd that only your paper had an error, AGAIN. If it happens a third time the professor will see that the TA is the problem. On the other hand, if the TA is smart they'll drop it and grade you like everyone else because they don't want you to resubmit a second time and put them in a negative light.

Be more careful with your assignments next time. Feel free to talk to people and help them out but if you don't have time for that say you can't and definitely don't let them hold on to your stuff for any length of time. I'm not saying humanity is against you--people don't always mean to mess you up--but sometimes they're just desperate, lazy, and dumb.