Can I accept allegations made against me, whilst making it clear that I am innocent?

[delrico]

Basically, my university have taken great pleasure in making life difficult for me over the past few months by making academic malpractice claims against me. Because I have not sat down and accepted the allegations, and have tried to prove my innocence, the uni keeps taking it to higher and higher levels and the process is becoming more stressful and upsetting as time goes on.

I am meant to have another meeting on Thursday, but I can't attend due to work commitments so am writing a statement to be read at the meeting instead. I'm fed up with it and want the process to be over, so I had decided that I was going to accept the allegations, whilst still making it clear that I am only accepting them because I want the whole thing to be over, and not because I am admitting to something I haven't done. But when I mentioned this to my Dad, he said that he didn't think I could do that because it might get me into even more trouble, and they would be pissed off that I hadn't backed down earlier.

Just wondering if I actually can accept the charges and have the whole thing be over with or if I have to carry on for God knows how long, being accused of something I haven't done.

Thanks

[han]

You can accept that the allegations are true and take the consequences. Clearly you cannot logically accept they are true while also claiming to be innocent. Hope you're not doing a philosophy course.

[gwynethpaltrow8]

They must have some pretty strong evidence if they are taking further and further steps. If you have nothing to refute their allegations, you might as well back down. However, if it's just your word against theirs, there is no way I would back down. I would protect my reputation.

If you don't fight the charges (in person), and instead elect to accept the allegations, you are indeed admitting fault. This is not a court of law, this is an academic review. The charges will stand and you will have to accept the consequences. Academic malpractice is a serious allegation. If you accept defeat, you may be dismissed.

[lintun]

If you accept the allegations then you are admitting guilt and will have to endure the consequences-whatever they may be.
You will have to make a decision. If you are sure that you can prove your innocence then you will just have to go through the process however long it takes so long as at the end of it you are exonerated.
If however you feel that you will not be able to prove your innocence and that you will be found guilty of malpractice then you only options are :
1) Accept the punishment they deal out (which could be asking you to leave the university)
2) Leave the university of your own accord on the grounds of undue stress (this way you will leave with your integrity intact)
It is a hideous position to find yourself in, especially when you know that you have not done anything wrong but institutions have the upper hand in these matters and they can make an innocent person appear guilty.
The usual response is that if you have done nothing wrong then you have nothing to fear and fight it to the bitter end. I, however, am more cynical and think that if a place is out to get you, they will not stop until they have broken your spirit. I also feel that I would not want to be at a place that mistrusted me and would certainly not want to be always watching my back for any further allegations.
I am genuinely sorry for you in your current predicament and I hope that whatever you decide to do will be the best for you.
All the best!