7.1 |
For academic dishonesty occurring during examinations, the Chief Invigilator will report the case to the Academic Regulations and Records Office/Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate
Studies by using the appropriate form. The concerned office will refer the case to the Head/Dean of the relevant course-offering academic unit for investigation. For other cases
of academic dishonesty (including without limitation, those involving thesis/dissertation/take-home examination/assignment/project or other forms of assessment), the Head/Dean of
the course-offering academic unit, when alerted that there may be an alleged case of academic dishonesty, shall investigate the case. During the investigation, the Head/Dean of
the course-offering academic unit will gather all related evidence, notify and interview the concerned Student, and/or seek written statements from witnesses and/or the Student
to collect more information as he/she deems necessary.
7.1.1 |
Should the Head/Dean of the course-offering academic unit determine against the Student, the course-offering academic unit shall submit a detailed investigation report to
the College/School Academic Conduct Committee describing the case details, evidence and nature of suspected academic dishonesty, the suggested penalty to be imposed on the
Student, and justification for the suggested penalty to help the Committee make a decision. Should the Head/Dean of the course-offering academic unit find the allegation
not justified, the case will be dismissed and a brief report be sent to the College/School office for record. The Student's home academic unit will be informed of the
suspected case by the College/School Academic Conduct Committee when it has received a referral and the detailed investigation report from the Head/Dean of the
course-offering academic unit for consideration.
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7.1.2 |
Upon receiving a referral together with the investigation report under 7.1.1 above, the College/School Academic Conduct Committee shall consider the case and decide whether
to conduct further investigation, or support the allegation and approve the penalty suggested by the course-offering academic unit or not. When considering penalty to be
imposed on the Student, the College/School Academic Conduct Committee will also take into account any record of previous misconduct by the Student including any penalty
previously incurred. The Secretary to the College/School Academic Conduct Committee will write to the Student concerned informing him/her of the decision within ten working
days from being informed of the suspected academic dishonesty case.
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7.1.3 |
If the College/School Academic Conduct Committee decides to further investigate the case, the Student will be required to submit his/her written explanation within five
working days from receipt of notification from the College/School Academic Conduct Committee. A meeting to interview the Student and consider the case will be held within
fifteen working days from the expiration of the time limit for the Student to submit his/her written explanation. The terms of reference and membership of the
College/School Academic Conduct Committee are given in Appendix 1. During the interview, the Student concerned
may be accompanied by a member of the University (staff/Student) who is not involved in the case, provided that the College/School Academic Conduct Committee is informed of
the companion’s name at least three working days before the meeting.
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7.1.4 |
The College/School Academic Conduct Committee will regulate its own proceedings in the consideration of the case and may call before it such persons as it deems necessary.
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7.1.5 |
The Student concerned may admit to the charge, or any part of it, at any stage of the investigation/proceedings. |
7.1.6 |
If the Student concerned does not appear at the meeting, the College/School Academic Conduct Committee will consider the allegation in the absence of the Student. |
7.1.7 |
If the charge of academic dishonesty is substantiated, the College/School Academic Conduct Committee shall ordinarily impose the penalties in the table below:
(a) |
First offence (excluding those offences listed under Clauses 4.7, 4.8, 4.9 and 4.10) |
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i. |
A written warning; and |
ii. |
A zero mark for the concerned component of the course1 |
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(b) |
Second or further offence, or first offence from those listed under Clauses 4.7, 4.8, 4.9 and 4.10 |
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i. |
A written warning; and |
ii. |
An F grade for the concerned course and, depending on the seriousness of the offence, a more severe penalty, such as suspension of studies for a specified
period of time or termination of study 2
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1 The penalty of a zero mark for the concerned component of the course may lead to a lower grade or an F grade for the concerned course.
2
Imposition of penalty listed under Clause 7.1.8 should be endorsed by relevant authorities as stipulated under Clause 7.1.8 before informing the student of the
penalties.
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7.1.8 |
The College/School Academic Conduct Committee may also impose any of the following penalties (and may impose more than one penalty at the same time) with the endorsement of
the Associate Provost (Academic Affairs) for cases involving undergraduate Students or that of the Dean of Graduate Studies for cases involving postgraduate Students,
before informing the Student of the penalties. The College/School Academic Conduct Committee shall also seek approval from the Senate in order to impose the penalty listed
in v. below.
i. |
withholding the concerned Student's eligibility for a scholarship, prize, financial award, the Dean's List, or representing the University in external activities such
as exchange programme or internship for a specified period of time;
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ii. |
suspension of studies for a specified period of time; |
iii. |
withholding an academic award for a specified period of time; |
iv. |
expulsion from the University together with a specified period of time that the Student may not be re-admitted to any programme of studies; |
v. |
the deprivation of an academic award already conferred, or revocation of a certification granted. |
vi. |
any other penalties suggested by the College/School Academic Conduct Committee which are not covered under 7.1.7 and 7.1.8. |
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7.1.9 |
For currently enrolled Students, the College/School Academic Conduct Committee may also advise them to seek counsel from a counsellor in the Student Development Services.
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7.1.10 |
For cases which warrant further investigation by the College/School Academic Conduct Committee, the Student will be informed of the decision of the College/School Academic
Conduct Committee in writing within ten working days from the conclusion of the meeting of the College/School Academic Conduct Committee.
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7.1.11 |
All substantiated cases considered by the College/School Academic Conduct Committee leading to changes to a Student's academic record or enrolment status will be reported
to the Academic Regulations and Records Office (for undergraduate and sub-degree Students) or Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies (for postgraduate Students) for
updating the Student's records. The Student's home academic unit will be informed of the decision by the College/School Academic Conduct Committee.
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7.1.12 |
The College/School office will keep a full set of records on academic dishonesty cases within the College/School and report to the Academic Conduct Committee on an annual
basis.
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