Academic Discipline

do you want help with your academic discipline matter?

Downtown Legal Services (DLS) can help! DLS is a legal clinic with experience representing students in the academic discipline process. It is located on the University of Toronto campus and provides free legal services to students who qualify.

The University Tribunal functions in accordance with the Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters and is comprised of two divisions:

1. The Trial Division, which is also referred to as the University Tribunal.

2. The Appeal Division, which is also referred to as the Discipline Appeals Board.  Decisions of the Tribunal (the Trial Division) can be appealed to the Discipline Appeals Board.

The University Tribunal, in addition to reporting to the Academic Board regarding policy and procedures in respect of the Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters, also recommends to the Governing Council that certain sanctions be imposed against students found guilty of academic misconduct.

There are also Rules of Practice and Procedure which outline some processes.

The ADFG Office does not handle Divisional matters.  If your matter has not been referred to the Provost, and formal charges have not been laid, you should contact your Registrar.  For more information on Divisional procedures, please see the Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters  or please refer to the At the Faculty/Division section of the website.

the importance of academic integrity


A Message from the Vice-Provost, Faculty & Academic Life

"All members of the U of T community—students, faculty, and staff—have a responsibility to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity in their work.  Acting with academic integrity means respecting the values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, and courage in your work. If you are a student and find yourself needing help on an assignment or with your studies, there are many places to turn; cheating is never the right choice. Please visit academicintegrity.utoronto.ca to learn more about smart strategies to avoid academic misconduct throughout your time at this great university. "

- Professor Heather Boon, Vice-Provost, Faculty & Academic Life


Relevant Sections of the Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters

“The University and its members have a responsibility to ensure that a climate which might encourage, or conditions which might enable, cheating, misrepresentation or unfairness not be tolerated. To this end, all must acknowledge that seeking credit or other advantages by fraud or misrepresentation, or seeking to disadvantage others by disruptive behaviour is unacceptable, as is any dishonesty or unfairness in dealing with the work or record of a student.” 

- Section B of the Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters

“At both the divisional level and the level of the University Tribunal, the procedures for handling charges of academic offences involving students reflect the gravity with which the University views such offences. At the same time, these procedures and those which ensure students the right of appeal represent the University’s commitment to fairness and the cause of justice.” 

- Section C of the Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters

Please note: the contents of the website, where possible, have been written in simplified language. Should a question/dispute arise where the language on the website differs from the Code, the Code will prevail.

do you want an easy way to understand the academic discipline process?

Click below for an easy-to-understand flowchart illustrating the entire academic discipline process.