DATE: November 26, 2009
PARTIES: University of Toronto v. A.M.
Hearing Date(s): November 6, 2009
Panel Members:
Ms. Laura Trachuk, Chair
Prof. William Weiss, Faculty Member
Ms. melanie Bleue, Student Member
Appearances:
Ms. Erin Burbridge, Assistant Discipline Counsel for the University
Mr. Robert Centa, Assistant Discipline Counsel for the University
In Attendance:
Mr. Scott Moore, Quality Assessment Officer, School of Graduate Studies Officer
Trial Division – s.B.i.1(d) of Code – plagiarism – course work – Student did not attend Hearing – agreed statement of facts – joint submission on penalty – seriousness of offence –need for original work – unfairness to other students created by plagiarism -- Joint Submission on Penalty accepted – Tribunal ordered: a grade of zero in the course; a recommendation of expulsion; a five year suspension pending the expulsion; and a report to the Provost
The Student was charged under s.B.i.1(d) of the Code. The charges related to allegations of plagiarizing two essays from online sources. The Student did not attend the Hearing. The Student signed an Agreed Statement of Facts in which she pled guilty to two of the charges. The Panel found the Student guilty. The Student also signed a Joint Submission on Penalty. The Panel noted the seriousness of the offence, the importance of original work, and unfairness to other students created by the offence of plagiarism. The Panel accepted the Joint Submission on Penalty and imposed: a grade of zero in the course; a recommendation of expulsion; a 5 year suspension pending the decision to expel; and a report to the Provost.