Case #802

DATE: September 28, 2015

PARTIES: University of Toronto v Y.G.
 
Hearing Date(s): July 14, 2015
 
Panel Members:
Sarah Kraicer, Chair
Joel Kirsh, Faculty Member
Simon Czajkowski, Student Member
 
Appearances:
Robert Centa, Assistant Discipline Counsel
Emily Home, Summer Student, Paliare Roland
 
In Attendance: 
Martha Harris, Academic Integrity Officer
Anthony Lombardo, Instructor of the Course
Christopher Lang, Office of Appeals, Discipline and Faculty Grievances
Yehuda Levi, Observer, Office of Appeals, Discipline and Faculty Grievances 
 
Trial Division – s. B.i.1(d) of the Code – plagiarism – Student created the Essay by stringing together copied blocks of text from unattributed sources – hearing not attended – reasonable notice of hearing provided pursuant to the Statutory Powers Procedure Act – finding on evidence – finding on guilt – University submission on penalty accepted – grade assignment of zero in the Course; 2-year suspension; 3-year notation on the Student’s academic record and transcript; case reported to Provost for publication
 
Student charged under s. B.i.1(d), s. B.i.1(f) and, in the alternative, s. B.i.3(b) of the Code. The charges related to allegations that the Student knowingly represented the ideas, the expression of ideas, and verbatim or nearly verbatim text from articles as her own work, and that the Student knowingly submitted academic work that contained a reference to a source that had been concocted. The University withdrew the concoction charge at the hearing. The Student was not present at the hearing. The Panel found that reasonable notice of the hearing had been provided in accordance with the Statutory Powers Procedure Act, and the hearing continued in the absence of the Student. 
 
Student was found guilty with respect to the charge of plagiarism. The Panel found it clear that the Essay was largely created by stringing together copied blocks of text from other, unattributed sources. The alternative charge of academic dishonesty not otherwise described was then withdrawn by the University. The Panel took into account as an aggravating factor that the Student did not participate at any stage of the discipline process. The Panel also noted that this was the Student’s first academic offence. The Panel accepted the University’s submission on penalty. The Panel imposed a grade assignment of zero in the Course; a 2-year suspension; a 3-year notation on the Student’s academic record and transcript; and that the case be reported to the Provost for publication.