Pre-Hearing

You are responsible for maintaining and advising the University, using the Repository of Student Information (ROSI), of a current and valid postal address as well as a current and valid “utoronto” email address; if you choose, you can also provide an additional email address that you access/use, send/receive correspondence from, and check on a regular basis.

This responsibility to maintain updated contact information on ROSI will be used by the University and possibly by the Tribunal to presume that you have received copies of the charges, notices of hearing, and related documents sent to the most recent addresses provided.

If you do not maintain, update, and regularly check your email address for correspondence, you may miss important information. This failure will not be considered an acceptable reason for failing to receive official correspondence from the University.

You are expected to monitor and read all mail and emails sent to you by the University, on a frequent and consistent basis. You have the responsibility to recognize that certain communications may be time-critical.

You are also expected to respond to communications from the University as required. See the Policy on Official Correspondence with Students.

Remember that the ADFG Office does not provide legal advice. Students are encouraged to seek representation. 

If the Provost lays charges against you, the ADFG Office will be involved with you at various points before and after the hearing. Listed below are some specific points when the ADFG Office will get involved: 

• When the Provost lays charges to provide you with information about the process and where you can get help 
• Schedule hearing dates
• Notify you about your hearing 
• Attend as Secretary at your hearing
• Inform you about your hearing outcome
• Send you the written decision from the Panel
• In the case of expulsions, outline the process and advise you of the Governing Council's conclusion with respect to its decision
• Outline the process if a party files an appeal

ADFG Office

If the Provost has laid charges, the ADFG Office will send you a letter to provide you with information about the academic discipline process and where you can get assistance with your case.

The ADFG Office will also schedule a hearing date.

Once a hearing, including date and time has been confirmed, a Notice of Hearing will be issued in writing. Click here to see a sample Notice of Hearing.

NOTE: The hearing may proceed in your absence if you do not attend.

Discipline Counsel 

Discipline Counsel presents the case for the Provost at the hearing. They will provide disclosure of relevant evidence to you in advance of the hearing.

Discipline Counsel will usually attempt to contact you or your representative to discuss your hearing. They may explore whether the issues can be narrowed, and whether they can come to an agreement with you on any facts or proposed sanctions.

Discipline Counsel will also provide disclosure. This means that you or your legal counsel will receive a package of documents which contains all the information that has been assembled by the Faculty or Division and the Provost's Office during the investigation of the alleged misconduct, including transcripts of meetings with the Dean or Dean's designate.

Your Responsibilities

You are responsible for the following:

• Obtaining representation, if desired, as early in the process as possible;
• Cooperating with scheduling the hearing dates;
• Preparing for the hearing;
• Obtaining any medical or other evidence you wish to rely on at the hearing;
• Attending and participating in the hearing.

An attempt will be made for a hearing to be set at a date and time that is convenient for you and Discipline Counsel, where possible. Please note that in the event that you receive a Notice of Hearing and fail to attend, the hearing may proceed in your absence.

Hearings are held Monday to Friday throughout the calendar year. Hearings usually begin at 9:45 a.m., 1:45 p.m., 5:15 p.m. or at 5:45 p.m. The duration of each Tribunal hearing varies as each case is unique. We suggest that hearing attendees reserve at least six (6) hours in their calendar. Hearings have been known to conclude in as little as three (3) hours but have also been known to take multiple days. For this reason, we ask that attendees bring their calendars to the hearing to facilitate scheduling if another day is needed. For hearings beginning at 5:15 p.m. and 5:45 p.m., we suggest that attendees keep their entire evening free. 

If you need a disability-related accommodation to participate in this academic discipline process, please review and follow the procedure set out in the Protocol for Requesting Accommodation for Disabilities in the Academic Discipline Process.