An editorial for the Academic Integrity Digest by Shirley Nakata and Cindy Leonard
Students who come to the Office of the Ombudsperson for Students are facing diverse sets of challenges in their university life, often compounded by personal circumstances. It is common for us to get questions about academic integrity or how to navigate the academic misconduct process. The hypothetical scenario below is an example of a typical student who might access support from the Ombuds Office.
Kai was a first-year international student living away from home for the first time. They struggled, became depressed and increasingly detached from their studies. In early December, Kai learned that their grandfather had suddenly died. Kai had a major assignment coming due but worried about approaching their instructor to ask for an extension. They handed in the assignment, including excerpts copied from various websites, with only one general citation.
The instructor noticed the copied portions and asked Kai to explain. Kai shared their story and asked for a chance to re-write the assignment. While sympathetic, the instructor thought that she had no choice but to assign a grade of 0 and refer the case to the Dean’s Office, as any special consideration would be unfair to the other students. After all, Kai had broken the rules.
The Office of the Ombudsperson for Students is independent, impartial and confidential. We help students navigate campus-related fairness concerns. The Ombuds Office is not influenced by the university, does not take sides and does not share information unless authorized to do so. We help students explore options, identify resources, and problem-solve constructively. Our sound, practical advice empowers students to advocate for themselves.