Faculty of Health

Information for Students

A university should be a model of intellectual honesty.  Failure to meet the university's standards in this regard can result in an academic offence.  Violations of intellectual honesty are offensive to the entire academic community, not just to the individual faculty members and students in whose class an offence occurs." Dalhousie's Policy on Intellectual Honesty 

Students at Dalhousie have a responsiblity to themselves, their professors and their classmates to meet the university standards of academic integrity.  There are many resources available to help you understand academic integrity, and how to adhere to it's principles in your work.

I have been notified that I am suspected of an academic integrity offence. What should I do?

  • Respond promptly to any emails from the Academic Integrity Officer (AIO).
  • The Dalhousie Student Advocacy Service (DSAS) is available to provide support and advice.
  • Attend any scheduled meetings related to the matter.  You may bring a DSAS representive, friend or family member with you for support.

What are the steps involved in the academic integrity process? How long will it take for the issue to be resolved?

  • Once you receive official notification from the AIO that you are suspected of a lapse in academic integrity, a meeting will be held between you, your professor and the AIO within ten working days.
  • The AIO will make a decision on your case within 5 working days of the meeting.  You will be notified of this decision in writing, and will have 2 working days to either accept or reject it.

What happens if I accept the decision?

  • If you accept the decision, you must notify the AIO in writing by signing a form that will be provided to you. 
  • You must complete any recommendations set out by the AIO as part of their decision.
  • Once the Senate Discipline Committee (SDC) has ratified your case, your Professor will submit your grade for the course to the registrar.  
  • The allegation will be recorded on the SDC database.

What happens if I reject the decision?

  • If you decide to reject the AIO's decision, your case will be forwarded to the Senate Discipline Committee (SDC) for a hearing.
  • The case will be heard before a panel of five SDC members – three faculty and two students
  • The AIO will present the case – with your professor in attendance - and the SDC will decide whether you have committed this offence, and – if so, what the penalty will be.  
  • The SDC will base their decision on the evidence presented to them, not on the AIO's decision or anything that was discussed in your meetings with the AIO.   
  • There is no guarantee that the SDC, if it finds you guilty of the allegation, will impose a penalty of equal or less severity to the one that the AIO proposed. 
  • The decision of the SDC will be binding – you will not have the opportunity to accept or reject it.

 

Resources

NOTE: The foregoing is a basic summary of the Faculty Discipline Process. In the event of discrepancies between Senate adopted/approved documents and information posted on this website, the Senate adopted/approved documents will take precedence.