Academic Integrity

What is a departure from Academic Integrity?

A departure from academic integrity is any form of academic dishonesty that could result in you, or others, gaining an unearned advantage over other students. It compromises and violates the University's core values of academic integrity. If you aren’t sure whether something is acceptable or not, always ask your instructor. Here are some examples of departures from academic integrity – this is not an exhaustive list:

Departure from Academic Integrity	Examples
Departure from the Core Values of Academic Integrity In addition to the specific types of departures from academic integrity listed below, “Departure from the Core Values of Academic Integrity” encompasses a range of conduct and infractions. Any acts that deviate from the core values of academic integrity that do not fall under the specific categories listed below may be categorized under this broader heading.	In the educational context, there is, for instance, trust that students will abide by the core values of academic integrity and not violate these values or attempt to violate this trust Therefore, attempts at plagiarism, facilitation, and other departures are as much a threat to academic integrity as submitting a plagiarized paper or working with a peer to undermine integrity Honesty plays a role in exchanges with instructors, peers, and other individuals (e.g. teaching assistants, proctors, university staff and/or university administrators) especially in a professionalized setting, where authentic self-representation and truthfulness are essential
Plagiarism Plagiarism involves presenting ideas, words, or work, created by others or by technological assistance, as if they are one’s own or without proper attribution/citation. Self-plagiarism is also a departure from academic integrity. Self-plagiarism refers to the practice of submitting the same work, in whole or in part, for credit in two or more courses, or in the same course more than once without the prior written permission of the instructor. Self-plagiarism can also include presenting one’s own previously published work as though it were new.	Copying or using quotations or paraphrasing material from a print or other source, including the internet and output from artificial intelligence, without proper acknowledgement Copying another student’s work Submitting the same piece of work in more than one course without permission
Unauthorized content generation Unauthorized content generation is the production of academic work, in whole or in part, for academic credit, progression, or award, using unapproved or undeclared human or technological assistance.	Response generation from artificial intelligence including, but not limited to, text-, image-, code-, or video-generating artificial intelligence tools Submitting assignments to online forums or websites for generating solutions
Contract Cheating Contract cheating is a form of plagiarism that involves outsourcing academic work to a third-party including, but not limited to, a commercial provider, current or former student, family member or acquaintance, and submitting the work as one's own.	Purchasing a term paper or assignment to be submitted as one’s own Submitting essays or assignments that have been obtained from homework sites, essay mills, tutor sites, friends, family members or classmates
Use of unauthorized materials Use of unauthorized materials involves using or possessing unauthorized materials or obtaining unauthorized assistance in any academic examination or test, or in connection with any other form of academic work.	Using or possessing unauthorized written material or an electronic device with memory and/or web access such as a calculator, cell phone or smart watch that is not permitted during a test or examination Copying another student’s test or examination answer Receiving answers from an exam or test bank website
Deception Deception involves misrepresenting the accuracy of information, the authenticity of a document, one’s self, one’s work, or one’s relation to the University.	Creating or causing to be created and/or submitting any falsified official academic document, including a transcript Altering any official academic documents, including transcripts Creating and/or submitting any falsified medical note Altering any information on documentation provided by a third party (such as a date) Impersonating someone in a test or examination or allowing someone to impersonate you Fabricating or falsifying laboratory or research data Fabricating references and/or information derived from references Using another person’s credentials or representing yourself as having credentials that are not rightfully yours
Facilitation Facilitation involves enabling another student’s breach of academic integrity, regardless of whether it is deliberate or not.	Allowing access – whether deliberate or not – to academic work that another student submits in part or whole as that student’s work Selling academic work Making information available to another student about the exam questions or possible answers during an online or take-home exam window or during an in-person exam
Unauthorized use of intellectual property Using the intellectual property of another for academic, personal, or professional advantage without the authorization of the owner.	Uploading course materials to a note-sharing website without the instructor’s permission Providing course materials to a commercial study-prep service not sanctioned by the University Distributing, publicly posting, selling or otherwise disseminating an instructor’s course materials or providing an instructor’s course materials to anyone else for distribution, posting, sale or other means of dissemination, without the instructor’s express consent
Unauthorized collaboration Unauthorized collaboration involves working with others, without the specific permission of the instructor, on academic work that will be submitted for a grade.	Working with others on in-class or take-home tests, papers, or homework assignments that are meant to be completed individually Communicating with another person during an exam or about an exam during the exam window
Failure to abide by academic rules Failing to abide by Faculty/School or University academic rules and regulations.	Failing to follow rules imposed by course instructors, or others (for example, teaching assistants, guest or substitute instructors), regarding the preparation, writing, and submission of academic work Failing to follow rules set out by instructors or the Exams Office in the writing of tests and examinations Failing to follow regulations governing ethics reviews Failing to comply with assigned remedies and sanctions resulting from a departure from academic integrity Unauthorized removal of materials from a library

Students Receiving Notice

In most cases, the course instructor investigates a possible departure from academic integrity. When an instructor sees evidence in your work that suggests that a departure from academic integrity may have taken place, they will investigate the situation. You can expect the investigation to proceed as follows.

1. You swill receive a written notice of the potential departure from academic integrity.

The first step is to bring the matter to your attention and provide the information and documentation that will be consulted during the investigation. Using a Notice of Investigation form sent to your Queen’s email account, the instructor will inform you of the following:

the information on which the investigation is based (you should be supplied with all documents and/or evidence related to the investigation);
the possible sanctions as outlined in the Senate Academic Integrity Procedures;
your right to respond to the investigation by meeting with the instructor or by providing a written response
your right to have support in any response to the investigation
information about University resources available for consultation about your rights and responsibilities through the Office of the University Ombudsperson
your inability to apply for graduation, drop the course, or request pass/fail or credit standing during the investigation

You may not drop the course while an investigation is under way. However, there is no mechanism on SOLUS to prevent you from doing so before the academic drop date. Therefore, the Associate Dean (Academic) has the authority to reinstate you in the course pending a decision on the investigation.

Once the matter and any applicable appeals have concluded, you may request to drop the course if 1) the investigation was dismissed; 2) the finding was overturned on appeal; or 3) the assigned sanction did not include a grade deduction,
While an academic integrity investigation or appeal is underway, you may not apply to graduate until the matter has concluded, even if academic credit for the course(s) under investigation is not required to complete your degree.

2. You should have the opportunity to respond to the Notice of Investigation

It is important that you respond to the investigation. If you don't respond, your instructor will make a decision on the available evidence, without the benefit of hearing from you. You must decide how you would like to respond and inform your instructor of your decision within 10 business days of receiving the Notice of Investigation.

You may choose to respond either by:

1) submitting a written response to the instructor, or

2) requesting a meeting with your instructor to discuss the matter.

If you prefer to respond in writing, send it to your instructor no later than five business days after your initial response to the Notice of Investigation. If you prefer to meet, your instructor will schedule a meeting as soon as possible.

In advance of the meeting or in preparing your written response, you should:

1) review the evidence provided by the instructor

2) collect all drafts and related materials relevant to the particular piece of work at issue

You may contact the Office of the University Ombudsperson for information about student rights and responsibilities and guidance on policy and procedure /ombuds/. Also, consider talking the matter through with someone whose advice you trust and value (e.g. parents, a close relative, friend, counselor, etc.).

Take these steps into consideration when estimating the time it will take you to prepare your response, whether it is in writing, in person, or both.

Whether meeting in person or responding in writing, you need to provide the instructor with a detailed explanation of your perspective, including how the information in question came about, and your line of thinking in preparing the work the way you did. If relevant, provide copies of earlier drafts of your work and other documentation. If you meet in person, you may also choose to prepare something in writing to leave with the instructor, along with copies of drafts and other relevant documentation.

To accompany you to the meeting, you may invite a support person such as a friend, advisor, or legal support person of your choice. The support person cannot be directly involved in the case. Please let the instructor know in advance if a support person will be with you at the meeting. The support person’s role is to provide emotional support, not to answer questions or advocate on your behalf. You can ask for a break in the meeting to talk to your support person in private.

In some cases, the instructor may invite the Chair of Undergraduate Studies, or other departmental delegate, to chair the meeting and provide guidance on the procedures related to departures from academic integrity.

Investigations may be resolved at this early stage.

3. A decision will be made on the case.

After considering the available evidence and your explanation, the instructor will make a decision. They will decide whether to make a finding of a departure from academic integrity or to dismiss the case based on:

the applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures related to academic integrity
the evidence that was considered
the arguments you made in response to the investigation
their own assessment of the relative credibility and strength of the evidence

If the instructor determines that there are no grounds for a finding of departure from academic integrity, all documents related to the case, including any recordings of remotely proctored exams, will be destroyed and the instructor will inform you that the investigation has been dropped using a Notice of Dismissal form.

If the instructor determines that there is sufficient evidence to conclude that it is more likely than not (i.e. on a “balance of probabilities”) that a departure from academic integrity occurred, the instructor will notify you using a Finding of a Departure from Academic Integrity form. Up to this point, the instructor is not aware of any record of previous departures from academic integrity as they are not relevant in making a decision on whether or not a departure occurred in the current investigation.

4. The remedy or sanction will be decided.

Where there is a finding of departure from academic integrity, the instructor is expected to assign an appropriate remedy or sanction that reflects the extent and severity of the departure. After the finding is made, the instructor may consult the Undergraduate Chair, Department Head or departmental delegate concerning the matter of an appropriate sanction. You can also expect the instructor to contact the Faculty of Arts and Science Academic Integrity Administrator to determine if there have been any previous departures from academic integrity. In the case of a second finding, or multiple findings, a more severe sanction may be warranted

Factors that the instructor should consider in deciding the remedy or sanction include:

the extent or seriousness of the departure
any educational measures that may be undertaken to ensure that you understand the departure and what should have been the appropriate conduct in such circumstances
the value of the academic work in relation to the overall grade for the course
your experience as a student (for example, a first-year or an upper-year student; a student experienced in the discipline or a student in an elective course)
any mitigating and/or aggravating circumstances
possible direct injury to another student or the institution

Although mitigating circumstances do not exonerate or excuse a departure from academic integrity, they should be taken into account to ensure the remedy or sanction is reasonable and appropriate. The onus is on you as the student to provide evidence of any mitigating circumstances. Examples include:

documented evidence from an appropriate health care professional of factors directly compromising your capacity to understand or adhere to the standards of academic integrity at the time of the departure
your prompt admission to the alleged departure from academic integrity and expression of contrition and willingness to undertake educative remedies
evidence that reasonable steps were not taken to bring the standards and expectations regarding academic integrity to your attentio

Aggravating circumstances may also have an impact on the appropriate and reasonable remedy or sanction, and these should also be taken into account by the instructor. Examples include, but are not limited to:

evidence of a deliberate attempt to gain an advantage
evidence of an active attempt to conceal the departure
the departure has been committed by an upper-year student who ought to be familiar with the expectations for academic integrity in the discipline, department, and or Faculty/School
conduct that intimidates others or provokes misconduct by others
direct harm to another student or to the university

The range of remedies or sanctions that the instructor can impose include:

a formal written warning the completion of an academic integrity module
a learning experience (e.g. revising original work within a stipulated time period; completing an activity to enhance the student’s understanding of academic integrity)
the completion of new or other work within a stipulated period of time
a deduction of partial or total marks for the work or exam
a deduction of a percentage of the final grade in the course

If the remedy or sanction affects your grade in the course, you may NOT drop the course regardless of the drop deadlines.

Findings are categorized as Level I or Level II. First and second findings are automatically categorized as Level I except if the finding is sufficiently serious that the sanction assigned is one that can only be assigned by the Associate Dean (Academic). If the exception applies, the finding is categorized as Level II. Third and additional findings are automatically categorized as Level II.
Level I findings are stored separately from a student’s main file, and are only accessed by Queen’s staff under specific circumstances. Level I findings are destroyed once a student graduates.

Level II findings are stored in the main student file for three years after graduation. Level II findings may be accessed by Queen’s staff under specific circumstances and can only be shared with outside parties with the student’s explicit permission.

The main student file is confidential. It is used for internal purposes such as preparing for academic advising appointments and processing academic petitions. In rare cases, some American Law Schools, Medical Schools and Police Academies will ask the Associate Dean (Academic) if an applicant has any departures from academic integrity on record. In this case, we would seek your permission to share the information before responding to the request. If you did not give permission, the Faculty Office would respond that the applicant had not given permission to share that information.

5. The instructor will inform you in writing of the decision and remedy (or sanction).

If, in the instructor's assessment, the finding warrants a sanction within the scope of those available to the instructor (Section 4 above), and this is your first departure from academic integrity, the Finding of a Departure from Academic Integrity form will inform you in writing of the following:

the details of the decision or finding of departure from academic integrity
the reasons for the finding and the evidence upon which it is based
that when the instructor determines the sanction, the finding is categorized as Level I, and where to find information about retention and release of Level I findings
the sanction(s) they have assigned
the reasons for the sanction(s), including how any mitigating or aggravating circumstances were considered
your right to appeal the finding and/or the sanction to the Associate Dean (Academic)
the deadline for appealing to the Associate Dean (Academic)
the availability of the Office of the University Ombudsperson for information about student rights and responsibilities and guidance on policy and procedure /ombuds/.

A copy of the Finding of Departure from Academic Integrity form and all related documentation will be forwarded to the Academic Integrity Administrator in the Faculty of Arts and Science office. No documents related to the finding will be retained by your professor or in Departmental student files. If the departure occurred in a remotely proctored exam, the video recording of the exam will be retained by the Faculty Office for as long as the rest of the documentation is retained. See the FAQs for information on how long documents and recordings will be retained.

6. In some cases, the instructor will refer the sanction associated with a finding or departure from academic integrity to the Associate Dean (Academic).

If you have a prior departure from academic integrity on record, or if the matter appears to warrant a sanction more serious than the instructor may impose, the instructor may refer the case to the Associate Dean (Academic), who has the authority to impose a wider range of sanctions than the instructor.

The instructor will still send a Finding of a Departure from Academic Integrity that includes the reasons for the decision on the finding and other information outlined in section 5. The finding form will notify you that the case is being referred to the Academic Integrity Lead to assess a sanction.

When a case is referred to the Associate Dean (Academic) by the instructor, the Associate Dean’s role is to review and consider the factors of the case only as they relate to the decision of an appropriate sanction. If the Associate Dean requires additional information to conclude that the finding is reasonable and/or to determine an appropriate sanction, the Associate Dean may meet or engage in written correspondence with the instructor or student to understand the circumstances and request additional documentation if applicable. Any information gathered at this stage will be included as part of the sanction decision.

The Associate Dean (Academic) may impose any of the sanctions available to the instructor as outlined in section 4 above, and/or the following sanctions that can only be assigned by the Academic Integrity Lead:

One or more sanctions, which, when totalled together, exceed the percentage points required to pass the course (e.g. sanction(s) totalling more than 50 percentage points in a course where 50% (D-) or higher is a passing grade);
an official written warning that the penalty for a subsequent offence could be a requirement to withdraw from the University for a breach of academic integrity for a period of time; and/or
a requirement to withdraw from the University for a breach of academic integrity for
- a (specified) period of time;
- a (specified) minimum period of time; or
- until (specified conditions) have been met.

Instructors will retain a copy of all documents and any video recordings related to the case until the sanction referral is complete, to be able to participate in the Associate Dean's assessment of the sanction, but no records will be retained in by your professor or in Departmental student files once a decision has been made.

Once the Associate Dean (Academic) has decided the sanction, they will notify you in writing using the AI Lead Sanctioning of an Instructor Finding form. The form will include the following information:

whether the finding is categorized as Level I or Level II, and where to find information about retention and release of Level I and Level II findings
the sanction(s)
the reasons for the sanction(s), including any mitigating or aggravating circumstances
the student’s right to appeal the finding and/or sanction
the deadline for submitting an appeal
the University resources available for consultation and the information on the website of the Office of the University Ombudsperson about student rights and responsibilities and University policies and procedures

Academic Integrity Policies and Practices at ��ֱ��

Academic integrity is a concept used to support learning, teaching, research and service within Arts and Science, throughout ��ֱ�� and at a wide range of institutions across Canada and the world. The website for the I offers the widest range of online resources for the study and practice of academic integrity, but the following links offer some basic sources of policy and practice in the Faculty of Arts and Science and at ��ֱ��:

Appealing an Academic Integrity Finding and/or Sanction

How to Appeal

There are two levels of appeal for matters related to academic integrity in the Faculty of Arts and Science:

The Office of the Associate Dean (Academic)

The Associate Dean (Academic) is the Academic Integrity Lead in the Faculty of Arts and Science, and they have several roles in the academic integrity process. They hear appeals of academic integrity decisions made by instructors; initiate investigations and make findings, where the departure occurs outside the context of a course; and, in certain cases, assign sanctions after an instructor has made a finding.

If an instructor has made a Finding of a Departure from Academic Integrity and assigned a sanction, the student may submit an appeal of the finding, the sanction, or both to the Associate Dean (Academic).
If the Associate Dean (Academic) makes the finding and assigns the sanction, the student may submit an appeal of the finding, the sanction, or both to the AICP.
If an instructor has made a finding but the Associate Dean (Academic) is responsible for assigning a sanction, the student cannot appeal the finding until the Associate Dean has made a decision regarding the sanction. Once the sanction has been assigned, the student may may submit an appeal of both the instructor’s decision regarding the finding and the Associate Dean’s decision regarding the sanction together to the AICP. See below for how to appeal to the AICP.

To submit an appeal to the Associate Dean (Academic), a student must demonstrate that there has been either a breach of procedural fairness, or the instructor exceeded their jurisdiction. Appeal submissions that do not demonstrate one of these grounds will not be granted. Please refer to ‘Grounds to Submit an Appeal’ below for more details.

To submit an appeal to the Associate Dean, students must complete the Appeal of a Finding and/or Sanction of a Departure from Academic Integrity form and write a letter explaining their appeal, including demonstrating the grounds for the appeal.

The student has 10 business days from the date that the Finding form was emailed to them to submit an appeal to the Associate Dean (Academic).

Appeal Form

The Academic Integrity and Conduct Panel (AICP)

Students may submit an appeal to the AICP in the following circumstances:

If the Associate Dean (Academic) has made a Finding of a Departure from Academic Integrity and assigned a sanction, the student may submit an appeal of the finding, the sanction, or both.
If an instructor has made a Finding of a Departure from Academic Integrity and the Associate Dean (Academic) has made a decision regarding the sanction, the student may submit an appeal of both the instructor’s decision regarding the finding and the Associate Dean’s decision regarding the sanction together.
If a student submitted an appeal of an instructor decision to the Associate Dean and the appeal was denied or approved only in part, the student may submit an appeal of the Associate Dean's decision to the AICP.

To submit an appeal to the AICP, a student must demonstrate that there has been either been a breach of procedural fairness, or that the Instructor/Associate Dean exceeded their jurisdiction. Appeal submissions that do not demonstrate one of these grounds will not be granted. Please refer to ‘Grounds to submit an appeal’ for more details.

To submit an appeal to the AICP, students must complete the Appeal of a Finding and/or Sanction of a Departure from Academic Integrity form and write a letter explaining their appeal, including demonstrating the grounds for the appeal.

The student has 10 business days from the date of the Associate Dean (Academic) decision to submit an appeal to the AICP.

Appeal Form

Grounds for Appeal

The grounds for submitting an appeal to either the Associate Dean (Academic) or the Academic Integrity Conduct Panel (AICP) are limited to cases in which:

The decision-maker whose decision is being appealed failed to act in accordance with the rules of procedural fairness. A breach of procedural fairness includes failing to:

permit a student to be heard by an unbiased decision-maker;
follow applicable rules, regulations, or University policy, in a way that adversely affected a student’s right to a fair process;
make a reasonable decision, with respect to the finding, the sanction imposed, or both. A “reasonable” decision is one that is rational in that its outcome and the reasoning process that led to that outcome are are intelligible, justified based on evidence, and supported by facts and logical inferences from findings of fact. To be reasonable, the decision must also be transparent, meaning it must contain adequate reasons for the conclusions. If the decision is “reasonable”, the decision-maker deciding the appeal is not permitted to substitute their opinion for that of the decision-maker whose decision is under appeal.

The decision-maker whose decision is being appealed acted without, or exceeded their, jurisdiction. (e.g. an instructor imposed a sanction that is only available to the Associate Dean (Academic), such as a requirement to withdraw)

Appeal submissions that do not demonstrate one of these grounds will not be granted. For more information on the ground to appeal, please see Academic Integrity Procedures 4.1

Appeals must be submitted to the Associate Dean (Academic) or AICP within 10 business days of the date the student was informed of the decision (the date either that the Notice of a Finding of a Departure from Academic Integrity, or the Associate Dean’s decision was sent to the student), Academic Integrity Procedures 4.3.1

Academic Integrity FAQ

Have questions about Academic integrity at ��ֱ��? Find out more about the process, what is expected and see the frequently asked questions relating to Academic integrity at ��ֱ��.

Information about the Investigation Process

How does the investigation process work?

The instructorwill bring the matter to your attention. Using the Notice of Investigation form letter, the instructor will inform you of the following:

the information on which the investigation is based (you should be supplied with all documents and/or evidence related to the investigation);
the possible sanctions as outlined in the Senate Academic Integrity Procedures;
your right to respond to the investigation by meeting with the instructor or by providing a written response
your right to have support in any response to the investigation
information about University resources available for consultation about your rights and responsibilities through the Office of the University Ombudsperson
your inability to apply for graduation, drop the course, or request pass/fail or credit standing during the investigation

What are the purposes of the investigation?

To seek the truth.
To clarify events or actions.
To provide an open and fair forum to both the instructor and the student to explain their thought processes.
To make the best decision based on all of the available evidence.
To respect all parties in the process.
To maintain an academic environment where all students can be successful and free to explore ideas, to build and advance knowledge and to share the ideas and knowledge that emerges from a range of intellectual pursuits.

What happens after the instructor finishes the investigation?

If the instructor determines that there are no grounds for a finding of departure from academic integrity, all documents related to the case will be destroyed and the instructor will inform you that the matter has been closed using a Notice of Dismissal form.

If the instructor believes that there is evidence to conclude that it is more likely than not (i.e. on a “balance of probabilities”) that a departure from academic integrity has taken place, the instructor will make a Finding and in most cases will determine the sanction. At this point, a record of one or more previous departure(s) from academic integrity becomes relevant, and you can expect that the instructor will check with the Academic Integrity Administrator to find out if there is a previous finding of departure from academic integrity on your record.
If you have a previous finding on record, or if the instructor believes a more serious sanction than they can impose is warranted, the instructor will refer the case to the Associate Dean (Academic) for sanctioning. The instructor will use the Finding form to notify you of the finding and the sanction referral.
If there are no previous findings on record, the instructor will typically set a remedy or sanction themself and use the Finding form to notify you of the decision.

May I drop a course before an investigation is concluded?

You may not drop the course while an investigation is under way; however there is no mechanism on SOLUS to prevent you from doing so prior to the academic deadline. Therefore, the instructor will proceed with the investigation whether or not you drop the course. If your instructor, or the Office of the Associate Dean (Academic), becomes aware that you have dropped the course while under investigation, you will be reinstated in the course by the Faculty Office pending a decision on the case. If the investigation results in a finding of a departure from academic integrity, and it is discovered that you dropped the course, you will be reinstated at that time if the sanction includes a grade deduction.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

What is expected of me?

It is important that you participate in the investigation process!

Be aware of ��ֱ�� academic integrity policies and procedures
Seek information from knowledgeable people, such as the Office of the Ombudsperson /ombuds/
Respond promptly to each request for a meeting or information
If you realize you have made a mistake, take responsibility for it. This allows the process to move to the important work of considering an appropriate remedy or sanction. Mitigating circumstances such as prompt admission of a departure from academic integrity or an expression of regret and a willingness to undertake educative remedies can be taken into account by the instructor to ensure that the penalty imposed is fair, reasonable, and proportionate to the gravity of the departure
Bring all information that you think is important to the meeting (e.g. study notes, rough drafts of papers, witness contact information, etc.)
Trust the process. If you aren't responsible, this will come out in the investigation. Remember the instructor who is investigating your situation is also exploring your innocence. Share everything that helps demonstrate what happened
You don't have to accept the decision of the instructor. You have the right to appeal the finding and/or the remedy or sanction to the Associate Dean (Academic)

What are my rights as a student?

You have the right to know that you are being investigated for a departure from academic integrity, the evidence that is being considered, and the academic regulations and procedures that govern academic integrity matters, including the possible sanctions or remedies
You have the right to respond meaningfully to the investigation. You may meet with the instructor in person or online; you may prepare a written response; or you may do both
If you wish to meet with the instructor, you may be accompanied by a support person of your choice
You have the right to a decision making process that is conducted with procedural fairness
You have the right to appeal the decision, provided that you can demonstrate one of the grounds for appeal

How much time do I have to respond to the instructor?

You have 10 business days after receiving the Notice of Investigation to contact the instructor to request a meeting or to indicate that you will respond in writing. If you choose to respond in writing, you will have 5 business days from the date you confirm your choice to the instructor to submit your written statement.

When agreeing on a meeting date, you should give yourself enough time to review the evidence provided by the instructor, assemble all drafts and related materials relevant to the particular piece of work at issue, and seek information (if desired) from an informed member of the ��ֱ�� community, such as the Office of the University Ombudsperson, or anyone whose advice you trust and value (e.g. a friend, close relative, counselor, advisor).

What happens if I do not respond to the Notice of Investigation?

The investigation process can proceed without your participation, and a decision will be reached without your input after the stated time for you to respond has elapsed. The instructor will base the decision on the available evidence.

Can I bring a friend or representative with me to the meeting?

To provide emotional support during the investigation meeting, you may invite any advisor support person that you wish, e.g. a friend, advocate, family member, or legal support person of your choice. Your support person cannot be directly involved in the case, and they are not permitted to advocate on your behalf, and you must notify your instructor of who will be present with you at the meeting.

Do I need legal counsel present during the investigation process?

You do not need legal counsel, but you may have representative counsel with you at the meeting(s) and/or in preparing your response if you choose.

What if I do not agree with the decision of the investigation?

If you do not agree with the instructor's decision, you may appeal the finding of departure from academic integrity and/or the sanction imposed as a result of an instructor's finding to the Associate Dean (Academic). You have 10 business days after receiving the decision to submit a written appeal and copies of the relevant documents.

Sanctions and Influencing Factors

What kind of sanctions will I be given?

Each case is treated individually; therefore, sanctions will vary from case to case. Depending on the nature of the departure, a sanction may consist of a remedy which is meant to be an educational process or it may involve serious consequences. Where there is a finding of departure from academic integrity, the instructor or Associate Dean (Academic) is expected to assign an appropriate remedy or sanction that reflects the extent and severity of the departure, and past precedents in the Department and Faculty. The instructor may consult their Undergraduate Chair and Department Head concerning the matter. The range of remedies or sanctions that the instructor can impose include:

a formal written warning
the completion of an academic integrity module
a learning experience (e.g. revising original work within a stipulated time period; completing an activity to enhance the student’s understanding of academic integrity)
the completion of new or other work within a stipulated period of time
a deduction of partial or total marks for the work or exam
a deduction of a percentage of the final grade in the course

If the case is referred to the Associate Dean (Academic) for sanctioning, the Associate Dean may impose the following sanctions only available to the Academic Integrity Lead:

One or more sanctions, which, when totalled together, exceed the percentage points required to pass the course (e.g. sanction(s) totalling more than 50 percentage points in a course where 50% (D-) or higher is a passing grade);
an official written warning that the penalty for a subsequent offence could be a requirement to withdraw from the University for a breach of academic integrity for a period of time; and/or
a requirement to withdraw from the University for a breach of academic integrity for
- a (specified) period of time;
- a (specified) minimum period of time; or
- until (specified conditions) have been met.

If the sanction includes a grade deduction, you may NOT drop the course regardless of the drop deadlines.

What factors might influence the sanction that the instructor (or the Associate Dean (Academic) sets?

Any sanction should reflect the extent and severity of the departure from academic integrity, precedents in the Academic Unit and Faculty, and take into account any aggravating or mitigating circumstances. Factors which should be considered in assigning a remedy or sanction include the following:

the extent and seriousness of the departure;
any educational measures that could be undertaken to ensure that the student understands the departure and what should have been the appropriate conduct in such circumstances;
the value of the academic work in relation to the overall grade for the course;
the experience of the student (for example, a first-year or an upper-year student; a student experienced in the discipline or a student taking an elective course);
if and how the university’s reputation and/or other students were impacted as a result of the departure
any mitigating and/or aggravating circumstances

There may be occasions where there are mitigating circumstances that affect the sanction. Although mitigating circumstances do not exonerate or excuse from the finding of a departure from academic integrity, these factors should be taken into account to ensure that the penalty imposed is fair, reasonable, and proportionate to the gravity of the departure found. The decision must outline the evidence supporting reliance on the mitigating circumstances. The onus is on the student to produce evidence of mitigating circumstances.

Conversely, there could also be aggravating circumstances that are taken into account when determining an appropriate sanction.

What is the difference between a Level I and Level II finding?

First and second findings are automatically categorized as Level I except if the finding is sufficiently serious that the sanction assigned is one that can only be assigned by the Associate Dean (Academic). If the exception applies, the finding is categorized as Level II. Third and additional findings are automatically categorized as Level II.

Level I findings are stored separately from a student’s main file, and are only accessed by Queen’s staff under specific circumstances. Level I findings are destroyed once a student graduates.

When will I learn of the instructor's decision?

After considering the available evidence and your explanation, the instructor will make a decision in as timely a manner as possible. There are many factors that can influence the length of time it takes for an investigation to be conducted and concluded. If the instructor decides that a departure from academic integrity did not occur and dismisses the case, you will receive a formal Notice of Dismissal. If the instructor makes a finding of departure of academic integrity, this will be sent to you with a copy to the Office of the Associate Dean (Academic).

What if I have a previous finding of departure from academic integrity on record?

If you have a previous finding on record, the instructor will refer the new finding to the Associate Dean (Academic) for sanctioning. The instructor will use the Finding form to notify you of the finding and the referral. The Associate Dean (Academic) will review the case and may set a more serious sanction than an instructor can impose.

Will this finding stay on my record?

Whether the finding remains on your record depends on how the finding is categorized.

A Level I finding will not be kept in your main file, but in a separate special file that will only be accessed by Queen’s staff in specific circumstances, such as if there is a future departure from academic integrity. It will be destroyed when you graduate.
Level II departures are kept in the main student file, which is confidential and is consulted only for purposes of academic advising, assessment of academic progress, academic petitions and appeals, or review of matters related to academic integrity. In rare cases, some schools (such as American Law Schools, Medical Schools and Police Academies) request references from the Associate Dean (Academic) and the file can consulted to answer specific questions about the student's academic history. But even then, we can’t speak to those schools without your permission, so you still have control over who knows about this departure outside of Faculty of Arts and Science Student Services staff.

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