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Suspected Academic Integrity Violations

 

The Department of Human Development and Family Studies follows university procedures in event of a suspected violation of academic integrity.

 

Instructors should clearly state their class expectations, including information about what constitutes academic integrity in their course. Be careful not to state absolute sanctions coupled with specific infractions, as it may leave no flexibility on decisions. Both instructors and teaching assistants should follow the Student Code procedures and report all alleged infractions.

Teaching assistants should talk to the course instructor in cases of suspected academic integrity violations. The course instructor will be responsible for reviewing the information and submitting it into the system.

 

  1. In the event of a suspected academic integrity violation/infraction, the instructor will submit a report in the Faculty Academic Integrity Report (FAIR) system.
    1. The instructor will need to identify the suspected infraction (see Student Code for list of potential infractions)
  2. This will generate a letter that will be emailed directly to the student with details about the potential infraction(s).
  3. The student has 10 business days to respond to the allegation in the FAIR system.
    1. Students should continue to attend class.
  4. The student has ONE opportunity to respond to the allegation in the system. The student can include their response and any supportive documentation in the system.
    1. Note that everything must be documented in the FAIR system. Instructors may or may not offer to meet with students to discuss the FAIR allegation.
    2. If the instructor chooses to meet with students, they should document the meeting. 
    3. Instructors can encourage the student to consult with their academic advisor.
  5. Once the student submits their response, the instructor has 5 days to review the response to determine whether an infraction was committed or not.
    1. If it is determined that an infraction was committed, the instructor would also decide what the sanction or consequence will be.
      1. Sanctions: The sanction(s) should be proportional to the severity of the violation. It is appropriate to take into account any mitigating and/or aggravating circumstances. It is perfectly ok to take into account repeated violations in the same semester/same course, but violations in other semesters or other courses should only be addressed by Senate Committee on Student Discipline.
        1. The sanction/consequence will be recorded on the student’s record. Examples of sanctions/consequences include:
          1. A written warning
          2. A make-up assignment of a more difficult nature, or other assignment
          3. Attendances at a workshop on academic integrity
          4. A reduced grade on the assignment
          5. A failing grade on the assignment
          6. A reduced grade for the course
          7. A denial of credit for the proficiency exam
          8. Suspension or dismissal from the university (additional procedures are followed for a suspension/dismissal)
      2. Once the instructor makes a decision about the finding and sanction, they should inform the student through FAIR. The FAIR notice will include required information about the appeal options (the student has 5 business days to submit an appeal).
    2. If it is determined that an infraction was not committed, there will be no sanction and the case will be closed. A letter will be generated and emailed directly to the student to communicate the decision. Nothing will be recorded on the student’s record.

 

The student should continue to go to class and is not allowed to drop the class while the case is open.

 

For instances when the instructor suspects additional alleged violations, please refer to the Instructors’ Quick Reference Guide to Academic Integrity.

 

Timeline: The instructor shall work to resolve the matter and make a determination on a timely basis, within 20 business days from the date of the Allegation Notice if possible. If no finding has been entered by 20 business days after the grade entry deadline for the course, or the date of the Allegation Notice, whichever is the later date, the college may choose to close the case administratively and notify the instructor and student.

 

Additional Instructor Resources: