A17 – Academic Integrity

Originator: Vice President, Academic
Approver: Senior Academic Committee
Effective: June 17, 2022
Replaces: November 28, 2014

See the Procedures Guide ›

1.0 Preamble

1.1

RRC Polytech (referred to as “RRC Polytech” or the “College”) values integrity in academic work and learning and seeks to support students in understanding and practicing Academic Integrity during their academic career by demonstrating their own knowledge, skills, and abilities. Academic Integrity is foundational to the reputation of both programs and graduates. Upholding Academic Integrity is a shared responsibility for all members of the RRC Polytech community, and all community members are called upon to contribute to the culture of Academic Integrity at RRC Polytech.

2.0 Purpose

2.1

The purpose of this Policy and the associated Procedures is to guide the RRC Polytech community in upholding Academic Integrity at RRC Polytech, by:

1. Defining Academic Integrity;
2. Setting out the roles and responsibilities of RRC Polytech community members;
3. Referring RRC Polytech community members to available resources to support Academic Integrity; and
4. Describing what constitutes an Academic Integrity Breach and how allegations of an Academic Integrity Breach are handled at RRC Polytech.

3.0 Definitions

3.1

“Academic Integrity” means acting with the values of honesty, trust, respect, responsibility, fairness and courage in learning, teaching and research to ensure that the credentials granted by RRC Polytech accurately represent demonstrated knowledge skills, and abilities. All members of the RRC Polytech community are expected to demonstrate these values through RRC Polytech learning activities, relationships and commitments.

3.2

“Academic Integrity Breach” is an action that does not demonstrate Academic Integrity and includes any behavior that does not allow RRC Polytech to fairly evaluate a student’s knowledge, skills and abilities in relation to admissions, assigned course work or assessment. An Academic Integrity Breach can occur during activities related to the admissions process, receiving academic credentials or representing academic accomplishments. Examples of Academic Integrity Breaches are provided in the Academic Integrity Procedures.

3.3

“Academic Work” refers to all forms of student work intended to demonstrate the knowledge and skill a student has acquired during their studies. It refers to course work such as assignments and tests, materials or evaluations used to determine recognition of prior learning, various forms of research, as well as applied learning. All work produced by students during the course of their academic studies with RRC Polytech is considered academic work, whether or not it is eligible to receive a grade or evaluation, including without limitation text, ideas, research, images, drawings, diagrams, sound files, code, objects, concepts, or data.

3.4

“Intellectual Output” is material created by another person in any context, including an academic context, such as text, ideas, research, images, drawings, diagrams, sound files, code, objects, concepts, or data. Learning to use others’ Intellectual Output appropriately is an important part of Academic Integrity.

3.5

“Prospective Student” is an individual who has submitted an application to be enrolled as a RRC Polytech Student.

4.0 Application

4.1

Scope: This Policy and the associated Procedures apply to all prospective students, students, faculty, and staff engaged in teaching and learning and course-based research at RRC Polytech, in relationship to academic activities and assessments as part of the application to attend RRC Polytech and participation in classes, labs, shops, online learning, experiential and work-integrated sites whether on campus, off campus, or in the learning management system.

4.2

Role of Professional Codes of Conduct: In some programs, students may be required to abide by the standards of a professional code of ethics or code of conduct as a condition of successful completion of a practicum or field placement. Where such professional codes substantively differ from or impose requirements at variance with this Policy, breaches of such codes would be pursued under the relevant profession’s policy.

4.3

Academic Integrity in Research: Research conducted outside of coursework and unrelated to receiving academic credentials from RRC Polytech is governed by RRC Polytech policies related to Research.

5.0 Policy

5.1

RRC Polytech recognizes the diversity of our student body, and its responsibility to ensure that all members of the RRC Polytech community are treated fairly and respectfully in defining, supporting and evaluating Academic Integrity. RRC Polytech will promote a shared understanding of Academic Integrity and adopt a proactive and educative approach to creating a culture of Academic Integrity.

5.2

Where there is a concern that a student has engaged in an Academic Integrity Breach, RRC Polytech will address that concern in accordance with the Procedures. An emphasis will be placed on supportive responses that focus on education and restitution, and that seek to restore trust and positive relationships between students and instructors.

6.0 Responsibilities

6.1

The Institution: RRC Polytech is responsible for upholding the values of Academic Integrity and promoting a culture of Academic Integrity by:

1. Providing proactive and ongoing education for RRC Polytech community, including faculty, students, and staff, on Academic Integrity Policy and Academic Integrity Procedures;
2. Providing support to faculty to develop, design and deliver academic courses and programs that demonstrate and encourage Academic Integrity.
3. Providing students with formative learning opportunities to develop skills that support Academic Integrity, including:
   1. Language skills related to the subject area;
   2. Ability to synthesize ideas in writing and speaking;
   3. Confidence in providing source references;
   4. Capabilities for successful group work.
4. Providing students with academic services and supports that contribute to building a culture of academic integrity;
5. Striving for a consistent and equitable application of the Academic Integrity Policy and Academic Integrity Procedures;
6. Resolving alleged Academic Integrity Breaches in a timely way;

6.2

Faculty: Faculty are encouraged to discuss teaching and learning supports with RRC Polytech’s Centre for Learning and Program Excellence and Academic Integrity supports with the RRC Polytech Academic Integrity Specialist. RRC Polytech faculty are responsible for upholding the values of Academic Integrity by:

1. Demonstrating the values of integrity that are expected in a course, program and industry;
2. Educating students on Academic Integrity expectations in each course or program;
3. Focusing on effective teaching and assessment design that upholds Academic Integrity;
4. Providing formative learning opportunities for students to build skills related to Academic Integrity;
5. Identifying potential Academic Integrity Breaches and discussing concerns with students;
6. Resolving concerns about Academic Integrity Breaches in a timely and respectful manner.

6.3

Students: Students are encouraged to discuss Academic Integrity expectations with their course instructors. RRC Polytech students are responsible for upholding the values of Academic Integrity by:

1. Demonstrating honesty when completing entrance requirements;
2. Submitting assignments that show their own knowledge, skills, and abilities;
3. Keeping their completed course work secure by not sharing personal course work with peers or file-sharing services;
4. Distributing tasks fairly in group work so that the final product demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the whole group;
5. Giving credit for the Intellectual Output of others by including the source name and location;
6. Working independently when writing tests and exams, using only resources allowed by the instructor;
7. Finding reputable support from those who will help the learning process, but will not complete the work on the student’s behalf;
8. Contacting RRC Polytech’s Library and Academic Services for research and academic supports as required;
9. Representing oneself fairly and truthfully when taking classes online, to continue to uphold the values of Academic Integrity;
10. Presenting accurate information when representing one’s accomplishments at RRC Polytech.

6.4

Staff: Staff are responsible for upholding the values of Academic Integrity by:

1. Becoming familiar with RRC Polytech’s Academic Integrity Policy and Academic Integrity Procedures;
2. Demonstrating the six fundamental values of Academic Integrity in their work – honesty, trust, respect, responsibility, fairness, and courage.

6.5

The VP Academic has the responsibility to approve Procedures under this Policy.

7.0 Review Period

7.1

This Policy must be reviewed a minimum of once every five (5) years.

8.0 Related Documents

A5 – Course Outline Template
A10 – Intellectual Property and Copyright
A22 – Academic Standards
A29 – Research and Scholarly Activity
IT1 – Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources
P1 – Principles of Conduct Statement
R2 – Integrity in Research and Scholarship
S1 – Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities
S2 – Student Discipline
S3 – Student Appeals
A17 – Academic Integrity Procedures