This is an interactive story about helping a friend. It is fiction, but based on real challenges faced by students like you every day.
Because it is an <i>interactive</i> story, you will be asked to make choices, and the choices you make will affect how the story unfolds.
But this is a story, not a test. There are no right or wrong answers — just choices that make the story unfold in different ways. <i>Your choices are not being recorded in any way.</i>
At the end, you'll be given the chance to go back to the beginning, and to see how the story unfolds if you make different choices. There will also be a very short survey for you to fill out.
ONE LAST THING: don't use the "Back" button on your browser (or you'll be brought back to this page, wherever you are in the story!)
Go ahead and click to [[start the story....|*intro - friend needs essay help]]
v5 © Choice Point Solutions, Inc."Thanks," says Sam. "I owe you one."
You say:
[["Don't worry about it!|owe you one]]
or
[["Yeah, and don't you forget it!|owe you one]]So you explain the goals of the assignment, in your own words.
"OK," says Sam. "That makes way more sense than when the prof explained it. But how did you answer the question?"
So you spend a few minutes explaining the main point of your essay, and your approach. You explain what the main sections of your essay are, and tell Sam a bit about what's in each one."
"Argh!" Sam says. "You make it sound easy. I thought <!-- customize -->Marketing would be a breeze, but give me a Finance problem any day! I think I need to actually <i>see</i> what you did. Can you send me your essay so I can take a look?"
You pause for a minute, thinking over Sam's request.
Do you say:
"Sure, I guess that's fine...I'll [[email it to you."|show him your essay]]
or
"Look, I want to help, but let me just try again to [[explain what I did."|sam seeks more help]]The next morning, Sam messages you.
"Oh man. That helped a lot. My essay is basically done. Following your example really helped. I used the same structure you used, and I made basically the same main point."
Do you say:
"OK, I [[hope it helped."|*Sam gets bad news letter]]
or
"Uh, wait. I hope you [[didn't follow too closely!"|Sam-relax!]]"Totally," says Sam. "And thanks again. You saved my life!"
On Monday -- the first day of Reading Week -- you and Sam both submit your essays through the course website.
A week later, Sam messages you.
"OMG, I just got this email...from the <!-- customize -->integrity office or something. The prof says I plagiarized my essay. I have to go to this meeting with the prof and some other university person to talk about it. The meeting is next week."
Do you say:
"Oh no! Well, [[good luck with it."|*You get official notice of suspicion]]
or
"You [[can't tell them you copied from me!"|*YOU get bad news letter]]
or
"It's [[just a matter of time until I get the same email."|*You get official notice of suspicion]]Sam pauses. "But the essay is due tomorrow. I'm stuck, I don't know what else to do. I've GOT to hand it in."
Do you say:
"You'd be better to take a late penalty than to [[risk getting caught cheating."|risk getting caught]]
or
"Look, I'll help you. It's only 9 o'clock -- write an outline for a fresh essay, IN YOUR OWN WORDS and [[I'll give you feedback."|*I'll help]]
or
"You're right. You're stuck. You'll have to [[take your chances."|*suspicion of academic misconduct]]So you email Sam your essay.
"Thanks," says Sam. [["I owe you one."|Sam has copied you]]<!-- Help from Amee -->
"Thanks," says Sam. "That helps. I think I know what I'm doing now."
Satisfied at having helped a friend, you close your chat and open Netflix to relax for an hour before bed.
A few days later, you message Sam, to ask him how it went.
"Not bad," he says. "Your explanation helped. But I also chatted with Amee from our class and she showed me how she had done it. Basically she did it the same way you did. I borrowed some parts of her essay, added some ideas of my own and it all came together. I don't think it's great, but I'll pass for sure LOL."
Do you say:
"Oh good, I'm [[glad it worked out."|*Sam in trouble]]
or
"Did you actually use Amee's words? [[You could get in trouble."|warn Sam could get in trouble]]
The next morning, Sam messages you.
"Oh man. That helped a lot. My essay is basically done. Following your example really helped. I used the same structure you used, and added a bunch of my own ideas. I don't think it's amazing, but I'll pass for sure. I think... LOL!"
Do you say:
"OK, I'm [[glad it helped."|*suspicion of academic misconduct]]
or
"Uh, wait. I hope you [[didn't follow too closely!"|Sam says relax]]"Relax," says Sam. "I changed lots of words and stuff."
Do you say:
"OK, I guess [[it will be fine."|*suspicion of academic misconduct]]
or
"No, changing a few words means it's still mostly my essay. You can't turn it in. [[I'm serious."|Advising Sam]]"Relax," says Sam. "I changed a bunch of stuff. It's basically like a whole new essay now."
Do you say:
"OK, I guess that sounds alright. I hope your essay really is different ENOUGH. But I'm [[glad it helped."|*suspicion of academic misconduct]]<!-- customize entire node-->
The next day, you too receive an email from TMU's Academic Integrity Office. It's a long email, but it begins like this:
<blockquote><i>Facilitated Discussion and Suspicion of Academic Misconduct
I am writing to inform you of a suspicion of academic misconduct in your Marketing course on your 'Critical Reflection Paper' assignment. The suspicion is related to the misconduct category: Plagiarism.... </i></blockquote>
The email then goes on to invite you to a "facilitated discussion" with your prof, and someone from the Academic Integrity Office, two weeks later.
This isn't what you had in mind when you agreed to help Sam.
After 2 stressful weeks of waiting, you attend the Facilitated Discussion, and tell your side of the story. You emphasize that you really were just trying to help a friend, and didn't know that Sam would copy bits of your essay word-for-word.
Three days later, you receive another official email, [[outlining the decision.|*finding of misconduct]]"Relax," says Sam. "I changed lots of words and stuff. It's practically like a new essay."
Do you say:
"OK, I guess [[it will be fine."|*Sam in trouble]]
or
"No, you can't turn it in. [[I'm serious."|You advise sam]]<!-- customize entire node-->
A week later, you receive an email from TMU's Academic Integrity Office. It's a long email, but it begins like this:
<blockquote><i><b>Facilitated Discussion and Suspicion of Academic Misconduct</b>
I am writing to inform you of a suspicion of academic misconduct in your Marketing course related to your 'Critical Reflection Paper' assignment. The suspicion is related to the misconduct category: Plagiarism.... </i></blockquote>
The email then goes on to invite you to a "facilitated discussion" with your prof, and someone from the Academic Integrity Office, two weeks later.
This isn't what you had in mind when you agreed to help Sam.
After 2 stressful weeks of waiting, you attend the Facilitated Discussion, and tell your side of the story. You emphasize that you really were just trying to help a friend, and didn't know that Sam would copy bits of your essay word-for-word.
Three days later, you receive another official email, [[outlining the decision.|*finding of misconduct]]<!-- customize entire node-->
The decision is that "a finding of academic misconduct is warranted." The result is -- in this case -- that you're losing a letter grade on your essay. It would have been a B+ essay, but now it's a C+. A disciplinary notation (DN) is also being placed on your academic record.
The "DN" means that <!-- customize -->the Academic Integrity Office is now keeping track of you. Further offences will most likely result in more serious penalties.
But as long as you don't make the same mistake again, that's the [[end of the story.|*end1]]<!-- customize entire node-->
That's the end of this story.
The policy governing Academic Integrity at TMU is called <a href="https://www.torontomu.ca/senate/course-outline-policies/academic-integrity-policy-60/">Policy 60.</a> That policy offers the following explanation of Academic Misconduct:
<blockquote>Any behaviour that undermines the university’s ability to evaluate fairly students’ academic achievements, or any behaviour that a student knew, or reasonably ought to have known, could gain them or others unearned academic advantage or benefit, counts as academic misconduct.
Included in academic misconduct are: Plagiarism, including self- plagiarism; contract cheating; cheating; misrepresentation of personal identity or performance; submission of false information; contributing to academic misconduct; damaging, tampering, or interfering with the scholarly environment; unauthorized use of intellectual property; misconduct in re- graded/re-submitted work.</blockquote>
So, yes, even just <i>showing</i> a friend your essay can result in charges under Policy 60.
Helping a friend is good. Helping them cheat is not, even if you didn't know that's what they would do.
<hr>
At this point, you can feel free to go back to [[the beginning of this story|*intro - friend needs essay help]] to explore other ways it might have gone.
After you're done, please click [[HERE|survey consent]] to complete a very short survey specific to this simulation about Team Work. (Students who are part of the Fit for Business program can earn 1 TedPoint by completing the survey! There's a survey, and a TedPoint, for each of the two simulations.)<!-- customize entire node-->
Sam brushes that off. "Don't worry, I won't tell. If I do get in trouble, I'll take the blame. 100%!"
A week later, you receive an email from TMU's Academic Integrity Office. It's a long email, but it begins like this:
<blockquote><i>Facilitated Discussion and Suspicion of Academic Misconduct
I am writing to inform you of a suspicion of academic misconduct in your Marketing course on your 'Critical Reflection Paper' assignment. The suspicion is related to the misconduct category: Plagiarism.... </i></blockquote>
The email then goes on to invite you to a "facilitated discussion" with your prof, and someone from the Academic Integrity Office, two weeks later.
This isn't what you had in mind when you agreed to help Sam.
After 2 stressful weeks of waiting, you attend the Facilitated Discussion, and tell your side of the story. You emphasize that you really were just trying to help a friend, and didn't know that Sam would copy bits of your essay word-for-word.
Three days later, you receive another official email, [[outlining the decision.|*finding of misconduct]]A week later, Sam messages you.
"OMG, I just got this email...from <!-- customize -->the TMU integrity office or something. The prof says I plagiarized my essay. I have to go to this meeting with the prof and some other university person to talk about it. The meeting is next week."
"Oh no!" you say. You know Sam is a decent guy, and you're sure he wasn't trying to do something bad. He was just stuck and needed help.
The next day, [[Sam messages you again.|*Sam's friend Amee in trouble]]"OK, OK," says Sam. "Chill!" Sam pauses. "But the essay is due tomorrow. I'm stuck, I don't know what else to do. I've GOT to hand it in."
Do you say:
"You'd be better to take a late penalty than to [[risk getting caught cheating."|risk getting caught]]
or
"You're right. You're stuck. You'll have to [[take your chances."|*Sam in trouble]]"Things just got worse," says Sam. "Amee just got the same kind of message from the <!-- customize -->Academic Integrity Office. She's being called in for a meeting, too."
"I'm so sorry this has happened, Sam," you say, "I wish you hadn't felt like you needed to use Amee's essay that way."
"I know," says Sam. "It's not like I used her whole essay or anything. And it really sucks that she's getting in trouble too. She was [[just trying to help."|*decision--misconduct]]<!-- customize node -->
A week later, Sam messages you to tell you the outcome. He's just received an official email telling him the result.
The decision is that "a finding of academic misconduct is warranted." The result is a grade of 0 on his essay, and a disciplinary notation (DN) is also being placed on his academic record.
Sam says that Amee, too, is being penalized: she got a 'grade reduction,' from a B+ to a D, along with a disciplinary notation on her academic record.
The "DN" means that the Academic Integrity Office is now keeping track of Sam and Amee. Further offences will most likely result in more serious penalties.
But as long as they don't make the same mistake again, that's the [[end of the story.|*end2]]<!-- customize node -->
That's the end of this story.
The policy governing Academic Integrity at TMU is called <a href="https://www.torontomu.ca/senate/course-outline-policies/academic-integrity-policy-60/">Policy 60.</a> That policy offers the following explanation of Academic Misconduct:
<blockquote>Any behaviour that undermines the university’s ability to evaluate fairly students’ academic achievements, or any behaviour that a student knew, or reasonably ought to have known, could gain them or others unearned academic advantage or benefit, counts as academic misconduct.
Included in academic misconduct are: Plagiarism, including self- plagiarism; contract cheating; cheating; misrepresentation of personal identity or performance; submission of false information; contributing to academic misconduct; damaging, tampering, or interfering with the scholarly environment; unauthorized use of intellectual property; misconduct in re- graded/re-submitted work.</blockquote>
So, yes, even just <i>showing</i> a friend your essay, like Amee did, can result in charges under Policy 60.
Helping a friend is good. Helping them cheat is not, even if you didn't know that's what they would do.
If you have questions about Academic Integrity, you can always contact the <a href="https://www.torontomu.ca/academicintegrity/students/">Academic Integrity Office</a>, or ask your instructor.
<hr>
At this point, you can feel free to go back to [[the beginning of this story|*intro - friend needs essay help]] to explore other ways it might have gone.
After you're done, please click [[HERE|survey consent]] to complete a very short survey specific to this simulation about Team Work. (Students who are part of the Fit for Business program can earn 1 TedPoint by completing the survey! There's a survey, and a TedPoint, for each of the two simulations.)"No way," says Sam. "My grade is right on the edge now, and if it drops I could lose my bursary. Don't worry, I won't get in trouble, but if I do I'll take the blame. 100%! You're safe."
It worries you, but it doesn't seem like you can change Sam's mind. No choices, here: all you can do at this point is [[hope for the best.|*Sam in trouble]]
"Thanks," says Sam. "But it's too late for that. I've got to finish my <!-- customize -->Finance assignment tonight. I've got to hand the Marketing paper in now, regardless. Don't worry, I won't get in trouble, but if I do I'll take the blame. 100%! You're safe."
It worries you, but it doesn't seem like you can change Sam's mind. All you can do at this point is [[hope for the best.|*receive a letter]]<!-- customize node -->
A week later, you receive an email from TMU's Academic Integrity Office. It's a long email, but it begins like this:
<blockquote><i>Facilitated Discussion and Suspicion of Academic Misconduct
I am writing to inform you of a suspicion of academic misconduct in your Marketing course on your 'Critical Reflection Paper' assignment. The suspicion is related to the misconduct category: Plagiarism.... </i></blockquote>
The email then goes on to invite you to a "facilitated discussion" with your prof, and someone from the Academic Integrity Office, two weeks later.
This isn't what you had in mind when you agreed to help Sam.
After 2 stressful weeks of waiting, you attend the Facilitated Discussion, and tell your side of the story. You emphasize that you really were just trying to help a friend, and didn't know that Sam would copy bits of your essay word-for-word.
Three days later, you receive another official email, [[outlining the decision.|*finding of misconduct]]It has been a tough term, for everyone. As the pandemic wears on, this online learning has become a drag.
But at least you've been enjoying your <!-- customize -->Marketing class. The assignments are tough, but the readings are relatively interesting. And you're glad that, during the term, you’ve made friends with someone in the class. His name is Sam, and you've been chatting quite a bit.
It's Saturday evening, now, and you've finally finished your Marketing essay, and -- a miracle! -- you actually finished it a day early. You text Sam to check how he's doing on the essay.
"Brutal," says Sam. "I can't seem to get started on it. I don't get the point, so I don't know where to start."
"Hey," Sam says. "Can I see yours? If I can just see how you structured your essay, I'll understand better and then I'll be fine."
Do you say:
"Sure, I'll [[email it to you."|show your essay]]
or
"How about I just [[explain to you what I did."|*explain how to do it]]This is short, voluntary survey about the academic integrity simulation you just went through.
The survey asks just 4 questions.
<b>The survey is anonymous: you can complete it without providing any identifying information.</b>
Your answers will help TRSM and <a href="http://www.choicepoint.ca">Choice Point Solutions, Inc.</a> to improve our simulations for future students.
Students who are in <b>TedPacks</b> who wish to earn TedPoints can provide their email and student number at the end of the survey. If you provide that information, ONLY that information will be provided to TRSM for verification, and will not be associated with any survey answers you provide.
Questions about the survey or about TedPoints should go to fitforbusiness@ryerson.ca
<a href="https://forms.gle/kKARrxHq7s8m7QfTA">Click here to proceed.</a>