DATE: February 6, 2012
PARTIES: University of Toronto v. K.P.
Hearing Date(s): June 27, 2011
Panel Members:
Mr. Andrew Pinto, Chair
Dr. Annette Sanger, Faculty Member
Ms. Alice Kim, Student Member
Appearances:
Mr. Robert Centa, Assistant Discipline Counsel for the University
In Attendance:
Prof. Eleanor Irwin, Dean's Designate
Ms. Natalie Ramtahal, Coordinator, Appeals, Discipline and Faculty Grievances
Trial Division – s. B.i.1(d) of Code – plagiarism – submitted plagiarized essays in two courses – hearing not attended – Consent to proceed in absence – Agreed Statement of Facts - guilty plea – finding of guilt – Joint Submission on Penalty – committed plagirism on three different occasions – Panel would have considered a more serious penalty – no compelling circumstances to depart from the joint submission - grade assignment of zero for courses; four-year suspension; four-year notation on transcript; report to Provost
Student charged under s. B.i.1(d) of the Code. The charges related to allegations that the Student submitted plagiarized essays in two courses, one in the summer term and the other in the winter term of the same year. The Student did not attend the hearing but submitted a Consent to the hearing proceeding in her absence. The parties submitted an Agreed Statement of Facts, and the Student pleaded guilty to the charges. On the basis of the Agreed Statement of Facts, the panel found the Student guilty under s. B.i.1(d). The parties also submitted a Joint Submission on Penalty. Although the Panel accepted the joint submission, it stated that the serious nature of the Student's misconduct and the fact that the Student had committed plagiarism on three different occasions could have warranted a more severe penalty including a recommendation for expulsion. However, the Panel did not find any compelling circumstances to depart from the joint submission. The Panel imposed a grade assignment of zero in each course, a four-year suspension; a four-year notation; and a report be issued to the Provost.