Academic Integrity: Information for Students

What is academic integrity?

As part of the University community all students must follow the Academic Integrity Policy. This policy reflects the principles of honesty, trust, respect, fairness, and responsibility.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets the standard. Your course outline applies it to each course, setting out your Instructor’s expectations on collaboration, citation and permitted tools, including calculators and generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). Being unaware of either is not a defence once you are presented with evidence of alleged misconduct.

What is the academic integrity investigation process?

In the Faculty of Engineering and Design (FED), Academic Integrity Offences (AIO) are governed by the Academic Integrity Policy and the investigation process may follow one of two pathways. Under both pathways, the course Instructor will grade the work on academic merit alone, without prejudice or bias, keep a copy as evidence and return the graded original to you.

FED AIO Pathway 1: this Instructor led workflow applies to in-term work only, including any deferred term work. This pathway has limits on the AIO scope and sanctions imposed. Final examinations and deferred final examinations are handled under FED AIO Pathway 2. The course Instructor may elect FED AIO Pathway 2 for any academic misconduct allegation. The summarized workflow is:

• Your Instructor contacts you, normally within 3 to 7 working days, to explain the concern and hear your response. No decision has been made at that point.
• If the concern is not substantiated, your Instructor informs you by email, where your grade stands and no record is created.
• If it is substantiated, your Instructor emails you a FED AIO Pathway 1 Report proposing Tier 1 sanctions, copied to the FED AIO Board.
• You must reply to that email within 5 working days, copying the FED AIO Board, stating either that you accept responsibility or that you disagree with the outcome.
• If you disagree, or do not reply in time, the case goes to the FED AIO Board under FED AIO Pathway 2. The FED AIO Board Administrator also checks your record: any previously sanctioned violation moves the allegation to FED AIO Pathway 2.

FED AIO Pathway 2: led by the FED AIO Board, this workflow applies to allegations outside the scope of FED AIO Pathway 1, and to referrals from the course Instructor or Scheduling and Exam Services (SES). The FED AIO Pathway 2 covers all final and deferred final examinations, and for any case in which you did not accept a FED AIO Pathway 1 outcome. The summarized workflow is:

• The outcome is sent to you, your Instructor, Ombuds Services and the Associate Registrar, Enrolment and Records.  You have the right to appeal as outlined in the Academic Integrity Policy.
• The FED AIO Board Administrator (FEDacademicintegrity@cunet.carleton.ca) sends you a Letter of Allegation by email and the evidentiary record.
• You may respond in writing or meet with a FED AIO Board Member. Ombuds Services is copied on the letter and may attend the meeting as an impartial observer.
• You may not withdraw from the course while the allegation is under investigation. Your grade may have a GNA record.
• Based on the evidentiary record, the FED AIO Board decides whether a violation occurred and, if so, imposes one of the sanction tiers.

What to do if you are accused?

Under FED AIO Pathway 1, your course Instructor contacts you directly. Under FED AIO Pathway 2, the FED AIO Board Administrator writes to you at FEDacademicintegrity@cunet.carleton.ca.

The correspondence sets out the allegation, the evidence relied on, the next steps in the AIO investigation process, and the deadline by which you must respond. Note that deadline. If you do not respond by it, or do not attend a scheduled meeting, a decision may be made on the available evidentiary record.

The FED AIO Board recommends that you review the evidence provided, and if you have any questions reach out to the FED AIO Board Administrator (FEDacademicintegrity@cunet.carleton.ca). If you have any concerns or would like to receive additional advice, then please contact Ombuds Services.

Is there an appeal process?

Disagreeing with a FED AIO Pathway 1 outcome is not an appeal. If you state that you disagree, or do not reply within 5 working days, your case is referred to the FED AIO Board and decided under FED AIO Pathway 2.

As outlined in the Academic Integrity Policy, you have the right to appeal a sanction. An appeal must be started at the University Registrar’s Office within ten (10) working days of the date you receive your decision letter, and the sanction remains in effect while the appeal is under way. Appeals shall be made in writing using the online appeal application form. The appeal must contain a concise statement that identifies precisely the grounds for the appeal. Valid grounds for appeal are specified in the Academic Integrity Policy. You are advised to consult with Ombuds Services or the Associate Registrar, Enrolment and Records for assistance in completing your appeal documentation.

Why do I see a GNA grade on my academic record?

Your Instructor may decide to submit a GNA (grade not available) final grade if a decision on an academic integrity report has not been made. Within the Faculty of Engineering and Design, students are permitted to continue in subsequent courses with a GNA in a prerequisite course. If the presence of a GNA grade, either due to a pending allegation or for any other reason is affecting your ability to register please contact the Engineering Academic Support Office.

If the presence of a GNA grade, either due to a pending allegation or for any other reason is affecting your ability to register in courses, please submit an override request (Engineering courses: via Engineering Override Request system and all other courses: via Carleton Central CROS).

What are the possible sanctions for academic misconduct?

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the sanctions that may be imposed. FED applies them in tiers, according to the character of the misconduct and any previously sanctioned violation on record, counted only where it was sanctioned before the present allegation. Tier 1, under FED AIO Pathway 1, is focused on educational benefit of the Student. Tiers 2 to 4, under FED AIO Pathway 2, impose increasing consequences in relation to the intent (e.g., planned action) and scope (e.g., broad impact).

Tier 1 Sanctions: FED AIO Pathway 1 only

• a letter of reprimand placed in a confidential file,
• a grade penalty on the assigned work, and
• complete an Academic Integrity Workshop.

Tier 2 Sanctions: FED AIO Pathway 2

• letter of reprimand,
• requirement to remain registered in the course,
• reflective statement on the violation and future sanctions,
• a grade of zero on the work in question, and
• a reduction in course by grade letter or grade point.

Tier 3 Sanctions: FED AIO Pathway 2

• the first three Tier 2 sanctions,
• a grade of zero in the course,

{depending on the violation then one of the following may be imposed}

• an additional course credits [0.5 | 1.0],
• an enrolment restriction for [1 | 2 | 3] terms,
• registration limited to [#] credits per term for [1 | 2 | 3] terms, or
• suspension for [1 | 2 | 3] terms.

Tier 4 Sanctions: FED AIO Pathway 2

• the first three Tier 2 sanctions,
• a grade of zero in the course,

{one or more of the following recommended to the Provost}

• suspension for [more than three (3)] terms,
• withdrawal, without academic penalty, from courses,
• withdrawal from any future registered course(s),
• a [limited period | permanent] transcript notation.

{or} 

expulsion from the University with a permanent transcript notation.

I still have a question, are there other resources?

If it relates to the course outline, please contact your course Instructor for clarification.

If it relates to the Academic Integrity Policy or investigation process, then an answer may be available in the FAQ maintained by Ombuds Services.