Academic Integrity Policy

Responsibility:  Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning)


Purpose/Reason for Policy:

The purpose of this policy is to establish the principles of academic integrity in support of the student learning experience in the Queen’s community.

Scope of this Policy:

The overall approach to academic integrity should encompass the entire academic and broader learning environment (on campus and online) but not directly attempt to exert control over the non-academic environment.

[For the background to the development of this policy statement and a list of recommendations for future action, please see also "Sub-Committee on Academic Integrity - Report to the Senate Committee on Academic Development (SCAD)" (PDF*, 172 KB). Additional information can be found at the Academic Integrity @ Queen's web site http://www.queensu.ca/academicintegrity/.

The following documents provide a context for the Senate policy on academic integrity:

  • Subcommittee on Academic Integrity—Report to the Senate Academic Development (2006);
  • Senate Policy on Academic Integrity – Requirements of Faculties and Schools;
  • Faculty Jurisdiction with Respect to Student Appeals of Academic Decisions;
  • Senate Policy on Student Appeals, Rights and Discipline;
  • Senate Policy on Integrity in Research. Integrity issues related to research activities are covered by the Integrity in Research policy. Additional information on academic integrity can be found at the Academic Integrity@Queen’s web site:  www.queensu.ca/academicintegrity/.

 

Policy Statement:

Queen’s University is dedicated to creating a scholarly community free to explore a range of ideas, to build and advance knowledge, and to share the ideas and knowledge that emerge from a range of intellectual pursuits.

Queen’s students, faculty, administrators and staff therefore all have responsibilities for supporting and upholding the fundamental values of academic integrity. Academic integrity is constituted by the five core fundamental values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility (see https://www.academicintegrity.org/) and by the quality of courage. These values and qualities are central to the building, nurturing and sustaining of an academic community in which all members of the community will thrive. Adherence to the values expressed through academic integrity forms a foundation for the "freedom of inquiry and exchange of ideas" essential to the intellectual life of the University.

The following statements from “The Fundamental Values of Academic Integrity” (2nd edition), developed by the International Center for Academic Integrity (ICAI), contextualize these values and qualities:

  1. Honesty     Academic communities of integrity advance the quest for truth and knowledge through intellectual and personal honesty in learning, teaching, research, and service.
  2. Trust     Academic communities of integrity both foster and rely upon climates of mutual trust. Climates of trust encourage and support the free exchange of ideas which in turn allows scholarly inquiry to reach its fullest potential.
  3. Fairness     Academic communities of integrity establish clear and transparent expectations, standards, and practices to support fairness in the interactions of students, faculty, and administrators.
  4. Respect     Academic communities of integrity value the interactive, cooperative, participatory nature of learning. They honor, value, and consider diverse opinions and ideas.
  5. Responsibility     Academic communities of integrity rest upon foundations of personal accountability coupled with the willingness of individuals and groups to lead by example, uphold mutually agreed-upon standards, and take action when they encounter wrongdoing.
  6. Courage     To develop and sustain communities of integrity, it takes more than simply believing in the fundamental values. Translating the values from talking points into action -- standing up for them in the face of pressure and adversity — requires determination, commitment, and courage.

Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with and adhering to the regulations concerning academic integrity. General information on academic integrity is available at Academic Integrity @ Queen's University, along with Faculty or School specific information. Departures from academic integrity include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, use of unauthorized materials, facilitation, forgery and falsification. Actions which contravene the regulation on academic integrity carry sanctions that can range from a warning, to loss of grades on an assignment, to failure of a course, to requirement to withdraw from the university.

 

Responsibilities:

The Senate Committee on Academic Development (SCAD) and the Senate Committee on Academic Procedures (SCAP) have complementary roles in developing the policy and practice of academic integrity.

SCAD is responsible for oversight and articulation of the Senate Policy on Academic Integrity.

SCAP is responsible for approval and review of practices which implement and contextualize policies on academic integrity.

Each Faculty is responsible for implementing a set of procedures and practices consistent with this policy and with the Senate Policy on Academic Integrity – Requirements of Faculties and Schools.

 

Policy to be superseded by this policy: Academic Integrity Policy Statement

Approved by Senate January 26, 2006

Academic integrity is constituted by the five core fundamental values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility (as articulated by the Centre for Academic Integrity, Clemson University; see www.academicintegrity.org) all of which are central to the building, nurturing and sustaining of an academic community in which all members of the community will thrive. Adherence to the values expressed through academic integrity forms a foundation for the "freedom of inquiry and exchange of ideas" essential to the intellectual life of the University (see Report on Principles and Priorities) Queen's students, faculty, administrators and staff therefore all have ethical responsibilities for supporting and upholding the fundamental values of academic integrity.

 

For the background to the development of this policy statement and a list of recommendations for future action, please see also "Sub-Committee on Academic Integrity - Report to the Senate Committee on Academic Development (SCAD)" (PDF*, 172 KB). Additional information can be found at the Academic Integrity @ Queen's web site www.queensu.ca/academicintegrity/.

 

*PDF files can be viewed using Adobe Reader.