DATE: July 6, 2009
PARTIES: University of Toronto v. I.A.
Hearing Date(s): March 19, 2007
Panel Members:
Michael Hines, Chair
James Rini, Faculty Member
Dipka Das, Student Member
Appearances:
Mr. Robert Centa, Assistant Discipline Counsel for the University
Trial Division – s. B.i.1(d) of Code – plagiarism – passages from essay taken verbatim from internet sources – hearing not attended – Agreed Statement of Facts – guilty plea - finding of guilt based on agreed statement of facts – Student also agreed to statement of facts regarding penalty – Panel reviewed the agreement and found that it reflected an approproate penalty – grade assignment of zero for course; three-year suspension; three-year notation on transcript - Panel mindful of comments in R. v. Tsicos
Student charged under s. B.i.1(d) and s. B.i.3.(d) of the Code. The charges related to allegations that the Student submitted a plagiarized paper, passages of which were taken verbatim or virtually verbatim without attribution from various internet sources. The Student did not attend the hearing, but the matter proceeded as the University had reached an agreed statement of facts with the Student. 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 Student had also agreed to a statement of facts concerning penalty. The Panel reviewed the statement of facts and found that it reflected an appropriate penalty. The Panel imposed a grade of zero in the course; a three-year suspension; a notation on the Student's academic record and transcript for the period of the suspension. The Panel mentioned that in reaching the decision, it was mindful of the Court's comments in R. v. Tsicos.