"Academic Misconduct"

[Rinax 473]

So, in CMPT 165: Intro to the Internet and the World Wide Web (web page design/programming), our first big assignment, was handed in about 2 weeks ago. I did everything by myself (as per the rules), and no consultation with other students, since I rarely make friends from classes.

 

Thus, I got my mark yesterday. Okay, cool! 6.45/7.00.

 

Today, in class, the professor mentions two students who apparently copied each other. I thought, "Wow! GG!"

 

An hour after class, 3:30pm, I got sent an automatic email saying my mark changed. (All work is submitted online.) Hm, that's strange. Maybe they marked my assignment wrong.

A big fat 0.00/7.00 replaced my original 6.45/7.00. Underneath, it said, "Confirmed case of sharing/copied coursework."

 

WHAT?!

 

I would never, ever, purposely copy someone's work. Especially if we shared the same class and professor.

In which case, they must have copied me, or this was somehow coincidental.

 

The professor sent an email to us saying to meet her after class on Thursday.

I replied asking what exactly was the same- the images, part of the coding, etc.

Awaiting a response...

 

 

I'm just so upset, because I'm not the type of person to copy others' work just to get a better mark. If I'm going to fail the assignment, I'm going to fail and not copy someone's work.

[MythrilMagician 6,963]

That definitely needs to be followed up. It's not fair. They shouldn't even be considering parts of code being the same as copying, because there isn't always more than one way, or you may not know the other way. Same with images. That would also be a coincidence. Don't let it slide, from the way you described it, it appears as though you deserve that mark.

[Yuya Sakaki 5,212]

This is what I hate about online submissions. Your work could be coincidentally identical to another person's work and you'd have no idea. Definitely get to the bottom of this, it just isn't fair.

 

Peace!

[catmaster0116 2,676]

So, in CMPT 165: Intro to the Internet and the World Wide Web (web page design/programming), our first big assignment, was handed in about 2 weeks ago. I did everything by myself (as per the rules), and no consultation with other students, since I rarely make friends from classes.

 

Thus, I got my mark yesterday. Okay, cool! 6.45/7.00.

 

Today, in class, the professor mentions two students who apparently copied each other. I thought, "Wow! GG!"

 

An hour after class, 3:30pm, I got sent an automatic email saying my mark changed. (All work is submitted online.) Hm, that's strange. Maybe they marked my assignment wrong.

A big fat 0.00/7.00 replaced my original 6.45/7.00. Underneath, it said, "Confirmed case of sharing/copied coursework."

 

WHAT?!

 

I would never, ever, purposely copy someone's work. Especially if we shared the same class and professor.

In which case, they must have copied me, or this was somehow coincidental.

 

The professor sent an email to us saying to meet her after class on Thursday.

I replied asking what exactly was the same- the images, part of the coding, etc.

Awaiting a response...

 

 

I'm just so upset, because I'm not the type of person to copy others' work just to get a better mark. If I'm going to fail the assignment, I'm going to fail and not copy someone's work.

 

If I were you, depending on how convenient it is for you to personally go to the educational institution, I'd personally see the professor rather than an email since this sounds like it is a false accusation of plaigiarism and that any evidence they have would be most likely coincidential.

[Rinax 473]

Thanks for the replies so far, everyone.

 

Since everything is hosted on a server, everyone is able to access other students' files. I checked theirs, (the university email is the same as their folder name, which was in the email from the professor), and...

 

HOLD ON

 

If you know website design, we need two files: HTML and CSS. In this assignment, we needed two CSS files.

 

I checked their HTML. REALLY SIMILAR. UH... Check CSS's. REALLY SIMILAR. SAME FORMAT, DIFFERENT FONTS, DIFFERENT CONTENT.

 

HOWEVER, THEIR FILES SAY THEY WERE MODIFIED OCTOBER 23RD. MINE SAY OCTOBER 28. I DID NOT COPY ANYONE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND. HELP.

 

Edit: I apologise for the caps. I'm really upset and nervous.

I looked up to see if there was a way to edit the last modified dates of files, and a simple program that someone made can do it.

Edited November 11, 2015 by Rinax

[MythrilMagician 6,963]

Thanks for the replies so far, everyone.  Since everything is hosted on a server, everyone is able to access other students' files. I checked theirs, (the university email is the same as their folder name, which was in the email from the professor), and... HOLD ON If you know website design, we need two files: HTML and CSS. In this assignment, we needed two CSS files. I checked their HTML. REALLY SIMILAR. UH... Check CSS's. REALLY SIMILAR. SAME FORMAT, DIFFERENT FONTS, DIFFERENT CONTENT. HOWEVER, THEIR FILES SAY THEY WERE MODIFIED OCTOBER 23RD. MINE SAY OCTOBER 28. I DID NOT COPY ANYONE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND. HELP. Edit: I apologise for the caps. I'm really upset and nervous.I looked up to see if there was a way to edit the last modified dates of files, and a simple program that someone made can do it.

You have access to other students' files? Is that read-only or read and write? If it's the latter, then there is the problem. You should also be able to see who accessed it. Because it's HTML and CSS, they can't accuse you if plagiarism, because that's really easy to unintentionally mimic.Your theory of the date modification of files sounds like another possibility.

[Rinax 473]

Everyone can access everyone's files. You can download those files, and do whatever you want with them.

 

I forgot to add another update about half an hour ago, but I found that he had copied an older version of my files. I had the heading "An awkward photo of me:" in that previous version, and I changed it in the final versions. This goes for a couple more things.

 

For more specificity, the CSS files were exactly the same, except for the final version changes, hex colour codes, and fonts, along with other simple things to change.

[MythrilMagician 6,963]

Everyone can access everyone's files. You can download those files, and do whatever you want with them. I forgot to add another update about half an hour ago, but I found that he had copied an older version of my files. I had the heading "An awkward photo of me:" in that previous version, and I changed it in the final versions. This goes for a couple more things. For more specificity, the CSS files were exactly the same, except for the final version changes, hex colour codes, and fonts, along with other simple things to change.

You mean you can mess with other student's files? That's flawed. An online submission shouldn't allow that. That's where cases of plagiarism comes from, assuming you don't have contact with other students. Talk with your professor when you see him/her. This is unjust.

[Rinax 473]

You mean you can mess with other student's files? That's flawed. An online submission shouldn't allow that. That's where cases of plagiarism comes from, assuming you don't have contact with other students. Talk with your professor when you see him/her. This is unjust.

Meeting up together this Thursday. To her and the TA's, evidence seems to point towards me copying. I hope the other guy confesses...

[VisitJoan 2,713]

It sounds like somethings wrong with this department.  There is no way you should even be able to access another student's files, even if it's just read permission.  It sounds to me like they're trying to mess you over.  You need to hold your ground when you talk to this teacher, and make sure he knows you will not be letting this go or be pushed over like this.  If that doesn't work, then go to the department head and explain the situation.  Hopefully he/she will help you sort all of this out.  Also, do you know who owns the file that was like yours?  If so, you might want to confront him/her head on.  I'm sorry this happened to you.  There's no way you should pay for someone who is too lazy to do their own work.

[Rinax 473]

Good news everyone!

 

I talked to my prof about the situation as she told us to do. The other guy didn't show up. (Heh! Wimp.) I explained to her my findings: other people can access the files in the public folder (where everyone puts their files for submission), and several of the other things I've mentioned in this thread. She then told me that she will return my marks, and she will contact the other person. She also said that she thought we knew each other, thus, she became suspicious. So, I'm all clear!

 

If the guy did come I would have given him my death glare. (And if I could, teleported him to the realm of darkness.) ...among other things I will not mention.

 

I sure am glad those crime shows I watch was put to good use, with all my detective work.

 

I forgot to ask her if there was a way to disable file download, but I now will make a copy of all my work in Dropbox, which keeps multiple versions. Ensure that I can prove it's my work.

[Mystics Apprentice 2,397]

Good news everyone!

 

I talked to my prof about the situation as she told us to do. The other guy didn't show up. (Heh! Wimp.) I explained to her my findings: other people can access the files in the public folder (where everyone puts their files for submission), and several of the other things I've mentioned in this thread. She then told me that she will return my marks, and she will contact the other person. She also said that she thought we knew each other, thus, she became suspicious. So, I'm all clear!

 

If the guy did come I would have given him my death glare. (And if I could, teleported him to the realm of darkness.) ...among other things I will not mention.

 

I sure am glad those crime shows I watch was put to good use, with all my detective work.

 

I forgot to ask her if there was a way to disable file download, but I now will make a copy of all my work in Dropbox, which keeps multiple versions. Ensure that I can prove it's my work.

I'm late to the party, but I just wanted to say that I'm gladdened that this was resolved.  I would've been a wee bit more than upset if I were you, too.  I am very surprised that it's possible for students to access others' files.  That is incredibly wrong because things like this can happen.  Also, no teacher should deduct points without absolute proof of copying.  I am just appalled at the earlier situation and am very gladdened that the professor righted the situation. : )

[The Transcendent Key 12,109]

Are you serious!?  From a 6.45, you got down to 0.00?  That's messed up!  I'm sure there has to be some explanation for this!  I'm sure that if you talk things out with the professor, she'll understand that this is all just a misunderstanding!  But, that just means you have to keep a close eye on the students in your class, because you have to make sure no one's writing down notes from you!  Keep a sharp eye for those copycats! D:

 

I hope your situation can be resolved!

[Rinax 473]

Final update!

 

Prof sent an email to me saying the copycat confessed.

However, a little thing that bothered me:

[...] as I stated to the other student, I would have no proof if he was in collaboration and now trying to protect the other party.

Come on, he's got a motive! He didn't even do half of the assignments/exercises that were assigned. I've done them all!

 

Anyway, she gave me a 0.3 increase on the assignment, and it's now 6.75/7.00 from 6.45/7.00. The dbag got a 0.

 

CASE CLOSED

Edited November 18, 2015 by Rinax

[2 quid is good 2,209]

WOOHOOO JUSTICE PREVAILS

[VisitJoan 2,713]

YAY!  So happy to hear that!

[MythrilMagician 6,963]

That is great. Congrats.