DATE: August 21, 2017
PARTIES: University of Toronto v. K.N. ("the Student")
Hearing Date(s): May 17, 2017
Panel Members:
Mr. Michael Hines, Barrister and Solicitor, Chair
Dr. Joel Kirsh, Faculty Panel Member
Mr. David Kleinman, Student Panel Member
Appearances:
Ms. Tina Lie, Assistant Discipline Counsel, Paliare Roland Barristers
Professor Eleanor Irwin, Dean's Designate, University of Toronto Scarborough
Dr. Curtis Cole, Registrar and Assistant Dean, Enrolment Management, University of Toronto Scarborough
In Attendance:
Mr. Christopher Lang, Director, Office of Appeals, Discipline and Faculty Grievances
Mr. Sean Lourim, Technology Assistant, Office of the Governing Council
Mr. Clara Ryu, Law Student, Downtown Legal Services (Observer)
Mr. Robert Sniderman, Law Student, Downtown Legal Services (Observer)
Not in Attendance:
The Student
Trial Division - s. B.i.3(a) of Code - forgery of academic record - student forged transcript for application to graduate programme at another university - student not in attendance - all reasonable efforts had been made to notify Student of hearing - finding of guilt - expulsion, five year suspension, five year notation, publication of the decision with the name of the Student withheld
The Student was charged with forgery of 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 application to a graduate programme at another university for which the Student falsified their University of Toronto transcript.
The Student did not attend the hearing. The Tribunal determined that the University had made all reasonable efforts to notify the Student of the hearing; finding that because there had been previous e-mail communications with the Student, the Student was in fact aware of the allegations. The Tribunal therefore ordered that the hearing proceed in the Student's absence.
The Student was found guilty of both charges on the University's evidence. In considering the appropriate sentence, the Tribunal found that the gravity of this offence weighed strongly against the Student as the forging of a transcript threatens the reputation of the University and the students who pursue their degrees honestly. The Tribunal recommended that the Student be expelled, and ordered that the Student be immediately suspended for a period of five years or until expulsion with a corresponding notation on the Student's record, and publication of the decision with the name of the student withheld.