If you run into difficulties, it is essential that you deal with the situation as soon as possible, particularly situations which affect your academic performance. Unresolved problems generally get worse, and, in some cases, there are specific deadlines within which certain types of concerns must be addressed.

When dealing with a matter, checking your Ryerson e-mail account frequently is of utmost importance. All formal communication from the University will be sent exclusively to your Ryerson e-mail account.

Your first step in resolving a matter is to consult your Department/School handbook, the University calendar, and any pertinent policies. All Ryerson academic policies are available on-line at www.ryerson.ca/senate.

If you are not sure how to deal with a concern, ask for advice. You can seek advice from:

Academic Integrity Office (for academic integrity/misconduct matters)

Location: Jorgenson Hall, JOR-1230

Phone: 416-979-5000, ext. 7800

E-mail: dbell@ryerson.ca

Student Conduct Officer (for non-academic matters involving another student)

Location: Lower Podium Building, POD-62

Phone: 416-979-5000, ext. 2741

Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Services

Location: Podium Building, POD-254A

Phone: 416-979-5349

E-mail: dhps@ryerson.ca

RSU Student Issues and Advocacy Coordinator

Location: Student Campus Centre, SCC-311

Phone: 416-979-5255, ext. 2322

E-mail: advocacy@rsuonline.ca

CESAR Student Rights Coordinator

Location: Student Campus Centre, SCC-311

Phone: 416-979-5000, ext. 7716

E-mail: studentrights@mycesar.org

Ombudsperson

Location: Oakham House, second floor

Phone: 416-979-5000, ext. 7450

E-mail: nfarrell@ryerson.ca

FAIR PROCESS

The University is committed to a fair process for resolving concerns. If you feel that you were treated unfairly or differently from other students, you have the right to have your issue addressed. Your first step is to ask for advice.

It is usually best to talk the issue over with the faculty or staff member involved first. You may choose to speak with the Chair/Director. If questions remain, you have the option to consult with others.

You can obtain advice from the RSU (SCC-311) or CESAR (SCC-301). You may also seek advice from the Office of the Ombudsperson (Oakham House) at any time. For matters related to discrimination and harassment, you should seek the advice of the Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Services office.

You should also consult relevant policies. For example, the Student Codes of Academic and Non-academic Conduct, as well as the Discrimination Harassment Prevention Policy, contain the procedures related to the issues covered under those policies.

If you feel you are being penalized for complaining, seek advice on how to handle your complaint by contacting the Ombudsperson.

ACADEMIC CONCERNS

Course work

If you are having a problem with a course, you should first seek to resolve the issue with the instructor. If the problem affects you in more than one course, or if you cannot resolve the issue with the instructor, or you have a general academic concern, consult the Chair or Director of the Department/School the course is in. If there is still no resolution, contact the Dean, or ultimately the Provost and Vice President Academic.

Academic integrity and academic misconduct

Ryerson University takes academic misconduct very seriously, and you should be aware that academic dishonesty will result in severe penalties.

The Student Code of Academic Conduct, found in this guide and on-line at www.ryerson.ca/senate/pol60.pdf clearly explains what constitutes academic misconduct. You are responsible for knowing this information.

For more information on resources to help you avoid unintentional academic misconduct, go to www.ryerson.ca/academicintegrity.

What is considered academic dishonesty and misconduct?

The Student Code of Academic Conduct lists some of the things which are considered academic dishonesty and misconduct. The list is not exhaustive, but will give you an idea of what kinds of behaviours are not acceptable. Please see the Code for definitions.

Academic Misconduct

a) Plagiarism

b) Cheating

c) Misrepresentation of personal identity or performance

d) Submission of false information

Contributing to Academic Misconduct

Damaging, Tampering or Interfering with the Scholarly Environment

Unauthorized Copying or Use of Copyrighted Materials

Violations of Departmental Policies on Professional Behaviour

Violations of Specific Departmental or Course Requirements

What happens if I am suspected of academic dishonesty?

You should consult the Student Code of Academic Conduct for Procedures.

Any instructor who suspects academic dishonesty has the responsibility to start proceedings and must meet with you confidentially to discuss his or her suspicions. An e-mail will be sent to your Ryerson e-mail account requesting a meeting. Checking your Ryerson e-mail account frequently is of utmost importance. Otherwise, the proceedings may continue without any input from you.

The discussion can be held in one of two ways:

The instructor may request to meet with you one-on-one. A mutually agreed-upon third party is present to make notes and/or facilitate the discussion. The third party is normally a departmental assistant or other staff person, and may not be the Chair/Director.

The Academic Integrity Officer may also set up a facilitated discussion. Please note that, as a student, you have a right to request a facilitated discussion.

What happens during and after the discussion?

At this meeting, you must be given the chance to tell your side of the story. You should bring drafts of papers and any other information that will help address the issue. There is a record of discussion form which must be completed and signed by all parties.

You will be informed of the decision via your Ryerson email. Ensure that you check your Ryerson e-mail account frequently.

What kind of penalty might I get for academic misconduct or dishonesty?

If it is determined that you have committed academic misconduct:

The minimum penalty an instructor may assign you is a "0" on the work.

You may also be assigned an "F" in the course and/or assigned to take an Academic Integrity Tutorial workshop.

The instructor may also recommend a higher penalty, such as Disciplinary Suspension, Disciplinary Withdrawal or Expulsion. If so, there will automatically be a hearing of the Academic Integrity Council.

If Expulsion or Disciplinary Withdrawal is recommended, there must ultimately be a hearing of the Senate Appeals Committee.

Do I have the right to appeal the instructor's decision?

You have the right to appeal either the charge or the penalty recommended. You may first appeal to the Academic Integrity Council and, for some limited grounds, finally to the Senate Appeals Committee. See the Student Code of Academic Conduct at www.ryerson.ca/senate for details on the procedure.

Will this affect my academic record?

Yes. Your first academic misconduct will result in a Disciplinary Notice (DN) being placed on your record. This will remain your record until you have graduated or for eight years, whichever comes first. If you received a DN during the first half of your program and have no subsequent misconduct, you may petition your Chair/Director to have it removed in your final year.

A second academic misconduct will result in a Disciplinary Suspension (DS) of up to two years, depending on the decision of the Academic Integrity Council. Hearings on Disciplinary Suspensions are automatic. Just as with Expulsion or Disciplinary Withdrawal, the Disciplinary Suspension note will stay on record permanently.

Avoiding plagiarism

Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct. As stated in the Student Code of Academic Conduct, plagiarism is the use of ideas, words, data, arguments, calculations, or other work done by somebody else without indicating that the work was done by somebody else. This applies to essays and all other forms of work you submit for evaluation.

In other words, when you plagiarize you are pretending that the work was done by you when really it wasn't.

Sometimes plagiarism occurs because students are not familiar with the right way to document their sources. If you have any questions about how to show where you got an idea or a quotation (called "referencing" or "citation"), talk to your instructor or go to the Writing Centre where you can find guides to the right way to reference your work.

Check out the Course Management Policy at www.senate/current/pol145.pdf where you will find information on plagiarism detection services.

What if I suspect that someone else is cheating or I have an academic integrity concern?

The Academic Integrity Officer is available to all students who wish to confidentially discuss any matter related to academic integrity at Ryerson. You may contact the Academic Integrity Officer at 416-979-5000, ext. 7800,

or at dbell@ryerson.ca