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Frequently asked questionsGeneral
- What is the Code of Student Conduct?
- Does the Code apply to me?
- What is academic dishonesty?
- What is non-academic misconduct?
- Why does Mount Royal University have this policy?
- What are my rights under the Code?
- What are my obligations under the Code?
- How does the Code help students?
- Where can I get more information?
- Can I participate in board hearings?
Faculty
- I suspect a student in my class has plagiarized his/her recently submitted assignment, what should I do?
- Do I need to include a written description of what happened?
- How much time do I have to do this?
- Do I have to meet with the student?
- What should happen at this meeting?
- Does the student have to sign the form, what if he/she refuses?
- Can I discuss this with a colleague or will I breach FOIP?
- Can/should I have a colleague sit in on the meeting?
- Do I have any rights?
Student
- My Instructor has accused me of cheating what happens now?
- Is this going to go on my transcript?
- What does my permanent student record mean?
- What are my rights?
- I don't want to meet with my instructor, do I have to?
- Can I bring someone with me?
- What happens if I don't sign the form?
- It will be my word against my instructor's and no one will believe me so why should I bother?
General
- What is the Code of Student Conduct?
The Code of Student Conduct is the policy under which cases of academic dishonesty and non-academic misconduct are adjudicated by Mount Royal University.
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- Does the Code apply to me?
The Code applies to every individual who is engaged with Mount Royal University as a student. Some students may also have increased expectations placed upon them because of a special role in the institution (e.g. academic representatives or student athletes).
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- What is Academic dishonesty?
The giving, taking or presenting of information or material that unethically or dishonestly aids oneself or another on any work which is to be considered in the determination of a grade, the compilation of academic requirements or the enhancement of a student’s record or academic career.
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- What is Non-Academic Misconduct?
Behaviour that is subject to disciplinary action under the Code includes violations of established civil and criminal statues; conduct that threatens the safety or wellbeing of members of the MRU community; and any behavior that seriously and adversely affects Mount Royal University or its educational mission.
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- Why does Mount Royal University have this policy?
Mount Royal University has a responsibility to define standards of student behavior and to provide reasonable expectations for student discipline with regard to conduct that jeopardizes the functioning of academic and non-academic activities. It is also the obligation of MRU to protect the safety, rights and/ or property of its members or visitors.
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- What are my rights under the Code?
The Code contains a full description of student rights, but generally they include freedom from discrimination, freedom from harassment and sexual harassment, freedom of expression, the protection of academic integrity, supportive academic and administrative policies, a transparent and consistent discipline process, and legal rights as recognized elsewhere and by the Code.
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- What are my obligations under the Code?
Students have an obligation to make legal and responsible decisions concerning their conduct, and MRU has an expectation that students uphold the values attached to academic integrity and that students will conduct themselves as reasonable, respectful adults.
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- How does the Code help students?
The Code sets a campus-wide policy that is both flexible and fosters consistency. Students can expect to be treated objectively and similarly when facing concerns over conduct. Also, Mount Royal University has established peer adjudication as a principle of its processes. In short, students may become more involved in the judicial process and can expect, when under allegations of misconduct, to face a significant proportion of their peers in the review. Lastly, the Code also provides for the safety and security of its students through the course of their academic career by setting high standards for all interactions concerning Mount Royal University.
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- Where can I get more information?
More information about the Code of Conduct can be obtained through the Students’ Association and the Office of Student Conduct at 403.440.6356.
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- Can I participate in Board Hearings?
Judicial boards established under the Code have significant student presence and are supported in their efforts to achieve strong standards of objectivity. Any students wishing to engage in training as a board member should contact the Office of Student Conduct at 403.440.6356.
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Faculty
- I suspect a student in my class has plagiarized his/her recently submitted assignment, what should I do?
Investigate thoroughly to establish a reasonable level of certainty that an act of dishonesty has occurred before proceeding. If established, arrange a confidential meeting with the student to discuss your findings. Whether the instructor and student agree or disagree on the incident and on the proposed sanction (if applicable), the incident report is completed and forwarded to the OSC.
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- Do I need to include a written description of what happened?
Providing a brief description is useful as background both for the OSC prior to meeting with the student and also if it is necessary to convene a board hearing there is context provided for the board members.
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- How much time do I have to do this?
Forms should be submitted to the Office of Student Conduct within ten working days, whenever possible, from the date on which the incident occurred.
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- Do I have to meet with the student?
- If an instructor has made reasonable attempts to arrange a meeting and is unsuccessful, the form and any additional information including the description of the incident should be forwarded to the OSC.
- If an instructor feels uncomfortable or unsafe meeting with a student he/she is encouraged to discuss this with his/her Chairperson and make arrangements to have someone else present at the meeting including Security if necessary.
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- What should happen at this meeting?
Discuss your findings with the student and subsequently allow the student to respond. Have a reasonable sanction/consequence determined beforehand and present that decision to the student.
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- Does the student have to sign the form, what if he/she refuses?
If a student refuses to sign the form simply submit all documents to the OSC, advising the OSC of the student’s refusal.
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- Can I discuss this with a colleague or will I breach FOIP?
Instructors are always encouraged to discuss incidents with their Chairperson to obtain advice and direction. To discuss an incident with a colleague without using the student’s name would not be a breach of FOIP.
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- Can I/should I have a colleague sit in on the meeting?
Often it is helpful if another person is present in a non participatory way, to listen and take notes. If you choose to have a colleague sit in, the student should be informed of this before the meeting date. The student should also be advised that they may bring an attendant with them who similarly will be present in a non participatory capacity. An observer is permitted to ask questions to clarify the process.
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- Do I have any rights?
Yes. Faculty members have the right to establish and enforce standards of academic and non-academic behaviour for students in their classes. This does not always mean that a Board will uphold the interpretation or sanction a faculty member applies to an academic dishonesty or non-academic misconduct incident because the principles underlying Board proceedings are intended to safeguard the rights of both faculty and students. You have the right to be treated respectfully at all times. You have the right to terminate the meeting at any point and refer the matter to the OSC.
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Student
- My instructor has accused me of cheating what happens now?
Your instructor will meet with you to hear your version of the events and together you will complete an academic dishonesty Incident report to be submitted to the Office of Student Conduct.
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- Is this going to go on my transcript?
This depends on whether this is your first incident of academic misconduct and the circumstances surrounding the misconduct.
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- What does my permanent student record mean?
When you first applied to attend MRU a student record was created for you. This file is kept in the Office of the Registrar and is your history as an MRU student from admission to graduation. Included in this record would be your application for admission, changes to registration, withdrawal/s from a course/s, changes made to grades, any appeal submissions etc.
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- What are my rights?
Please refer to Student Rights & Responsibilities.
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- I don’t want to meet with my instructor, do I have to?
If you choose not to meet with your instructor, you miss the opportunity to complete the section of the conduct forms that allow you to refute an allegation. Whenever possible you are encouraged to meet with your instructor and to work together to find a resolution. If you refuse to meet with your instructor you will be contacted by the OSC to meet directly with a conduct staff member for further discussion.
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- Can I bring someone with me?
Yes. You are encouraged to inform your instructor ahead of your meeting that you will have someone accompanying you. This person is not permitted to speak for you; however your attendant asking questions or confirming process is perfectly acceptable.
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- What happens if I don’t sign the form?
The OSC will mail you the form and request you complete the section which questions whether you agree or disagree with both the description of the incident as outlined by your instructor and whether you agree or disagree with the sanction (consequence) imposed by your instructor. Participating in a meeting allows you to talk with your instructor and to work toward a mutually accepted consequence for the misconduct. It also allows you an opportunity to disagree with either the description of the event, the consequence, or both and to document this in writing.
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- It will be my word against my instructor’s and no one will believe me so why should I bother?
The Code of Student Conduct ensures all MRU students are treated consistently and objectively when facing conduct concerns. The processes administered by the OSC were created with a student centered approach most notably that students participate as board members in misconduct hearings along side members of faculty.
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