As a student, academic integrity means making ethical decisions, asking questions, and following instructions - even when faced with difficult situations. All members of the University of Waterloo are expected to follow the six core values of integrity: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, and courage (ICAI, n.d.).
Academic integrity skills, like citing, paraphrasing or summarizing, take practice, and students should ask for help along the way. The Office of Academic Integrity has a number of resources for students.
Academic misconduct
Policy 71 is the University of Waterloo's policy on student discipline for academic and non-academic misconduct. The Associate Dean, Undergrad Studies has delegated the management of Policy 71 to the Director of Academic Integrity.
Informal process
It may be possible for an informal resolution based on the discretion of the Instructor and approval from the Engineering Academic Integrity Office. In this case, the Instructor will meet with the student to discuss the findings and draw a conclusion. If the conclusion supports a penalty, the student will receive a decision letter from the Director of Academic Integrity summarizing the case and penalty. Should the student disagree with the Instructors proposal of an informal resolution/penalty, the case will be re-opened as a formal case.
Formal process
The student will receive an allegation letter and is invited to provide a response to the allegation within 5 working days of receiving the letter. After receiving the response (or past deadline), the response and related material to the allegation will be forwarded to the Director of Academic Integrity or their delegate, for their review and decision. Once a decision is made, the student will receive a decision letter from the Director of Academic Integrity summarizing the verdict and penalties.
Disciplinary probation
In both informal and formal resolutions, the student will be placed on disciplinary probation for the remainder of their time in an undergraduate program at the University of Waterloo. This means that a note will be placed in the student's file but there will not be any indication of this on any transcript, nor will any employer or co-op employer be aware of this information. This note will be removed upon the completion of your active degree at the University of Waterloo.
Note: Disciplinary probation may hinder your ability to undertake exchange or participate in a student leadership role.
Examples of academic misconduct
Unauthorized collaboration
Unauthorized collaboration is co-operation or collaboration with another student/other students in the completion of an academic assignment, in whole or in part, beyond what the instructor has indicated is acceptable; failure to follow the instructor’s directions regarding the level of group work that is permissible for a particular assignment. Examples include students working together completing an individual assignment; a tutor writes portions of an essay for a student.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is presenting, whether intentionally or not, the ideas, expression of ideas or work of others (whether attributed or anonymous) as one’s own in any work submitted whether or not for grading purposes. Examples include failing to acknowledge sources in an assignment; failing to cite oneself when permission has been given to make use of one’s earlier work.
Cheating
Trying to gain/give an improper advantage in an academic evaluation. Cheating includes but is not limited to: copying from another student's work (with or without permission) or making it possible for another student to copy from one's own work; submitting another student's work as one's own; fabrication of data; consultation with any unauthorized person during an examination or test; possession, use or intent to use unauthorized aids during an examination or test.
Artificial intelligence and ChatGPT
Unauthorized use of artificial intelligence or ChatGPT, or improper citation of the use of artificial intelligence or ChatGPT as a resource for an assignment is academic misconduct.
Review the instructions and ensure you are clear on your instructors expectations. If you are unsure if you can use AI tools, ask your instructor for clarification. For more information on the use of ChatGPT and other Artificial Intelligence visit the Writing and Communication Centre.