[2024] Academic Integrity Tutorial: Your Rights and Responsibilities
Understanding the Regulations
As a University of Saskatchewan student, you are responsible for knowing that regulations exist and that they provide overarching definitions, procedures, and consequences for academic misconduct when it is determined to have occurred. In the event of an allegation, it is crucial to be aware that claiming ignorance of the rules is not an acceptable excuse. According to the regulations, "there is an onus on every student to become informed about academic misconduct".1
The University of Saskatchewan's Regulations on Student Academic Misconduct (2022) is an extensive document that outlines
- The breaches of academic integrity (i.e. what academic misconduct is),
- The processes by which misconduct is investigated,
- The reasons and processes for appealing an allegation of misconduct, and
- The possible penalties for acts of academic misconduct.
Learning Activity
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At the end of this section, you should be able to interpret the rules and regulations that govern academic misconduct. |
Carefully review the Academic Misconduct handout below; it details twelve acts of academic misconduct that could be the subject of an allegation under the regulations. Once you are familiar with each infraction, complete the Drag-and-Drop activity to demonstrate your comprehension.
| Test Your Understanding |
Dealing with an Allegation
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At the end of this section, you should be able to describe the procedures in place that safeguard your rights. |
When a student is suspected of academic misconduct, there are two paths to address the issue. Watch the video for an introduction.
| Formal and Informal Procedures at USask |
Now that you are familiar with the basics, read the following descriptions which are taken directly from the Regulations on Student Academic Misconduct (2022).
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Informal Procedures Informal Procedures are followed when an instructor feels that a student has cheated inadvertently or without intending to do wrong. Misunderstanding or carelessness are the main reasons that lead students to breach the academic misconduct regulations. When an infraction is suspected, the instructor or invigilator should, whenever possible, speak informally with the student(s) to discuss the matter and to consider an appropriate resolution. The informal resolution could be either a grade reduction appropriate to the severity of the infraction, a re-submission of the work in question, or both. When the student and the instructor agree to the informal resolution, both individuals sign the informal resolution of academic misconduct form. This form is kept by the student’s college or school for at least five years or until the student completes their degree. |
If a student and instructor cannot reach an agreement using the informal procedures or if the alleged academic misconduct is more serious in nature, a formal hearing may be requested.
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Formal Procedures When the allegation has not been resolved at the informal level or when the allegation is of a more serious nature, formal procedures are followed. This can be initiated by an instructor, another faculty member, academic administrator, staff member, student, or an individual outside the university who is directly affected by the alleged academic misconduct. A formal allegation is made in writing and includes the name of the person making the complaint and the specific details of the complaint. The Academic Administrator then delivers the complaint to the student, the department head, the course instructor, and the University Secretary. A hearing is then scheduled according to the "Procedures of Formal Hearings" on page 10 of the Regulations. The Academic Administrator has the power to dismiss a claim if, in their opinion, the matter was adequately resolved with an informal procedure or the "allegation is frivolous or vexatious".2 In the case of a guilty verdict, only the hearing board can determine the appropriate sanctions. An appeal must be made to a university appeal board and is only permitted on limited grounds (lack of jurisdiction of the hearing board, bias, failure to follow procedures, and/or new evidence not available prior). |
| Test Your Understanding |
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Review the flowchart below then complete the quiz that follows. This should consolidate your understanding of the procedures involved when suspected of academic misconduct.
| Regulations Quiz |
Safeguarding Your Rights
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At the end of this section, you should be able to describe your rights according to the regulations. |
Being asked about or accused of academic misconduct is distressing. If an instructor or administrator contacts you about a concern, it is best to respond promptly. Fairness and respect are the underlying principles governing how all allegations of misconduct are dealt with. The university's regulations state that “[w]herever appropriate, the university will attempt to resolve complaints through informal processes before invoking formal processes, and wherever possible, sanctions will be educational rather than punitive and will be applied in accordance with the severity of the offence and/or whether it is a first or subsequent offence”.3 If allegations reach a formal hearing, a student suspected of academic misconduct is innocent until there is evidence to suggest otherwise.
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Students have a right to
For a comprehensive description of your rights if faced with an allegation, refer to section V on page 10 of the Regulations. |
According to the Regulations, "the hearing board has the sole authority to determine whether the student has committed an act of academic misconduct"4 and "to determine the appropriate sanctions"5.
For details on what to expect if a formal complaint is made, see VII. Procedures for Formal Hearings
Finding Support
If faced with an allegation, you have a right to access support. Get in touch with
- For undergraduate students, the Vice-President of Academic Affairs in the Academic Advocacy Office of the USSU (University of Saskatchewan Students' Union),
- For graduate students, the President or Vice-President of Student Affairs in the GSA (Graduate Students' Association).
For information about Student Conduct and Appeals, visit the Governance Office website, which provides valuable information about
- the procedures in place that deal with the breaches of academic integrity, and
- the forms required for
- informal resolutions,
- formal appeals, and
- re-assessment requests if you feel dissatisfied with your grade.
Additional Resources
- Promoting Fairness by Obudsman Saskatchewan provides tips on how to resolve an allegation before it escalates.
- Ombudsperson, British Columbia provides information on procedural fairness.
Helpful Resources
The handouts below describe your rights and responsibilities, will help to consolidate what you have learned so far and will help you complete the learning activities and the quiz that follows.
1. "Academic Integrity and what to do when misconduct is suspected". 2022. The University of Saskatchewan Student Conduct and Appeals website.
2. "Regulations on Student Academic Misconduct". The University of Saskatchewan. 2022, p10.
3. "Regulations on Student Academic Misconduct". The University of Saskatchewan. 2022, p3.
4. "Regulations on Student Academic Misconduct". The University of Saskatchewan. 2022, p11.
5. "Regulations on Student Academic Misconduct". The University of Saskatchewan. 2022, p13.