Academic Integrity at Nipissing University
Academic integrity is a shared responsibility at Nipissing University. It reflects honesty, fairness, trust, and respect in all learning and research activities. Upholding these values ensures that every student’s work is evaluated fairly and that the University’s academic standards remain strong.
Faculty, instructors, and staff play a vital role in promoting academic integrity and in supporting a transparent, consistent reporting process when misconduct is suspected.
If you suspect a violation, please submit an Academic Misconduct report using the online Academic Misconduct Reporting Form. This form ensures reports are routed automatically to the appropriate Associate Dean (and Dean, if required) for review, and that notifications are sent to all relevant parties.
For complete policy details, visit the Academic Integrity Policy.
Contact your Dean’s Office for guidance or questions about the process.
What is Academic Misconduct?
Academic misconduct occurs when a student acts in a way that breaches the principles of academic integrity. It includes any behaviour that gives, or attempts to give, an unfair academic advantage to oneself or another person.
Examples include (but are not limited to):
- Plagiarism – using another person’s or artificial intelligence (AI)-generated words, ideas, images, or data without proper acknowledgment.
- Unauthorized collaboration or cheating – working with others or using materials, devices, or AI tools not permitted during tests, assignments, or exams.
- Contract cheating – submitting work completed by someone else or generated through AI, whether paid or unpaid.
- Misrepresentation or falsification – providing false information, impersonating someone, or altering official documents.
- Tampering or interference – disrupting the academic work of others or the scholarly environment.
- Research misconduct – fabricating, falsifying, or destroying research data or records.
All reported cases are reviewed through a clear and transparent process to ensure fairness and proportional outcomes.
When Academic Misconduct is Suspected
If you suspect academic misconduct, follow these steps to ensure the process is fair and consistent:
For Instructors:
- Review the evidence – Gather relevant materials such as the assignment, communication records, or other documentation.
- Consult your Chair or Director – Discuss the situation to confirm whether a report should be submitted.
- Contact the student – Email the student at their @my.nipissingu.ca address to request a meeting to discuss the concern.
- Determine next steps – After reviewing the evidence and meeting with the student (or if the student does not respond), decide whether misconduct occurred.
If no misconduct is found, you may close the matter or issue a warning.
If misconduct has occurred, proceed to "When There's a Finding" to complete the online Academic Misconduct Reporting Form.
For Proctors, Teaching Assistants, or Invigilators:
- Document the incident in detail, including what was observed, when, and any materials involved.
- Report the incident to the course instructor as soon as possible.
- The instructor will then follow the steps above to review the matter and determine next actions.
When There's a Finding
If, after reviewing the evidence and meeting with the student (or if the student does not respond), you determine that academic misconduct has occurred, the next step is to submit the incident through the online Academic Misconduct Reporting Form.
Step 1: Complete the Online Academic Misconduct Incident Report
Select the "Report an Academic Misconduct" button above to open the online form. Complete the form and upload any relevant documentation, such as assignment files, comparison sources, communication records, and meeting notes. Include the student’s version of events, if provided.
Step 2: Submit the Report
After submission, the system automatically notifies the student and Associate Dean, attaching a copy of the completed report. The Dean is also copied on the notification. Supporting documentation submitted with the form is retained as part of the internal review process.
The student has 10 business days from the report date to provide written comments or request a meeting with the Associate Dean.
The Associate Dean will review the report and any student response before determining next steps.
Step 3: Keep Your Records
- Retain copies of your correspondence and any materials you uploaded.
- Notifications will continue to be sent automatically as the report moves through the review process.
Note:
If the case involves an applicant (rather than a registered student), the Registrar will review the evidence and determine the appropriate outcome, which may include the cancellation of admission.
Appealing a Decision
A student may appeal the Associate Dean's decision within three weeks of being notified, but only on the following grounds:
- New evidence that significantly affects the case and could not have been provided earlier.
- A procedural irregularity that impacted the outcome.
Appeals cannot be made solely because the student disagrees with the penalty.
If dissatisfied with the Dean’s decision, the student may appeal to the Academic Appeals and Petitions Committee within three weeks. The committee’s decision is final.
All appeals must be submitted by in writing with supporting documentation.
Progressive Discipline
Nipissing University applies progressive and educational approach to academic discipline to ensure penalties are fair, transparent, and proportionate.
- Minor Academic Misconduct may include incomplete citations, first-time unauthorized collaboration, or other limited infractions.
- Major Academic Misconduct includes extensive plagiarism, cheating, falsification, contract cheating, or repeat offences.
All confirmed cases are recorded on the student’s academic record. The University may rescind a degree if misconduct is discovered after graduation.
Support for Students
Students that have been notified of a concern regarding academic misconduct can connect with the Student Support Navigator (SSN). The SSN can work with students to support their understanding of the process, resources, and navigation of their next steps; they will help walk students through the process. Students can connect with the SSN by emailing nusuccess@nipissingu.ca.
Additionally, students also have the opportunity to book an appointment with a Student Learning Coordinator to receive educational support regarding academic integrity to further their understanding. Students can connect with the Student Learning and Transitions (SLT) team by booking an appointment at nipissingu.ca/slt or emailing slt@nipissingu.ca