A guide to navigating academic breach if it arises
If you are a staff member at UNSW dealing with student academic or non-academic conduct, it is important to follow the proper procedures to ensure you are fully supported in navigating a breach of the UNSW Student Code of Conduct, which is a document that students accept at enrolment, explaining the University’s expectations.
Examples of a breach can include misconduct in examinations, plagiarism, and students’ non-academic behaviour.
It is especially important to raise concerns of a breach of the Student Code through the proper processes, which includes getting in contact with the right people at UNSW.
Dealing with breaches of the Student Code at a School or Faculty level
Relating to examinations
If there is any concern of potential misconduct during examinations at a school/faculty level, whether the examination is invigilated or not, the matter must be referred to the Student Conduct & Integrity Unit (SCIU).
The SCIU might discuss with you the possibility of inviting a student to personally explain/defend their answers in a viva-style (online) meeting with a Faculty Integrity Partner. Academic staff should contact their Faculty Integrity Partner for assistance if they wish to implement this within their School/Faculty.
All other reports of exam misconduct can be referred to SCIU via an online form, email [email protected] or by contact your Faculty Integrity Partner.
Relating to plagiarism
Lower levels of plagiarism relating to assessments, can be dealt within the School/Faculty according to the Plagiarism Procedure. Serious plagiarism (eg contract cheating or where there is intent) must be referred to the SCIU to manage.
Each school has at least one School Student Integrity Advisor, who can be contacted for information and advice. Please contact the Student Faculty Integrity Partners if you are ever unsure.
Where plagiarism has been found and determined, these need to be recorded on this form.
Relating to contract cheating & exam impersonation
If you suspect that a student may have engaged in contract cheating, either in a written assessment or in an examination, including exam impersonation, please contact the Faculty Integrity Partners for advice.
Relating to student behaviour
If you believe that student behaviour falls short of expectations and the behaviour breaches the Student Code (eg bullying and racism), please contact your Faculty Integrity Partner or email [email protected] for advice or refer the matter using this form.
Contacts and resources
- Access the Conduct & Integrity Office SharePoint site for more information on any of the above.
- Contact the Faculty Integrity Partners if you have any related questions.
- Academic Integrity Teams site is a useful resource where you can ask Faculty Integrity Advisors general questions, keep in touch with latest advice and webinars and engage in a community of practice.
- Contact your School Student Integrity Advisor who is responsible for providing oversight and consistency in handling plagiarism within the School as well as providing academic guidance and advice on assessments containing plagiarism.
- Information for students can be found on the Academic Integrity at UNSW webpage.