¶ … Dean of Students, As I prepare to meet with you this coming week, I do so with a full understanding of the seriousness of my offense. However, this is an understanding that I have truly only gained during the last year and as a result of my own regrettable actions. Last year, I was accused of plagiarism for failing to properly quote and cite some of the sources that I used to complete a research paper for a Geography 100 level course. I am sorry to say that I am guilty of this offense.

However, I hope to make it clear to you in our meeting that this offense was not committed out of malice or dishonesty. It was a simple error in judgment and one that I will never make again. After enduring this process while simultaneously attempting to remain on top of my current studies, I have gained a much greater appreciation for the importance of proper citations. Likewise, I now recognize the...

As I come to learn with greater clarity that standards are changing with the changes occurring in our technology, I can honestly say that I have a far greater understanding of the challenges presented to students, teachers and schools alike. Certainly, the last thing I intended to do was to create any further obstacle that might undermine the important goals of formal education.
As I reflect now on the mistake that I made a year ago, I feel a great sense of remorse. While I know that ignorance is not innocence, I simply was not aware of the gravity of my actions at the time. Like many students who are genuinely dedicated to their…