Key Consequences

Sanctions and offences under the Code

How does the sanction match the offence?

The University imposes sanctions on those who are found to have committed an academic offence. A sanction is the penalty that can be imposed by your Chair, Dean, or the University Tribunal.

Determining the appropriate sanction for an academic offence depends on many factors, including but not limited to:

  • The context and seriousness of the offence
  • The number of times you have committed an academic offence
  • The point at which you admit to an offence and thereby demonstrate insight and remorse.

The range of penalties that can be imposed and those responsible are outlined below.

Table: Key Consequences at the Divisional level

(For what to expect at the University Tribunal see this page)

Offence committed on an assignment worth 10% or less of overall course mark Offence of:

  • Forging or altering documents
  • Cheating on a test
  • Having someone write a test for you
  • Plagiarism
  • Same work submitted twice
  • Submitting a purchased essay
Who can impose the sanction? Chair of the department Dean of the Faculty or division
When can that person impose the sanction? Upon admission by student that they committed an offence Upon admission by student that they committed an offence
What happens if student does not admit to the offence? The case is forwarded to the Dean of the Faculty or division Case is forwarded to the Provost.  If the Provost determines that charges should be issued in the case, the case is referred to the University Tribunal.
Possible sanction  If student admits to the offence on an assignment worth 10% or less than the final grade, the Chair may impose:

  • Mark of zero for the piece of work.
 Where a student admits to the commission of one of the offences listed above, the Dean may impose the following sanctions:

  • Give an oral and/or written reprimand.
  • Give an oral and/or written reprimand and, if the course instructor agrees, allow the piece to be resubmitted for evaluation.
  • Assign a grade of zero or a failing grade to the piece of work.
  • Give an overall grade reduction to the course where the offence was committed.
  • Deny the student the use of facilities at the University, including library and computer facilities.
  • Assign a monetary fine to cover the costs of replacing any damaged property or misused supplies that occurred as a result of the offence.
  • Assign a grade of zero or a fail to the course in which the offence occurred.
  • Suspend student from attendance in this course (or courses), a program, an academic division or unit, of from the University for a period of 12 months or less.
  • Have a record of the sanction imposed on the student’s academic record and transcript for as long as they feel is appropriate.
What happens if this is a student’s second offence? Case is forwarded to the Provost.  If the Provost determines that charges should be issued in the case, the case is referred to the University Tribunal. Case is forwarded to the Provost.  If the Provost determines that charges should be issued in the case, the case is referred to the University Tribunal.