DATE: May 29, 2017
PARTIES: University of Toronto v. J.F. ("the Student")
Hearing Date(s): March 6, 2017
Panel Members:
Ms. Amanda Heale, Chair
Professor Katherine Larson, Faculty Panel Member
Ms. Alanis Ortiz Espinoza, Student Panel Member
Appearances:
Mr. Robert Centa, Discipline Counsel, Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP
Ms. Emily Home, Articling Student, Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP
In Attendance:
Prof. Jonathan Freedman, Dean's Designate, Faculty of Arts and Science
Ms. Sana Kawar, Manager, Transcript Centre, University of Toronto
Ms. Tatiana Dobrovolska, Transcript Centre, University of Toronto
Ms. Krista Osbourne, Administrative Clerk and Hearing Secretary, Office of the Appeals, Discipline and Faculty Grievances
Mr. Sean Lourim, IT Support, Office of the Governing Council
Not in Attendance:
The Student
Trial Division - s. B.i.3(a) of Code - forged academic record - student submitted forged transcript in application to another university - student did not attend hearing - University provided proper notice of hearing - finding of guilt - expulsion, five year suspension, publication of the decision with the name of the Student withheld
The Student was charged with forging an academic record under s. B.i.3(a) of the Code, and alternatively, academic dishonesty under s. B.i.3(b) of the Code. The charges related to an admission application to another university that included a forged transcript.
The Student did not attend the hearing. The Tribunal found that it was entitled to proceed in light of evidence of service of the notice of hearing to the student's official e-mail and home addresses as recorded on ROSI. The Tribunal proceeded in the Student's absence.
The Tribunal found the student guilty of the forgery charge, and did not address the academic dishonesty charge. In determining the penalty, the Tribunal noted that transcript forgery frequently attracts a recommendation of expulsion due to the importance of the integrity of the University's official records, and that the Student did not participate in the hearing to present any potential mitigating factors in this case. The Tribunal suspended the Student for up to five years, recommended that they be expelled, and ordered that the decision be reported to the Provost for publication with the name of the Student withheld.