Case #866

DATE:  November 4, 2016

PARTIES: University of Toronto v. Y.X. (“the Student”) 
 
Hearing Date(s):  August 30, 2016
 
Panel Members:
Mr. Paul Morrison, Chair 
Dr. Pascal van Lieshout, Faculty Panel Member
Ms. Sue Mazzatto, Student Panel Member
 
Appearances:
Ms. Tina Lie, Assistant Discipline Counsel, Paliare Roland Barristers 
Mr. Terry Johnston, Assistant Director, Office of Convocation 
Mr. Tom Percy (via teleconference), owner, AuraData
 
In Attendance:
Ms. Lucy Gaspini, Manager Academic Integrity & Affairs Office of the Dean, University of Toronto - Mississauga 
Ms. Krista Osbourne, Administrative Assistant, Office of Appeals, Discipline and Faculty Grievances Mr. Sean Lourim, Technology Assistant, Office of the Governing Council 
Ms. Amanda Heale, Observer, New University Tribunal Chair
 
Not In Attendance: 
The Student
 
Trial Division – s. B.i.3(a) of the Code – forged academic record – Student submitted a forged degree as part of a job application – hearing not attended – reasonable notice of hearing provided – finding of guilt on evidence -  recommendation of expulsion; permanent notation on the Student’s academic record and transcript; 5-year suspension; case reported to Provost for publication
 
Student charged under s. B.i.3(a) of the Code. The charge related to allegations that the Student knowingly forged, altered or falsified a document that purported to be a degree from the University. The Student submitted the altered document in a job application. The altered degree was brought to the University’s attention by a company that provided degree verification services. The Student was not present at the hearing. The Panel concluded that reasonable notice of the hearing had been given pursuant to the Code and the Rules of Practice and Procedures of the University Tribunal. The Panel concluded that it could proceed with the hearing.
 
The Panel accepted the evidence of the owner of the degree verification service provider that he had been asked to verify the information that the Student had submitted in an application for employment by the prospective employer. The Office of Convocation for the University confirmed that no degree had been granted to the Student by the University.  The Panel found that the degree that had been provided to the prospective employer was a forgery and entered a finding of guilt. The Panel was referred to Appendix C to the Code -  the Provost's Guidance on Sanctions -  and found that forgery or falsification of an academic record is an offence of the utmost seriousness where the Provost will ask the Tribunal for an order of expulsion.  The Panel imposed a recommendation of expulsion; a permanent notation on the Student’s academic record and transcript; a 5-year suspension; and that the case be reported to the Provost for publication.