DATE: November 10, 2017
PARTIES: University of Toronto v. Z.C. (“the Student”)
Hearing Date(s): October 5, 2017
Panel Members:
Mr. Christopher Wirth, Barrister and Solicitor, Chair
Dr. Chris Koenig-Woodyard, Faculty Panel Member
Ms. Natasha Ramkissoon, Student Panel Member
Appearances:
Ms. Lily Harmer, Assistant Discipline Counsel, University of Toronto
In Attendance:
Ms. Tracey Gameiro, University of Toronto, Associate Director, Office of Appeals, Discipline
and Faculty Grievances
Ms. Christina da Rocha-Feeley, Director of Operations, Office of the Governing Council
(Observer)
Mr. Sean Lourim, Technology Assistant, Office of the Governing Council
Ms. Christina Di Matteo, Academic Integrity Officer, Faculty of Arts and Science
Ms. Anna Shevchenko, Academic Integrity Officer, Faculty of Arts and Science
Not in Attendance:
The Student
Trial Division - s. B.i.3(a) – forged academic record – Student not present – Student provided email to University counsel that she did not wish to attend the hearing – falsified transcript submitted to another university – agreed statement of facts – joint book of documents – joint submission on penalty – suspension of up to five years, recommendation of expulsion, permanent notation on transcript and academic record, and report to the Provost with the student’s name withheld.
The Student was charged with one charge of forging an academic record contrary to s. B.i.3(a) of the Code, or in the alternative, one charge of academic misconduct not otherwise described contrary to s.B.i.3(b) of the Code. The charges related to a falsified transcript that the Student had submitted in an application to another University. The Student received a copy of the Notice of Hearing and received reasonable notice of the hearing, but sent an email to counsel for the University indicating that she waived her right to counsel and did not wish to attend the hearing. The matter proceeded by way of agreed statement of facts and a joint book of documents. Upon the Panel finding the Student guilty of the first charge of forging an academic record contrary to s. B.i.3(a) of the Code, the University withdrew the alternative charge that had been laid pursuant to s. B.i.3(b) of the Code. The Panel accepted the parties’ Joint Submission on Penalty and ordered:(a) an immediate suspension from the University for up to five years; (b) a recommendation that the Student be expelled from the University; (c) a permanent notation of the sanction on the Student’s academic record and transcript; and (d) that the case be reported to the Provost for publication with the name of the Student withheld.