Academic misconduct is basically any action—or even inaction—that goes against the rules and values of academic integrity at the University of Waterloo. It’s not just about cheating on a test or copying someone’s assignment (though those definitely count). It can also include things like:
- Plagiarizing (using someone else’s words or ideas without giving credit)
- Falsifying data or sources
- Submitting the same work for multiple courses without permission
- Helping someone else cheat, or even just trying to
Sometimes, misconduct isn’t about what you do, but what you don’t do—like not citing your sources properly or not reporting something you know is wrong.
The university takes academic misconduct seriously because academic integrity is all about fairness, trust, and respect in the learning environment. Everyone’s expected to play by the same rules so that the value of your education stays strong. If you’re ever unsure about what counts as academic misconduct or how to avoid it, the Office of Academic Integrity has great resources to help you out. It’s always better to ask questions than to risk crossing a line by accident.
Allegations
An allegation of academic misconduct means that someone—usually your instructor—believes you may have violated the university’s policy regarding academic integrity. This allegation is a formal claim that you may not have followed the expectations for completing your academic work fairly and honestly, and it is taken seriously as part of maintaining academic integrity at the university.
Infomal Resolution
An informal resolution is a way for your instructor to quickly address a minor academic misconduct issue without a full investigation. If approved by the Associate Dean, it moves forward; if not, it becomes a formal case.
Investigation
An investigation happens when a misconduct case is serious or can’t be resolved informally. The Associate Dean reviews the evidence, hears your side, and decides if a rule was broken. It’s a formal process that can impact your academic record.
If you're being investigated for academic misconduct, the Associate Dean will email you the details of the allegation, along with links to the relevant policy and past case examples. You’ll have 5 working days to respond in writing, and if either you or the Associate Dean requests a meeting, one will be arranged.
In some cases, a “UR” (Under Review) mark may be added to your academic record for the course, which means you can’t drop the course or graduate until the case is resolved. If you have already dropped the course, you’ll be re-enrolled and the UR will be added.
After your response—or if you don’t respond—the Associate Dean will investigate by reviewing evidence and may consult experts or others involved. They might also contact you again for more information. If you don’t reply or miss a scheduled meeting, the investigation will continue without your input. Once it’s complete, you’ll receive a written decision, which may also be shared with certain university offices and added to your student discipline record.
You can appeal a formal decision made by the Associate Dean by following the steps in Policy 72 – Student Appeals. To do this, you must show that you have valid grounds for an appeal. If you decide to appeal, you need to submit a Notice of Appeal Form (72A) (Word doc) within 10 working days of receiving the decision.