Rights and Responsibilities

The university takes responsibility to ensure that students are aware of their rights and responsibilities. Carleton University maintains the importance of confidentiality and privacy in each student's academic career. The privacy of each student is recognized and will be protected under legislative and policy procedures. Students should expect other members of the Carleton University community to convey honesty and integrity in their teaching, administrative and research practices. Ombuds Services is available to advise students of their rights and responsibilities under the policy. Ombuds Services may be invited either by the student or the Dean to advise them during the procedural process. Course instructors, coupled with staff and administrators hold a responsibility to create an environment that discourages violation of the Policy. Instructors, staff and administrators also uphold a responsibility to assist students in completing their university degree successfully. Students should expect fairness and equity in their assessment of their work. Students are responsible for demonstrating honesty and ethical methods in their work. Instructors at both the undergraduate and graduate level have the responsibility to provide clear guidelines concerning their specific expectations of academic integrity. 
 

Integrity Standards

Effective adherence to academic integrity requires that students understand the meaning of academic
misconduct.

Procedure For Suspected Violation of the Policy 

 

1. Alleged violation

  • course instructors are required to report suspected cases of academic integrity violations coupled with relevant evidence to the office of the faculty dean. 
  • All evidence relevant to the allegation should be sent to the office of the faculty dean
  • The course instructor  shall ensure, all assignments are graded and returned without penalty or prejudice 
  • If the allegation remains unsolved, the course instructor shall record a grade of GNA on the e-grades system. The grade of GNA will be replaced by the appropriate grade once the allegation is resolved 
  • Students should note that the presence of a GNA grade on their transcript will not affect their ability to register or remain registered in subsequent dependent courses 
  • However, if the final resolve results in a grade that does not satisfy prerequisites the student may be removed from the subsequent dependent courses

2. Review of allegation by Faculty Dean or Director 

  • The responsible Dean may determine that 1) there is insufficient evidence to proceed and return the documentation to the instructor and 2) there is sufficient evidence to proceed and will contact the student in accordance of Section VII.3 of the Policy 

3. Contacting the student 

  • the faculty dean issues the student a letter of allegation
  • Details of the nature of the allegation 
  • Details of the associated evidence provided by the course instructor 
  • The student cannot withdraw from the course while the allegation is being investigated 
  • The student has the right to 1) seek advice from Ombuds Services and 2) to see all the available evidence that may be used to support the allegation of misconduct 
  • The student or Dean may request a meeting to discuss the allegation. If a meeting is required, it will be scheduled with 15 working days 
  • If the student does not respond to the Dean’s letter of allegation within 5 working days, the Dean may then make a decision based on the available evidence

4. Decision by the faculty dean or director: 

the faculty dean reviews all the provided evidence including statements from both the student and course instructor, to determine whether a violation of the academic integrity policy has occurred

5. Notification of decision to the student

  • The Dean will inform the student of the decision in a consistent manner. If the Dean concludes that it’s necessary to conduct further investigation, the student will be informed of any new information. 
  • The student will be informed of any new information and be given the opportunity to respond before a final decision is made 
  • If the Dean determines a violation of the Policy has happened, then the written decision to the student will include a description of the conduct coupled with the sanction imposed
  • In cases where the student has admitted to a violation of the Policy, reference to this fact will be made in the letter. The student will also be informed of the appeal process and his/her right to take action 
  • Other offices, Ombuds Services, The University’s registrar's office, the Department/Unit Chair, and other faculty Deans will be informed of the Dean’s decision 
  • Where the Dean determines that there’s been a violation of the policy and imposes a sanction, a copy of the decision letter will be retained by the University. 
  • These records are Disciplinary Records and are maintained and destroyed in accordance with Part XI of the Policy. 
  • In cases where the Dean determines that there’s been no violation of the Policy, the record of the decision will only be kept in the Dean’s office.

6. Procedures for recommending a sanctions to the provost or Senate Executive

 

Provost: in a situation where the Dean recommends an additional sanction to be implemented by the provost the dean will advise the provost (Section VII of the Policy) of his or her recommendation and forward all evidence involved in the case of alleged academic integrity violation. 

    • The provost will first arrange a meeting with the student 
    • Notification to the student will happen within ten (10) working days after the Provost has received the Dean’s recommendation. 
  • Senate Executive: in a case where the provost recommends suspension of one or more degrees, diplomas, or certificates the provost will advise the senate executive of this recommendation and then forward all evidence to the senate executive. 
  • The senate executive will review all the specific evidence provided by the Provost and determine to what to extent recession or suspension of the degree is necessary
  • If the recession or suspension of one or more degrees, diplomas or certificates recommended by the Provost is not supported by the Senate Executive, all other sanctions applied by the Provost will remain in effect

7. Procedural expectations 

  • Upon request of any party, the university make reasonable exceptions or modifications to the procedure set out in this Policy 
  • In the University’s discretion, it’s in the interests of fairness or practical necessity to do so