Academic integrity is all about demonstrating your commitment to the academic process. It’s about being trustworthy and honest. It’s about giving credit to the researchers and writers you’ve learned from. This isn’t a subject you should avoid; You should show your commitment to academic integrity at every opportunity!
Academic Misconduct Roadmap
for Students
MISCONDUCT NOTIFICATION
This email from your professor is your notification. Take a deep breath, we are all here to support you and address misconduct with education and understanding.
SDS SUPPORT
Reach out to slt@nipissingu.ca to book an appointment for navigation and educational support. You'll be walked through the process.
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
This process can feel stressful, scary, and intimidating. Reach out to nipissingu.ca/mhwellness for resources.
EDUCATIONAL PROCESS
Learning is the core of this policy. You'll work with a Learning Coordinator to navigate the university's academic integrity modules and receive individual instruction on your misconduct.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
You'll write a letter to acknowledge your misconduct, discuss your new knowledge, and demonstrate your commitment to future academic integrity.
DECISION
The decision on penalties comes from the your professor's recommendation and the Associate Dean's judgement. There is an appeal process.
- Prevention
- When there’s a suspicion
- When there’s a finding
- Appealing a decision
- Progressive discipline
- Penalty hearings
Academic Integrity Quiz
Academic Integrity Video Resources
Plagiarism
Take a Sicilian journey in this video to find out what the Academic Dishonesty Policy says about plagiarism at Nipissing University.
Paraphrasing
Have you ever created an original joke only to have your friend re-tell it as theirs? Then "Fall" into this journey of paraphrasing.
Citing Images
We’re off to the Louvre in Paris for a “citing” of the Mona Lisa! In this video we learn about referencing images.
Cheating
Take a journey to a countryside ranch in this video. Find out how to avoid getting tied up in cheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the most common examples of academic dishonesty?
- Plagiarism
- Cheating (e.g. unauthorized cheat sheets, using two computers in lockdown, …)
- Contract cheating (e.g. buying/obtaining term papers, or assignments, subscriptions)
- Submitting the same piece of work for more than one course without the instructor’s permission.
- Impersonating another person in a test or exam
- Unauthorized collaboration on individual assignments, tests or exams
- Falsifying, misrepresenting, or forging an academic record or supporting document
- Improper computer/calculator use
- Fabrication: creating, altering, or reporting (e.g. changing lab data to fit the hypothesis, - inventing quotes to support an argument)
What are the top reasons students report for engaging in academic dishonesty?
- Tedious, frustrating, suffering, hate, stressed
- Sick, fatigue, life events
- Employment, family, academic workload
- Procrastination
- Lack of understanding of academic misconduct (Just didn’t know this was plagiarism).
- Dismiss the severity of academic dishonesty.
- Students think it's teamwork not academic dishonesty.
What is Plagiarism?
Plagiarism – includes but is not limited to:
- Claiming, submitting or presenting the words, ideas, artistry, drawings, images or data of another person, including information found on the Internet and unpublished materials, as if they are one’s own, without appropriate referencing;
- Claiming, submitting or presenting someone else’s work, ideas, opinions or theories as if they are one's own, without proper referencing;
- Claiming, submitting or presenting collaborative work as if it were created solely by oneself or one’s group;
- Submitting the same work, in whole or in part, for credit in two or more courses, or in the same course more than once, without the prior written permission of the instructor;
- Minimally paraphrasing someone else’s work by changing only a few words and not citing the original source.
How can I avoid plagiarism?
- Start your assignment early
- Keep track of the sources you consult in your research.
- Paraphrase or quote from your sources (and add your own ideas).
- Credit the original author with an in-text citation and in your reference list.
- Still unsure? Book an appointment here.
What happens if I am accused of academic misconduct?
What is Falsifying?
Falsifying, misrepresenting, or forging an academic record or supporting document – includes but is not limited to:
- Furnishing false information in the context of an academic assignment
- Fabricating or altering information or data and presenting it as legitimate
- Providing false or misleading information to an instructor or any other university staff member
- Falsifying clearance forms, practicum and placement documentation.
- Falsifying doctor's note.
- Misrepresentation of credentials.
- Forging an instructor’s or university official’s signature on any document.
- Submitting an altered transcript of grades to or from another institution or employer.
- Putting your name on, or copying, another person’s paper or assignment.
- Altering a previously graded exam or assignment for purposes of a grade appeal.
For a finding of Academic Misconduct to be supported, based on the information presented by the instructor (and the student, if provided), it must be determined that it is more likely than not that the student engaged in Academic Misconduct. This contrasts with the stricter burden of “beyond a reasonable doubt” used in criminal law. Thus, the onus is on the University to establish that the student has committed Academic Misconduct on a balance of probabilities.
Instructor investigates
The instructor will first make reasonable inquiries to investigate the circumstances of the suspected Academic Misconduct. If the instructor has reason to believe that a student has committed Academic Misconduct, the instructor will inform the student and invite the student to meet to discuss the matter. Before notifying the student, the instructor is encouraged to meet with their Chair/Director to seek clarification on the Academic Integrity Policy and process.
Proctors, Teaching Assistants or Invigilators
If a proctor, teaching assistant or invigilator becomes aware of Academic Misconduct, they will collect and notify the course instructor who will proceed as detailed in this policy.
Instructor makes an initial determination
If after meeting with the student and reviewing the evidence, the instructor is satisfied that no Academic Misconduct occurred, no further action will be taken by the instructor unless new evidence comes to their attention.
Or, if after meeting with the student (or if the student fails to respond to the request for a meeting or does not attend a prearranged meeting) the instructor decides that Academic Misconduct has occurred, the instructor will prepare a report on the Academic Misconduct. The report will summarize the relevant facts and evidence, including the student’s version of events if given. The report will additionally state whether the instructor considers the misconduct to be Minor or Major, the reasons, as well as any extraordinary circumstances that may be important in the case. Before preparing the Academic Misconduct report, the instructor is encouraged to meet with their Chair/Director to seek clarification on the Academic Integrity Policy and process.
If the Academic Misconduct is Minor, the instructor will determine the penalty and provide the student, the Associate Dean, and the Registrar with a copy of the report. The instructor should also provide any supporting documentation to the Associate Dean.
If the Academic Misconduct is Major, the instructor will recommend a penalty and provide the student, Associate Dean and Registrar with a copy of the report. The instructor should also provide any supporting documentation to the Associate Dean.
Opportunity for comment by student
Should the student wish to add to or clarify the information in the report, the student may request a meeting or send written comments to the Associate Dean, within 10 business days from the date of the report. Before meeting with the Associate Dean, the student is encouraged to meet with their program Chair/Director and/or a representative from NUSU for further assistance on the process.
Associate Dean makes decision on Second Minor, or First Major Academic Misconduct
The Associate Dean will review the report provided by the instructor, comments provided by the student, and check for any previous Academic Misconduct.
If there’s been a previous minor Academic Misconduct, the Associate Dean will inform the student in writing. The student will be given the opportunity to schedule a meeting with the Associate Dean and/or send written comments to them within 10 business days of being informed.
The Associate Dean will decide on the penalty and will inform the student, the instructor, the Dean, and the Registrar in writing.
Registrar makes the decision on Academic Misconduct from Applicants
The Registrar will review all evidence, decide on the penalty and inform the applicant in writing. Penalties will include but not limited to cancelling the application for admission to the university.
Associate Dean recommends decision to the Dean in cases of Subsequent Academic Misconduct
In cases of Subsequent Academic Misconduct:
- after a Second Minor;
- after a First Major;
- when a First Major occurs where a Minor is already on record; the Associate Dean will inform the student in writing. The student will be given the opportunity to schedule a meeting with the Associate Dean and/or send written comments to them within 10 business days of being informed. The Associate Dean will recommend a penalty and provide a report outlining the reasons for their recommendation to the Dean.
The Dean makes decision in cases of Subsequent Academic Misconduct
The Dean will review the Associate Dean’s report, the report and supporting documentation provided by the instructor, as well as the comments provided by the student, and determine an appropriate penalty. The Dean will inform the student, the instructor, the Associate Dean, and the Registrar in writing.
Student Appeals
The student may appeal an instructor’s or Associate Dean’s decision in writing to the Dean, setting out the grounds for appeal, within three weeks of the date of receiving the report on Academic Misconduct.
The grounds for appeal are:
- New information that would have had a significant impact on the students’ performance and could not have been reasonably provided to the instructor and/or Associate Dean beforehand.
- Procedure Irregularities in the conduct of the assessment or course, where the result may have been different if it had not occurred.
Students may not appeal penalties that they believe are worse than they deserve.
The Dean will normally respond to the appeal within three weeks of receiving the appeal. Before submitting an appeal the student is encouraged to meet with their program Chair/Director and/or a representative from NUSU to seek clarification of the appeal process.
The student may appeal the Dean’s decision by writing to the Chair of the Academic Appeal Committee, setting out the grounds for appeal, within three weeks of receiving the Dean’s decision in writing. The Academic Appeal Committee will normally respond to the appeal within six weeks of receiving the appeal.
Late Withdrawal
Late withdrawals will not be granted for courses with an Academic Misconduct.
Course completion or withdrawal is not a stay of proceedings
A student’s completion of a course, or withdrawal from a course, program, or the University, does not stay or prevent proceedings for Academic Misconduct under this policy. Further, penalties for Academic Misconduct determined under this policy will appear as appropriate on the student’s record, including the student’s transcript, despite any such course completion or withdrawal.
Rescinding of degree
If an incidence of Academic Misconduct is discovered after the degree has been awarded, the University retains the right to rescind the degree.
Removal of transcript notations
Academic Dishonesty, AD, transcript notations will be automatically removed at the time of graduation. If a student wishes to have the transcript notation removed sooner, an application can be made in writing to the Provost & Vice President Academic and Research. The letter should explain the reason for the request, what the student has learned from the experience, and what they have done to ensure violations of Academic Misconduct will not occur again. Such applications may not be initiated before one year has passed.
Penalties for Academic Misconduct:
The penalty for a student who has committed Academic Misconduct will be based on whether the behaviour is classified as Minor or Major Academic Misconduct.
The instructor will make the initial determination if the offence is Minor or Major. In deciding whether the Academic Misconduct is Minor or Major, consideration will be given to the following factors:
- the extent of the misconduct;
- whether the conduct in question was deliberate or whether the student ought reasonably to have known;
- the importance of the work in question as a component of the course or program;
- the academic experience of the student;
- previous Academic Misconduct; and,
- any other relevant circumstances.
Appendix B provides guidance on determining if a case is Minor vs Major Academic Misconduct, for consistency and fairness in the application of penalties. The guiding principle when determining if Academic Misconduct is Minor or Major, and of the range of penalty assigned, is that the instructor, Associate Dean, and Dean should exercise their discretion in applying disciplinary actions that are fair, equitable, transparent, and proportionate to the act(s) for which actions are being applied. Therefore, the above factors shall also be taken into consideration in determining the penalty.
For cases of Academic Misconduct that, in the initial determination made by the instructor, do not rise to the level of either Minor or Major Misconduct, the instructor may close the matter with no further action, a verbal or written warning to the student, and/or a recommendation that the student review the University policy on Academic Integrity and any supporting resources.
Otherwise, the recommended penalties for all case Academic Misconduct shall be:
First Minor Academic Misconduct: Partial or total loss of marks on the piece of academic work. The recommended penalty is total loss of marks on the piece of work. For Nursing clinical courses, where the final grade is satisfactory or unsatisfactory, an opportunity to resubmit the piece of work is recommended.
Second Minor, or First Major Academic Misconduct: A grade of zero on the piece of academic work, a transcript notation of AD for Academic Dishonesty, a failing final grade, or a final grade of zero in the course will also be levied. For courses that are graded as either pass or fail (e.g. Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory), the penalty will be a failing grade (e.g. Unsatisfactory).
Penalties may differ for students in programs that are required to follow a professional code of ethics or code of conduct; including but not limited to reporting the misconduct to the governing body. Consult your program Chair/Director for more information.
Subsequent Academic Misconduct: In the case of
- any type of Academic Misconduct after a Second Minor;
- any type of Academic Misconduct after a First Major; or,
- a First Major, where a Minor is already on record; the penalty will be a period of suspension from the University ranging from one term to one year. In addition, a zero grade in the course and the AD notation for the course will be assigned. If a student, who is otherwise eligible to graduate, has been suspended for Academic Misconduct, the student may not graduate until the period of the suspension has been served.
The penalty for any student committing any type of Academic Misconduct following one of the three instances listed above, will be expulsion from the University.
The penalties for Academic Misconduct as described above will be levied unless there are extraordinary circumstances which justify a different penalty.