Honor Council Rice University  
 

Abstract of the Honor Council
Case #43, Spring, 2002
October 16, 2002

Letter of Accusation:

The Honor Council received a letter of accusation from the professors of a lower-level science class that accused two students of collaborating on the final exam.

Evidence Submitted:

Plea:

Student A and Student B both plead not In Violation

Testimony:

Student A stated that he picked up the take home final exam on Friday April 26 and went home to take care of a family member. He worked on the test Saturday or Sunday for one hour. He returned to Rice Monday or Tuesday and finished the test. He turned it in early that week because he had another exam later that week and wanted plenty of time to study.

Student B stated that he took the exam in his room that Sunday. His roommate attends church on Sunday mornings and therefore could not be a witness for him. He turned in his exam on Monday and stated that he has never worked with Student A.

The council asked Student A why he stated he was not surprised by the accusation in his written statement. Student A stated that he meant that after he looked at the two exams in question he was not surprised that they arose suspicion. He was surprised at their similarity. The council then asked both students how they answered one of the sections on the exam. Student A explained that all of the terms were in the book or in his notes. Student B answered that he would use the textbook glossary and then the other parts of the book to look up the terms before answering the questions. He stated that he looked everything up because it was a test. The council asked about the open notes policy of the exam. Student A explained that students were allowed to use other people's notes on their exam if they copied them by hand - No Xerox copies. Student A stated that when he missed a class he copied notes from one student (Student C). Student B stated that he missed a class he copied notes from one of two students (Student D and Student E). The council asked if they copied from Students C, D, and E's original notes or if Students C, D, and E had perhaps copied their notes from another student. Student A was unsure if Student C had copied his notes from someone else.

The council asked the students to explain how they answered another section of the exam. Student A stated that he looked up the words that were to be filled into a paragraph in the textbook. He would narrow down his choices and select his answer. He also explained that parts of the fill in the blank paragraph on the exam were in the book. Student B stated that he tried to answer the ones he knew immediately and then used his notes and textbook.

The council asked about other questions from the exam and both students explained other test taking procedures including (both of them used these procedures) crossing off used words and constantly referencing textbook and notes. Neither student concerned himself with the grammar of the sentence when answering the fill in the blank questions.

The council asked Student A about his completing the exam in two sessions - was this allowed by the professor? Student A stated that he never asked the professor but the professor did not say otherwise.

The council asked if they obtained the handouts for the classes they missed. Student B explained that the handouts for every class of the semester were on a podium at the front of the room and you could get them at anytime.

The council asked if the two accused still had their notes. Student B stated no. Student A stated that he gave his notes away in good will.

The council asked if the students used noted from other past students. Student A answered no. They also stated that they did not use old exams to study.The students were asked about where and how they turned in their exams. Student A stated that when he went into the department office to turn in his exam the office was dark and unlocked. He placed his exam in a big box that anyone could have accessed. He restated that he turned in his exam on Monday or Tuesday because he had to study for another class. Student B turned his test in on Monday. He initially did not see the box and asked the secretary for assistance. The secretary directed him to the big box where he placed his test. He also suggested that the council talk to the secretary to see if she remembers him.

Student A stated that this was the only class he has ever had with Student B and that they were from different colleges.



Deliberation:

The council began deliberations with the general consensus that the two exams were very similar/almost identical. The point was raised that the structure of the exam made it difficult to determine if two people had cheated but the point was raised that there were too many variables that combined to make the papers almost identical. On the original tests Student A erased and changed answers to match Student B's answers. Student A's exam was compared with Student C and many members of the council concluded that the two exams had lots of the same answers but fewer similarities than Student A and Student B. Student B's exam was compared to the exams of Student D and Student E and found to be very similar. The point was made that this was a multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank test with very little latitude for answers (wrong or correct), and perhaps the students it was coincidence that the students selected so many of the same wrong answers. On one free-hand type section both Student A and Student B drew the same incorrect answer with identical incorrect notations. It was also noted that both exams had identical extraneous notations on other sections of the exam. The council members wavering on the question of whether a violation occurred relented following an examination of several other exams from other students.

The council then discussed how the exams were graded and how the professor matched up these two students for his accusation.

The honor council continued to examine the exams of Students D and E and compare them with the exams of Students A and B. The exams were very similar in their answers and notations.

Honor council members then divided the exams of the rest of the class up and compared the exams of the entire class with the exams of Students A and B.

The council members decided that the exams of Students A, B, C, D, and E were extremely similar. The exams of Students A, B, D, and E were determined almost identical while the exam of Student C was very similar. The only difference of Student C's exam were answers where the answer had been erased and changed.

The council decided to postpone the hearing and accuse Students C, D, and E of also cheating on the exam.

Continuation:
October 30, 2002

Plea:
Student A, B, C, D, E all plead Not In Violation

New Evidence Submitted:
Testimony:

Student C stated that he took the exam alone in his room about a week after he received it. He took the exam in one sitting using his class notes, book, and course handouts. He placed the completed exam on his desk and did not turn it in until the last day of exams. He did not discuss or share the exam with anyone. He does not know Students B, D, or E. He shared notes once with Student A. He also stressed that he is an honorable person and would not cheat.

Student A stated that he took the exam in two sittings. He went home to take care of a family member the weekend after picking up the exam and worked on the test at home on Saturday or Sunday for one hour. He finished the test in his dorm room upon his return to Houston. He turned in the test Monday or Tuesday of that week. He stressed that he never worked with Students B, D, or E, but he copied the notes of Student C a couple of times.

Student D stated that he took the exam in the lobby of his college on the Monday after getting the exam and has a witness statement corroborating his story. After completing his exam he went back to the dorm room that he shared with Student E. He turned in the exam to the professor's box the next day on his way home for the summer.

Student B stated that he took the exam on Sunday morning after receiving the exam. He took the exam at his desk in his dorm room while his roommate was at church. He turned the exam in the next day. He stated that he did not cheat on the exam.

Student E stated that he took the exam the Monday after he received the test. He took it in his room sitting next to his computer with his notes and book. After finishing the exam he turned it in on Tuesday on his way out of town. He had to ask the secretary where to put the exam.

The council asked Students A and C if they studied together often. Student C answered that he had shared his notes with Student A a few times but that they had not worked on homework together. The Council asked the accused where did they put their tests between taking the exam and turning it in. Student E stated that he put his test on his desk, not in an envelope. None of the students placed their exams in envelopes before turning them into the department office. The council asked Student A about his written statement where he stated that the professor did not follow the proper exam procedure as defined in the Blue Book. Student A explained that in the Blue Book it states that the professor should ask the exam to be turned in in an envelope and therefore the exams were out in the open in the office. He also stated that anything could have happened after he left his exam in the office and reminded the council that the professor stated in his deposition that he only picked up the exams every other day. Student A stated that when he turned in his exam the door to the office was unlocked and the lights were off.

The council then asked Student A about taking the exam in two sittings. He stated that he took the exam in two sittings, not one and that the use of both pen and pencil on his exam could possibly be explained by the two sittings. He was then asked about how much time he took on the exam and to clarify when he took and turned it in. Student A explained that he took the exam for one hour at home and one and a half hours at school. He took it on Monday and would have turned it in on Monday or Tuesday.

The council asked Student D to describe where he took the exam and he describes the lobby of his college. It was pointed out by the council that the witness wrote he saw Student D in the college library not the lobby. The witness must have written library but meant lobby. The other students were asked about the amount of time they took to complete their exams. Student B stated that he took the whole three hours. Student E stated that he took three hours. Student D took about two and a half hours. Student C stated that he took between two and a half hours and two hours and forty-five minutes.

The council then asked all of the accused students if they used scratch paper and about how they answered the first section. Student C answered that he crossed off the answers as he used them in the fill in the blank section. The council asked Students A and C about the handwritten definitions on the first section of both their exams. Student C stated that he defined all of the words he could from the book's glossary. He got most of his definitions from the book's glossary and then from the text itself. Student A stated that he defined all of the words that he could from the book. Student E stated that he did not use scratch paper. He used his notes from the book and from the class and that he would then check off the answers on the exam. Student D stated that he made a few scratch notes and that he used the handouts and the book for the exam. He further stated that he did not have all of his class notes because his backpack was stolen. In answering the exam's first section he filled in the words where he thought they should go.

Student C was asked about the last question on the exam where he gave two answers. He answered that he thinks that he wrote both because he had narrowed the answer down to two choices and must have forgotten to cross one answer off during his final go-over of the exam. The accused students were then asked about the third section of the exam where they were to draw diagrams. Student A answered that the first question was directly from the class notes but the second and third were not. Student C stated that he used his notes and stated that during class he would simply write whatever was written on the board or on the overhead projector. Student B stated that he would take notes mainly from the overhead projector. Student E stated that most of the material from the overhead projector were equations.

Student C was then asked about one answer on the first section where he starred the answer. Student C thinks that he must have thought he knew the answer but was unsure of the answer so he starred it to make sure that he came back to it. He stated that he was unsure of several answers but did not want to leave any blanks.

Students D and E were asked further about where they placed their competed test and their test taking experience. Student D stated that he took the test in the lobby of his college and put the completed exam in his class folder and in his backpack. When he returned to his dorm room Student E was finished with his exam. He stated that he did not know Student E would be taking the exam in the room. Student E stated that he did not know that Student D was taking his exam.

The students were then asked about specific notations on the diagram answers. Student A answered that he copied the answer straight out of the notes. Students B and D each stated that they did not remember.

The council asked Student C about the first page of his exam where all of the exam was in pencil but two answers on the first page were in black pen. Student C stated that he did not have any idea why that might be. He theorized that perhaps he was looking over the exam after taking it and noticed blacks and filled them in, but he was not sure. Student C was then asked about the scratch-outs on the first page that were made with pen. Student C stated that he probably was unsure of the answer and put down two answers and when looking over the exam just crossed off one of the answers. He reiterated that he was not sure.

The council asked if the accused students had any interaction with the class TAs. None of the students did. The students were then asked about their study habits for this class. Student B stated that he did not study with anyone. Student C stated that he did not study for this exam. He stated that he gave Student A class notes a couple of times. Student A stated that he hand copied the notes from Student C. Student E stated that he had let Student B borrow his class notes. Student E was asked if when answering the fill in the blank questions if he took into account sentence structure or part of speech. Student E answered that he did not. Student B stated that he did not take into account grammar and that in the past he has had exams where the correct answer was not grammatically correct. Student A answered that he did not care about the sentence structure either. He also stated that most of the fill in the blank questions were from the text book and were obvious. Student C also stated that he did not worry about the grammar of the sentence.

Students D and E were asked by the council if they studied together. Student D stated that he was busy studying for another class. Student E stated that he did not really study for the exam. The council asked the two roommates if they talked about the exam after they finished it. Student D stated that they did not. They were busy getting ready to go home for the summer. He stated that he knew Student E was taking a test but did not know it was the exam for this class. Student D stated that he takes his exams wherever he can find a quiet place. Student E stated that he was taking his test in the room and had not finished when Student D came in. He stated that he did not know student D had been taking the test.

The council asked all of the students their opinion on the similarities of their exams. Student B stated that in class the professor would use pre-written overhead transparencies and Student B used the notes from these transparencies on the exam, not his book. Student C stated that the way the test was structured could have accounted for the similarities. The wrong answers were the difficult questions. The council then asked if the five students agreed that the similarities were by chance. Student C answered that he did not work with anyone in the room on the exam and did not know students B,D, or E. Student B stated that there was a review session that he went to for help. The other four students did not attend the review session.

Students A,B,D, and E were asked about two questions in the diagram section of the exam where all four of the students drew the same partial diagram. Student D answered that he simply just put something down. Student E answered that he did not know the right answer and also just put something down. Student B answered that he put something down just to get some partial credit. Student A answered that he also wanted partial credit and that all of the diagrams began with the same structure that the four students drew.

Student E was asked about a section in which he wrote out the answer on one question, but not the other questions, where a single letter would have sufficed. Student E answered that he did not know why he did that. Student A was asked about the same question where he wrote out the answer, very clearly erased it, and replaced it with a single letter. Student A stated that that one question was one that the professor always talked about and that he answered it first. Then he realized he could just write the single letter so erased and rewrote. The council then asked Student E about the notes written on the last page of his exam. He stated that he did not remember why he wrote the notes out. Student A was then asked about why he listed two directions for a directionality question. Student A answered that he did not know. Student B asked the same question and did not know. Student C responded that he also had that answer and assumes that the directionality could be either way. Student D responded that he was thinking that the question had to do with both hemispheres and that he must not have read the directions.


Closing Statements:

Student C testified that on his honor he did not cheat. He did not work with the four other accused and only gave Student A his class notes two or three times. He took his exam in his room alone.

Student A testified that he knows Student C and that the others do not. He asked the council to not punish Student C for his very limited (notes only) assistance. He stated that he feels like the council assumes his guild and like he is trying to prove his innocence. He stated that all of the students were placed in the class because of scheduling problems and that the class was rumored to not have a heavy work load. He reiterated that he did not cheat.

Student D stated that he knows he did not cheat.

Student B stated that he did not cheat and he wishes he had his notes so it would be obvious.

Student E stated that he did not cheat on the exam. He took the test in his room with his notes, book, and handouts. The next day he took the exam to the department office, asked the secretary for assistance on finding the professors box, and turned it in. He then went home. He agrees with Student A that he feels that the council assumes guilt and that he is being forced to prove his innocence. He is not a cheater and knows the consequences of cheating at Rice.

Deliberation:

As deliberations began several members of the council believed that the exams of Students A, B, D, and E looked extremely similar. They were unsure about the similarities of exams of the above four students and of Student C. Several believed that Student C did not have anything to do with the exams of the other students. It was also pointed out that the exam of Student E had some differences from the exam of Student's A, B, and D. Several members were further away from believing that a violation occurred than at the last hearing.

Many council members continued to find it hard to believe that nothing happened. As for the alibi provided for Students D and E, council members believed that perhaps it was true but that the students could have gone back later and worked together on their exams. The alibi does not cover the entire time from pick-up to turn-in that the students spent with their exams.

One member pointed discrepancies in the stories of the accused. Specifically, Student D stated that he lost his backpack and his notes but also that he put his test in his backpack after he finished it in the lobby of his college. One member of the council stated that perhaps he had two backpacks. It was also pointed out by a member of the council that according to the witness statement, Students D and E knew they were each taking their tests. This statement contradicts their statements that they did not know they were each taking tests. It was also noted that Students D and E contradicted each other about whether or not Student E was finished with his test when Student D returned to the room.

The council began to study the five exams in detail and discussed almost every mark, answer, notation, and erasure mark. The first section of the exam was studied and it was determined that Student A, B, and D's answers were almost identical. Student E's exam differed in very few places. Student C's exam differed the most from the exams of Student's A, B, D, or E. The second section was examined. The answer where Student A answered with an entire word, erased it, and then answered with a single letter was discussed and the question debated why would Student A go back and erase the answer. The council also discussed how Student E also wrote the entire word as an answer only for that one question. Also in the second section another question was discussed in detail and the question where several of the accused students had written two directions for a directionality question. In the third section all of the answers, wrong and correct, were the same for Students A, B, D, and E. The fourth section, free hand diagrams, was discussed. Students A, B, D, and E all labeled one diagram with a certain optional notation. Student C did not use the notation. Also Students A, B, D, and E all drew up arrows for four diagrams. Student C left the four diagrams blank. The four identical up arrows for the four students were odd considering the correct answers were based upon circles. On the final section, it was discussed that Student C's answers were almost identical to those of the other four students. Student's A, B, D, and E all answered the questions identically. It was discussed how Students A and B made identical notations in this section.


Straw Poll #1:
Did a violation occur?
Yes: 9
No: 0
Abstentions: 0

The council then attempted to chart out how the violation occurred and who provided the source document. The differences among the students exams were discussed further. The council hypothesized that Student A provided the source document for Students B, D, and E. It was also determined that Student A's exam was not copied from without his knowledge or copied after he turned it into the department because the few differences between the four exams are the only answers that had been erased and changed. The council could tell from the exam paper that the original answers that had been erased were the same answers as Student's B, D, and E. It was also discussed that the TA stated that he only came to notice the striking similarities between Students A and B because the test papers were turned in one after the other in the box in the department office.

Straw Poll #2
Is Student B in violation?
Yes: 9
No: 0
Abstentions: 0

Straw Poll #3
Is Student E in violation?
Yes: 9
No: 0
Abstentions: 0

Straw Poll #4
Is Student D in violation?
Yes: 9
No: 0
Abstentions: 0

Straw Poll #5
Is Student A in violation?
Yes: 9
No: 0
Abstentions: 0

Members of the council were unsure of if Student C was in violation. The differences between the exams of Students A,B,D, and E and Student C were not as overwhelming as those between Students A, B, D, and E and many council members felt there was not enough evidence to find Student C in violation.

Straw Poll #6
Is Student C in violation?
Yes: 1
No: 7
Abstentions: 1

The council then turned to the exams from the other students in the class. Each council member examined exams from the class and Student C's exam was found to be strikingly familiar with six other student's exams. Where Student C's exam did not match the exams of Students A, B, D, and E it matched the exams of this group of six. Where the answers of Student C differed from the group of six, his answers corresponded to those of Students A, B, D, and E. The council theorized that Student C collaborated with both the group of six and Student A who he knew.

Straw Poll #7
Is Student C in violation?
Yes: 9
No:0
Abstentions: 0

Penalties for the five students were then debated. The consensus penalty for this violation is an F in the course and a two semester suspension.
Mitigating circumstances were discussed and none found to apply with this case.
One council member raised the question if this offence could be classified as heinous, but several council members did not agree that it applied in this case.

Straw Poll #8
Penalty Deliberation for Student A:
F in the Course + 2-semester suspension: 7
F in the Course + 1-semester suspension: 2
Abstentions: 0

Straw Poll #9
Penalty Deliberation for Student B:
F in the Course + 2-semester suspension: 8
F in the Course + 1-semester suspension: 1
Abstentions: 0

Straw Poll #10
Penalty Deliberation for Student C:
F in the Course + 2-semester suspension: 8
F in the Course + 1-semester suspension: 1
Abstentions: 0

Straw Poll #11
Penalty Deliberation for Student D:
F in the Course + 2-semester suspension: 8
F in the Course + 1-semester suspension: 1
Abstentions: 0

Straw Poll #12
Penalty Deliberation for Student E:
F in the Course + 2-semester suspension: 8
F in the Course + 1-semester suspension: 1
Abstentions: 0

Straw Polls 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 were made binding.

Thus, the Honor Council finds Students A, B, C, D, and E In Violation of the Honor Code and recommends to the Assistant Dean of Student Judicial Programs that they receive an F in the course and a two semester suspension.

Time of both Hearings and Deliberation: 7 hours and 20 minutes.

Last modified Monday, December 02, 2002 01:40 AM
Reach the Honor Council at honor-council@rice.edu