Academic Integrity Policy

On this page:

1. Purpose
2. Application and Scope
3. Definitions
4. Principles
5. Accountability and Compliance
6. Rules
7. Policy Revision Date
8. Attachments
   • Appendix A - Academic Integrity Procedure
   • Appendix B - Levels of Breaches
   • Appendix C - Description of Breaches and Associated Sanctions
   • Appendix D - Description of Sanctions
9. Specific Links
10. Acknowledgements

1. Purpose

This policy provides Mohawk College with guidelines with respect to promoting academic integrity. The policy describes a set of standard definitions; behaviours associated with maintaining academic integrity; and determinations of what constitutes a breach of academic integrity. The policy also identifies the rights and responsibilities of students, employees, and administration with respect to academic integrity; and the actions and sanctions associated with various breaches of integrity; and the process for which breaches are investigated, resolved, and appealed.

2. Application and Scope

This policy applies to all employees, students, contractors, consultants, researchers, volunteers, and other workers who are involved in academic activities at Mohawk College. Instances where academic integrity is breached outside from normal academic activities (e.g., in co-curricular or extracurricular activities) may involve resolution through other College policies or procedures. Such determinations will be at the discretion of the Academic Manager or designate of the School in which the student is enrolled.

3. Definitions

“Academic Activities” are all tasks which fulfil requirements for courses and/or programs. These tasks include both graded and ungraded exercises, including but not limited to quizzes, tests, exams, assessments, evaluations, group assignments, presentations, experiential education, practical assessments, practicums, and work-integrated learning opportunities.

“Academic Integrity” is a code of conduct that demonstrates commitment to six core values, described by the International Centre for Academic Integrity as: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, and courage; and associated behaviours of approaching all academic work ethically and honestly, holding self and others accountable to these values, creating one’s own work and crediting or citing the work of others as appropriate and abiding by the responsibilities, duties, and guidelines as described in this policy.

“Academic Manager” is the managerial employee who performs administrative duties with oversight of academic activities in each Department or School, typically an Associate Dean. The Academic Manager may assign part or all responsibilities for discharging the duties of this policy to an alternative administrator or designate (e.g., Program Manager) as required.

“Balance of Probabilities” is the standard of proof by which breaches of academic integrity are determined to have or have not occurred. The decision-maker(s) shall consider and weigh the information related to a suspected breach and determine whether the breach is more likely to have occurred than not when arriving at a decision.

“Breach of Academic Integrity” is an interruption of expected conduct of the learning environment at Mohawk College and/or an action or actions that diminish the six core values of academic integrity. A breach may be intentional or unintentional, and ignorance of what constitutes a breach does not excuse the student from the responsibility for maintaining integrity in all academic activities.

“Mohawk College community” includes, but is not limited to students, staff, faculty, volunteers, visitors, administrators, and officials representing Mohawk College.

“Procedural Fairness” is a decision-making framework best achieved by informing respondents of all allegations and information against them, and by giving them reasonable notice of the time, place, and nature of the meeting where they can personally respond to the allegations. It also involves providing complainants and respondents with information about the College’s investigation and decision-making processes, and ensuring that outcomes are determined by an impartial decision-maker. Procedural Fairness under this policy does not include the right to be represented by an agent.

“Student” refers to any person or persons enrolled or in the process of enrolling in a course or program for part-time or full-time study.

4. Principles

4.1 Academic integrity is a fundamental component of a high-quality academic experience. A strong commitment to academic integrity enhances the value of academic achievement and ensures fair and accurate measurements of learning for all members of the Mohawk College community. Breaches of academic integrity diminish the quality of academic activities, disrupt measurement of learning, and hinder the personal and professional development of Mohawk College community members.

 4.2 Academic integrity enhances College operations with respect to equity, diversity, decolonization, inclusion, and anti-racism and the integration and full participation of all students in academic activities, including but not limited to student success initiatives; learning support centre programming; and academic accommodations.

4.3 Mohawk College is committed to ensuring a high standard of academic integrity in all academic activities. All members of the learning community at Mohawk College are integral to fostering an environment which is conducive to building and maintaining academic integrity.

4.4 Mohawk College will provide instruction, resources, and promote awareness of academic integrity in academic activities, including information and guidance on the remediation and sanctions for breaches of academic integrity.

4.5 Every member of the Mohawk College community has the right to be treated fairly and consistently in response to suspected breaches of this policy. Procedures for investigating and resolving breaches of academic integrity follow the principles of procedural fairness, transparency, and equity.

 4.6 Repeated breaches result in progressive sanctions. Records of breaches and sanctions will be retained on an individual basis and will apply individually and progressively for the duration of one’s studies at Mohawk College. Student(s) who elect to drop a course or program during the investigation of a breach of academic integrity will remain subject to any actions and/or sanctions, as applicable. In cases of program transfer or graduation one program and enrollment in another at Mohawk College, records of prior breaches will count towards progressive sanctions in the subsequent program. 

5. Accountability and Compliance

5.1 Accountability Framework

This policy has been approved by the Senior Leadership Team.

5.2 Compliance

The Academic Integrity Office, with the guidance of the Senior Leadership Team, is responsible for monitoring compliance with this policy and updating the policy as required.

6. Rules

6.1 Categories of Breaches of Academic Integrity

This policy and related documents specify three severity levels of breaches of academic integrity as follows, with a detailed list of examples provided as an appendix to this policy document. The three levels correspond to severity of the breach and the impact or harm done to individual and institutional reputation, credibility, and standing, whether intentional or unintentional. Minor breaches of academic integrity may have minimal impact or cause little harm to others while major breaches of academic integrity may cause significant harm to others.

Level 1 breaches occur when the act or acts are minor in nature, typically due to a lack of understanding of academic integrity, incomplete skills, and/or gaps in understanding of expected conduct.

Level 2 breaches occur when the act or acts are more serious in nature compared to Level 1, or in a repeated instance a of Level 1 breach provided the student has had an opportunity to learn from the remediation of a Level 1 sanction. The person has typically knowingly committed a breach of academic integrity and the incident in question violates one or more of the values of academic integrity.

Level 3 breaches occur when the act or acts are a deliberate and more serious instance compared with Level 2, or in a repeated instance of a Level 2 breach provided the student has had an opportunity to learn from the remediation of a Level 2 sanction. Level 3 breaches violate multiple values of academic integrity.

6.2 Outcomes/Sanctions

First breaches of academic integrity will be understood to be learning opportunities. The primary outcome of first breaches of academic integrity shall be the application of remediation through education and awareness. Repeated breaches will result in progressive sanctions, up to expulsion from Mohawk College.

All breaches of academic integrity will be addressed on a case-by-case basis, considering mitigating circumstances; pattern(s) of behaviour and type of breach; and opportunities for learning from previous cases, as applicable. Circumstance and context shall be considered when determining actions or sanctions, and the actions or sanctions may be applied with flexibility and according to extent of the breach, student’s awareness of Academic Integrity practices and acknowledgement of wrongdoing, and prior breaches.

Sanctions will match the type and severity of the breach and the classification of breaches offers suggested guidelines for determining sanctions per type of breach. Students will not receive any refunds in cases of sanctions with monetary implications, such as course failure, discontinuance from program, or expulsion.

6.3 Appeals

Students have the right to appeal decisions and/or sanctions related to breaches of academic integrity. Such appeals will proceed according to the processes and timelines specified in the College's Academic Appeals Policy. 

6.4 Records Retention

All records of breaches of academic integrity will be retained in a centralized database under the supervision of the Registrar’s Office for a period of seven years from the date of the breach. All records will be handled with confidentiality and retained in cases of reported breaches. Breaches of academic integrity will not be noted on a student’s transcript.

6.5 Roles and Responsibilities

All members of the Mohawk College community share a responsibility to uphold the principles of academic integrity.

6.5.1 Student Responsibilities

• Review and abide by this Policy and related course/program standards and expectations.
• Cultivate skills related to appropriate referencing, crediting, and/or acknowledging contributions per program standards and expectations.
• Abide by all requirements and expectations for academic integrity in all academic activities including but not limited to course delivery, assessments, and evaluations; and verify the integrity of all academic work prior to submission.
• Seek clarification from faculty member or program coordinator when in doubt about honesty or integrity of behaviours regarding whether such behaviours could be considered a breach of academic integrity prior to completing course work (e.g., assessments and evaluations).
• Report others’ suspected breaches of academic integrity to faculty, staff, and/or administration.

6.5.2 Faculty and Staff Responsibilities

• Review and abide by this policy and related requirements.
• Promote expectations and standards for academic integrity in academic activities.
• Consider best practices for cultivating academic integrity in preparation and delivery of academic activities, as appropriate to discipline, program, or course (e.g., via curriculum design, assessment design, citation and referencing, and guiding students on same).
• Investigate, document, and report suspected breaches of academic integrity per policy requirements regardless of type or severity; and retain documentation related to same per records retention requirements. Academic behaviours that contravene academic integrity may be addressed through teaching and learning practices where deemed not to meet the threshold of a breach.
• Apply the principles of respect, fairness, transparency, and confidentiality when investigating and processing breaches of academic integrity.
• Refer students to the Academic Integrity Office for remediation for Level 1 breaches; and escalate Level 2 and Level 3 breaches to the appropriate Academic Manager.

6.5.3 Academic Administration Responsibilities

• Review and abide by this policy and related requirements.
• Promote expectations and standards for academic integrity in courses, programs, and via College-wide initiatives.
• Promote best practices for cultivating academic integrity in all academic activities.
• Provide guidance to the Mohawk College Community regarding school-specific academic integrity initiatives and operations.
• Apply the principles of respect, fairness, transparency, and confidentiality when processing breaches of academic integrity.
• Meet with Level 2 and Level 3 breaches and determine, assign, and track outcomes; and escalate recommendations for expulsion to executive administration (e.g., Dean and/or VP Academic), as applicable; and notify students of their right to appeal

6.5.4 Academic Integrity Advisory Council Responsibilities

• Membership will include cross-institutional representatives from the MSA, student body, faculty and key administrative constituencies.
• Serve as champions across Mohawk College to further academic integrity and associated values.
• Be knowledgeable about and provide input regarding the Academic Integrity Policy and accompanying procedures.
• Recommend methods and best practices to mitigate and reduce the impacts of academic misconducts on the Mohawk College community.
• Advise on the development of strategic communications and resources to enhance academic integrity at Mohawk.
• Review annual statistics and communicating them out to the broader Mohawk College community.
• Serve an advisory role to senior Mohawk College leadership on matters related to the Academic Integrity Policy and related procedures.

6.5.5 Academic Integrity Office Responsibilities

• Promote academic integrity at Mohawk College.
• Provide guidance and support to faculty, students, and other members of the Mohawk College community regarding academic integrity, investigations and processing of breaches, related policies and procedures, resources, and best practices.
• Provide oversight regarding College-wide academic integrity initiatives, academic integrity records management solutions, trend analysis and tracking, and related activities.
• Lead processes for students who have breached academic integrity and whose outcomes and/or sanctions include remediation.
• Chair the Academic Integrity Advisory Council.

7. Policy Revision Date

7.1 Policy Review Date

November 2028

7.2 Responsibility

The Academic Integrity Office will initiate the review of this policy every five years or earlier when required.

8. Attachments

• Appendix A - Academic Integrity Procedure
• Appendix B - Levels of Breaches
• Appendix C - Description of Breaches and Associated Sanctions

• Appendix D - Description of Sanctions

   

9. Specific Links

• Student Behaviour Policy
• Acceptable Student Use of IT Resources Policy
• Acceptable Employee Use of IT Resources Policy
• Student Assessment Policy
• Integrity in Research and Scholarship Policy
• Academic Appeals Policy
• Academic Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
• Copyright Policy
• Intellectual Property Policy

10. Acknowledgements

Mohawk College would like to acknowledge Conestoga College, Durham College, Fanshawe College, George Brown College, Humber College, Seneca College, and St. Lawrence College whose academic integrity policies and procedures offered guidance for the development of this policy and procedure.

Appendix A - Academic Integrity Procedure

All Mohawk College employees will strive to promote academic integrity and mitigate breaches of academic integrity through best practices in such areas as curriculum and assessment design and delivery; testing protocols; and the use of tools and technologies which may assist in preventing or detecting breaches (e.g., Turnitin). Reviewing student work for academic integrity and questioning students’ submissions upon reasonable suspicions of a breach of academic integrity is an act of due diligence. In submitting their work, students consent to their submission(s) undergoing such review and being subject to related terms and conditions. Specified procedural timelines shall be considered directionary rather than mandatory; and extensions may be granted for extenuating circumstances.

1. Upon suspicion of a breach of academic integrity, the faculty member will investigate using all available means to determine whether a breach has occurred. Where appropriate, the faculty member will strive to contact the student to share concerns about a suspected breach and provide the student with an opportunity to respond to this concern.
   1. If discoverer of breach is other than a faculty member (e.g., test proctor), the concern and documented evidence will be routed to the faculty member responsible for the course in which the breach occurred.
   2. If the breach is related to an academic activity outside from a course, the discoverer of the breach will route the concern to the Academic Manager (or designate) for the student’s School/Department.
2. Upon completion of the investigation, the faulty member will weigh the probability that a breach occurred based on a review of the available information using the balance of probabilities to guide decision-making.
   1. If the available information suggests on the balance of probabilities that a breach has occurred, the faculty member will ascertain from the Registrar’s Office via registrar [at] mohawkcollege.ca (registrar[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca) whether the student has any prior breaches of academic integrity in any previous instance at Mohawk College. The faculty member will also determine the level of the current breach of academic integrity by referring to Appendix B: Levels of Academic Integrity Breaches, Actions, and Sanctions.
   2. If the available information suggests on the balance of probabilities that no breach had taken place, the matter will be considered resolved and all documentation related to the issue will be deleted/destroyed.
3. Upon determining from the Registrar’s Office that the current breach is the student’s first breach of academic integrity at Mohawk College AND the breach is Level 1:
   1. The faculty member may, at their discretion, elect to refer the student directly to the Academic Integrity Office for remediation provided that no additional punitive sanction is being applied. Opportunities for students to revise and resubmit their work are not considered punitive sanctions. Referrals for remediation with no punitive sanctions are not eligible for appeal.
      1. Upon referral, the student shall complete remediation at the direction of the Academic Integrity. The student shall inform the appropriate faculty member when they have completed these actions. In instances where the student has not completed the remedial actions within a specified timeline, additional sanctions may be applied at the discretion of the faculty member.
      2. The Academic Integrity Office will inform the Registrar’s Office of the referral so that a record of the breach will be retained for future reference.  
   2. In the instance that the faculty member intends to apply a course-level punitive sanction in addition to mandatory remediation, the faculty member will determine the appropriate sanction per this policy’s Appendix B: Levels of Academic Integrity Breaches, Actions, and Sanctions.
      1. The faculty member will complete the appropriate section of the Breach of Academic Integrity form and specify the course-level sanction being applied.
      2. The faculty member will notify the student in writing of the breach as well as the sanction being applied. If the student intends to appeal a Level 1 breach and sanction, they must do so as outlined in the Academic Appeals Policy.
      3. The faculty member will submit the completed Breach of Academic Integrity form to the Registrar’s Office.
      4. Upon receipt of the Breach of Academic Integrity form, the Registrar’s Office shall refer the student to the Academic Integrity Office for mandatory remediation.
      5. Upon referral, the student shall complete remediation at the direction of the Academic Integrity. The student shall inform the appropriate faculty member when they have completed these actions. In instances where the student has not completed the remedial actions within a specified timeline, additional sanctions may be applied at the discretion of the faculty member.
4. In the instance that the faculty member determines that this is the second or subsequent breach of academic integrity and/or the type of breach is Level 2 or Level 3:
   1. The faculty member will complete the relevant section of the Breach of Academic Integrity form, and pass along this form and any relevant additional documentation and/or information relating to the breach to the appropriate Academic Manager.
   2. Upon receiving the referral from the faculty, the Academic Manager or designate will arrange to meet with student to discuss the suspected breach within a reasonable timeframe. If the student does not respond to the request to meet, the Academic Manager or designate will proceed to the next step.
   3. The Academic Manager or designate will refer to Appendix B: Levels of Academic Integrity Breaches, Actions, and Sanctions to determine the appropriate sanction. The Academic Manager will communicate the sanction to the student in writing. If the student intends to appeal a Level 2 or Level 3 breach and sanction, they must do so as outlined in the Academic Appeals Policy. The Academic Manager will implement the sanction in coordination with appropriate the support area (e.g., Registrar’s Office).
   4. The Academic Manager will also refer the student to the Academic Integrity Office for remediation. Excepting in instances where the sanction of expulsion is applied, the student shall complete the required remedial actions within the timeline identified on the Academic Manager’s final documentation and communicate when they have completed these actions. In instances where the student has not completed the remedial actions within the specified timeline, the academic manager may consult with the Academic Integrity Office with respect to the application of additional sanctions at their discretion.
5. If the recommended sanction is expulsion or revocation of credential, the Academic Manager will consult with the appropriate executive administrator ahead of applying the sanction.

Appendix B - Levels of Academic Integrity Breaches, Actions and Sanctions

Level 1

Definition: Level 1 breaches typically occur when students misunderstand proper academic integrity conventions or expectations. Per the academic integrity process, Faculty will refer the student for mandatory remediation and may elect to apply punitive sanctions for Level 1 breaches.

Examples:

• Minor instances of plagiarism (e.g., some sections of submitted work copied without citations). The differentiation between minor and major instances of plagiarism will be at the faculty member’s discretion.
• Minor instances of inappropriate conduct during an assessment (e.g., a brief moment of whispering between two students in a testing environment; or possession - but not use - of unauthorized materials or aids in a test or examination).
• Minor instances of assisting others in breaching academic integrity (e.g., failing to maintain security of work resulting in others accessing and copying work).
• Minor instances of unauthorized collaboration (e.g., completing some parts of an individual assignment as a group without authorization from Professor).

Examples of Appropriate Actions and Sanctions (focus on education and awareness strategies): 

• Referral for Academic Integrity Remediation (Mandatory).
• Written warning.
• Reflection on learning after breach.
• Resubmission of work with appropriate corrections to rectify issue.
• Reduction in grade for the submitted work.

Level 2

Definition: Level 2 breaches are more severe in nature compared to Level 1 breaches. The person has knowingly committed a breach of academic integrity and their conduct presents significant threat to one or more of the values of academic integrity. Per the Academic Integrity Process, Academic Managers or designate will determine actions and sanctions for Level 2 breaches.

Examples:

• Repeated Level 1 breaches (if there has been a chance for the student to learn from the sanctions or actions through remediation).
• Major instances of plagiarism (e.g., almost all content from submitted work has been copied without citations).
• Major instances of cheating (e.g., sustained whispering between two students on multiple occasions in a testing environment; or use of unauthorized materials or aids in a test of examination).
• Major instances of assisting others in breaching academic integrity (e.g., copying from another student or knowingly permitting a student to copy).
• Major instances of unauthorized collaboration (e.g., completing almost all parts of an individual assignment as a group without authorization from Professor).
• Cheating.
• Unauthorized possession or use of academic materials.
• Participating in unscholarly activities in preparation or completion of academic work.

​​​​​​​Examples of Appropriate Actions and Sanctions (focus on progressive discipline):

• Referral for Academic Integrity Remediation (Mandatory).
• Reduction of grade up to zero on the assignment/test/exam with no opportunity to resubmit.
• Course grade of zero.

Level 3

Definition: Level 3 breaches are deliberate and serious academic integrity incidents. They conflict with multiple values of academic integrity. Per the academic integrity process, Academic Managers or designate will determine actions and sanctions for Level 3 breaches.

Examples:

• Repeated Level 2 breaches (if there has been a chance for the student to learn from the sanctions or actions through remediation).
• Contract cheating.
• Improperly gaining access to evaluations prior to scheduled time and date.
• Falsification of documents.
• Misrepresentation, fraud, or impersonation.

Examples of Appropriate Actions and Sanctions (focus is on progressive discipline):

• Referral for Academic Integrity Remediation (Mandatory).
• A course grade of zero.
• Discontinuance from the program for a specific period during which the student may not enroll in other programs or courses at Mohawk College.
• Temporary or permanent expulsion from the College.
• Rescinding of credential after issuance.
• The outcome can be a combination of more than one sanction if the combination does not lead to expulsion.

Appendix C - Description of Breaches

Appendix D - Description of Sanctions

Resubmission of Work

Student has an opportunity to make appropriate corrections (as applicable) and resubmits same work; or submits alternative assignment/assessment which addresses the issues which caused the original breach (e.g., by adding missing citations). At the discretion of the faculty member, the resubmission may incur an automatic grade reduction.

Grade of Zero for Submission

Student receives a grade of zero for the assignment/assessment with no opportunity to resubmit and no partial marks. This penalty may result in the student failing the course.

Grade of Zero for Course

Student receives a zero for the course which automatically results in a course failure.

Discontinuance from Program

Student is discontinued from their program effective immediately. This penalty results in automatic failing grades in all courses for the current term with no refund issued for any fees incurred. The student shall be eligible for return to the program following the standard discontinuance period.

Expulsion from the College

The student is removed from their program and permanently expelled from Mohawk College with no refund issued for any fees incurred.

Rescinding of Credentials

The student’s credentials (e.g., certificate, diploma or degree) obtained during one or more serious breaches of academic integrity are rescinded.