Student Academic Misconduct Policy

10.1.2 Academic Offences

Academic offences include:

1. admissions offences
2. plagiarism
3. cheating
4. collusion
5. unauthorized use of Athabasca University materials
6. misrepresentation of facts and fraud
7. aiding another in committing an academic offence

10.1.2.1 Admission Offences

Any applicant who applies for admission who:

1. misrepresents, or aids another person or persons to falsify material facts for the purpose of gaining admission, enrolment, or obtaining academic advantage
2. commits, or aids another person or persons to commit an act designed to misrepresent an applicant’s academic status or eligibility for admission, enrolment, or for receiving transfer credit
3. withholds records, transcripts, or other documents with the intent to gain unfair academic advantage
4. any other act of falsification or misrepresentation in the admission process that Athabasca University deems inappropriate is guilty of an admissions offence under this policy and may be subject to penalties listed under Section 5 Penalties within this policy.

10.1.2.2 Plagiarism

Plagiarism involves submitting or presenting work in a course as if that work were the student’s own, when, in fact, it was not. Often plagiarism exists when:

1. the work submitted was done in whole or in part, by an individual other than the person submitting the work
2. the whole or parts of a work are taken from another source without reference to the original author, publication, journal or Internet source
3. the whole or parts of the coursework submitted lacks citations even though a list of sources is provided
4. the coursework has been copied in whole or in part from an individual, a textbook, a solution manual, the Internet or any other source
5. when paid or professional editors are used inappropriately.

   Students are encouraged to contact the individual to whom their coursework is being submitted to discuss their plan on the use of an editor prior to submission of their coursework.

Anyone found guilty of plagiarism under this policy may be subject to Section 5 Penalties within this policy.

10.1.2.3 Cheating

Cheating includes:

1. submitting a proposed invigilator for approval under false pretenses. This includes, but is not limited to:
   • naming one’s friend, relative, fellow student or co-worker for approval
   • submitting false credentials, names, occupations, and addresses
   • the misrepresentation of other information related to a proposed invigilator
2. writing an invigilated examination or any part of an invigilated examination outside of an approved invigilation centre
3. removing, by any means, an examination or any part of an examination from an approved invigilation centre
4. communicating substantive content of any examination to course mates or others
5. in the course of writing an examination, obtaining or attempting to obtain information from another student or other unauthorized source, or giving or attempting to give information to another student, or knowingly possessing, using, or attempting to use any unauthorized material and/or electronic devices
6. leaving answer papers exposed to view, or attempting to read other students’ examination papers
7. representing or attempting to represent oneself as another or having or attempting to have oneself represented by another in the taking of an examination, preparation of coursework, or other similar activity
8. submitting in any course or program of study without prior approval, all or a substantial portion of any coursework for which credit has been received or is being submitted in another course or program at AU or elsewhere
9. submitting in any course or program of study (including those courses in a clinical or laboratory setting) any coursework (including laboratory results) containing a false statement(s) intended to be perceived as fact(s), or a reference that has been fabricated
10. accessing course materials or notes pertaining to the subject matter of the course or accessing internet sites during a scheduled examination when the exam prohibits access to such materials

    Anyone found guilty of cheating under this policy may be subject to Section 5 Penalties within this policy.

10.1.2.4 Collusion

Collusion involves two or more persons who, by agreement between them, prepare and submit the substantially same or identical piece of coursework, claiming that it is the work of only the person submitting it, without the prior permission of the person to whom the coursework is being submitted.

Anyone found guilty of collusion under this policy may be subject to Section 5 Penalties within this policy.

10.1.2.5 Unauthorized Use of AU Materials

It is an offence to knowingly procure, sell, distribute, duplicate, transpose or receive any course material such as examinations, tests, quizzes, assignments, or laboratory results from any source without the proper written consent of Athabasca University except where licensing agreements permit otherwise.

Anyone found guilty of unauthorized use of Athabasca University materials under this policy may be subject to Section 5 Penalties within this policy.

10.1.2.6 Misrepresentation of Facts and Fraud

It is an offence to knowingly misrepresent material facts, the awarding of a credential, results of academic submissions, grades, or a reviewer’s comments.

Forging or falsifying academic records is a serious offence that can result in expulsion and possible criminal prosecution. Specifically, it is an offence to:

Forged or Falsified Documents

Forging or falsifying academic records is a serious offence that can result in expulsion and possible criminal prosecution. Specifically, it is an offence to:

1. falsify or forge an academic record including, but not limited to, a transcript, a mid-term grade report, and/or a final grade report
2. create or present a fraudulent degree, certificate, or parchment, and/or to claim the receipt of a fraudulent credential presented as legitimate
3. assist another in falsifying or forging an academic record or credential.

   Anyone found guilty of misrepresenting facts and fraud under this policy may be subject to Section 5 Penalties within this policy.

10.1.2.7 Aiding Another in Committing an Academic Offence

It is an offence to aid another in committing any academic offence.

Anyone found guilty of aiding another in committing an academic offence under this policy may be subject to Section 5 Penalties within this policy.