Guidelines for the Assessment of Penalties | Secretariat

(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