Frequently Asked Questions
on Academic Integrity
Q: Why should academic integrity matter to students?
A: Academic integrity is a fundamental value that is at the core of all academic activities, and all members of the University community have the moral obligation to pass on and acquire knowledge with honesty and integrity. Since students invest a lot of time and effort in their studies, they should be proud to present a diploma they have obtained honestly while respecting the principles of academic integrity.
Q: What are some examples of academic misconduct?
A: Academic integrity touches on a wide range of academic activities. Plagiarism is by far one of the most common examples of academic fraud. Academic misconduct also includes unauthorized group work, buying papers online, reusing an assignment (yours or someone else’s), falsifying or inventing data, falsifying records and helping someone commit academic fraud, among others.
Q: What should students do if they have discovered a colleague has cheated on an assignment or test?
A: Students may speak to their professor or the program’s director. Students who help a colleague commit academic fraud may also be subject to the sanctions imposed under the Policy on Academic Fraud.
Q: What should professors do if they discover that a student has cheated on an assignment or test?
A: The Policy on Academic Fraud indicates that professors should submit any formal allegations of academic fraud along with supporting documentation to the dean of the Faculty concerned. The procedure for dealing with a case of academic fraud is explained thoroughly in the Policy mentioned above.
Q: What types of penalties can be imposed for academic misconduct?
A: Depending on the case, sanctions range from a mark of 0 for the assignment involved or additional credit requirements for the student’s program of study, to more severe penalties such as suspension from the program or expulsion from the Faculty or University (these last two sanctions can be imposed only by the Senate Appeals Committee). A detailed list of the sanctions can be found in the Policy on Academic Fraud.
Q: Can the University revoke a student’s degree if the student commits academic fraud?
A: The Policy on Academic Fraud gives the University the authority to cancel or revoke a student’s “degree, diploma or certificate if the offence relates to the eligibility to receive such degree and was discovered or determined after its award.”
Q: Can reference to an academic integrity sanction appear on a student’s transcript?
A: According to the Policy on Academic Fraud, one of the sanctions that can be imposed by the Senate Appeals Committee for committing academic fraud is the inclusion of the following statement on the student’s academic transcript: “Sanction pursuant to contravention of the University regulations on fraud.
Q: Are group projects subject to the Policy on Academic Fraud?
A: When students work on an authorized group assignment, each group member is accountable for the final product and may be sanctioned if one of the members commits academic fraud in any way. Each member must read the final version of the assignment, keep a copy of it and verify the sources used in all sections of the project.
Q: What resources are available to help students and professors better understand the importance of academic integrity?
A: The Academic Integrity Web site was designed specifically to provide both students and faculty members with information and tools to help them identify and avoid the pitfalls of academic fraud, as well as understand its consequences.