Alleged Academic Misconduct Report Procedure
At Algonquin College, academic integrity helps ensure that grades, credentials, and achievements accurately reflect student learning. When concerns about possible academic misconduct arise, the College follows a fair and consistent process that allows students an opportunity to understand the concern, share their perspective, and access support throughout the process.
1. Faculty Reviews a Concern About Academic Integrity
If a concern about academic integrity arises, the faculty member will review the situation and meet with the student to discuss the concern. During this conversation, the faculty member will explain the information that led to the concern and provide the student with an opportunity to share their perspective.
Timeline: The faculty member will notify the student as soon as possible. The student has three working days to respond.
2. An Academic Integrity Incident Report is Submitted
Faculty are required to submit an Academic Integrity Incident Report when there is a reasonable belief that academic misconduct may have occurred. For minor academic misconduct, a Quick Report – Formal Learning Opportunity may be submitted. If the Academic Administrator determines that the learner is eligible, the learner will be notified and assigned a learning activity designed to help strengthen their understanding of academic integrity.
Note: Students have the right to appeal academic decisions in accordance with Policy AA19: Academic Appeal.
If a Formal Learning Opportunity is not recommended, the learner is not eligible, or the learner declines the Formal Learning Opportunity, the concern will proceed through the academic misconduct process. In these cases, an Academic Misconduct Reporting Form is submitted for review.
Timeline: Following the learner’s response, or after the response period has passed, faculty submit the appropriate Academic Integrity Incident Report and supporting documentation.
3. A Meeting Is Scheduled with an Academic Administrator
4. The Concern Is Discussed at the Meeting
Students meet with the designated Academic Administrator to discuss the concern, review the available information, and share their perspective.
Timeline: Students have four (4) working days from receiving the meeting invitation to respond.
5. A Decision is Made
The Academic Administrator reviews all available information and determines whether academic misconduct occurred. The student and the faculty member receive written notification of the decision and any next steps.
Timeline: The Academic Administrator issues a written decision within five (5) working days of the meeting with the student, or following the student’s non-response to the meeting request.
6. Outcomes and Next Steps
If academic misconduct is determined to have occurred, outcomes are assigned in accordance with AA48: Academic Integrity.
Note: Students have the right to appeal the academic decision based on policy AA19: Academic Appeal.
Timeline: Students have five (5) working days from the date the decision is issued to begin the appeal process.
7. View the Full Academic Misconduct Process
While the steps above provide a general overview of the process, some situations may follow different pathways depending on the information reviewed, learner responses, eligibility for a Formal Learning Opportunity (FLO), and appeal decisions. The visual process map below illustrates the complete learner experience from the identification of a concern through to final resolution.
Click the thumbnail to access the full-size version.
