DATE: June 15, 2016
PARTIES: University of Toronto v O.S.
Hearing Date(s): February 5, 2016
Panel Members:
William C. McDowell, Chair
Markus Bussmann, Faculty Member
Alberta Tam, Student Member
Appearances:
Robert Centa, Assistant Discipline Counsel
Lucy Gaspini, Manager, Academic Integrity and Affairs, Office of the Dean, University of Toronto Mississauga
Kathleen Yu, Instructor of the Course
In Attendance:
Christopher Lang, Director, Appeals, Discipline and Faculty Grievances
Tracey Gameiro, Associate Director, Appeals, Discipline and Faculty Grievances
Trial Division – s. B.i.1(a) of the Code – forged documents – Student altered his test paper before submitting it to his professor for re-grading – hearing not attended – reasonable notice of hearing provided – finding on evidence – finding on guilt – mitigating factor of no prior academic offences – grade assignment of zero; 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(a) of the Code. The charge related to allegations that the Student altered his test paper before returning it to the Course Instructor for re-grading. The Student was not present at the hearing. The Panel took into account evidence of the Student’s correspondence with University Counsel and the Office of Appeals, Discipline and Faculty Grievances in determining that he had reasonable notice of the hearing. The hearing proceeded in the Student’s absence. Student found guilty with respect to the forged documents charge. The Panel took into account evidence that the Student made significant and obvious alterations to his test. The Panel noted that the Student had no prior convictions for offences of dishonesty and therefore imposed a penalty more lenient than it might otherwise be. The Panel imposed a grade assignment of zero; a 2-year suspension; a 3-year notation on the Student’s academic record and transcript; and that the matter be reported to the Provost for publication.