The purposes of this policy are to set out the standards of academic integrity that the Justice Institute of British Columbia (“JIBC” or the “Institute”) expects all students to comply with, and to outline the procedures that will be followed where a student is alleged to have engaged in Student Academic Misconduct.
JIBC is dedicated to providing a high standard of service delivery to students and clients, consistent with JIBC’s mission, vision and values. JIBC expects academic integrity and ethical conduct in all academic work within its on-site, online and off-site learning settings. This policy is intended to complement the Student Code of Conduct Policy and Student Sexual Misconduct Policy, which address matters regarding non-academic misconduct.
Academic integrity is expected at all times at JIBC. Students must refrain from engaging in Student Academic Misconduct.
Allegations of Student Academic Misconduct that are not resolved informally will be investigated in a procedurally fair manner. Where a student is found to have violated JIBC’s standards of academic integrity, the Institute will apply Disciplinary or Corrective Measures as appropriate, up to and including suspension and/or expulsion from the Institute. A student who is found to have breached this Policy has a right to appeal.
This Policy applies to Student Academic Misconduct at a JIBC campus or learning site, and also to Student Academic Misconduct that takes place off-campus or online where the student is participating in a JIBC course, program or event, is representing JIBC, or is otherwise engaged in a JIBC-related activity.
This Policy does not apply in the following circumstances:
- where alleged misconduct by a JIBC student does not fall within the scope of this Policy, as described above;
- where legislation or a JIBC contract requires that another process be followed instead of the procedure described in this Policy;
- where JIBC determines that the alleged misconduct falls within the scope of another JIBC policy, in which case JIBC will decide on the policy and procedure that will be applied; or
- where JIBC determines that the alleged misconduct can be dealt with more appropriately in another forum (such as a court or administrative tribunal), or by the student’s employer.
Academic – Relating to education and scholarship.
Applicant – A person who applies to register in a course or program of studies at the Institute.
Dean – The administrative head of a JIBC School.
Director/Program Director – The administrative head of a JIBC program area.
Expulsion – Expulsion is formal disciplinary action by JIBC that becomes part of the Official Student Record. A student who is expelled will be removed from all programs in which the Student is registered, as well as any other activities at the Institute, and restrictions may be placed on the Student’s ability to register in a JIBC course or program in the future.
Instructor – A person employed or engaged by JIBC who is responsible for providing instruction to students or otherwise directing student learning experiences (may or may not include evaluation).
Manager – A person employed or engaged by JIBC who is responsible for managing one or more programs.
Official Student Record – As defined in JIBC’s Student Records Policy.
Probation – Probation is formal disciplinary action by JIBC that becomes part of the Official Student Record. A student placed on probation will receive a letter making clear the finding of misconduct and stipulating the period of time during which the student is on probation.
Registrar – The registrar of the Institute.
Student – A person the Registrar recognizes as being enrolled in a course or program of studies at the Institute.
Student Academic Misconduct – Academic misconduct by a student, as defined below.
Suspension – Suspension is formal disciplinary action by JIBC that becomes part of the Official Student Record. A student who is issued a suspension will be suspended from all academic and extracurricular activities at JIBC, and may also be restricted from access to JIBC facilities, normally for a period of not less than one year. The student must reapply for admission at the end of the period of suspension and JIBC may stipulate additional requirements for readmission.
Vice-President Academic (VPA) – The person responsible for all academic programs at the Institute.
Student Academic Misconduct Prohibited
Students and Applicants must refrain from engaging in Student Academic Misconduct. Students and Applicants who engage in Student Academic Misconduct may be subject to disciplinary measures.
Student Academic Misconduct means a breach of academic integrity by a Student or Applicant in any aspect of application, learning, evaluation or research at JIBC, including but not limited to the following:
- Plagiarism, which includes, but is not limited to, presenting the ideas or works of another person as one’s own, or using another person’s work without proper attribution. It includes submitting work done in whole or in part by another person and/or presenting another person’s ideas or theories in one’s own words without referencing the source, or failure to properly cite material, including from the internet.
- Cheating in examinations or assignments, which includes, but is not limited to, dishonest or attempted dishonest conduct in connection with an examination (including tests and quizzes) or assignment, such as copying or attempting to copy another person’s answer on an examination, bringing unauthorized materials into an examination, communicating with another person during an examination without permission, writing an examination or paper for another person or allowing another person to write an examination for oneself, or submitting a paper written by another person. It also includes unauthorized or unacknowledged collaboration on a take-home assignment, examination or project, submitting work prepared for one course as part of assignments for another course without the authorization of the instructor, and fabricating data for research projects including listing non-utilized sources in a bibliography.
- Educational Misconduct, which includes, but is not limited to, unauthorized use of JIBC educational materials, obtaining or viewing an assessment process or exam prior to its administration, or providing unauthorized prior knowledge or viewing of examinations to another individual.
- Misrepresentation or Falsified Documents, which includes, but is not limited to, providing fraudulent information or withholding pertinent information to obtain admission to any JIBC course or program, misrepresenting past academic records, transcripts or other documents required for admission, or falsifying any academic record or credential, whether from JIBC or any other organization, agency, or post-secondary institution.
- Collusion, which includes, but is not limited to aiding or abetting others in any attempted act of Student Academic Misconduct. For distance and online courses this includes nominating an invigilator with false information and/or false credentials.
Procedures
The procedures for dealing with alleged violations of this Policy are set out in Procedure 3207-001.
Student Awareness
Students are required to make themselves aware of all JIBC policies and procedures including this Student Academic Integrity Policy. Lack of awareness of this or any other JIBC policy does not excuse a student from responsibility for their actions.
Confidentiality and Documentation
- JIBC recognizes the confidentiality interests and privacy rights of all parties involved in an investigation under the Policy and must protect personal information in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, subject to the exceptions thereunder.
- JIBC may disclose information relating to allegations of a breach of the Policy in certain circumstances, including but not limited to where:
a. necessary to ensure the requirements of procedural fairness are met;
b. the sharing of personal information is necessary for the protection of the health or safety of any individual;
c. the sharing of personal information is required or authorized by law; or
d. the person the information is about has consented to the release of the personal information. - All persons involved in an investigation under this Policy are required to keep the allegation and information relating to the investigation confidential, and are not to disclose the allegation or information revealed to them through the investigation to others, except as may be expressly permitted or as required by law. Individuals involved in investigations should be aware that while confidentiality is expected, anonymity cannot be guaranteed.
- All documentation related to Decisions under this Policy will be kept in the Official Student Record and stored in accordance with the Student Records Policy.
No Retaliation
- It is contrary to this Policy for anyone to retaliate, engage in reprisals or threaten to retaliate against a person for:
a. reporting any alleged violation of this Policy; or
b. having participated or co-operated in an informal process or investigation under this Policy. - Anyone who engages in such retaliation will be subject to Disciplinary Measures up to and including suspension, expulsion or termination from JIBC.