VIII. Associate Diploma Regulations and Procedures

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Academic Misconduct

Guidelines for Penalties for Academic Misconduct

With the finding of academic misconduct, there is a mandatory penalty of Official Warning which will stay on the student’s record until graduation. In addition, one or more other penalties may be assessed. Following are guidelines used by chairs/directors and deans in determining the appropriate additional penalties. Users need to be aware that these are guidelines and that not all cases will fit neatly into the categories.

The guidelines below provide a range of penalties (minima and maxima) for the various offences identified in the Policy on Academic Misconduct as well as indicate what penalty is deemed to be the “norm” for the offence in the case of a first or second year student. It should be noted that “subsequent offence” means any subsequent offence, not only a subsequent offence in the same category.

For a course-based offence, the chair/director may assign penalties up to and including loss of grades if the offence is a first offence. If there is a previous offence on the student’s record, or if the chair/director believes a stronger penalty is merited, the case is forwarded to the dean for penalty assessment.

In cases where the dean is of the opinion that there is cause for a penalty different from those indicated in the guidelines (either higher or lower), she/he will review the penalty with the Provost and Vice-President Academic. The dean will also consult with the Provost in cases where the contemplated penalty is suspension or expulsion.

In a case where the dean is of the opinion that the finding of guilt is not supported by the evidence, the dean will review the case with the chair/director. If the chair/director and dean are unable to reach an agreement on the case, the dean will consult with the Provost before making final determinations as to the finding of guilt and any penalty to be applied in the event that dean upholds the finding of guilt.

In determining the appropriate penalty the chair/director or dean will take into consideration these guidelines, the recommendation from the instructor, the recommendation from the chair/director (in the case of a dean assigning a penalty), and any other relevant factors such as the relative weight of the assignment, the semester level of the student, the seriousness or extent of the offence (e.g. the amount of work plagiarized), any record of previous offences, and any mitigating circumstances presented by the student.

Guidelines for Penalties for Academic Misconduct in Addition to Official Warning

Offences	First Offence	Subsequent Offences
A. Misappropriation of Other’s Work
1. Plagiarism
Minor	Resubmission of new work Loss of grades³ Zero on the assignment	Loss of grades Zero on the assignment Zero in the course Loss of scholarship/bursary Suspension
Major	Zero in the course Loss of scholarship/bursary Suspension	Zero in the course Loss of scholarship/bursary Suspension Expulsion/Revocation
2. Copying
Minor	Resubmission of new work Loss of grades Zero on the assignment	Loss of grades Zero on the assignment Zero in the course Loss of scholarship/bursary Suspension
Major	Zero in the course Loss of scholarship/bursary Suspension	Zero in the course Loss of scholarship/bursary Suspension Expulsion/Revocation
3. Unauthorized Collaboration
Minor	Resubmission of work Loss of grades Zero on the assignment	Loss of grades Zero on the assignment Zero in the course Loss of scholarship/bursary Suspension
Major	Zero in the course Loss of scholarship/bursary Suspension	Zero in the course Loss of scholarship/bursary Suspension Expulsion/Revocation
B. Misrepresentation and Fraud
1. Impersonation
Minor	Zero on the assignment Zero in the course Loss of scholarship/bursary Suspension	Zero in the course Loss of scholarship/bursary Suspension
Major	Zero in the course Loss of scholarship/bursary Suspension	Zero in the course Loss of scholarship/bursary Suspension Expulsion/Revocation
2. Falsification
In addition to any penalty that may be applied, if a document is discovered to have been falsified, the document is null and void and the action permitted by the document is reversed.	Resubmission of work Loss of grades Zero on the assignment Zero in the course⁴ Loss of scholarship/bursary Suspension/revocation of admission offer	Zero in the course Loss of scholarship/bursary Suspension/revocation of admission offer Expulsion/Revocation
3. Withholding of documents
Minor	Official warning Loss of grades Resubmission of work Zero on the assignment	Zero in the course⁵ Loss of scholarship/bursary Suspension Expulsion/Revocation of degree or admission offer
Major	Zero in the course Loss of scholarship/bursary Suspension Expulsion/Revocation of degree or admission offer	Zero in the course Loss of scholarship/bursary Suspension Expulsion/Revocation of degree or admission offer
4. Unauthorized Aids
	Resubmission of work Loss of grades Zero on the assignment/exam	Zero in the course Loss of scholarship/bursary Suspension Expulsion/Revocation
C. Improper Access and Obstruction⁶
1. Preventing Access
Minor	Official warning Resubmission of work Loss of grades Zero on the assignment	Zero in the course Loss of scholarship/bursary Suspension
Major	Zero in the course Loss of scholarship/bursary Suspension	Zero in the course Loss of scholarship/bursary Suspension Expulsion/Revocation
2. Obstruction and Interference	Loss of grades Zero on the assignment Zero in the course Loss of scholarship/bursary Suspension	Zero in the course Loss of scholarship/bursary Suspension Expulsion/Revocation
3. Improper Access	Zero in the course Loss of scholarship/bursary Suspension Expulsion/Revocation	Zero in the course Loss of scholarship/bursary Suspension Expulsion/Revocation
4. Improper Dissemination	Zero in the course (if applicable) Suspension	Zero in the course Loss of scholarship/bursary Suspension Expulsion/Revocation

³Bolded text indicates the normal expectation for penalty for a first or second year undergraduate, or first year graduate student.

⁴ If the falsified document is course-related (e.g. medical note).

⁵If the withheld information would have affected admission to a course.

⁶ These offences may also be subject to penalty under the Student Rights and Responsibilities Policy.

2007-2008 University of Guelph Diploma Program Calendar

VIII. Associate Diploma Regulations and Procedures

Academic Misconduct

Guidelines for Penalties for Academic Misconduct

Guidelines for Penalties for Academic Misconduct in Addition to Official Warning