DATE: January 11, 2010
PARTIES: University of Toronto v. F.Z.
Hearing Date(s): January 5, 2010
Panel Members:
Clifford Lax, Chair
Graeme Hirst, Faculty Member
Jamon Camisso, Student Member
Appearances:
Lily Harmer, Assistant Discipline Counsel for the University
Kristi Gourlay, Office of Student Academic Integrity, Faculty of Arts and Science
Michael Nicholson, University College Registrar
In Attendance:
Sam Solecki, Dean's Designate, Office of Student Academic Integrity
Betty-Ann Campbell, Law Clerk, Paliara Roland Barristers
Natalie Ramtajal, Coordinator, Appeals, Discipline and Faculty Grievances, Office of the Governing Council
The Student was not in attendance
Trial Division – s.B.i.3(a) of Code – forging academic record – forging a University of Toronto degree – hearing not attended – reasonable notice of hearing provided – finding of guilt – forgery of academic records is one of the most serious of offences – typical sanction of expulsion – Panel imposed: 1) a 5 year suspension; 2) a recommendation of expulsion; and 3) a report to the Provost. The Panel recommended to the Provost and Governing Council that the Code be amended to allow for the names of expelled students to be published, in the interest of deterrence
The Student was charged under s.B.i.3(a) of the Code. The charge stemmed from an allegation that the Student forged or altered or falsified a degree from the University of Toronto. The panel noted that the purported Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree was prima facie forged because the University did not grant such a degree. Moreover, the font was inconsistent and the Student’s academic record indicates that he did not have the credits necessary to graduate. The Panel found that, although the Student left Canada, the Student received reasonable notice of the hearing on the basis of evidence that the Student had reviewed and deleted emails containing notice of the hearing. After noting that forgery of an academic record is one of the most serious offences, which typically results in expulsion, the Panel imposed: 1) a 5 year suspension; 2) a recommendation to the President that the Student be expelled; and 3) a report to the Provost with the Student’s name withheld. In addition, the Panel recommended that the Provost and Governing Council amend the Code to allow for the names of expelled students to be published, in the interest of deterrence.