On Thursday, 4 February 2021, the Ashesi Judicial Committee (AJC) adjudicated a case of academic/social misconduct.
The Ashesi Judicial Committee (AJC) has found a student guilty of violating the Ashesi Honor Code & the Code of Ethics. Upon investigation, the student attempted to submit an existing solution that would have jeopardized his/her group members' grades & reputation. Additionally, the student disrespected the group members' views and tried to influence/force his/her values on the group members'. Amongst others, this was a quote from the student to the group members: "You are just stupid Ashesi students following a stupid Honour Code".
As stated in Ashesi’s student handbook:
“Ashesi University, its students, and its professional associations will not in any way condone cheating, lying or any other misrepresentations. Moreover, anyone who willingly conceals these activities will be considered accomplices and equally culpable” (Section 7.5).
“It is important, therefore, that students assume responsibility for helping to sustain an educational and social community where the rights of all are respected. This includes conforming their behaviour to standards of conduct that are designed to protect the health, safety, dignity, and rights of all.” (Section 4).
After deliberating, the AJC concluded that the student will be suspended for the rest of this semester (January – May 2021)
Advice to the Ashesi Community:
The AJC encourages the community to consider the importance of understanding and adhering to the code of ethics which serves as a foundation to respectable society. Non-adherence to the rules and regulations in the student handbook can have grave repercussions. The AJC would especially like to advise the Ashesi community of the following:
- Students need to know that cheating in all forms are against Ashesi's honour code and if caught, the sanctions in the student handbook will be applied accordingly.
- Students need to be aware that they are always expected to abide by all Ashesi’s social conduct policies in the student handbook which stresses on being ethical wherever you find yourselves
- Students should by no means force/impose their values/beliefs on anyone.
- As a community, we should always treat each other with respect
This case touches on a systemic issue in society that the idea of Ashesi is trying to eradicate with the “Ashesi Way”: Scholarship: How can one consistently strive for deeper expertise if they are plagiarizing through exams? Leadership: How can you be helping colleague(s) be more successful if you belittle their suggestions and literally insult them in the process? Citizenship: How are you being ethical? How are you recognizing long-term implications of your decisions and actions if you just think of the now and how you can bulldoze your way in getting a good grade no matter who or what you step on in the process? This sort of behavior contradicts the core tenets of this university and it should be scowled at by everyone that associate themselves with any part of Ashesi. We trust this case will serve as a learning experience and a reminder for our community of our mission of training a new generation of ethical and entrepreneurial leaders in Africa; to cultivate within our students the critical thinking skills, concern for others and the courage it will take to transform a continent.