Abstract X42-01
Chemistry B2XX: Green Gables
Student Anne and Professor Cuthbert
Professor Cuthbert initiated a positive confrontation with Student Anne after noticing that their Moodle logs demonstrated that they had accessed course resources while taking the closed-book final exam for Chemistry B2XX: Green Gables. Student Anne initially denied having accessed unauthorized materials during the exam and insisted that the logs appeared that way due to the fact that their phone had been hacked, as Student Anne stated that their phone was not on their person while they took the exam.
Student Anne later sent in a revised statement to the Honor Board and Professor Cuthbert taking full accountability for accessing Moodle on their phone during the exam and for lying about not having done so before. Since Student Anne took accountability for violating the Honor Code, the Honor Board decided to pursue an alternative resolution conversation to address the situation.
The Honor Board resolved that Student Anne receive a 0.0 on the final exam in Chemistry B2XX: Green Gables, as Student Anne and Professor Cutherbert were in agreement that this was a fair and proportionate resolution in this case. Since this 0.0 brought Student Anne’s final grade in the course below a merit grade, the Board also resolved that Student Anne would be permitted to re-take Chemistry 2XX: Green Gables at Haverford and complete the Green Gables course sequence there.
Abstract X42-02
International Studies B1XX: High School Musical
Student Ryan and Professor Troy
Professor Troy initiated a positive confrontation with Student Ryan after noticing that Student Ryan’s essay was nearly entirely plagiarized, without any citations, from various online sources. During this conversation, Student Ryan expressed confusion at the charge of plagiarism and suggested that it was an issue of inadequate or improper citations. Due to the lack of agreement and consistency across Student Ryan and Professor Troy’s statements and Student Ryan not taking full accountability for plagiarizing the essay, the Honor Board decided to pursue a traditional Honor Board hearing.
In the hearing, Student Ryan expressed that their intention in the conversation was not to deny any wrongdoing but genuinely to learn more about citation practices on account of coming from a different educational background as an international student. Student Ryan shared that in the intervening time since the conversation with Professor Troy, Student Ryan had read the Honor Board website, which had information about what constitutes plagiarism, including the failure to cite one’s sources, and had a clearer understanding of what went wrong in their essay. Professor Troy emphasized that they hoped that this experience could be a restorative, non-punitive learning experience for Student Ryan and suggested that part of the Honor Board’s resolution could include asking Student Ryan to write a reflective essay about the values of the Honor Code and the meaning of academic integrity.
The Honor Board found that Student Ryan had committed a violation of the Honor Code by plagiarizing their essay in International Studies B1XX: High School Musical. The Honor Board resolved that Student Ryan receive a 0.0 on the plagiarized essay and meet with the Writing Center at least twice during the remainder of the semester for continued support with writing assignments and deepening Student Ryan’s understanding of plagiarism and citational practices. The Honor Board also resolved that Student Ryan write a 1,500 word reflective essay on the values of the Honor Code, what plagiarism is, and the meaning of academic integrity and send it to honorboard@brynmawr.edu and Professor Troy within two weeks of receiving their resolution letter. Additionally, the Honor Board recommended that Student Ryan reach out to the Counseling Center for mental health support.
Abstract X42-03
Geology B1XX: Shadowhunting
Student Clary and Professor Magnus
Professor Magnus initiated a conversation with Student Clary after noticing that answers to Student Clary’s exams referenced material that had not been covered in class and would only be understood by advanced undergraduates or graduate students. Professor Magnus inserted the exam questions into ChatGPT and found that the generative AI source outputted the same anomalous content. Student Clary admitted to using ChatGPT for the exam, took responsibility for her actions, and indicated that she would accept the appropriate resolution decided by the Honor Board.
Since Student Clary took accountability for violating the Honor Code, and Professor Magnus and Student Clary’s statements were in agreement about the course of events, the Honor Board decided to pursue an alternative resolution conversation to address the situation.
The Honor Board resolved that Student Clary receive a 0.0 on the exam in Geology 1XX: Shadowhunting, as both Professor Magnus and Student Clary were in agreement that this was a fair and proportionate resolution. The Board also recommended that Student Clary continue or begin utilizing various resources, such as tutoring, meeting with Academic Support, time management systems, and the Counseling Center.