You are a final-year undergraduate student pursuing a professional degree, and as part of the required curriculum for your final semester, you enrolled in a notoriously challenging course. Unfortunately, your performance on the mid-semester exam was disappointing, leaving you in a position where you must score exceptionally well on the final exam in order to pass. Failing this course would delay your graduation by an additional semester and threaten the job offer you received from a multinational company, which is contingent on the successful completion of your degree. This job is critical not only for your career but also for your family’s financial stability, especially given the significant sacrifices your father has made to fund your education amid tough circumstances at home.

In light of this, your close friend confides in you that he can help you pass the course. He explains that the course lecturer mistakenly uploaded a file containing the answers to the final exam to the university portal. Although the lecturer quickly corrected the error and removed the file, your friend managed to download it before it was taken down. When you expressed concern about the possibility of being caught, your friend reassured you that the university’s digital system does not allow the lecturer to track who has downloaded the file. However, you are aware that the university’s ethical guidelines strictly forbid students from sitting for exams if they have access to unauthorized information about the answers, and violations can result in severe penalties. (200 words)

(a) Considering that accessing the answers and performing well on the final exam would not harm any other student enrolled in the course, what is the reason for you to refrain from using the answers?

(b) Knowing that your friend has seen the answers, would you report them to the lecturer or university authorities? Explain your reasoning.

Roadmap for Answer Writing

Introduction

• Begin by briefly summarizing your position as a final-year undergraduate student facing a significant challenge. Highlight the pressure due to the disappointing mid-semester performance and the critical importance of passing the course to graduate on time and secure a job.
• Mention the ethical dilemma you are facing, where your close friend has obtained the answers to the final exam, and you are tempted to use them to pass.

(a) Reason for Refusing to Use the Answers (Ethical Considerations):

• Violation of Academic Integrity: The university’s ethical guidelines strictly prohibit accessing unauthorized materials, and using the answers would constitute academic dishonesty. Even if the act doesn’t directly harm other students, it undermines the integrity of the examination process and your own moral standing.
• Long-term Consequences vs. Short-Term Gain: Although using the answers could help you pass the exam and preserve your job offer, it poses significant risks, including the potential for severe academic penalties (e.g., expulsion, revocation of your degree). The long-term consequences of being caught—such as damaging your reputation, career, and relationships—outweigh the short-term benefit of passing the exam dishonestly.
• Ethical Responsibility and Self-Respect: Maintaining personal integrity is essential, particularly in professional life. As a future employee of a multinational company, the standards of ethics and honesty you demonstrate now will carry forward into your career. Upholding these values reinforces your self-respect and builds a strong foundation for future success.
• Fairness to Other Students: The integrity of the examination process ensures fairness for all students. Using the answers would create an unfair advantage and undermine the system, potentially affecting the credibility of your degree.

(b) Whether to Report the Situation to the Lecturer or University Authorities:

• Responsibility to Uphold Ethical Standards: As a student bound by the university’s code of conduct, you have a responsibility to maintain the academic integrity of the institution. Reporting the incident ensures that the university is aware of the violation and can take appropriate action to uphold its standards.
• Preventing Future Misuse: Reporting the situation helps prevent others from taking advantage of the same opportunity to cheat, ensuring that such mistakes or ethical lapses are dealt with to protect future students from being put in a similar position.
• Protecting Your Own Integrity: By reporting your friend’s actions, you distance yourself from any involvement in academic dishonesty and reinforce your commitment to ethical behavior. This would also provide you with a clear conscience moving forward.
• Impact on Your Relationship with Your Friend: While reporting the incident might strain your relationship with your friend, your responsibility as a student and as a future professional outweighs any personal relationships in this case. It may also serve as a wake-up call for your friend to reconsider their actions.

(c) Approach to Take as the Student:

• Choice: The responsible and ethical course of action would be to refrain from using the answers, uphold the integrity of the examination process, and report the situation to the relevant authorities (the lecturer or university).
  • Reasoning:
    • Personal Integrity: Prioritizing honesty and adhering to ethical standards now will contribute to your long-term success and peace of mind, both academically and professionally.
    • Fairness and Justice: Ensuring fairness in the exam process is crucial for maintaining the credibility of the academic institution and the degrees it confers.
    • Preventing Negative Consequences: Avoiding the temptation to use unauthorized material safeguards you from potential penalties, which could endanger your graduation and career prospects.

Relevant Facts (H3 Format):

Fact 1: University’s Ethical Guidelines

• The university’s ethical guidelines strictly prohibit students from accessing unauthorized information about exams, and violators face severe penalties, including expulsion or degree revocation.

Fact 2: Potential Consequences of Using the Answers

• Using the answers would likely lead to academic misconduct charges, which could result in severe consequences such as being caught, penalized, or even expelled, risking your degree and job offer.

Fact 3: Your Job Offer

• You have a critical job offer from a multinational company, contingent upon your successful graduation. Any delay in completing your degree or any academic misconduct could jeopardize this offer and your future career prospects.

Fact 4: Family Sacrifice and Financial Stability

• Your father has made significant financial sacrifices to fund your education, and failing the course or being caught in academic dishonesty would not only delay your graduation but also jeopardize your family’s financial stability, which could have lasting emotional and financial repercussions.

Fact 5: Your Friend’s Actions

• Your friend has obtained the answers to the final exam, which were mistakenly uploaded by the lecturer. Though your friend reassures you that there is no risk of being caught, accessing the answers remains a violation of university policies.