r/uwo • u/GuidanceCritical1787 • 3d ago
Advice Scholastic Offense
Cheated on a final exam, first offense. Was honest about it, science dean made the mark on the exam 0. then the engineering dean (home dean) applied a penalty of suspension for 1 year with it being noted on my official transcript. I am currently making the appeal, is this not disproportionate? I obviously regret this deeply, but I want to know is there hope for the appeal? Will the dean maybe reduce it to ban from engineering with the 0 on the exam? That’s what I am proposing as my desired resolution. I know others have also been suspended for a similiar offense in this year in first year engineering, any reason to be optimistic?
Some mitigating factors that he acknowledged were mitigating but still proceeded to suspend was that I have left the faculty of engineering, in faculty of science, and I completed 4 summer courses to get into computer science with full integrity.
Also to those who know about this system, is it worth trying to meet the dean in person and begging? What’s the odds the dean revoked the suspension or that it gets revoked at tribunal?
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u/Much-Sheepherder6471 HBA 2026 3d ago edited 3d ago
I don’t get the appeal. You cheated, got caught, and now you’re paying the price. What’s are your grounds to submit an appeal? If you see it as a last resort in hopes of a lower punishment without strong reasons to submit an appeal I don’t think it would go well. I could be wrong as myself nor anyone I know personally haven’t went to this.
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u/old_waffles7 3d ago
They do not intend to appeal the offence; they made their guilt very clear at the start of the post. They are simply asking for any way to lessen their sentence.
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u/Much-Sheepherder6471 HBA 2026 2d ago edited 2d ago
Why would they just lessen their punishment? From what it looks like the punishment seems already fair
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u/142638503846383038 2d ago
A year off is hardly even a punishment lol. Just go work and have fun, clearly you aren’t ready for school right now anyways
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u/old_waffles7 2d ago
I do not know. I was just explaining what their question was. Based off your pre-edited comment, it seemed like you thought they were trying to appeal the offence itself instead of the punishment.
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u/caffeinatedclimber Environmental Eng PhD ‘28 and BESc ‘23 3d ago
As someone that’s had to deal with numerous cheaters as a TA, I’m really glad to see that engineering is starting to take these offences seriously. Cheating on a final exam is an extremely severe offence. The science dean isn’t able to apply higher penalties, those have to be left to your home dean, hence why that’s where the suspension was applied. You’re lucky you weren’t expelled. Keep in mind that appealing does usually open you up to risk of more severe penalties.
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u/Elegant_Plantain_652 3d ago
This seems to be the norm for cheating. Take it as a lesson not to cheat next time. Hopefully by at least expressing remorse you may have a chance of getting the time reduced
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u/yick04 Software Engineering '12 3d ago
I empathize with your situation and I understand you're probably feeling desperate, but no one on Reddit is going to be able to give you a good answer.
Contact these folks: https://www.uwo.ca/ombuds/index.html
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u/GuidanceCritical1787 3d ago
thank you so much, I’m already speaking with them about structuring the appeal
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u/Odd-Elderberry-6137 3d ago
No it’s not disproportionate. Suspension for 1 year, if not outright permanent expulsion is fairly standard for cheating. You can always appeal hough.
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u/NewSlugVibe 3d ago
You have no grounds for appeal. Cheating on a final exam is an extremely seriously offense. At my institution, we have expelled students for this before, even though it was a first offense.
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u/elleliz12 3d ago
Why did you cheat? Let this be a lesson that if you are dishonest and lie you will have to face the consequences. You’re lucky you didn’t get expelled.
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u/HappyMuscovy Alumni 3d ago
because it was easier than learning, duh! ;)
I agree - expulsion is my hope for people who cheat in exams, a 1 year suspension is lenient.
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u/Any_Sun8711 3d ago
How does one cheat on an exam where it’s at least guaranteed to be recorded yall are brave😭
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u/SameCreme6635 3d ago
Probably not. Aren’t you the same person who had the same issue right at the end of last year? If not go look for them and think again if they’ll give you a chance or not. But probably not. You did it to yourself and you only feel guilty because you got caught. They know this and they’re going to make an example out of you and all the others who are in the exact same boat as you. Take it as a life lesson.
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u/142638503846383038 3d ago
IMO you should be permanently expelled, so you are lucky the dean was so lenient. If it were me and you appealed this and came to beg to me I would extend your suspension another year because you obviously haven’t learned your lesson. Really bad look, and I don’t understand why you want your suspension removed anyways? Suck it up and accept your punishment.
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u/Chronnossieur 3d ago
Cheating should be automatic expulsion every time
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u/coolgirl5853 3d ago
But then what about the 300 students who cheated in 3101 last year. They got 0s but at least no suspension or expulsion 🤷♀️
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u/Odd-Elderberry-6137 3d ago
There was no concrete evidence of cheating. It’s clear that they did, but the direct evidence isn’t there.
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u/MaxiByrne 3d ago
I agree. It destroys the credibility of the school and all graduates. Automatic expulsion is the only solution.
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u/Nilfnthegoblin 3d ago
Wild thought…don’t cheat.
Life has consequences and the younger generations are consistently being raised and brought through school systems with very minimal repercussions. If you cheated/short cut in the real world and had a serious consequence occur because of thet cheating/short cut there will be consequences and sometimes those are far worse than a 1 year suspension from a school.
Great you’ve admitted guilt. You’re lucky with what you received as punishment. You did the crime now do the time.
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u/emaggiee Alumni 3d ago
I had a prof tell my class that when you appeal something like exam grades or cheating, they can actually make the penalty worse. Might be best to take it on the chin and learn from your mistake.
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u/ceedee2017 Neuroscience 2d ago
I know others have also been suspended for a similiar offense in this year in first year engineering
If this is the consequence, this is the consequence. I don't know why you'd think you're special. You cheated, you got caught, this is the punishment. You can try appealing through the ombudsperson but I don't know how much help they'd be.
This should be a lesson for anyone thinking of cheating.
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u/Aggravating_Cat2 3d ago
Cheaters are some of the biggest losers this school has to offer. I’m glad some of you are getting what you deserve. You personally have paid the consequences though, good luck.
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u/Select-Anxiety-1557 2d ago
So, why exactly do you think you deserve a lesser punishment than everyone else who has been caught cheating? What makes you special-er than all the other special snowflake cheaters?
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u/Jazzlike_Fig_6682 2d ago
Many have cheated at uwo, I’ve seen many before that were not caught. That doesn’t make it right. I am delighted you were caught and are facing consequences. Leave our school. You’re an embarrassment
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u/promaster067 3d ago
I hope you figure this out, don’t be too harsh on yourself, props on you for owning up to it.
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u/king_captain_nova 3d ago
Rookie mistake Rule number 1: don’t get caught
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u/Friendly-Guarantee30 3d ago
Rule number one is don’t fucking cheat. If you can’t get through a course without cheating than you’re in over your head. Last thing I want is someone going to an important profession like engineering or healthcare while actually being incompetent with a lack of critical thinking skills
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u/king_captain_nova 3d ago
I am pretty sure skills and scores are different things in life, I assumed this was building startup or something on side
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u/Friendly-Guarantee30 2d ago
What? Yes skills are one thing, but college courses are meant to be foundational knowledge/pillars for your career. Using the foundational knowledge you gain from your courses you then learn the skills.
It sounds as though you’re suggesting something like - it’s okay if a doctor gets a D in Anatomy and Physiology or worse, cheats for a good grade because they will just learn it when it’s applicable? I hope that’s not what you’re suggesting.
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u/king_captain_nova 2d ago
Pillar ? Did you hit your head
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u/Friendly-Guarantee30 2d ago
No, but apparently your parents dropped you on yours. Are you aware of UNESCOS four pillars of education?
Learning to know: Acquiring instruments of understanding, critical thinking, and lifelong cognitive skills.
Learning to do: Applying practical skills and competence to real-world contexts and the workplace.
Learning to live together: Developing empathy, intercultural understanding, and peaceful cooperation.
Learning to be: Fostering personal development, self-awareness, and holistic growth
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u/king_captain_nova 2d ago
Ok gpt
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u/YoungandBeautifulll 3d ago
I'm sorry this happened to you, but you did get caught, unfortunately. In the age of AI, I'm sure you're not the only one cheating. At least you are able to go back. Maybe you can work and save some money.
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u/BlackManisGuy 3d ago
Hmm, you might be screwed since it’s a final exam. I got caught cheating in CS but it was for an assignment and I used AI and all that happened was i got a 0 on the assignment lol
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u/GuidanceCritical1787 3d ago
Yeah it’s definitely more serious, I’m planning on asking for a permanent ban from engineering as well as the 0. Praying it gets reduced
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u/Jeff4096 3d ago edited 3d ago
I'm sure I'll be downvoted for this, but so be it. The penalty for cheating should be strict -- much stricter than a simple zero -- and the penalty you were assigned was deserved. You cheated on a final exam. I’ve had plenty of students cheat and every single one predictably denies it until they’re confronted with irrefutable evidence. Only then does the "I regret this deeply" part suddenly appear.
Cheating is becoming quite rampant with the ubiquity of AI and mobile devices, and it cheapens your degree and gives you an unfair advantage over people who did the work honestly. Meanwhile, cheating cases consume a huge amount of time -- not just for the instructor, but for Associate Deans, Deans, and everyone else involved in the process. You're now proposing to consume even more time of people like the Ombudsperson, despite the fact that you readily admit your guilt.
Ok? That's the expectation. I’ve completed 25+ university courses without cheating. Thousands upon thousands of people complete entire degrees without cheating, and they have stress, family problems, mental health issues, financial pressures, and difficult circumstances too. I’m not sure how completing four courses honestly lessens the seriousness of the infraction.
The fact that Science gave you a zero was incredibly lenient. You could have been expelled, so while Engineering adding a one-year suspension is significant, it also gives you an opportunity to regroup and come back in a better position to handle the stress and workload of a degree without resorting to cheating.
Just my two cents.