by Bonny Tran
the Carillon

Academic misconduct. What is it? According to the current University of Regina General Calendar it ³includes, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, disruption of instructional activities, and damage to property and assaults on individuals.²

In a case where a student is accused of misconduct usually the matter is worked out within the faculty. However, if the case cannot be resolved, then it would move onto the Council Discipline Committee.

This committee is made up of three professors and three students.

While the students are appointed yearly, the professors serve three year terms.

At the Council Committee the accuser and the accused have a chance to present their side of the story and their evidence. Once this is done, both the accused and the accuser will get a chance to question each other. It is an informal process, so as to deal with the issue expediently as possible.

Karene Hawkins has been the U of R Studentsı Union Student Advocate since 1996. She has also been a representative for students in the Council Discipline Committee processes. Students can represent themselves or have a representative. Karene Hawkins represents and also often advises students on their presentations to the Committee.

Dr. Reid Robinson, the University Secretary since 1988 is one of the professors on the Council Discipline Council. Dr. Robinson attended a conference in November dealing with issues relating to students and academic discipline in Ottawa. He commented that the University of Regina has a lower amount of cases of misconduct compared to other universities.

In extreme situations where the case is appealed again it will be taken to the University Senate. ³[It would be like] sitting in front of a bunch of suits. [It would be] very intimidating,² said Adam Dodge, Education Student, when questioned on what he thought the appeal process was like.

The Council Committee actually operates on a natural justice system. This allows the students to have a chance at a fair hearing. Comparably tame to the police interrogation-like situations that seem to pervade through the student body.

However, the Council Committee also deals with other misconduct. A few years ago some students had emblazoned a building on campus with red paint. After the Committee and the accused students asked their questions the Committee made their decision. They decided that a fine was in order.