Discipline and Appeals

• Policy on Academic Dishonesty
• Student Appeals and Petitions
• Guidelines for the Senate Committee on Student Appeals and Individual Appeals Panels
• Guidelines for the Operation of the Standing and Petitions Committee

Policy on Academic Dishonesty

Plagiarism

1. the work submitted or presented was done, in whole or in part, by an individual other than the one submitting or presenting the work.
2. parts of the work (e.g. phrases, ideas through paraphrase or sentences) are taken from another source without reference to the original author.
3. the whole work (e.g. an essay) is copied from another source and/or
4. a student submits or presents a work in one course which has also been submitted or presented in another course (although it may be completely original with that student) without the knowledge or prior agreement of the instructors involved.
5. plagiarism should be noted and reported to the Dean.
6. students should be informed of the University’s definition and policy on plagiarism at the beginning of each course.

Cheating

Cheating at tests or examinations includes, but is not limited to, dishonest or attempted dishonest conduct such as speaking to other candidates or communicating with them under any circumstances whatsoever; bringing into the examination room any textbook, notebook, or memoranda not authorized by the examiner, or leaving answer papers exposed to view.

1. assignment of a grade of zero in the assignment, test, or exam;
2. assignment of a grade of zero in the course in which the offence is committed;
3. suspension from attendance in all courses in which the student is registered at the time the offence was committed, and loss of credit for any course or courses which have not been completed or in which no grade or final evaluation has been registered at the time the offence was committed;
4. suspension from the Faculty;
5. expulsion from the Faculty;
6. suspension from the University; or
7. expulsion from the University. Withdrawal from a course will not preclude proceedings in respect of academic offences committed in the course, and the right to withdraw may be refused where an academic offence is alleged.

Instructor’s Action

The initial responsibility for punitive action lies with the Instructor. The Instructor may assign a grade of zero for that particular assignment, test or exam, or may assign a grade of zero in the course. The Instructor will advise the Department Chair, the Dean, and the Registrar of the action taken.

Suspension or Expulsion by Dean

The Dean of the Faculty may exercise his or her authority to suspend or expel the student from the Faculty. The suspension or expulsion will be confirmed in writing to the student by registered mail and the Department Chair and the Registrar will be notified. Suspension or Expulsion by President If, upon suspending or expelling a student from a Faculty, the Dean determines that the severe sanction of suspension or expulsion from the University is warranted, such a recommendation may be made to the President who may act to expel or suspend the student from the University.

Appeals

1. A student who is assigned a grade of zero in an assignment, test, or examination may appeal the grade to the Senate Appeals Committee.
2. An undergraduate student who is suspended or expelled from the University may appeal that decision to the Senate Subcommittee on Undergraduate Standing and Petitions. A graduate student who is suspended or expelled from the University may appeal that decision to the Graduate Studies Committee of Senate.
3. The final appeal in all cases shall be the appropriate Senate Committee.

Transcript Notation

1. The symbols AD (Academic Dishonesty) will be entered on the student’s Academic Transcript.
2. The notation “suspended (or expelled) from the Faculty (or University) for academic dishonesty” will be entered on the student’s Academic Transcript and Grade Report upon receipt of such a notice by the Registrar from the Dean.
3. The symbols RW (Required to Withdraw) will be entered in the grade column on the student’s Academic Transcript or Grade Report in the courses in which he or she was registered for that session except for the courses in which a “0” was given as a penalty or which have already been completed and a grade assigned.
4. The record of a student will be cleared of the notation “suspended (or expelled) for academic dishonesty” upon re-admission to and successful completion of a degree program. The zero grades given because of cheating will remain but the symbol AD will be changed to F. The symbol RW will remain as such.

Re-admission

1. A student who has been placed under suspension from a Faculty is conditionally eligible to reapply for admission or registration in the same Faculty at either the end of a specified time or thereafter.
2. A student under suspension from a Faculty may not apply or be considered for re-admission to the University in another Faculty until at least after the next regular Fall/Winter Session has passed.
3. A student who is expelled from a Faculty is dismissed permanently from the Faculty with no right to reapply for admission.
4. A student who is expelled from the University is dismissed permanently from the University with no right to reapply for admission. Note: Suspension does not imply automatic re-admission. An interview and subsequent positive recommendation from the Dean must satisfy eligibility for re-admission.

A) Grade Appeals/Petitions

Definitions:

1. An appeal to the Dean is a request that a grade on a particular piece of work or final standing in a course or program be changed on grounds related to the accuracy or fairness of the mark assigned. These grounds must be provided by the individual making the appeal.
2. A petition to the Dean is a request that a grade be adjusted, or a course requirement specified by the instructor be waived, on compassionate grounds or because of extenuating circumstances.
3. An appeal to the Committee is a request that a decision of the Dean regarding an appeal or petition to the Dean be changed or a request that a decision with regard to academic dishonesty be changed.

B) Appeals Procedures Concerning Academic Dishonesty

Appeals of decisions concerning academic dishonesty shall be submitted directly to the Chair of the Committee.

C) Appeals Procedures for Matters other than Academic Dishonesty

1. Any student who feels there are grounds for an appeal or petition should immediately try to discuss the matter with the instructor. If the student is not satisfied with this informal session, the student must, as soon as possible, and not later than 30 days after official notification of the final grade, discuss the matter with the Dean.
2. In the event that the Dean is not able to mediate a resolution, a formal appeal or petition must be submitted in writing to the Dean specifying:
1. The grade, decision, conduct, or course requirement being appealed or petitioned for change;
2. the relevant dates on which the grade was assigned, the decision taken, or conduct occurred;
3. full details of the grounds on which the appeal or petition is made, including copies of all relevant documents;
4. the precise redress requested.
3. The Dean will consider the appeal or petition and will render a written decision within 30 calendar days of receipt of the formal request. The written decision will address the grounds on which the request was made and indicate which grounds were accepted or rejected and why. Copies of the written decision will be provided to all parties concerned. In the event that the precise redress requested by the Appellant is not granted by the Dean, the Dean must inform the Appellant of his/her right to appeal the Dean’s decision to the Student Appeals Committee.
4. If the Appellant wishes to appeal the Dean’s decision to the Student Appeals Committee such appeal must be launched within 14 calendar days from the date the Dean’s decision was rendered. Such an appeal must be submitted in writing to the Dean’s office for transmission to the Chair of the Committee and must clearly specify those points of the Dean’s decision which are being appealed. It should be noted that this is not the place to introduce new issues not previously raised in the appeal or petition to the Dean, and the Committee will not consider these new issues.

Notice

1. Once an appeal of the Dean’s decision has been lodged, the Appellant is entitled to have reasonable notice of Committee meetings to hear evidence. The Appellant is expected to meet all reasonable deadlines with regard to the submission of material;
2. The Dean shall forward to the Committee Chair the appeal or petition and supporting documentation that formed the basis for the Dean’s decision. The Committee Chair shall normally call a meeting within 10 calendar days of receipt of the aforementioned material;
3. The student and the Dean are entitled to at least five calendar days notice of the scheduled meeting(s) of the Committee.

Student Appeals Committee

Membership

1. Ex Officio Members:
1. the Registrar, who shall be Chair.
2. Members Elected by Senate:
1. one (1) tenured or tenure-track faculty Senator from each Faculty, one of whom shall be elected by the Committee to serve as Vice-Chair;
2. one (1) faculty non-Senator* from each Faculty;
3. one (1) student representative from each Faculty; and
4. one (1) graduate student representative.
3. Terms of Reference:
1. to periodically review University policies and procedures regarding student appeals (other than petitions for exceptions to University academic regulations), and to make recommendations to Senate as necessary and appropriate;
2. where it appears that University policies or practices are giving rise to otherwise avoidable student appeals, to draw this to the attention of the appropriate University bodies or individuals for further consideration and possible action;
3. to receive student appeals and convene individual Appeal Panels to provide an impartial adjudication of last resort for students who have exhausted all other prescribed avenues of appeal; and
4. to deal with such other matters as may be assigned from time to time by Senate.

Individual Appeal Panels

1. Members (to be determined by the Student Appeals Committee):
1. three (3) faculty members of the Student Appeals Committee from outside the appellant’s Faculty, with the two (2) members who have served longest on the Committee acting as Chair and Vice-Chair;
2. one (1) faculty member of the Student Appeals Committee from the appellant’s Faculty, but outside the appellant’s program area(s);
3. one (1) student member or graduate student member of the Student Appeals Committee from outside the appellant’s Faculty;
4. one (1) student member or graduate student member of the Student Appeals Committee from the appellant’s Faculty; and
5. the Registrar.
2. Terms of Reference:
1. to consider and rule on a student appeal of:
1. a Dean’s decision in response to a request that a grade on a particular piece of work or final standing in a course be changed on grounds related to the accuracy or fairness of the mark assigned;
2. a Dean’s decision in response to a request that a grade be adjusted or a course requirement be waived on compassionate grounds or because of extenuating circumstances; or
3. a decision by a course instructor or Dean arising from an allegation of academic dishonesty which results in a grade penalty or other punitive action, including a reference to academic dishonesty on the appellant’s academic transcript;
2. to conduct the appeal hearing in accordance with University policies and procedures regarding student appeals;
3. in the case of a grade appeal, to send the appellant’s relevant academic work to an external assessor for re-marking, if necessary and appropriate;
4. to determine in each case that the original decision be:
1. fully upheld; or
2. partially or fully set aside, with specific details on any redress or accommodations which are being awarded; and
5. to inform the appellant and the Dean in writing of the Appeal Panel’s ruling, including fully and clearly set out grounds for the decision. 

Academic Petitions

1. was beyond your control;
2. could not reasonably have been anticipated or overcome; and
3. has seriously affected your studies.

1. A completed copy of the Academic Petition Form;
2. A Personal Letter (typed or clearly handwritten);
3. Any relevant supporting documentation (i.e. petitions submitted on medical grounds require an Attending Physician’s Statement; those requesting late course registration must include a Late Course Registration Form, etc.).

Please Note:

• Academic petitions are not appropriate for grade appeals, coursework issues within the term, course content concerns or fee refund requests.
• Undergraduate Standing and Petitions Subcommittee decisions are final and may not be appealed.

Guidelines for the Operation of the Standing and Petitions Committee

Committee Composition

The Committee shall consist of:

Terms of Reference

1. to periodically review the University’s policies and criteria with respect to defining and assessing undergraduate academic standing, and make recommendations to the Undergraduate Studies Committee as necessary and appropriate, for conveyance to Senate;
2. to consider and rule on petitions by undergraduate students for exceptions to University academic regulations*;
3. where it appears that undergraduate degree or program requirements or other academic regulations are giving rise to otherwise avoidable student petitions, to draw this to the attention of the Undergraduate Studies Committee or other individuals for further consideration and possible action;
4. through the degree audit process, to identify graduating students who are eligible for consideration for major undergraduate academic awards and to forward this information to those charged with making the final selections;
5. to deal with such other matters as may be assigned from time to time by the Undergraduate Studies Committee or by Senate; and
6. to rule on the admissibility of candidates who fail to meet normal University admission requirements, but who, in the opinion of the Registrar, deserve special consideration*;