Student Rights and Responsibilities

Entrance sign at UNBC Prince George campus

Core Values and Statement of Principles

  1. The University of Northern British Columbia is a place of research, teaching, and learning, where members of the University Community value inclusiveness and diversity, community, integrity, and academic excellence. These values are supported through an unwavering commitment to free expression and debate in an atmosphere of respectful interactions, safety and good conduct.
  2. The University is committed to reconciliation and recognizing Aboriginal Ways of Knowing within the Academy. UNBC’s Motto, 'En Cha Huná, meaning “they also live,” sets a foundation of respect, and reflects a shared commitment to Responsibility, Reciprocity and Relationship in the interactions between students and the University Community as a whole.
  3. All members of the University Community share the responsibility for the academic standards and reputation of the University. Academic Integrity is founded on values of respect for knowledge, truth, scholarship and acting with honesty. Upholding Academic Integrity is in the interests of all members of the University and broader Community and is a condition of continued membership in the University Community.
  4. The University strives, whenever possible, to take an educational and developmental approach to Academic and Non-Academic Misconduct, informed by knowledge and respect for mental health, well-being, cultural differences, and principles of reconciliation.
  5. The University adheres to the principles of Procedural Fairness and Natural Justice in working to ensure that Students, Faculty and Staff are aware of their rights and responsibilities with respect to Academic and Non-Academic Conduct, in investigating alleged misconduct, and when taking steps to establish or impose consequences.

Academic and Non-Academic Student Conduct

UNBC is committed to creating a scholarly community characterized by free expression, open debate, critical and free inquiry, and diversity of thought and perspective; the orderly and safe enjoyment of University facilities by all members of the University Community; and the proper functioning of the University and protection of University property.

The Academic and Non-Academic Misconduct Student Policy defines students' responsibilities as academic community members, defines inappropriate student conduct, and provides procedures and outcomes to be invoked if students engage in such behaviour. Each student is responsible for their conduct that affects the University community.

Academic and Non-Academic Conduct Student Policy

Academic and Non-Academic Misconduct Procedures

UNBC Academic Misconduct Process

Academic Misconduct FAQs

What happens if an allegation of academic misconduct is made against me?

We understand that being accused of academic misconduct is stressful, but we encourage you to understand and comply with the process and ensure you are responding to and attending meetings.

  • You are entitled to a fair process. We encourage students to understand their rights and the process involved. The associated Academic Misconduct Policy and Procedures are available online. These documents define what is considered academic misconduct, outline possible disciplinary measures, and detail the process.
  • You can request a support person to accompany you to meetings associated with the allegation. As an undergraduate student, the Northern Undergraduate Student Society (NUGSS) has an ombudsperson you can request to support you through the process. Graduate students can contact the Northern BC Graduate Student Society to see what supports are available through their student society.
  • The allegation, if proven, will not be recorded on your official academic transcript, but it will be recorded on your student record with the Office of the Registrar.
  • If you belong to a professional program (such as Education, Engineering, Nursing, or Social Work) there may be internal procedures that are dictated by professional accreditation requirements. Please contact your program area to check. For contact information, please see your program web page.
  • Retain all emails, communications, or documents related to the allegation for your records.

What can I expect from the Academic Misconduct process?

For a complete, detailed understanding of the student academic misconduct process, please review the official student academic and non-academic misconduct Policy and Procedures. The information and linked flowchart below are meant to be supplementary and are not official policy or procedure.

The flowchart below outlines the process of an academic misconduct allegation:

Student Academic Misconduct Flowchart

Below are the most critical steps in the process of an academic misconduct allegation:

  1. Your instructor will contact you alleging academic misconduct and set up a meeting.
    1. If the alleged offence is determined to be serious, unusual, or you’ve had previous allegations of academic misconduct, you may meet with your Program Chair or Faculty Dean first instead.
  2. At the meeting, your instructor will provide evidence of what they believe the misconduct to be and discuss it with you. You’ll have an opportunity to give your side of the story. 
    1. If you do not respond to the meeting request, the decisionmaker (either your instructor, your Program Chair or Faculty Dean if the misconduct allegation has been escalated) has the authority to formally note the academic offence and enforce a penalty.
  3. After the meeting, the allegation may be dismissed. If this occurs, no further action will be required on your part.
  4. If your instructor believes there is compelling evidence that you engaged in misconduct, they will fill out an Academic Misconduct form, confirm the allegation and penalty with you, and you will be asked to sign the form.M/li>
    1. If you agree with the allegation and the penalty, you will sign the form. You will also have the opportunity to add your own comments to the form.
    2. If you disagree with the allegation and/or the penalty, you may indicate that you will not sign the form. Your instructor will then escalate the allegation to the Program Chair.
  5. The allegation will be escalated first to your Program Chair, and then to the Faculty Dean if you still disagree with the allegation and/or penalty. Academic misconduct allegations where the proposed penalty is suspension or withdrawal from your program or university are escalated to the Vice President, Academic & Provost.
    1. In these meetings, the allegation and proposed penalty will be reviewed, as will any supporting documentation and any previous academic misconducts. The decision-maker may decide to: 
      1. Dismiss the case;
      2. Uphold the subsequent party’s recommendation and penalty;  
      3. Uphold the subsequent party’s recommendation but impose another penalty.
  6. You may refuse to sign the form at each escalation except after the misconduct is referred to the Faculty Dean. The Faculty Dean’s decision is considered final, as is the Vice President, Academic & Provost’s decision if the penalty is suspension or withdrawal from the program or university.
  7. After this level, you have the option to appeal the final decision to the Senate Committee on Student Appeals (SCA). The SCA will only accept your appeal and call an appeal hearing if the following criteria are met (section 8 of the Academic and Non-Academic Conduct Policy):
    1. The principles of Natural Justice or Procedural Fairness were not followed in the process leading to the decision or imposition of discipline;
    2. Decisions were made in the investigation or adjudication process by persons who do not have the authority under this Policy, the Undergraduate or Graduate Calendar or the University Act to make decisions with respect to Academic or Non-Academic Misconduct;
    3. Discipline imposed was excessive, or not consistent with University Policy or practice.

What if I don’t respond to an allegation of academic misconduct or do not meet with my instructor/Program Chair/Faculty Dean as requested?

If you do not respond to an allegation of academic misconduct or fail to attend an arranged meeting to discuss the allegation, the decision-maker (either the instructor, Program Chair or Faculty Dean) retains the right to determine the misconduct and resulting penalty (see 4.1.2 of the Academic and Non-Academic Misconduct Procedures).

Do I have to sign the allegation and discipline measures as presented by my instructor or Program Chair?

No, the only final decision is the one made by the Faculty Dean (or Vice President, Academic & Provost in the cases of suspension or withdrawal). You can refuse to sign the form at all other junctures (with your instructor or Program Chair) if you do not agree with the outcome or believe the process was unfair.

Do I have to sign the allegation and discipline measures as presented by the Faculty Dean and/or Vice President, Academic and Provost?

Yes. The Faculty Dean’s decision (or the Vice President, Academic & Provost in cases of suspension or withdrawal) are considered final and you must sign the Academic Misconduct Form.

What if I disagree with the allegation and discipline measures given by the Faculty Dean or Vice President, Academic & Provost?

All students have the right to request an appeal of a final academic misconduct decision by submitting an appeal request to the Senate Committee on Student Appeals (SCA) within 15 days of when the decision is communicated to you. Details on appealing to the SCA are outlined in the Student Appeals Procedures under section 5.1.13 – Initiation of Academic Misconduct, Grade for Course in Progress, and Final Grade Appeals.

Requests for an appeal to the SCA should be submitted to, and support in the appeal process can be requested from, the University Registrar at registrar@unbc.ca.

How does the SCA decide if they will accept my appeal?

The SCA will only agree to accept your appeal of an academic misconduct decision and penalty and arrange an appeal hearing if the criteria outlined in section 8 of the Academic and Non-Academic Conduct Policy are met.

If the SCA refuses to accept the appeal, you will be notified by the Chair of the SCA and the academic misconduct matter is considered final and closed.

If the SCA agrees to accept the appeal, they will call for an appeal hearing. See Section 6.2 – Academic Appeal Hearing in the Student Appeals Procedures.

Can I appeal the decision made by the Senate Committee on Student Appeals (SCA)?

No, the SCA is the standing committee of final appeals for students in matters of academic misconduct. See Section 3 – Principles of the Student Appeals Procedures.

What if I have a poor relationship with my instructor?

We recognize there is a power imbalance in the student/instructor relationship. If, after meeting with your professor, you feel that the outcome was unfair, you can refuse to sign the Academic Misconduct Form and escalate the allegation to the Program Chair. If you still feel that the Program Chair’s decision is unfair, you have the right to refuse to sign the Academic Misconduct Form and escalate the allegation to the Faculty Dean.

Will the penalty be harsher if the allegation against me gets escalated above my instructor?

No, it is your right to disagree with the allegation and/or the disciplinary measure recommended and to ask that another party review the evidence presented by both you and your instructor. This is why it is important to retain all emails and information about the allegation as you move through the process.

How is it determined if an allegation is a minor or serious offence?

Your instructor (or Program Chair) will approach you with the level of the misconduct offence. Severity of the offence is based on whether you have previous offences or if the first offence is deemed to be significant (see section 7.1 of the Academic and Non-Academic Conduct Policy).

Resources to support students in the Academic Misconduct Process

Other Relevant Policies for Students

Harassment and Discrimination Policy

Sexual Violence and Misconduct Policy

Student Appeals

All students have the natural and reasonable right to appeal grades given during the term, the final grade of a course, requirement to withdraw, decisions the University makes regarding academic misconduct and suspension resulting from non-academic misconduct. The Senate Committee on Student Appeals is the final adjudicator in such matters.

Student Appeals Procedures

After reviewing the above page and the policies and procedures linked to it, if you have any questions regarding your rights and responsibilities as a student please contact policy@unbc.ca