Appeal Letter: University Discipline Committee Decision - Notre Dame

This document is an appeal letter written by a student, Mariam Slaitini (Student ID: 20162254) from The University of Notre Dame Australia, to Professor Selma Alliex, the Pro Vice-Chancellor of Student Experience. The letter appeals the University Discipline Committee's decision, made on March 15, 2021, which resulted in a one-year suspension due to allegations of academic misconduct. The allegations include fabricating references in two assignments for HIST2021 (History and Politics of Southeast Asia) in Semester 2, 2020, and suspected contract cheating through the use of a third-party service provider. The student admits to the plagiarism and taking help from a private tutor, expressing remorse and a commitment to avoiding such mistakes in the future. The student requests a second chance, promising to improve academic integrity by attending drop-in sessions, using plagiarism detection services, and avoiding third-party assistance in the future.

Letter

LETTER OF APPEAL
Professor Selma Alliex
Pro Vice Chancellor, Student Experience
The University of Notre Dame Australia
PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL
By email only -
Subject: Appeal the decision of the University Discipline Committee under Section 5
This letter in respect to the reviewing the decision made by the University Discipline Committee
which was held on 15 March 2021. Allegation which were made on me states that I have
fabricated the references in both Research essay and the Orientalism Analysis for HIST2021:
History and Politics of Southeast Asia in Semester 2, 2020. In addition, it provides typical
evidence that I have involved third party service provider in order to complete my assignments
which is considered as the suspected contract cheating. In addition to this, I have been suspended
from the University for a period of 1 year which is huge under The University of Notre Dame
Australia General Regulations Section 8.14.1.l. Thus, I am eligible to reapply for recommence
study in Semester 1, 2022 and thus, cannot apply earlier than January 2022.
First, I would like to state that I now completely understand the seriousness of plagiarism. And I
would like admit that I am guilty of plagiarism for my both the assignments stated above and in
along with that I confess that I have taken help from a private tutor who provided me with the
sources for my assignment and I included them without verifying it again. I had gone to Louise
Johnston but after few meetings she went on leave and couldn't help me much.
I want you to know that this mistake was unintentional and I cannot deny that it happened. I
didn't realize my attempt to use well phrased sentences with accurate referencing would
outweigh my writing skills and will pose a big problem for me. I would like you to know that I
am here to learn, and I am lucky enough to get into this University. I am breathless because of

the thought of error which will result into impacting my education and ruining my academic
future. I had no idea that it will lead to academic misconduct. In order to guard against the
unintentional mistake of plagiarism in the future I am ready to make extra efforts. I am willing to
even go to Christine and give my time to go into the drop sessions. In addition, I ensure you that
in future I will make check my assignments with the online plagiarism service and will not
involve any third party for help. I want you to provide me with another chance and I will not let
you down for my deeds or affect the name of the University.
Thank you so much in sparing you valuable time in reading this letter. Kindly accept my sincere
apology for the misconduct done by me due to lack of experience in the beginning of this
academic journey.
Yours Sincerely,
Notre Dame Student ID no: 20162254
The University of Notre Dame Australia
PO Box 944
Broadway NSW 2007