DATE: May 12, 2016
PARTIES: University of Toronto v H.M.
Hearing Date(s): March 15, 2016
Panel Members:
Paul Morrison, Chair
Chris Koenig-Woodyard, Faculty Member
Adam Wheeler, Student Member
Appearances:
Lily Harmer, Assistant Discipline Counsel
Kristi Gourlay, Manager, Office of Academic Integrity, Faculty of Arts and Science
In Attendance:
Donald Dewees, Dean’s Designate for Academic Integrity, Office of the Dean, Faculty of Arts and Science
Tracey Gameiro, Associate Director, Appeals, Discipline and Faculty Grievances
Virginia Fletcher, Law Clerk, Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP
Stavroula Andreopoulos, Course Coordinator and Instructor
Trial Division – s. B.i.1(b), s. B.ii.1(a), s. B.ii.2 of the Code – unauthorized aid – Student posted contents of Exam to Facebook during the Exam – hearing not attended – finding on evidence – finding on guilt – grade assignment of zero in the Course; 2-year suspension; the earlier of either a 3-year notation on the Student’s academic record and transcript, or a notation until his graduation from the University; case reported to Provost for publication
Student charged under s. B.i.1(b), s. B.ii.1(a), s. B.ii.2, and s. B.i.3(b) of the Code. The charges related to allegations that the Student was in possession of a cell phone during the Exam and that he posted the contents of the Exam to Facebook, where it was available to other students enrolled in the Course, including students who were writing the Exam at the time and other students who had not yet written the Exam. The Student was not present at the hearing. The Panel ordered that the hearing proceed in the Student’s absence.
Student found guilty of one count of unauthorized aid/assistance, contrary to s. B.i.1(b), s. B.ii.1(a), and s. B.ii.2 of the Code. The Panel took into account affidavit evidence of suspicious behaviour by the Student from Exam invigilators and evidence about the Facebook post from students in the Course in concluding that the Student, who had written the Exam in a private carrel due to medical accommodations, was guilty. The Panel imposed a grade assignment of zero in the Course; a 2-year suspension; the earlier of either a 3-year notation on the Student’s academic record and transcript, or a notation until his graduation from the University; and that the case be reported to the Provost for publication.