|
July 16, 2002--A University of Delaware junior who attempted to falsify her spring semester grades, trying to change three F’s to A’s, is awaiting trial in Delaware Superior Court on multiple counts of identity theft, criminal impersonation, unauthorized access of a computer system and misuse of information on a computer system. On the campus, she has been charged with three counts of academic dishonesty and three counts of violating UD’s responsible computing code.
Darielle Insler, a 22-year-old student from Leonia, N.J., posed as an instructor who wanted to change her password over the phone. She played on the good graces of a University staff member, who, trying to be helpful, made the change, thus enabling the student to assume a faculty identity and attempt to change her information in two courses. In another instance, she guessed a faculty member’s password and attempted to make a grade change.
UD was quick to respond to the situation. The student’s altered grades were never released to third parties nor were they sent out on transcripts.
In the student judicial system, for such charges, she could face expulsion and might receive a grade of FX in the courses, a designation that indicates failure due to academic dishonesty. Actions taken by the student judicial system are confidential.
In light of the incident, a review of computer access security practices at the University is in progress.
|
