The Ryerson Students’ Union (RSU) knows that most students have a lot going in their lives.

The RSU is here to help! 

The RSU offers legal and advocacy services for students in need and we make every effort to address problems you may be experiencing, financially, academically and in your personal life. 

See the complete appeals guide here.

How to succeed if you are having a hard time:

Talk to your department about the problem when things come up. They may have some solutions you have not considered. Even a late course drop MIGHT be possible.

Get assistance from a counsellor from Student Services when appropriate. Ryerson has services to support students. Use them.

Consider lightening your course load. It may take you longer to finish your degree, but if you don't lighten the load, you may not finish at all.

Get things documented. It may be difficult, but to protect yourself, you should try to document your situation as best as possible. For example, if you are sick get a medical certificate completed as soon as you become ill.

Ask for help. The Ryerson Students' Union's Student Issues and Advocacy Coordinator can offer you advice and provide support to students who are dealing with difficult situations. The university ombudsperson and Student Services personnel can also provide assistance about where to go and what to do.

ESSENTIAL ACADEMIC ISSUE WEBSITES

• Appeal forms & information
• University Calendar
• Student Guide
• The Office of the Ombudsperson

Tips to avoiding Academic Misconduct:

1. Read your course outline, the University has a policy on Academic Integrity, but department expectations may vary.
2. If you think something could be academic misconduct, ask your professor before you hand in your paper, assignment or lab. Asking after you handed the paper in is not good enough and is often considered an offence even if it was a mistake.
3. Opt out of turnitin.com. Turnitin.com is a plagiarism detection device that professors at Ryerson University use to maintain Academic Integrity. However, this software is owned and operated by a for profit company. After you submit your paper on this website it compares your work to other works. Often, the comparison is a result of miss-quoted material or improper referencing. You can avoid being charged with academic misconduct if you opt out in the first 2 weeks of a course. You may be required to hand in rough notes and other material if you do. If you have any questions about opt out procedures, please contact the RSU.
4. If you are unsure about what constitutes Academic Misconduct and you want to learn more, attend a free Academic Integrity Tutorial Workshop. You can sign up online and there are several different tutorials you can attend.

Academic Misconduct Procedures

This section is meant to be a short guide to the procedures involved in being suspected or charged with Academic Misconduct at Ryerson University.  At any point in the process students may consult the RSU advocate. A full overview of the policy and procedures can be found here:

• Policy 60 – Student Code of Academic Misconduct

Ryerson University official method of correspondence for Academic Misconduct is EMAIL ONLY. Therefore, it is important for every student to take responsibility for every email they receive from Ryerson University on this matter.

Academic Misconduct Suspicion

If you are suspected of academic misconduct you will be contacted by the professor in your course OR the academic integrity officer Donna Bell (email dbell@ryerson.ca), this email will more often then not have the title “Facilitated Discussion” and will offer the student a date to attend a meeting (usually within 5 days of receipt of the email). If this date does not work in your schedule you must contact the professor immediately to make alternate arrangements.

What is a facilitated discussion?

A facilitated discussion is a discussion about the suspected misconduct. Usually, the professor has reason to suspect a student may have participated in something with constitutes academic misconduct and they must confront the student with their findings. 

As a student you have every right to defend yourself. Be honest and try and explain your situation. At this step in the process students may consult the RSU advocate, but the advocate cannot attend Facilitated Discussions as an advocate.

Facilitated discussions are meant to be the first part of the academic misconduct process and there are 2 types:

1. A Facilitated Discussion with the Student and Professor:
   Where only the student and professor attend and discuss the matter at hand in an effort to resolve the solutions
2. A Facilitated Discussion with the Student, Professor and Academic Integrity Officer:
   At any point before the scheduled date for the facilitated discussion the student or professor can request that the Academic Integrity Officer be present at a Facilitated Discussion. The Academic Integrity Officer’s role is to take notes and act as a non-bias third part witness to the discussion.
   

After the Facilitated Discussion the Academic Integrity Officer must contact the student within 5 days with the Professors decision.

All decisions can be appealed!

Appealing the Decision:

At this point in the process students can seek advocacy from the RSU's Student Rights and Advocacy Coordinator.

To book an appointment to discuss appeal options you can email advocacy@rsuonline.ca

Before attending an appointment or submitting your Faculty or Senate Academic Misconduct Appeal it is important to know your rights and submit the appropriate forms:

• Policy 60 – Student Code of Academic Misconduct

Academic Misconduct Forms:

• Faculty Appeal Form - Stage 1 appeal form
• Senate Appeal Form - Stage 2 appeal form

Appeals must be submitted not later than 10 days after the receipt of the Facilitated Discussion Decision Letter.