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ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY

Classification: Academic

Responsible: School Managers

Executive Sponsor: Vice President, Operations and Academics

Approval Authority: Robertson College Leadership Team

Date First Approved: July 25, 2021

Date Last Reviewed: September 4, 2024

Scheduled Review Date: June 1, 2026

A. PURPOSE

The Academic Integrity Policy describes the high standard of academic integrity required across the Robertson College community as a foundation for effective teaching and learning.

B. SCOPE

This Policy applies to all members of the Robertson College community including applicants, students, graduates, instructors and employees. This Policy applies to all activities in any academic environment including classes, labs, online, learning management system, library, test centers, practicum experience, and research activities.

C. DEFINITIONS

Term Definition

Academic Integrity

Academic Integrity refers to adhering to the values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility in the performance of all academic activities.

Academic Misconduct

Academic Work

Advisement

Cheating

Academic Misconduct refers to dishonest activities related to academic work.

Academic Work refers to any graded or ungraded student work that demonstrates mastery of academic outcomes such as assignments and tests.

Advisement involves advising the student of the Academic Integrity Policy after a confirmed or suspected incident of academic misconduct.

The use or attempted use of unauthorized information, materials, devices or study aids to complete or compose an academic requirement.

Expulsion

Fabrication of Research

Falsifying Information

An expulsion is an action that permanently removes a student from attending Robertson College.

Fabrication of Research involves dishonest reporting of results, using the research of others without permission or acknowledgment, or misrepresenting research and research methods used.

Falsifying Information involves forging, altering, or misrepresenting credentials, academic records, grades, evaluations, medical notes, letters of recommendation, etc.

Impersonation

Plagiarism

Impersonation is the misrepresentation of identity by taking a test for another person or having another person take an assessment for you.

Plagiarism is the act of using someone else’s work as your own. This may include

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but is not limited to: submitting another individual’s work as your own, allowing another student to complete work for you, not giving credit for work done collaboratively or with the use of AI tools. Plagiarism may occur in the use of images, ideas, written text, computer code, etc.

Procurement involves buying, selling or assisting in the distribution of academic materials without consent of the instructor and/or Robertson College.

Student

Student Record

Support Person

A student is an individual who has applied for admission, is currently enrolled, or has previously been a student at Robertson College.

A Student Record is the information which is contained within a student’s file which may include personal information, admission, registration, academic, and disciplinary history at Robertson College.

A Support Person is an individual who attends a meeting with a student. A Support Person is not entitled to speak on behalf of the student and serves in a support and observation role.

D. POLICY

The fundamental values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility in the performance of academic activities is integral to Robertson College’s core mission and values. All members of the Robertson College community are expected to behave in a manner that is consistent with the values of Academic Integrity.

1. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

1.1 The College is committed to supporting Academic Integrity and to uphold the fundamental values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility.

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1.2 All members of the College community have a duty to uphold academic integrity and report suspected incidents of misconduct.

1.3 All student work submitted to Robertson College may be reviewed for authenticity and originality using software tools and/or thirdparty services.

2. FORMS OF ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT

2.1 Academic misconduct may include but is not limited to;

a. cheating

b. copyright infringement

c. damaging the work of others

d. fabrication of research

e. falsifying information

f. impersonation

g. plagiarism

h. procurement

i. unauthorized collaboration

2.2 A lack of awareness of the Academic Integrity Policy is not an acceptable explanation for academic misconduct.

3. ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT PROCESS

3.1 Suspected incidents of academic misconduct will be investigated using the principles of procedural fairness.

3.2 Faculty or staff members who suspect an incident of academic misconduct must report it within 2 business days and initiate appropriate procedures.

3.3 Individuals accused of academic misconduct have the right to:

a. know the details of the allegation(s)

b. have the opportunity to address the allegation(s)

c. bring a Support Person to meetings

d. receive a written summary of decisions of an investigation

3.4 Confirmed incidents of academic misconduct will be subject to Sanctions and recorded in the Student Record.

3.5 Individuals have the right to appeal academic misconduct findings through the Student Appeals process.

4. SANCTIONS

Sanctions will be applied in situations of academic misconduct in accordance with the severity and frequency of the violation

4.1 Level 1 Violations: violations that occur due to academic inexperience or lack of application of academic integrity principles. Level 1 violations involve a small fraction of the total coursework. These violations may be resolved between the instructor and the student. Examples include but are not limited to:

● improper citations or references

● failure to cite a limited portion of an assignment

● working on a portion of an assignment with another individual or student despite this being prohibited by the instructor (i.e. collusion).

Sanctions for Level 1 Violations may include, but are not limited to:

a. advisement

b. warning (written or verbal)

c. resubmission of the assignment or portion of the assignment

d. completion of academic integrity training

4.2 Level 2 Violations: violations that are more serious and involve a significant portion of coursework. Level 2 violations will be reviewed by the School Manager in collaboration with the Academic Support Team. Examples include but are not limited to:

● repeated level 1 violations

● failure to cite a significant portion of an assignment

Sanctions for Level 2 Violations may include but are not limited to:

a. written warning

b. resubmission of the assignment

c. reduced or failing grade for the assignment

d. completion of academic integrity training

e. academic or behavioural contract

f. probation

4.3 Level 3 Violations: violations that are serious including misconduct that affects a major portion of course work, involves premeditation or deliberate intent, and/or is preceded by one or more violations

(Level 1 or Level 2). Level 3 Violations will be reviewed by the Director and reported to the Vice-President, Operations and Academic for decision. Examples include but are not limited to:

● repeated Level 1 violations

● repeated Level 2 violations

● cheating on final examinations

● failure to cite or reference major portions of assignments

● use of prohibited materials during an assessment

Sanctions for Level 3 Violations may include but are not limited to:

a. reduced or failing grade for the course

b. academic or behavioural contract

c. probation

d. suspension

e. expulsion

4.4 Expulsions must be reviewed and approved by the Vice President of Operations and Academics.

4.5 Some forms of academic misconduct (e.g. theft and impersonation) may constitute criminal acts that are liable to criminal prosecution in addition to possible Sanctions under this policy.

5. CONFIDENTIALITY

5.1 All information relating to an incident will be confidential to all involved parties.

5.2 Information relating to an incident will be disclosed only as reasonably necessary for investigation, disposition, or as required by law.

G. RELATED POLICIES

Disciplinary Action Policy

Student Appeals Policy

Student Rights and Responsibilities Policy

RELATED MATERIALS

Artificial Intelligence and Academic Integrity Job Aid for Instructors

POLICY AUTHORITY

The Vice President, Operations and Academics is responsible for this policy. Questions regarding the interpretation of this policy should be directed to robertsonpolicies@robertsoncollege.ca.

K. POLICY HISTORY

Change Made Version Number Signing Authority Date of Signature

Violation levels and sanctions added. 4.0

Terena Caryk VP, Operations and Academics

Julian Hallett, VP, Workforce

Review Date: September 4, 2024

Minor updates made. 3.0

Signatures:

Terena Caryk VP, Product

Review Date: May 15, 2023

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Minor updates made. 2.0

Belinda Loschiavo VP, International and Special Projects

Policy Initially approved. 1.0

Academic Integrity Policy: 2021-07-13

Jason Locke VP, Learner Recruitment and WorkForce

Joanne Struch Vice-President, Teaching and Learning

Review Date: November 9, 2021

Approved: July 25, 2021

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