<York Calendars<Undergraduate Calendar 2001-2002<University Policies and Regulations<Senate Policy on Academic Honesty

Penalty Guidelines

It is in the interest of all concerned that students who are being penalized for a breach of academic honesty receive equitable and consistent treatment across the University. To this end, a range of penalties for each offence has been developed which reflects an appropriate realm of sanctions for the variations of each offence. The range has been developed to guide faculties in imposing penalties, and is a reflection of the distinction and limitations of certain Faculties' academic regulations. Senate does not expect the exact penalty to be imposed for the same offence on each and every occasion around the University, as it is recognized that many factors come into play in each individual case. It is necessary, however, that all students found to have committed a specific offence be faced with the same penalty options in the first instance. It is not the intention of these guidelines to restrict the authority or flexibility of faculty committees in imposing the sanctions as listed above in Section E; faculties will, in each case, exercise their discretion, taking into consideration the relevant factors, as outlined below. For the benefit of students, however, faculty committees which impose a sanction outside of the range of penalties (but still within the options outlined above) are encouraged to provide a thorough explanation in their written decision as to why it was deemed warranted.

Factors to be Considered in Imposing Penalties:

Although similar infractions are commonly committed by students University-wide, the circumstances surrounding each may vary to a significant degree. The penalty imposed should reflect, reasonably, these circumstances. Important factors to be considered by committees in imposing penalties or reviewing penalty recommendations are:

(i) Extent of violation: The actions which constitute specific offenses of academic honesty (i.e. plagiarism, cheating) vary in terms of severity. Some instances of academic dishonesty constitute only minor infractions while others represent the most extreme form of violation. Penalties should correspond to the nature of the offence.

(ii) Basic considerations:

(a) The level of the student's academic experience is important in determining the degree to which they should be penalized.

(b) Extenuating circumstances which a student faced at the time in question may help explain the action taken on their part, and due weight should be attached to those circumstances.

(c) If the student admits guilt, accepts responsibility for their action, and is amenable to educative remedies, committees may find it justified to levy a less severe penalty.

(iii) Prior/multiple incidents: If the offence is a second (or subsequent) one for the student and/or is in combination with another offence, then a severe penalty should be considered.

Note: penalties may be imposed singularly or in combination for any offence.

The Range of Penalties by Offence:

Cheating

Examples of cheating include:

(i) cheating on examination or test, or providing unauthorized assistance to another

(ii) obtaining test or examination questions in advance

(iii) attempting to or purchasing an essay for submission as own work

(iv) submission of a single piece of work to two courses without permission

(v) unauthorized collaboration on assignments

Range of penalties:

• written reprimand to student

• rewrite work subject to grade penalty

• grade on work, or section/question, reduced (may be down to "0")

• final grade in course lowered

• retroactive withdrawal from the course+

• grade of "F" in the course

• suspension

• transcript notation

Plagiarism

Examples of plagiarism include:

(i) submission of another's work as own, in part or whole

(ii) paraphrasing/reproducing another's work without proper acknowledgement

Range of penalties:

• written reprimand to student

• rewrite work subject to grade penalty

• grade on work, or section/question, reduced (may be down to "0")

• final grade in course lowered

• retroactive withdrawal from the course+

• grade of "F" in the course

• suspension

• transcript notation

+penalty applicable only to students in the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and imposed only in conjunction with a transcript notation.

Falsification or unauthorized modification of an academic document /record

Examples of documents/records include:

(i) transcripts

(ii) examination/test

(iii) letter of recommendation, or related document

(iv) degree

(v) physician's letter/form

Also includes failure to divulge previous attendance at another post secondary educational institution.

Range of penalties:

• written reprimand to student

• reduced grade on work, or section/question* (may be down to "0")

• final grade in course lowered*

• grade of "F" in the course*

• suspension

• transcript notation

*if specific course involved.

Impersonation

It is a violation of academic honesty to have someone impersonate a student in:

(i) a class

(ii) test or examination

(iii) connection with any other course assignment

Range of penalties:

• grade of "F" in the course

• suspension

• transcript notation

Improper Research Practices

Examples include:

(i) dishonest reporting of investigative results either through fabrication or falsification

(ii) taking or using the research results of others without permission or acknowledgement

(iii) misrepresentation of research results or the methods used

(iv) selective reporting or omission of conflicting information or data to support a particular notion or hypothesis

Range of penalties:

• written reprimand to student

• failure on work (if applicable)

• failure in the course (if applicable)

• suspension

• transcript notation

• withhold or rescind degree, diploma or certificate

Dishonesty in Publication

It is a violation of academic honesty to knowingly publish information that will mislead or deceive readers; this includes:

(i) falsification or fabrication of data or information

(ii) failure to give credit to collaborators as joint authors or the listing as authors of others who have not contributed to the work

Range of penalties:

• written reprimand to student

• failure on work (if applicable)

• failure in the course (if applicable)

• suspension

• transcript notation

• withhold or rescind degree, diploma or certificate

Premature oral or written dissemination of information

Information, data or other information collected with another student or faculty member should not be submitted for publication prematurely without permission.

Range of penalties:

• written reprimand to student

• failure on work (if applicable)

• failure in the course (if applicable)

• suspension

• transcript notation

• withhold or rescind degree, diploma or certificate

Abuse of Confidentiality

Examples include:

(i) taking or releasing the confidential ideas or data of others

(ii) obtaining a computer password assigned to another

(iii) copying or modifying a data file or computer program belonging to another

(iv) violating the integrity of a computer system to harass another, damage software or hardware or evade appropriate monetary charges

Range of penalties:

• written reprimand to student

• failure on work (if applicable)

• failure in the course (if applicable)

• suspension

• transcript notation

• withhold or rescind degree, diploma or certificate

Obstruction of the Academic Activities of Another

Examples include interference or tampering with:

(i) experimental data

(ii) human or animal subject

(iii) written or other creation (painting, sculpture, film)

(iv) a chemical used for scientific study

(v) any other object of study

Range of Penalties:

• written reprimand to student

• reduced grade on work [may be down to "0"] (if applicable)

• failure in the course

• suspension

• transcript notation

• withhold or rescind degree, diploma, or certificate

Aiding or Abetting Academic Misconduct

Examples include:

(i) knowingly assisting others in the preparation of work submitted for appraisal

(ii) offering for sale essays or assignments

Range of penalties:

• written reprimand to student

• failure on work (if applicable)

• failure in the course (if applicable)

• suspension

• transcript notation