Return to Section 11 Index
     
     
6. Disciplinary Procedures

Where there is an allegation of an academic offence, refer to the following procedures. Decisions are subject to the appeals process outlined in Section 7 Appeals within this policy. Any member of the University community who has reason to believe that a student is guilty of an academic offence may initiate proceedings against the student.

 

     
6.1 Admissions Offences

 

     
6.1.1 Initiation of Proceedings

 

Where a member of the University community has reason to believe that a student or applicant has committed an admissions offence, that member of the University community may communicate the particulars of the alleged offence and provide a brief summary to the Assistant Registrar, Admissions within ten (10) calendar days of the identification of a possible offence. Any supporting documentation or evidence should be submitted to the Assistant Registrar, Admissions along with the report.

     
6.1.2 Review and Determination

Within ten (10) calendar days of receiving the complaint, and after an initial investigation to determine the validity of the complaint, the Assistant Registrar, Admissions must discuss the alleged offence with the student and the complainant. Other persons (e.g., Registrar, academic staff, University lawyers, Vice-President, Academic, Associate Vice-President, Academic, etc.) may also be consulted as deemed appropriate.

     
6.1.3 Determination That No Offence Has Occurred

Where the Assistant Registrar, Admissions has determined that no admissions offence has been committed and thus declines to proceed with the complaint, the complainant must be provided with a written notice of the decision within ten (10) calendar days of receipt of the complaint.

     
6.1.4 Determination That An Offence Has Occurred and Imposition of Penalty

Where an applicant is found to have committed an admissions offence, the University may: give a reprimand, refuse admission or enrolment, refuse re-enrolment, or admit or enrol the applicant on a probationary basis.

     
6.1.5 Written Record

Where a penalty other than a reprimand is imposed, the Assistant Registrar, Admissions shall prepare a statement in writing setting out the following:

   
a. 

a brief summary of the conduct alleged to constitute the offence

b. 

a statement in writing that the alleged offence has been reviewed with the student and the complainant, and

c. 

a brief statement giving details of the penalty imposed and the reasons therefore.

     
6.1.6 Notification to the Student

Within ten (10) calendar days of discussing the incident with the complainant and the student, the Assistant Registrar, Admissions shall provide written notification to the student of findings, and of any penalty imposed. Such notification shall include the record outlined in Section 6.1.5 Written Record within this policy. A copy of the correspondence shall be forwarded to the Registrar and kept in the student's file.

The written notification of the penalty imposed shall also include notification of the right of appeal and shall outline the procedures for appeal. (See also the Student Academic Appeals Committee Policy.)

     
6.2 Plagiarism, Cheating, Misuse of Confidential Materials

 

     
6.2.1 Initiation of Proceedings

Where a member of the University community has reason to believe that a student has committed plagiarism, cheated, or misused confidential materials, that member of the University community may communicate the particulars of the alleged offence and provide a brief summary to the appropriate Program Director within ten (10) calendar days of the identification of a possible offence. Any supporting documentation or evidence should be submitted to the Program Director along with the report. Where the Program Director is also the course coordinator and/or tutor, the Vice-President, Academic shall appoint an alternate Program Director.


Note: Reference to a Program Director means the director of the program of study in which the student is enrolled. In the case of unclassified students, the director of the program in which the course in question resides will be assigned by the Vice-President, Academic to administer the appeal. If a question arises as to the appropriate program director, the Vice-President, Academic will decide.

 

     
6.2.2 Review and Determination

Within ten (10) calendar days of receiving the complaint, and after an initial investigation to determine the validity of the complaint, the Program Director must discuss the alleged offence with the student and the complainant. Other persons (e.g., Registrar, academic staff, University lawyers, Vice-President, Academic, Associate Vice-President, Academic, etc.) may also be consulted as deemed appropriate.

     
6.2.3 Determination That No Offence Has Occurred

Where the Program Director has determined that no offence has been committed and thus declines to proceed with the complaint, the complainant must be provided with a written notice of the decision within ten (10) calendar days of receipt of the complaint.

     
6.2.4 Determination That An Offence Has Occurred and Imposition of Penalty

Where an applicant is found to have committed plagiarism, cheated, or misused confidential materials, the Program Director may impose one or more of the penalties outlined in Section 5 Penalties within this policy.

     
6.2.5 Written Record

Where a penalty other than a reprimand is imposed, the Program Director shall prepare a statement in writing setting out:

   
a. 

a brief summary of the conduct alleged to constitute the offence

b. 

a statement in writing that the alleged offence has been reviewed with the student and the complainant, and

c. 

a brief statement giving details of the penalty imposed and the reasons therefore.

     
6.2.6 Notification to the Student

Within ten (10) calendar days of discussing the incident with the complainant and the student, the Program Director shall provide written notification to the student of findings, and of any penalty imposed. Such notification shall include the record outlined in 6.2.5 Written Record within this policy. A copy of the correspondence shall be forwarded to the Registrar and kept in the student's file.

The written notification of the penalty imposed shall also include notification of the right of appeal and shall outline the procedures for appeal. (See also the Student Academic Appeals Committee Policy.)

 

     
6.3 Misrepresentation of Facts

 

     
6.3.1 Misrepresentation of Material Facts — Academic Submissions, Grades, or Reviewer's Comments

In the case of misrepresentation of material facts with respect to academic submissions, grades, or reviewer's comments, the procedures as set out in Section 6.2 Plagiarism, Cheating, Misuse of Confidential Materials within this policy shall apply.

     
6.3.2 Forging or Falsifying Athabasca University Documents

Where it has been alleged that Athabasca University documents have been forged or falsified, the procedures as set out in Section 6.1 Admissions Offences within this policy shall be followed and the penalty prescribed below.

In all cases where it has been determined that a person has forged or falsified an Athabasca University academic record, transcript, degree, certificate or parchment and/or fraudulently claimed a credential, that person:

a. 

shall be expelled from the University

   
b. 

will have the expulsion recorded on his/her academic record and transcripts, and

   
c. 

will have his/her case referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency for investigation and possible criminal prosecution.

 

     
6.4 Misuse of University Computer Resources

Where a student is alleged to have misused University computer resources the procedures as set out in Section 6.2 Plagiarism, Cheating, Misuse of Confidential Materials within this policy shall apply. The procedure shall be applied by the Vice-President, Academic rather than the Program Director (in consultation with the Director, Computing Services).

 


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 • Information effective Sept. 1, 2006 to Aug. 31, 2007.
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