The appeal.
Clearly, if you've been following my story so far, I sprung for an appeal, it took me 5 days to put in my request for appeal, in that time I collected various pieces of information, including copies of the ITSCC and student behavior policies. I also amassed several letters from notable individuals, including teachers and persons of significance in various organizations including regional businesses, teachers, former teachers, etc. Even some from friends and things for character references. I won't post any of the letters here, especially not without permission from their authors, I won't even mention who authored them, but there were many.
The gist of many of the letters was that I was a trusted, and trustworthy individual; other letters included outside observers takes on the events, given my explanation (in as much detail as possible), similar to what I've stated here, and how it relates to the policies I've mentioned here.
The most powerful letter I had was to that effect actually. It was from a current teacher of Mohawk, who I had briefed about everything that was happening with me. This teacher was an authority on server operation and networking. The teacher had no significant stock in whether I was innocent, or guilty, or whether I had broken any rules or regulations. The letter was a very neutral, outsiders viewpoint on the rules and how they applied to what happened, from someone who understood it on a very technical level. Of course, it stated that the charge of "Hacking" was completely and wholly inaccurate, and actions relating to any charge of "hacking" in this case would be inappropriate.
I sat before a committee of 9 or so people on the morning of December 22nd, 2009. some were students, others, faculty, some part of the students union, others were there as observers, with specialty (though I wonder how much) in technical things. I explained that, even from a very technical standpoint, what I was doing was not hacking. I reviewed my intentions (by request) and discussed specific procedures, as well as policies and how they related to my situation and charges.
I was told, two days later, by phone, that the committee had determined that what I had done was hacking (THEY determined that my actions were hacking... not based on anything, but just thats what they thought), and because of that, I was guilty and they extended my suspension from 4 months (1 semester) to 8 months (2 semesters)
First, on the suspension extension, other persons who have landed themself in similar positions for doing basically the exact same thing in a less up-front way (not telling Mohawk's administration what they've done), got 8 months suspension. 8 months, is the standard suspension at Mohawk for this type of "activity", so to bring my punishment in-line with theirs, they extended my suspension. I was initially given a short suspension because I had been so forthcoming with the Associate Dean and CIO.
Secondly, there was far too much focus during this, on intentions. My intentions should have never entered into the equation. Because of the wording of my Request for Appeal, and the documents and how I presented the data, I was focused on the fact that my actions did not infringe on any rules, regulations, statutes or laws, in any way, shape, or form. Why the committee did not focus on this, is far beyond me.
Last, I wish to speculate for a minute, and as a disclaimer, I have no proof other than my own intuition and observation. I do not know the names of anyone at the appeal, save a few, though, I wouldn't mention names if I had them; there was one individual there that was really drilling for answers in many areas. I believe this person was part of the faculty. Again, I have no evidence, but it is my speculation that there may have been someone in the crowd that had stake in my being guilty. I know not of what association they may have had to whomever may have had stake in the verdict, but it's a hunch I have. I don't want to speak too much of it, but a brief mention seemed appropriate. If this hunch is correct, then it would mean that my appeal didn't have a chance of getting off the ground to begin with. ... but again, speculation.
Because of the suspension and appeal, I found myself jobless in 2010. I found myself in very dire straits. It put a strain on my (now former) relationship, and as one could imagine, caused mental and financial anguish and grief.
I really don't want to go into too much detail about what's happened since the appeal, since that really deserves it's own post.
so, until later!
