Sanctions

Typical Sanctions Imposed at the Dean's Level:

For a first offence, if resolved with the Dean:

  • Zero on the assignment in question;
  • A further reduction of the equivalent value of the assignment (i.e. if work is worth 15 marks, you could potentially lose 30 marks from your final grade); and
  • An annotation on your transcript for a specific period of time (up to a maximum of 5 years).

For a second offence, the penalties are always more severe and normally include a suspension from attending the University of Toronto.

Provost's Guidelines on Sanctions, Offences, and Suggested Penalties for Students: Appendix "C" of the Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters:

Sanctions:
  • One or more of the sanctions in section C.i.(b) may be imposed by the dean where a student or former student admits to the commission of an offence.
  • One or more of the sanctions in section C.ii.(b) may be imposed by the Tribunal upon conviction of any student or former student of any offence.
Relation of Offences and Sanctions:
 
The particular circumstances of each case will, of course, have to be taken into account, but the following are suggested guidelines:

 1. In all cases, the division should consider placing a notation of the sanction on the student’s academic record and transcript.

2. For offences involving plagiarism, depending on the amount of plagiarism contained in the work, whether or not accurate (or any) citations are provided or concocted, and whether or not any acknowledgment of the source material is provided, the Provost recommends a sanction ranging from reduction in the grade on the piece of academic work by one-half, to a final grade of zero or failure for the piece of work or zero for the course.

3. For offences involving the submission (or resubmission) of assignments for academic credit in two or more courses, the Provost recommends a sanction of up to a final grade of zero in the course.

4. For offences involving providing or receiving unauthorized assistance on an assignment or in a test or examination, or possession or use of unauthorized aids during a test or examination, the Provost recommends a sanction ranging from a zero on the assignment or test up to a final grade of zero in the course.

5. The Provost recommends that divisions normally refer cases to the Provost to consider whether or not to file a charge under the Code where a student:

  • (a) has previously been found to have committed an offence under the Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters;
  • (b) has purchased and submitted work for academic credit;
  • (c) has personated another student or has had someone personate that student in a test, exam, or other academic evaluation;
  • (d) has forged or falsified, or circulated a forged or falsified academic record; or
  • (e) has submitted forged or falsified information in support of an academic petition or other request for academic accommodation.

However, where the division representatives conclude that, despite the matter falling within one of the above categories, there are extenuating circumstances such that the division believes it is appropriate to impose a divisional sanction rather than refer the case to the Provost, the dean’s designate may choose to impose an appropriate sanction within the divisional sanctioning authority.

6. In any case where a student has committed a prior offence, and the division chooses to impose a sanction, the division should strongly consider imposing a suspension of up to one year.

7. For offences related to damaging or misusing library materials, computer equipment or other facilities the recommended sanctions shall be a monetary fine and/or denial of privileges to use the facility involved. 

Cartoon discussing academic integrity

*Image courtesy of University of California, Los Angeles Library