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Academic Integrity

Examples of an Academic Offence  | Penalties for an Academic Offence  | FSU Initiatives  | Fanshawe College Resources 

What is Academic Integrity?

Academic Integrity means holding yourself and others accountable for consistently performing all academic work with honesty and integrity and is integral to the academic mission at Fanshawe College. Faculty and students have the responsibility to uphold academic integrity and have the right to appeal any decision related to an academic offence.

Examples of an Academic Offence

  • Plagiarism: Claiming to have completed assigned tasks that were, in fact, completed by another person. Using or plagiarizing materials or works, in whole or in part, prepared by another person without citing appropriate reference credit. For example, including a quotation taken from a website, textbook, etc. without citing the proper source.
  • Submitting the same assignment, essay, project, etc. multiple times for evaluation or marking.
  • Submitting, in whole or in part, electronic files or data created by another person without the instructor's permission.
  • Submitting, in whole or in part, work created by the author to instructors in more than one course without prior permission.
  • Using unauthorized materials/aids on coursework or assignments.
  • Allowing another individual to take a test in one's place.
  • Falsifying Records: Altering or falsifying academic records in any way or submitting false documentation for academic purposes.
  • Helping someone else commit an offence. For example, providing them with assignments or coursework to copy.
  • Cheating on exams.
  • Misrepresenting the reasons for an assignment or examination deferral request.
  • Improperly obtaining through theft, bribery, collusion, or otherwise any test or examination paper prior to the date and time for writing such test or examination.

Penalties for an Academic Offence

Academic Integrity offences are not taken lightly at Fanshawe College. A student who is caught can receive a Formal Warning (with or without consequential acts) and/or depending on the severity of the offence a Penalty which can include; needing to redo work, a mark of zero, failing the course, suspension, expulsion and/or rescinding credentials.

A student can receive up to three Penalties during their time at Fanshawe with the third Penalty being expulsion. That is why students must take precautionary measures in their coursework to ensure academic integrity is being upheld.

FSU Initiatives

If you have any questions about Academic Integrity, contact Sarah Machado Acuña, FSU Advocacy and Communications Coordinator at 519.452.4109 x16341 or s_machadoacuna@nullfanshawec.ca

DoNut Cheat

DoNut Cheat is an event that happens every term where students are given information on Academic Integrity and asked a related trivia question. Students then receive free donuts — an edible donut, and/or a stress ball shaped like a donut.

Here are a few videos to help you better understand academic integrity:

Academic Integrity Introduction

Illustration of a blue donut with human features

Academic Offences

llustration of a pink donut with human features with the text Academic Offences above it.

Academic Penalties

llustration of a donuts with human features, one is wearing a doctor headdband and one is wearing a fire fighter helmet.

Academic Integri-TEA

An illustration of a green cup filled with tea. The FSU logo is displaed. Text states: Academic Integri-TEA. Free tea and cookies! Sip and chat!

At various times throughout the year, the FSU, Fanshawe College's Academic Integrity Office and Fanshawe Library Learning Commons collaborate to present Academic Integri-TEA. At this event, students are presented with information related to academic integrity, asked three quick questions and then given tea and cookies for a price that is not steep at all... they are free! So whether you show up alone, or bring your best-tea, don't miss out on this quali-tea event.

Think Outside the Bot

Illustration of a brain with text on top stating Think outsde the bot. The website address fsu.ca/academic-integrity is shown, as is the FSU logo. Contains the same text as shown below.

Problem: Using AI tools such as ChatGPT and Midjourney for assignments and projects may seem like a quick solution, but it can lead to academic offences.

Solution: Ask your professors if AI tools are allowed and use them only with permission. Remember, there are no shortcuts to success.

Benefits: By avoiding AI tools, you will learn to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which will be invaluable in your future career.

Fanshawe College Resources

Student Appeals

The College is committed to fair, timely and consistent decision-making that relates to policies and procedures regarding students. The College acknowledges a student's right to appeal. For more information, visit the Student Appeals page on MyFanshawe .

Fanshawe College Policies

The following Fanshawe College policies are related to academic integrity:

The College also provides workshops through FanshaweLearns and the Library Learning Commons (see below). For more information, visit Fanshawe's Maintaining Academic Integrity page.

Library Learning Commons Resources

The Library Learning Commons offers many academic intregrity resources , including:

Contact Information

Sarah Machado Acuña

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