Occasionally the University may feel it has cause to investigate possible misconduct committed by students. If you are subject to an allegation of academic misconduct, you should be notified in writing within 14 days of the matter being brought to the attention of the dean. If the matter relates to general misconduct, you will be notified within 28 days of the matter being brought to the attention of the University.

An allegation notice regarding academic misconduct should set out the time and place at which a committee will convene to deal with the allegation and the notice should include a report detailing the grounds for misconduct, with specific reference to the parts of your assignment/exam concerned if the allegation regards academic misconduct. This could be copies of any material which was not correctly referenced as someone else’s work in an assignment, or a report from the exam invigilator in a case of exam misconduct.

If the basis for the allegation is general misconduct, the allegation notice should detail the specific behaviour or events related to the charge.

If you receive a notice of an allegation of misconduct, contact the advocacy service immediately for support and assistance with responding to the matter. We have extensive experience in the best approach to writing your submission to the Committee and we can act as your support person at the hearing, so you don’t have to go it alone.

Academic Misconduct

There are a number of different types of academic misconduct. The allegation notice sent to you by the Faculty should clearly state the nature of the misconduct. It could be plagiarism in an essay or written assignment or cheating in an exam, such as being caught with unauthorised materials (notes, programmable calculators which are not expressly allowed) or any other conduct where a student tries to gain an unfair advantage. This also includes helping someone else to cheat.

Under University Statute 13.1 Academic Misconduct is defined as:
Cheating, plagiarism and any other conduct by which a student seeks to gain for himself or herself, or for any other person, any academic advantage or advancement to which he or she or that other person is not entitled.

This includes acts such as plagiarism, taking pre-prepared notes into an exam where they are prohibited and copying someone else’s work. Note that just having unauthorised materials in an examination is an offence in itself, regardless of whether they are used. This means special care should always be taken to leave any last minute cramming notes OUTSIDE the exam venue when it’s time to go in.

What is plagiarism?

Plagiarism is the presentation of written work, findings or ideas as your own without proper acknowledgement of the original source.
Examples of plagiarism include:

  • Copying a published author’s text/arguments without giving a reference (this includes websites);
  • Paraphrasing a published author’s text/arguments without giving a reference (this includes websites);
  • Handing in work done by someone else as your own;
  • Making superficial changes to another’s work and then handing it in as your own;
  • Submission of work you have already handed in for another course/subject (yes—you are not allowed to plagiarise yourself);
  • In certain disciplines, the use of mathematical/design concepts is used but neglecting to reference these concepts.

Collusion is where one student is alleged to have helped another student by allowing them to copy their work. The University regards students who do this as seriously as those who did the copying and the penalties are the same.

What about group work or discussing the assignment with classmates? Is this plagiarism?

Many courses utilise group work or syndicates to perform assessment tasks. Group work is defined as a formally established project to be done by a number of students in common, resulting in a single report, essay or a number of associated reports/essays.

Acceptable collaboration can be defined as any constructive educational and intellectual practice that aims to enhance learning through interaction between students. Examples of acceptable collaboration include:

  • Students discussing general themes and concepts;
  • Students discussing the requirements of an assignment.

The difference between appropriate collaboration and unacceptable collusion of plagiarism is based on the principle that producing the work remains the individual responsibility of the student. Make sure that you understand the assessment requirements with group work. Even though you may be required to work collaboratively, you may be required to submit independent reports that are your own work. If in doubt, ask your tutor or lecturer for clarification.

What about exams?

The basis of academic misconduct in exams is where a student is alleged to have sought unfair advantage to which they are not entitled. This may include:

  • taking unauthorised notes into an exam, or unauthorised calculators or formula on your calculator;
  • copying the work of another student (with or without their consent);
  • allowing another student to copy from you or helping them in some way;
  • having someone else sit the exam for you.

If you are suspected of any of the above misconduct during the exam, an invigilator may or may not speak to you about their misgivings. Either way, even if you have been confronted by an invigilator, you still have the right to complete the examination. If you have taken unauthorised materials into the exam, they will be confiscated when seen by an exam invigilator. If this occurs you should still attempt to complete your exam to the best of your ability.

Note too that you are considered to have sought an unfair advantage, even if you did not actually look at or use the material. In some cases, you may face an allegation of academic misconduct even if you didn’t realise you weren’t allowed to take certain material into an exam, or if you borrowed someone’s calculator with disallowed formula programmed in. The staff at the Advocacy Service can advise you how to approach allegations such as these and how best to explain the situation at a hearing.

I’ve been accused of academic misconduct—What happens now?

The process may be handled at three different levels:

  • At the department level (not for cases concerning exams)
  • At the faculty level
  • At a Discipline committee chaired by members of the academic board (for appeals).

You can be asked to attend a faculty Discipline Committee Hearing for academic misconduct. You should be given the chance to write a submission to the Committee setting out your version of events and detailing any exceptional circumstances that you feel should be taken into consideration. The Advocacy Service can assist you with this and in some cases may also write to the Committee in support of your case. At the Misconduct hearing you will be given a chance to tell your story. The evidence leading to the allegation will also be put to the Committee. This includes the exam manager’s report, the examination script book and any material that was confiscated from you during an exam or for cases of suspected plagiarism the committee will have a copy of the assignment with the plagiarised passages highlighted.

Students are able to bring along a support person if they inform the committee in advance and staff at the Advocacy Service are available to attend with you. The Committee should consist of the Dean or their nominee, a senior academic, and a student representative. For undergraduates this can be the president of the Student Union or a nominee or a member of a faculty student association and for graduates it may be an elected office bearer of UMPA, the Postgraduate Association. The Committee must dismiss the allegation unless there is a majority decision that the allegation be upheld.

Within three working days of the hearing you should receive notice of the outcome and if the allegation is upheld, the penalty. Penalties can include a requirement to resubmit the assessment (only if it is a first offence and to do with ignorance of plagiarism and correct referencing practices), a reprimand – which is a warning, depriving the student of credit for the subject or a part of the subject, excluding the student from using University facilities, suspension or termination of the student’s enrolment. You have the option to appeal the decision and/or the penalty to the Academic Board Appeal Committee, which consists of 2 members of the Academic Board and a student representative. Appeals are not automatic, however, you must write to the Academic Secretary citing the grounds for your appeal within 14 days of receiving the outcome from the faculty Committee. The grounds for appeal are:

  • Excessive or overly harsh penalty;
  • Bias on the part of the committee;
  • Significant procedural irregularity;

New evidence of a substantial nature not presented at the original hearing.

As the appeal is final and can be quite complicated to argue effectively, it is strongly suggested you seek assistance from an advisor at the Advocacy Service before proceeding with your appeal. Be aware though, that you need to do this quickly as there are time lines for the lodgement of the appeal.

General Misconduct

General misconduct can include behaviour such as disrupting lectures or University events, misusing computers or other facilities, causing fear or intimidation in and around the University, harassing staff or other students, disrupting or illegal behaviour, damaging property, failing to comply with a reasonable request, supplying misleading information, or encouraging others to engage in general misconduct.

Breaches of the General misconduct regulations can be dealt with by the Dean of the Faculty, the Head of the Department, or other equivalent senior officers. These decisions can also be appealed to a higher body in the University. Penalties can include a reprimand, a fine, exclusion from using University facilities, suspension, or termination of enrolment.

There are also emergency powers for immediate suspension or exclusion. In some cases a penalty or part of a penalty may be satisfied with university service work.

If you require confidential advice about discipline proceedings contact an advisor from the Student Union Advocacy Service on the third floor of Union House, or call 8344 6546. An advisor can help you to prepare your explanation/written submission and/or come to meetings with you as your support person.

For full details on University policy and procedures refer to University Statute 13.1—Student Discipline.
These breaches can also extend across all university property, including libraries, computer labs and Student Unions. These breaches may also be considered criminal offences and you may be subject to legal action.

What is the process?

You will receive a letter within 28 days of the offence being brought to the attention of the senior officer. The notice should outline the breaches and request you to attend a meeting.

Penalties for breach of good order:

  • Reprimand
  • A fine
  • A bill requiring you to pay an amount to cover the cost of repairing any damage caused by you to any property or facilities.
  • Exclusion specified University premises or facilities either permanently or for such period and on such terms and conditions as is thought fit,
  • Exclusion from the University either permanently or for such period as thought fit.

There is an appeals process for any penalty imposed for breach of discipline or good order, involving a written submission and attending a meeting with the appeals committee. See the Student Union Advocacy Service for assistance with this.

Ultimately, if any allegation is made against you with regard to academic misconduct of a breach of discipline/good order it is imperative to seek assistance quickly.

Languages and Learning Skills Unit
Excellent resources for referencing and citation
University Policies on Academic Misconduct and Student Discipline