Office of the University Secretary

Document

Authority

Summary

Activities included

Procedure

Penalties/Remedies

Guidelines for Academic Conduct

University Council (1999)

The guidelines establish expectations for ethical behaviour in the teacher-student learning environment and were established by Council in response to a request from the student body for a code of conduct.  They are intended as a guide for the development of other university policies and procedures..

Sets out principles students, teachers and the institution in the areas of student development, subject matter competence, pedagogical competence, academic honesty, fair and valid assessment, managing interactions and relationships, confidentiality, dealing with sensitive topics, respect for others, and respect for the institution.  Research activities are not covered (see Misconduct in Scholarly Work policy).

The Guidelines do not include or prescribe any procedure.

No penalties are described; these reside under the academic dishonesty regulations and the collective agreements.

Student appeals of evaluation, grading and academic standing 

Approved by University Council (2012)

Procedures:

Student appeals in academic matters

Provides a formal mechanism for students to complain about a grade.

Student complaints about an "academic judgment" of an  examination, assignment, essay, laboratory report, performance, clinical or professional service activity or practicum

Following an informal consultation with the instructor, the student can ask department to review the assessment 

Reassessment Form

Grades can be lowered or raised following either the informal consultation or the  re-read. 
A fee is charged for re-reads which is reimbursed if the grade is increased by more than 5 per cent. 

Provides a formal mechanism for students to complain about their academic standing in a program including decisions around progression in the program, granting of leaves, probationary status and graduation, on compassionate, medical or other grounds.

Council delegates to colleges and schools the responsibility for developing and approving procedures for students to appeal academic standing.

Procedures to be developed by colleges.

Students may appeal college decisions on limited grounds, as described below.

 Academic standing can be confirmed or revised.

Provides a formal mechanism for students to complain about unfair treatment leading to a poor grade, or academic standing, or other academic assessment.

Outcomes of appeals of grades or academic standing may be appealed to the university based only on:
(i)     failure to follow or misapplication of procedural regulations (ii)   differential treatment;
(iii)  violation of the discrimination and harassment prevention policy
(iv)failure to accommodate disability

A student can request an appeal by a university appeal board.

University Appeal Form 

If an Appeal Board concludes that an allegation of unfair treatment is justified, the Board will "specify measures to be taken by the college, division or faculty member involved to correct the injustice"

Student Discipline policy

Approved by University Council (2012)

Procedures:

Regulations for student academic misconduct

Outlines expectations for student academic conduct and steps to be followed when student academic misconduct is alleged.

Faculty or college complaints about student cheating on an exam, plagiarism, theft of academic material, lying about academic records, misconduct in research, etc.

Informal: instructor may prescribe remedy of reduced mark and/or resubmission (Informal Resolution Form)

Formal: Allegations are judged by a College hearing board and, if found guilty, the student may be penalized.  

Further appeal to a university-level appeal board are permitted only on procedural grounds.

Informal:
Instructor may reduce mark for assignment and/or require resubmission of assignment.

Formal:
Hearing Board may:
Reprimand or censure;
a mark of zero or other appropriate grade for the entire course, the assignment , or the examination;
requiring rewrite or repeat of the examination or performance; require additional essay or presentation;
suspension;
expulsion;
postponement, denial, or revocation of degree

Approved by Senate (2012)

Procedures:

Standard of Conduct in non-academic matters 

Outlines expectations for student conduct and steps to be followed when a complaint is lodged against a student for non-academic misconduct.
This policy applies "to all University of Saskatchewan students in University-related activities."

Complaints about non-academic student misconduct.  The Standard is breached when a student disrupts or threatens disruption of university activities, or harms or threatens harm to members of the university community or to university property.

Whenever possible, complaints should be resolved informally.  If this is not successful, then the case may go to either an alternative dispute resolution process or a formal hearing.

A range of possible sanctions may be imposed by a hearing board, from a letter of reprimand or request for apology, to suspension or expulsion.