Academic Integrity is a fundamental component of teaching and research at the University of Toronto. The university has policies and procedures to ensure that academic work is produced with integrity and honesty. Cases of cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of misconduct are taken seriously and dealt with formally. It is important for all students to familiarize themselves with both the Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters and the Code of Student Conduct. 

Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters

The preamble of the Code of Behaviour states:

The concern of the Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters is with the responsibilities of all parties to the integrity of the teaching and learning relationship. Honesty and fairness must inform this relationship, whose basis remains one of mutual respect for the aims of education and for those ethical principles which must characterize the pursuit and transmission of knowledge in the University.

What distinguishes the University from other centres of research is the central place which the relationship between teaching and learning holds. It is by virtue of this relationship that the University fulfills an essential part of its traditional mandate from society, and, indeed, from history: to be an expression of, and by so doing to encourage, a habit of mind which is discriminating at the same time as it remains curious, which is at once equitable and audacious, valuing openness, honesty and courtesy before any private interests.

This mandate is more than a mere pious hope. It represents a condition necessary for free enquiry, which is the University’s life blood. Its fulfillment depends upon the well-being of that relationship whose parties define one another’s roles as teacher and student, based upon differences in expertise, knowledge and experience, though bonded by respect, by a common passion for truth and by mutual responsibility to those principles and ideals that continue to characterize the University.

This Code is concerned, then, with the responsibilities of faculty members and students, not as they belong to administrative or professional or social groups, but as they co-operate in all phases of the teaching and learning relationship.

Such co-operation is threatened when teacher or student forsakes respect for the other--and for others involved in learning--in favour of self-interest, when truth becomes a hostage of expediency. On behalf of teacher and student and in fulfillment of its own principles and ideals, the University has a responsibility to ensure that academic achievement is not obscured or undermined by cheating or misrepresentation, that the evaluative process meets the highest standards of fairness and honesty, and that malevolent or even mischievous disruption is not allowed to threaten the educational process.

These are areas in which teacher and student necessarily share a common interest as well as common responsibilities.

Copyright in Instructional Settings

If a student wishes to record, photograph, or otherwise reproduce lecture presentations, course notes or other similar materials provided by the instructor, they must obtain the written consent of the instructor beforehand. Otherwise, all such reproduction is an infringement of copyright and is absolutely prohibited. In the case of private use by students with disabilities, the instructor’s consent will not be unreasonably withheld.
No materials from any course (e.g., syllabus, assignment rubrics, PowerPoints or case studies) can be uploaded to other internet sites (e.g., Course Hero) without written permission from the instructor as this is considered academic misconduct. 

Sanctions

Sanctions and offences under the Code - The University imposes sanctions on those who are found to have committed an academic offence. A sanction is the penalty that can be imposed by the Dean, or their designate, or the University Tribunal.
Determining the appropriate sanction for an academic offence depends on many factors, including but not limited to:

• The context and seriousness of the offence
• The number of times a student has committed an academic offence
• The point at which the student admits to an offence and thereby demonstrate insight and remorse.

Plagiarism

When completing written assignments, it is important that students are aware that the Faculty and the University regard incidents of plagiarism as very serious academic offences and penalties can be severe. Turnitin is the University's plagiarism detection tool. It is used to obtain a textual similarity analysis of an Online, Text Entry or File Upload assignment submission via the learning management system called Quercus. 

Use of Generative AI

The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools and apps is strictly prohibited in all course assignments (e.g., papers, reflections, presentations), take home exams, and clinical reflections unless explicitly stated otherwise by the course instructor. Generative AI includes but is not limited to:

• ChatGPT
• Gemini
• Microsoft Copilot and 
• other generative AI writing and coding assistants.

Use of generative AI in a course may be considered use of an unauthorized aid, which is an academic offence. This policy is designed to promote student learning and intellectual development and to help students achieve the course learning outcomes.

Risky Situations & Smart Solutions

The University of Toronto has resources to help students avoid academic misconduct. The Academic Integrity at U of T website contains information about policies, procedures, and resources related to Academic Integrity. The Risky Situations page provides examples of situations that can raise a serious risk of academic misconduct and violation of the University’s Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters. The Smart Strategies page provides students and instructors with information, tips, and resources to help them promote and maintain academic integrity at the University of Toronto. Students are strongly encouraged to review all of these resources.