Do you think you have encountered a case of Academic Misconduct?  

• Make notes immediately (save them)
• Meet with a relevant administrator (e.g. Chair or Coordinator)
• Come to a consensus on whether or not an investigation should proceed
• If you decide to proceed, complete the Allegation of Academic Misconduct form: https://www.wlu.ca/forms_detail.php?grp_id=1865&frm_id=2485
• Contact the student at their official mylaurier e-mail address
• Explain the problem; request a meeting within a week, and inform the student about process available in the Academic Calendar as stated in Policy 12.2: Student Code of Conduct and Discipline
• Don’t meet with student alone (include a disinterested witness)
• Meet each involved student individually
• Use neutral language and try to avoid emotion, allow student time to speak, keep a record of the conversation (the witness will also take notes)
• Make a decision:
  
• Misconduct occurred: continue process
• Not sure, or more information needed: continue process
• Allegation unfounded: discontinue process
• If discontinued: Allegation of Academic Misconduct Form needs to be securely filed, until destroyed when the term ends.
  

If Proceeding

Complete Part B of the Allegation of Academic Misconduct Form (both copies) advising student of decisions to proceed and the next steps. Student responds as follows:

• Denied allegation
• Admitted the allegation
• Admitted the allegation with an explanation – record the explanation
• Give student one copy of the Allegation of Academic Misconduct Form
• Make notes after the meeting (the witness as well)
• Advise the Associate Dean: Student Affairs of the outcome of the meeting
• Complete follow up investigation if needed, and file documentation
• Provide copy of the Allegation of Academic Misconduct Form to the Associate Dean: Student Affairs
• Instructor and Associate Dean: Student Affairs communicate (at least one week after the student meeting); they share information, form a consensus, and agree on a penalty following the penalty chart guidelines
• Associate Dean: Student Affairs advises student of the outcome with Letter 1 and waits for the expiration of the appeal period (unless matter is referred to Dean)
• Second offences and severe penalties are referred to the Dean
• Final Incident Report filed with Central Registry after appeal rights and time periods expired

A Student’s Rights

• Students are owed a fair hearing
• Students may appeal
• Confidentiality must be respected

Useful links:

1.Academic Misconduct Flyer

2.Academic Integrity: I Suspect My Students Are Cheating: Now What?

3.How to Conduct an Academic Misconduct Investigation in the Faculty of Arts

4.Relevant Administrators

5.Flow Chart

6.Penalty Guidelines

7.Allegation of Academic Misconduct Form (also called Form 1)

What else should I know?

Instructors may send the Allegation of Academic Misconduct Form and supporting documentation via email to mrowinsky@wlu.ca.

Please include: Supporting documentation, e.g., the assignment in question, with questionable passages highlighted to assist in the review of the case, & The turnitin report, where applicable.

The instructor needs to keep a file of each case for future reference. Ensure to make all relevant copies.

A full printer-friendly Brochure titled Academic Misconduct: Guidelines for Faculty is available below.