Addressing Academic Integrity at Lakehead University
A working group, which consists of individuals representing many offices and committees across campus, has met twice during the academic year 07/08 to consider the development of a campus-wide multi-faceted initiative to address academic integrity at Lakehead University. As part of the initial discussion, Dr. Mary Louise Hill, Lakehead University’s Academic Colleague to the Council of Ontario Universities (COU), provided a review of the COU paper - Academic Dishonesty: A Survey of Policies and Procedures at Ontario Universities.
Careful consideration and discussion on the recommendations included in the paper resulted in the development of an action plan. A report along with recommendations will be provided to Senate via the Senate Teaching and Learning Committee in the 2008/2009 academic year.
The following initiatives are currently being addressed by the working group.
- Development and delivery of workshops promoting academic integrity in the classroom – designed for instructors
- Development of information focused on promoting academic integrity to new faculty at the New Faculty Orientation
- Examination of existing methods of transcript notation for academic misconduct
- Review of methods of maintaining records of academic misconduct
- Preparation of summary statistics related to cases of academic misconduct – Annual report
- Development of an on-line tutorial on academic integrity designed for all first year and transfer students.
- Development of a standard statement related to academic integrity/misconduct for inclusion on course outlines
- Revision of the Code of Student Behaviour to improve sections related to academic misconduct
- Production of a user-friendly student guide designed to promote responsible academic behaviour (Provision of guidelines for collaborative work, use of Internet information, distinguish between plagiarism and cheating etc…)
- Development and delivery of remedial programs/services on academic integrity for students
- Review of the implications of related policies or information for off-campus learners and for graduate students