Discussion | On the Witness Stand - "You Never Said We Couldn't Do That"

For the purposes of the discussion below, you are not a forensic accountant. Instead, you are an accounting professor. Having read the material from Chapter 1 and 2, address the following scenario (based upon an actual occurrence).

You are a professor that assigned a discussion question in an online class. The question asked required the students to do a bit of research and draw a conclusion. The discussion question was set up such that students could not see other posts until they posted themselves. John, one of your students posts a blank line with nothing in the post. Thus, John can see the other posts. John then combines the response of two students Sue and Jane - into his response. As a trusting professor who believes in the integrity of her students, you never considered such a thing could occur and therefore do not mention any penalty for such action. Before you can grade the post, Jane sends you an email saying that she feels violated and calls the action of the blank post to your attention as the professor.

You give John a zero for the discussion post. As a result of the 0, John gets a C instead of a B in the course.

John appeals the decision saying you never said we could not do that. A student hearing is called. At the student hearing you are called to testify.

The chairperson of the committee asks you to respond to Johns complaint.

Required :

1. Post your response to Johns complaint. Be sure to consider what you read in Chapters 1 & 2
2. Reference an Ethical Perspective, Viewpoint, or Framework - (Be sure your Answer demonstrates a thorough understanding of the Ethical foundations and viewpoints outlined in the textbook.) PLEASE TRY TO MAKE YOUR INITIAL POST BY SUNDAY EVENING...
3. Follow up to the post of one of your peers as John, Jane or the chairperson of the committee (let me know which one you are responding as.)