DATE: October 6, 2017
PARTIES: University of Toronto v. A.G. (“the Student”)
Hearing Date(s): July 11, 2017
Panel Members:
Mr. Michael Hines, Barrister and Solicitor, Chair
Professor Dionne Aleman, Panel Member
Mr. Harvey Lim, Student Panel Member
Appearances:
Ms. Lily Harmer, Assistant Discipline Counsel, Paliare Roland Barristers
Mr. Thomas MacKay, Director, Faculty Governance & Curriculum Services, Faculty of Arts and Science
In Attendance:
Ms. Tracey Gameiro, Associate Director, Office of Appeals, Discipline and Faculty Grievances
Ms. Breese Davies, (Newly Appointed Co-Chair of the University Tribunal), Observer
Mr. Sean Lourim, Technology Assistant, Office of the Governing Council
Not in Attendance
The Student
Trial Division - s. B.i.1(a) – forged or falsifying documents – falsified transcript and resume for use in job applications – hearing not attended – agreed statement of facts – joint submission on penalty – recommendation of expulsion, five-year suspension pending expulsion, permanent notation on transcript, report to the provost with the Student’s name withheld.
The Student was charged with three offences of falsifying or forging an academic record contrary to s. B.i.3(a) of the Code with an alternative charge of falsifying a document required by the University contrary to s. B.i.1(a) of the Code; or in the further alternative, three charges of academic dishonesty not specified contrary to s. B.i.3(b) of the Code. The charges related to two separate transcripts and a resume that a student had submitted in support of applications to work at the University, all of which contained false information about the Student’s grades. The Student advised Discipline Counsel that he was aware of the gravity of his actions and agreed to having the hearing proceed in his absence. The Panel made an order that the hearing proceed without the Student. The Parties submitted an Agreed Statement of Facts (ASF). Based on the ASF, the Student was found guilty of the first two charges of forging an academic record contrary to s. B.i.3(a) of the Code. The University withdrew the alternative charges.
The Parties submitted a Joint Submission on Penalty (JSP) proposing: (a) a recommendation to the President of the University that the Student be expelled; (b) a suspension of a period of up to five years effective immediately pending expulsion; (c) a permanent notation on the Student’s transcript; and (d) that the matter be reported to the Provost for publication. The Panel referred to K.N. v. University of Toronto (Case No.899, August 21, 2017) for the proposition that the offences of forging and falsifying academic records demonstrate a serious lack of academic and personal integrity which threaten the reputation of the University and the students who pursue their degrees honestly and diligently. In the absence of any exceptional circumstances in this case, the Panel accepted the JSP, ordering: (a) a recommendation to the President of the University that the Student be expelled; (b) a suspension of a period of up to five years effective immediately pending expulsion; (c) a permanent notation on the Student’s transcript; and (d) that the matter be reported to the Provost for publication.