The Vice-Provost may delegate their authority under this policy to an appropriate designate(s). Such delegation may be full (for example, all cases are delegated to a Program Head), or partial (for example, authority with respect to offences related to course work may be delegated to a Program Head). The Vice-Provost must provide the University’s Judicial Officer with the name(s) of individual(s) to whom authority has been delegated under this policy.

For offences related to course work (including examinations):

The relevant Program Head in which the course is offered, and the Program Head in which the student is enrolled (if different) should receive a copy of the decision.

For offences not related to courses, or for course offences involving students not enrolled in the course, the Vice-Provost is responsible for administering the policy.

In the event that the Vice-Provost has a conflict of interest in dealing with a case, the Vice-Provost will appoint another faculty member to deal with the case. In the event that the Vice-Provost’s designate has a conflict of interest in dealing with a case, the Vice-Provost may appoint an alternate designate.

Wherever in this policy it states that a student is to be contacted, the normal expectation is that such contact will be made using the student’s University of Guelph-Humber e-mail account.

Examinations

The responsibility for preventing and detecting academic misconduct in an examination lies with the faculty member responsible for the course and the examination invigilators, although they may make use of reports from others to assist them in detection. In cases of suspected impersonation, the faculty member shall require the student concerned to remain after the examination until the student is satisfactorily identified. In other cases of suspected academic misconduct, the faculty member shall allow the student to complete the examination, but:

• may require that the student complete the examination in another location or setting when it is deemed that such action will cause the least disruption of those taking the examination; and

• shall confiscate any suspect material (including those portions of the examination completed to that point), along with the student’s other examination booklet(s) (collected at the end of the exam).

The chief invigilator shall give a full report, together with any confiscated material, to the faculty-in-charge of the course if the faculty is not the chief invigilator.

Term assignments, including research and thesis work

The initial responsibility for detecting academic misconduct on term assignments, etc., necessarily lies with the person(s) responsible for evaluation and discussion of the student’s work, although that person may make use of reports from others to assist in detection, and may make use of electronic means of detection appropriate to the discipline. Where academic misconduct is suspected, the evaluator/marker shall retain possession of any suspect material and give a full report in writing together with any confiscated material to the faculty-in-charge of the course, or to the student’s Program Head, if the faculty/advisor is not the evaluator/marker. At this stage, the student will be informed by the faculty/advisor that a suspicion of academic misconduct is being investigated.

Cases outside the domain of examinations or assignments

The responsibility for detecting academic misconduct in the context of an academic environment that is not part of the formal examination or assignment process rests with the entire University community. Where academic misconduct is suspected, but where it is unclear whether it is directly related to a specific course, or where the specific course is unknown, those with knowledge of an offence should contact the Program Head, for the program in which the student is enrolled. If the suspected offence appears to be related to a specific course, then the faculty of the course should be contacted.

Offences Related to Course Work, Research, Thesis Work or Examinations

1. When an faculty suspects that an academic offence has been committed, they are responsible for gathering evidence to support or allay the suspicion and may invite the student to meet with them to discuss the concerns. The faculty should pursue the gathering of evidence in a timely way. The normal expectation for assignments due within the semester is that facultys will complete their evidence gathering within ten working days of the due date for the assignment. For assignments submitted at the end of the semester or during the examination period, the faculty has until the tenth day of the subsequent semester to collect the evidence and determine whether to pursue a case. In a case where a faculty requires substantial additional time to collect and review the evidence, they may seek an extension of time from the Program Head.

2. If after reviewing the available evidence the faculty believes an offence may have been committed, they shall refer the case to the Program Head responsible for the course. The referral document will include all evidentiary material collected by the faculty along with the transmittal form on which the faculty may include a recommendation with respect to penalty should the allegation be upheld. A copy of the first page of the transmittal form shall be sent to the Office of the Vice-Provost by the Program Head.

3. If the Program Head believes that there is sufficient evidence to support a charge of academic misconduct, they will forward the transmittal form and all evidentiary material to the Vice-Provost, normally within ten working days of receipt of the allegation from the faculty.

4. Normally within ten working days of receipt of the case from the Program Head, the Vice-Provost will invite the student to meet with them to discuss the allegation(s). If the student does not respond within ten working days to the request for an interview, or if the student refuses to attend an interview, the Vice-Provost may proceed with a decision in the case. The student may be accompanied at the meeting by a support person. Prior to meeting with the student, the Vice-Provost may consult with any individuals they believe pertinent to the case. At the meeting, the student will be presented with the evidence collected by the faculty and Program Head to that point. Based on the student's response to the evidence, the Vice-Provost may engage in further consultation with any individuals they deem pertinent to the case. The student will be informed of any other evidence gathered as a result of those consultations and be given an opportunity to respond prior to the Vice-Provost reaching a decision on the case.

5. If after weighing the available evidence the Vice-Provost finds an offence has been committed, the Vice-Provost will contact Registrarial Services as appropriate to determine whether this is a first offence.

6. In determining the appropriate penalty, the Vice-Provost will consult the Guidelines for Penalties for Academic Misconduct, will take into consideration the recommendation from the faculty and/or Program Head and consider such factors as the relative weight of the assignment, the semester level of the student, any record of previous offences, the seriousness of the offence (e.g. the amount of work plagiarized), and any mitigating circumstances presented by the student.

7. Normally within ten working days of the meeting with the student, or ten days from the date of the final communication with the student with respect to any additional evidence, the Vice-Provost will inform the student in writing of the disposition of the case. In a case where the Vice-Provost requires substantial additional time to review the evidence and come to a judgment, they may announce an extension of time for reaching the decision.

   Should the Vice-Provost determine that an academic offence has not been committed they shall so inform the student, the faculty and the Program Head, in writing. A copy of the letter will be forwarded to Academic Advisor and the Campus Registrar. Thereafter, the complaint shall have no official status as an accusation of academic misconduct and no record of the complaint shall be maintained on the student's record²

   Should the Vice-Provost determine that an academic offence has been committed, they shall inform the student in writing. The written notification should include the offence for which the student has been found guilty and information with respect to penalty. Copies of the written notification should be sent to the faculty, the Program Head, the Academic Advisor and to the Campus Registrar.

8. In a case where the Vice-Provost believes suspension or a recommendation for expulsion/revocation is warranted, they should consult with the Vice-President’s Academic (U of G and Humber) before making a final determination with respect to penalty.

² A statistical record will be kept by the Office of the Vice-Provost for annual reporting purposes.

Other Offences

1. Cases involving offences that are not course-related are dealt with by the Vice-Provost. Examples of such offences include, but are not limited to falsification of credentials for admission purposes, damaging of library materials, abetting the cheating of another in a course in which the abettor is not enrolled, and obstructing or interfering with the academic activities of others.

2. When a case is brought to the attention of the Vice-Provost, the Vice-Provost shall inform the student that an allegation has been made and invite the student to meet to discuss the allegation. The Vice-Provost will also inform the Campus Registrar (as appropriate). If the student does not respond within ten working days to the request for an interview or refuses to attend an interview, the Vice-Provost may proceed with a decision in the case. The student may be accompanied at the meeting by a support person. Prior to meeting with the student, the Vice-Provost may meet with any individuals or collect evidence as they deem pertinent to the case. At the meeting, the student will be presented with the evidence collected by the Vice-Provost to that point. Based on the student's response to the evidence, if necessary the Vice-Provost may consult with any other individuals they deem pertinent to the case. The student will be informed of any other evidence gathered as a result of those consultations and be given an opportunity to respond prior to the Vice-Provost reaching a decision on the case.

3. If after weighing the available evidence the Vice-Provost finds that an offence has been committed, the Vice-Provost will contact Registrarial Services as appropriate to determine whether this is a first offence. The Vice-Provost may impose penalties in accordance with Penalties A. and B., above. In the event that the Vice-Provost believes suspension, expulsion or revocation to be warranted, they shall proceed as in Procedure C.1. (h).

4. Normally within ten days of meeting with the student, or of the final communication with the student with respect to evidence, the Vice Provost shall inform the student in writing of their decision in the case, and copy the letter to the relevant university officials, including Undergraduate Program Services/Graduate Program Services (as appropriate). In a case where the Vice Provost requires substantial additional time to gather evidence and make a judgment, they may seek an extension from the Provost and Vice-President Academic.