Procedures for Allegations of Academic Offences

The following procedures for responding to allegations of academic offences (eg. cheating, plagiarism, etc.) have been determined by the University of Western Ontario, and are available to review in detail at UWO Academic Calendar. Below are guidelines specifically designed to assist Huron students understand this process:

Course-related Offences at Huron University College:
Following any incident where an academic offence is suspected to have taken place, it is the responsibility of the course instructor to perform the initial investigation and meet with the student (if appropriate). If the instructor determines that an academic offence has taken place, s/he must inform the Department Chair (or Dean, if the course is not within a Department at Huron).

If the Chair decides that there is insufficient evidence to support the allegation, or that no offence has taken place, s/he must:

• Inform the student that no further action will take place;
• Destroy the offence record.

If the Chair decides that there is evidence to support the allegation, s/he must:

• Inform the student of the allegation, usually within one week of notification being issued by the instructor;
• Give the student the opportunity to respond and present evidence;
• Give the student the opportunity to meet with the Chair.

If the Chair decides that the student has committed an academic offence, s/he must:

• Consult the instructor to determine a penalty;
• Notify the student of the decision in writing, normally within three weeks of informing student of the allegation, and copy the information to the Dean.

Students then have two options:
1. Request Relief fr om the Dean:
The student must inform the Dean in writing of his or her intention to appeal the Chair’s decision within three weeks of the decision's being issued. The Dean will review the evidence presented by the Chair, and may choose to investigate further. During this time, the Dean must give the student reasonable opportunity to meet with him. The Dean may affirm, increase, or reduce the penalty. If the penalty is increased, the student will have the opportunity to respond to the issue of penalty in writing.
The Dean must inform the student of his decision on the appeal in writing, normally within three weeks of receiving the student’s request for relief.
In cases where the Dean does not overturn the academic offence decision, the Dean must also inform the student whether there will be a notation on the academic record.

2. Accept the penalty:
If the student does not request relief, the Dean will review the evidence presented and the penalty imposed by the Chair, and may decide to investigate further. Based on his review, the Dean may affirm, increase, or reduce the penalty. If the penalty is increased, the student will have the opportunity to respond to the issue of penalty in writing.
The Dean’s decision to increase a penalty will be communicated to the student in writing with a copy to the Chair, normally within three weeks of receiving the decision of the Chair. In cases wh ere the Dean does not overturn the scholastic offence decision, the letter also will inform the student whether there will be a notation on the academic record.

Further Appeals:
A student may appeal the Dean’s decision to UWO Senate Review Board Academic (SBRA) within six weeks of the date of the decision. For more information, please visit SBRA Appeals.

Offence Record
The offence record will be held in the FASS Dean's Office and will be kept separate from the student's academic counselling file. It will contain evidence collected in the investigation of the offence, together with copies of any correspondence with the student. If a student is subsequently found not to have committed the offence in question, the record of that charge will be destroyed. Apart from the student, no one outside the Dean's Office shall have access to an offence record, except in the event of an appeal by the student to SRBA against the decision or the penalty (or penalties) imposed.

Questions?

For general inquiries, or to make an appointment with the Dean or Associate Dean, please contact:

Rebecca Mudge
Executive Assistant to the Dean
Phone: 519-438-7224 ext. 281
Email: rmudge2@huron.uwo.ca