Guidelines for the Assessment of Penalties

(effective September 13, 2010)

(For the previous year's guidelines, see Guidelines for the Assessment of Penalties, effective September 1, 2009-September 12, 2010)

See Framework for the Assessment of Unauthorized Collaboration Involving Undergraduate Students

See Framework for the Assessment of Undergraduate Plagiarism

See Framework for the Assessment of Graduate Plagiarism

These charts list typical penalties for various offences. The charts are approved and maintained by the Associate Deans.

The factors to be considered when determining a penalty are set out in section 4 of Policy 71 – Student Discipline. A penalty might be lessened with mitigating circumstances or increased with aggravating circumstances. Disciplinary probation is imposed on a first-time offended (unless there are extraordinary reasons for not doing so). A subsequent offence (an offence committed after a penalty has been imposed for a different incident of misconduct) will normally lead to a more severe penalty, including suspension or the requirement to take additional course(s).

Academic Offence - Undergraduate Student

Offence

Penalty

Plagiarism/cheating on assignments (e.g., copying) in courses with numeric grades

0 on the course element; a further 5 marks off the final course grade

Plagiarism/cheating on assignments (e.g., copying) in courses graded CR/NCR

0 on the course element; extra work assigned as appropriate (such extra work does not make up for the 0 on the course element)

Theft of intellectual property

0 on the course element; a further 5 marks off the final course grade; 2-term suspension or extra courses; letter of apology as appropriate

In a term test or final exam situation – cheating; use or possession of unauthorized aid; violation of exam regulations

Opportunistic: 0 on the test or exam; a further 5 marks off the final course grade
Premeditated: 0 on the test or exam; failure in the course; will include suspension

Plagiarism on work reports

AHS, ARTS, ENV, MATH, SCIENCE: Denial of work report credit
ENG: 38% (not included in the average); satisfactory completion of an additional essay

Failure to indicate previous post-secondary education

Denial of transfer credit. For an individual who would not be admissible, denial of transfer credit and one-term suspension. Expulsion possible in cases of malicious intent

Misrepresentation (e.g., lying; altering medical note or work term performance evaluation, falsifying work history or résumé)

Related to an assignment:   for courses with numeric grades: 0 on the course element; a further 5 marks off the final course grade; for courses graded CR/NCR: 0 on the course element; extra work assigned as appropriate (such extra work does not make up for the 0 on the course element)
Related to tests or exams:  0 on the test or exam; failure in the course; will include suspension
Related to co-op: failed work term; removal from co-op where work terms are optional

Impersonation, including misuse of a clicker; obtaining, distributing, or receiving confidential academic material; forged letters or signatures

0 on the course element; normally will include suspension

Admissions fraud, including forged admissions documents

Expulsion

Unauthorized co-operation or collaboration; unauthorized resubmission of work

0 on the course element; a further 5 marks off the final course grade

Misconduct in research

Removal of privileges; depending on the severity of the event penalty may vary from 0 in the course to expulsion

Contravention of statute

Varies depending on severity

Subsequent Offence

Offence

Penalty

2nd

More severe penalty than for a first offence in that category; will include suspension

3rd

More severe penalty than for a second offence in that category; 3-term suspension

4th

Expulsion

Academic Offence - Graduate Student

Offence

Penalty

Plagiarism/cheating on assignments (e.g. copying) in courses with numeric grades

0 on the course element; a further 5 marks off the final course grade; may include suspension

Plagiarism/cheating on assignments (e.g. copying) in courses graded CR/NCR

NCR in the course; may include suspension

Theft of intellectual property

2-term suspension

Plagiarism on Comprehensive/Thesis

Failed Comprehensive/Thesis; expulsion

In a term test or final exam situation - cheating; use or possession of unauthorized aid; violation of exam regulations

Opportunistic: 0 on the test or exam; a further 5 marks off the final course grade; 1-term suspension
Premeditated: 0 on the test or exam; failure in the course;2-term suspension

Failure to indicate previous post-secondary education

Denial of transfer credit; expulsion possible in cases of malicious intent

Misrepresentation (e.g., lying; altering medical note or work term performance evaluation, falsifying work history or résumé)

Expulsion

Unauthorized co-operation or collaboration; unauthorized resubmission of work

0 on the course element; a further 5 marks off the final course grade

Impersonation, including misuse of a clicker; obtaining, distributing or receiving confidential academic material

Normally will include suspension

Misconduct in research

Removal of privileges; depending on the severity of the event penalty may vary from 0 in the course to expulsion

Contravention of statute

Varies depending on severity

Subsequent Offence

Offence

Penalty

2nd

Expulsion

Non-academic Offence

Offence

Penalty

Disruptive, dangerous, aggressive or threatening behaviour including by electronic means

Letter of apology; will include suspension

Misuse of University resources, equipment or supplies

Letter of apology; will include suspension
Related to co-op: failed work term; removal from co-op where work terms are optional; will include suspension

Mischief

Letter of apology; restitution of costs if any; community service

Vandalism

Letter of apology; restitution of costs to replace materials damaged; will include suspension

Theft

Letter of apology; replacement or cost of goods stolen; will include suspension

Infringing unreasonably on the work of others

Letter of apology; community service

Violation of safety regulations in a lab or other setting

Removal of privileges in the offending area for 30 working days

Unauthorized use of equipment, material or a facility or service

Letter of apology; community

Unethical behaviour

Letter of apology; suspension

Contravention of statute

Varies depending on severity

Subsequent Offence

Offence

Penalty

2nd

More severe penalty than for a first offence in that category, may include suspension

3rd

More severe penalty than for a second offence in that category, will include suspension