Student Academic Integrity Policy

1.0       PREAMBLE

1.1    Academic Integrity is a cornerstone of the development and acquisition of knowledge, and a commitment to six fundamental values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, and courage. Academic Integrity includes a commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation, or deception – acts which violate the fundamental ethical principles of the University community and compromise the worth of work completed by others. The terms “Academic Integrity” and “Academic Honesty” are used interchangeably in this policy.

1.2    Simon Fraser University is committed to creating a scholarly community characterized by honesty and free inquiry.

1.3    The University is a unique institution in society, which enables and celebrates intellectual accomplishments for the betterment of both individuals and the world as a whole. As an academic institution, SFU is dedicated to fostering ethical and equitable learning, teaching, and the creation of new knowledge through research. All SFU students, faculty and staff are expected to support these objectives.

1.4    Each Student is responsible for their own conduct as it affects the University community.

1.5     All members of the University community share the responsibility for the academic standards and reputation of the University. Upholding Academic Integrity is a condition of continued membership in the university community.

1.6    Academic Dishonesty is contrary to the values of the University, and unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University.

1.7    Students must be treated fairly before being penalized for Academic Dishonesty or Academic Misconduct. They are entitled to information about the alleged wrongdoing and to provide a response. The decision-maker must be impartial. An internal Board is established to adjudicate matters of student academic discipline and there is a body of final appeal, as required by the British Columbia University Act.

2.0       PURPOSE                                                

2.1       The purpose of this policy is to define:

2.1     the basic responsibilities of Students as members of the academic community;

2.2     inappropriate Student behaviour, whether deliberate or inadvertent, in relation to academic and scholarly activities; and

2.3    principles for student discipline in academic matters.

3.0       SCOPE AND JURISDICTION

3.1     This policy applies to the conduct of Students involved in any kind of University-related academic and scholarly activities, including group academic work.

3.2    This policy covers matters of Academic Dishonesty and Academic Misconduct in University-related scholarly activities, including activities involving SFU alumni when the matters occurred prior to graduation and were unknown at the time of graduation, or involve the misrepresentation of their credentials from their scholarly work at SFU.

3.3    The forms of Academic Misconduct and Academic Dishonesty set out in this policy include attempts to engage in misconduct or dishonesty, as well as aiding and abetting misconduct or dishonesty.

4.0       DEFINITIONS

4.1     See Appendix A for the definitions of words used in this policy and its associated procedures.

5.0       POLICY

5.1       Notification of Standards of Academic Honesty

5.1.1    The standard of Academic Integrity requires that when a Student demonstrates their learning through assessed work, that that work be completed by the Student themself unless expressly permitted otherwise.

5.1.2    Meeting the standard of Academic Integrity means that Students are responsible for:

a.    Ensuring that they understand the learning outcomes for each specific assignment or other academic task prescribed as part of a University course or program, seeking assistance if necessary.

b.    Participating honestly in assessments of their intellectual accomplishments at the University, whether in assignments, examinations, capstones (such as theses) or any other format. If an assessment is intended to evaluate what a Student can do either without any support or with specific limited supports, they respect this intention by doing the work on their own or with the support explicitly allowed.

c.    Taking credit for their own intellectual accomplishments, and only their own.

d.    Taking responsibility for their own intellectual errors, oversights and misjudgments.

e.    Giving recognition to others who support their intellectual accomplishments, including instructors, authors and creators, and acknowledging the tools that support and enable your work, including Artificial Intelligence (AI).

5.1.3    Students are responsible for ensuring they are familiar with the generally accepted standards and requirements of Academic Integrity. Ignorance of these standards will not excuse a student from consequences, including penalties, for academic dishonesty.

5.1.4    Instructors are responsible to inform their students at the beginning of each term if there are additional specific criteria for Academic Honesty that pertain to a class or course (e.g., the format for acknowledging the thoughts and writings of authors acceptable to the underlying discipline, and the acceptable level of group work, use of an editor or tutoring service, and/or online resources).

5.1.5    A draft paper, proposal, thesis, or other assignment may be subject to a penalty for Academic Dishonesty, providing the Instructor or supervisor informed the Students(s) before the work was submitted that drafts are subject to Academic Integrity requirements.

5.2       Academic Integrity Requirements for Students.

5.2.1    Any action that contravenes the standard of Academic Integrity is prohibited, including any act of dishonesty, falsification, misrepresentation, or deception in one’s academic work.

5.2.2    All forms of Academic Dishonesty that occur within or as part of a course are prohibited. See Schedule A for examples of Academic Dishonesty.

5.2.3    All forms of Academic Misconduct that are not related to a specific course are prohibited. See Schedule A for examples of Academic Misconduct.

5.2.4    It is violation to help others or attempt to help others engage in any forms of Academic Dishonesty or Academic Misconduct.

5.2.5    Each Student who is participating in Research (as defined in the University’s Responsible Conduct of Research policy R60.01) is subject to the requirements of Policy R60.01. Action or sanctions against a Student who breaches Policy R60.01will follow the procedures under Policy S10.01.

5.3       Principles for Student Discipline.

5.3.1    Complaints of Student Academic Dishonesty or Academic Misconduct may be resolved under the policy without penalty. Designated University officials such as a Chair of a Department, course Instructor, or the Registrar may impose penalties in certain circumstances.

5.3.2    In determining whether Academic Dishonesty or Academic Misconduct has occurred, it is not necessary to show that a student has achieved an improper Academic Advantage or benefit. Some acts of plagiarism or collusion, or other acts of Academic Dishonesty or Academic Misconduct, may not actually confer an Academic Advantage or benefit.

5.3.3    The University Board on Student Discipline (“UBSD”) provides an impartial forum for a complete examination of a report of Student Academic Dishonesty or Academic Misconduct. The Tribunal will provide Students with an opportunity to respond in a timely manner to allegations of Academic Dishonesty or Academic Misconduct and, if appropriate, will recommend a course of action to the President, or to the Vice-President, Academic and Provost if the President has already played a role in the case. See SFU Policy S10.02 which sets out the scope/jurisdiction and process for UBSD

5.3.4    When a penalty is imposed on a student for Academic Dishonesty or Academic Misconduct, the Student may appeal to the Senate Committee on Disciplinary Appeals (“SCODA”). SCODA is the standing committee of final appeal for Students in matters of academic discipline as mandated in the University Act. See SFU Policy S10.03 which sets out the scope/jurisdiction and process for SCODA.

5.3.5    The UBSD and SCODA will adhere to principles of Procedural Fairness and natural justice. The appropriate standard for a decision in this process is proof on the Balance of Probabilities.

5.3.6    A support person may accompany a student to any meeting concerning academic disciplinary matters. Students may also consult the University Ombudsperson for assistance.

5.3.7    In deciding upon the appropriate penalty to be imposed for an act of Academic Dishonesty or Academic Misconduct, consideration must be given to the following factors:

a.    the extent of the Academic Dishonesty or Academic Misconduct;

b.    whether the Academic Dishonesty or Academic Misconduct was deliberate;

c.    the importance of the work in question as a component of the course or program;

d.    whether the act in question is an isolated incident or part of repeated acts of Academic Dishonesty, Academic Misconduct, and/or non-academic misconduct; and

e.    any other mitigating or aggravating circumstances.

6.0       ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

6.1    The Vice-President, Academic and Provost has oversight of this policy.

6.2    The Registrar is responsible for implementing and monitoring the operational aspects and procedures for this policy.

6.3    The Registrar, Academic Integrity Co-Ordinator, Academic Integrity Advisors, Chairs, and Instructors are jointly responsible for administering the procedures under this policy.

6.4    The University’s Academic Integrity Advisory Committee provides advice to the Registrar on matters related to the policy and associated procedures.

7.0       REPORTING.

7.1    The Registrar must maintain a statistical summary of cases handled through their office each year, and this data must be included in the Annual Report to Senate on Student Discipline Matters.

7.2    In addition to the data referred to in section 7.1, the Annual Report on Student Discipline Matters must contain a summary of the UBSD Tribunal's findings, the President's decisions, SCODA's decisions and the penalties imposed.

7.2.1    This report must be accessible to the University community and must be submitted to Senate for information except where the Tribunal, SCODA, or the President determines that cases or parts of cases should not be disclosed.

7.2.2    The Summary must not disclose the identities of the parties.

7.2.3    A set of decisions that does not disclose the identities of the parties must be maintained in the office of the Secretary of the UBSD and be available for review upon reasonable notice.

8.0       RELATED LEGAL, POLICY AUTHORITIES AND AGREEMENTS

8.1       The legal and other University Policy authorities and agreements that may bear on the administration of this policy and may be consulted as needed include but are not limited to:

8.1.1    University Act, RSBC 1996, c 468

8.1.2    Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, RSBC 1996, c. 165    

8.1.3    University Board on Student Discipline (S10.02);

8.1.4    Senate Committee on Disciplinary Appeals (S10.03);

8.1.5    Retention and Disposal of Student Exams and Assignments (I10.09);

8.1.6    Acceptable Use and Security of Digital Information and Electronic Systems  (GP24);

8.1.7    Student Conduct Policy (S10.05).

8.1.8    Responsible Conduct of Research (R60.01)

9.0     ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND PROTECTION OF PRIVACY

9.1    The information and records made and received to administer this policy are subject to the access to information and protection of privacy provisions of British Columbia’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the University’s Information Policy series.

9.2    A University employee who is involved in addressing or investigating a case of alleged academic dishonesty or academic misconduct must:

9.2.1    make every reasonable effort to protect personal information and maintain confidentiality;

9.2.2    collect the minimum information about individuals that relates directly to a case of academic dishonesty or academic misconduct, which is considered to be supplied in confidence;

9.2.3    use the information about individuals only for the purposes of, or those consistent with, addressing the situation, investigating, or taking action;

9.2.4    limit disclosure of information about individuals to those within the University who need to know to perform their duties; and

9.2.5    disclose personal information in all other circumstances only as permitted under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

9.3    The University may disclose personal information where appropriate, including where:

9.3.1    it is needed to prepare or obtain legal advice for the University;

9.3.2    it uses the information uses the information for the purpose for which it was obtained or compiled or for a use consistent with that purpose (for example, where it is necessary to fulfill its duty of procedural fairness); or

9.3.3    an employee needs the information to perform their employment duties.

10.0     RETENTION AND DISPOSAL OF RECORDS.

10.1    Information and records made and received to administer this policy are evidence of the University’s actions to respond to Academic Dishonesty or Academic Misconduct. Information and records must be retained and disposed of in accordance with a records retention schedule approved by the University Archivist.

10.2    The Registrar must destroy any record of a student’s alleged Academic Dishonesty or Academic Misconduct that may be held in the Office of the Registrar if the UBSD or SCODA determines that the discipline of the student was unwarranted.

11.0     POLICY REVIEW

11.1     This policy shall be reviewed every five years and may always be reviewed as needed.

12.0     AUTHORITY

12.1     This policy is administered under the authority of the Vice-President, Academic and Provost.

13.0     INTERPRETATION

13.1      Questions of interpretation or application of this policy or its procedures shall be referred to the Vice-President, Academic and Provost and the University’s General Counsel, who will jointly make a decision, which shall be final.

14.0     PROCEDURES AND OTHER ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS

14.1    Appendix A contains the definitions applicable to this policy and its associated procedures.

14.2    The procedures for this policy are:

14.2.1    Student Academic Integrity Procedure (S10.01 – Procedure)

14.2.1    Forms of Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct (S10.01 – Appendix B)