Students Caught Cheating Using GroupMe App

By: Davaughnia Wilson | Published by March 24, 2021

 

A group of students were caught cheating on a test using GroupMe and told to drop the class ASAP, according to a student involved who asked not to be named.

While the exact number of students involved in the incident could not be determined, however, Keanwise indicates 19 available seats in the class. The class has a maximum capacity of 50 seats, and it is unknown if the class was filled before the incident.

Students in Psychology 2100 used a group chat, GroupMe to ask, and share answers to a test issued by their professor.

The professor was sent the link to the chat by another student in the class. He then entered the GroupMe and informed the students that asked for answers; and those who participated in sharing and usage of the test answers to drop the class ASAP.

The professor stated that he cannot ethically comment on the issue and that he is unable to indicate when he will be able to. Kean’s University Relations said that all academic disciplines follow the University’s Academic Integrity Policy.

“Each semester, the policy is included in syllabi for individual courses so that students are fully informed about the academic integrity expectations and consequences for their behavior,” according to University Relations. Adding that, “The University does not comment on allegations of academic integrity violations involving specific students due to privacy concerns.”

The University’s Academic Integrity Policy says that cheating is prohibited and could result in suspension for one semester and a permanent notation on their academic file in addition to other disciplinary actions.

The policy can be located under Important University Policies and Information on any course syllabi and can also be found on the university’s website.

 

A section of the syllabus states, “students are responsible to review and understand the University Academic Integrity Policy available via the following link: https://www.kean.edu/academic-integrity.”

According to the policy, work provided by the students should reflect their own efforts and achievements. Sanctions and disciplinary actions are required when students violate the policy through cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and academic misconduct.

“As the first line of support, faculty shall ensure that the Academic Integrity Policy is discussed to an appropriate extent in every course section, with emphasis on the elements that pertain particularly to that class,” the policy states.

The new era of remote education has brought about changes in how examinations are administered, assignments, and quizzes. It has also changed how students communicate with each other outside of classes.

GroupMe, a mobile messaging app, has gained popularity among students during the Covid 19 pandemic. They use it to communicate with each other since there is no classroom student-to-student interaction.

GroupMe has been involved in many cheating scandals among college students since its rise to fame during the pandemic.

According to an article written by Elin Johnson on Insider Higher Ed, 70 Texas Students Accused of Cheating, about 70 students at the University of Texas at Austin were in a GroupMe chat when information about an upcoming test was allegedly leaked and shared. The professor indicated that he told the students that discussing the course work via group messages was not allowed.

Kean’s policy outlines four violation levels in which cheating is a level two and three offense.

Level two classifies cheating as copying another student’s work, allowing another student to copy one’s work, and unauthorized assistance to complete work. The recommended sanction for level two violation is that the student shall receive a failing grade on the assignment.

Level three constitutes cheating as using unauthorized materials during an examination, joining with another student to exchange information during an exam, and using someone else’s computer account or files without authorization.

Sanctions include probation or suspension for one semester, a failing grade in the course, and “disciplinary suspension” placed on the student’s academic record.

“…, Academic dishonesty in any form – written or non-written, media or technology – seriously compromises the Kean University mission to provide quality programs and opportunities for the optimum development of all students and employees,” the policy states.

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