Case #855

DATE: March 10, 2017
PARTIES: University of Toronto v. Y.K. ("the Student")

Hearing Date(s): December 15, 2016

Panel Members:
Ms. Sara Zborovski, Barrister and Solicitor, Chair
Professor Ato Quayson, Faculty Panel Member
Mr. Eric Bryce, Student Panel Member

Appearances:
Ms. Tina Lie, Assistant Discipline Counsel, Paliare Roland, Barristers
Ms. Kristi Gourlay, Manager & Academic Integrity Officer, Office of Student Academic Integrity
Professor Clare Wiseman, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto

In Attendance:
The Student
Mr. Christopher Lang, Director, Office of the Appeals, Discipline and Faculty Grievances


Trial Division - s. B.i.1(a) of Code - forgery - student altered dates on a medical note - student forged another medical note - guilty plea - zero on course, expulsion, suspension for five years or until expulsion

The Student was charged with two counts of forgery under s. B.i.1(a) of the Code, and in the alternative with academic dishonesty under s. B.i.3(b) of the Code. The Student missed a mid-term worth 25%, and submitted a Verification of Illness or Injury form (VII) purporting to be signed by a doctor with altered dates to obtain accommodation. Later in the same course, the student did not hand in a term paper worth 30% when due, and submitted an fabricated VII to obtain an extension.

The Student pled guilty to the forgeries. The University had affidavit evidence from the doctors that the VIIs claimed as their authors showing the VIIs to be false. The Tribunal did not register convictions on the dishonesty charges.

The University sought and obtained a zero in the course, a recommendation that the student be expelled, and a suspension of the student for up to five years or until the Governing Council made its decision on expulsion with a corresponding notation on the student's transcript. The student had two previous academic convictions for plagiarism. This type of forgery is one of the most serious offences, and the student's conduct in this case was premeditated and egregious. There were no mitigating circumstances.