Academic Integrity Allegation Appeal

Hello everyone, I needed some advice on a serious matter

During trimester 2, I shared my code-file for a D task assignment in my unit Object Oriented Development to 3 other students, who were also my friends. They ended up copying it almost entirely.

During the results for T2, the unit Object Oriented Development showed a result of “RW” or “Result Withheld”. Today I receive an email telling me that I have breached Academic Integrity (rightfully so) along with the specific assignment and the names of other students with similarities (the 3 other friends in question).

I was given two options in the email: 1. Accept the mistake, and get a 0 on that particular assignment 2. Appeal

My question is, should I appeal or should I take the 0? I was aiming for an HD, and if I get a 0 in this D task, not only will I not get an HD but I will also lose the D and get a C. The other 3 people were aiming for a C anyway, and it doesn’t matter to them whether they get a 0 on this assignment or not.

Can I put in an appeal basically saying that I was oblivious to the use my codefile was put to? The email also asks for testimonies, and my friends do not mind testifying that I had indeed not cheated from them and it was the other way around.

One last question that I have is, will this make their punishments harsher? And will this process be long and drawn out? Because trimester 1 is about to begin and I need to enrol in my units, and this unit is a prerequisite to trimester 1 units.

I need some serious advice, thanks in advance!