'Academic integrity' web site is ready

a memo from UW’s new Office of Academic Integrity

Academic integrity (AI) is one cornerstone for research and teaching, and all members of the UW community are expected to hold to the highest standard of academic integrity in their studies, teaching, and research.

In 2007, the Committee on Academic Integrity completed a review of UW policy and practice, and a comprehensive survey of students, administration, and faculty. Thirty-six recommendations were made in its report, “Toward a Level Playing Field: Enhancing Academic Integrity at the University of Waterloo”, including establishing an Office of Academic Integrity.

The primary goal of the Office of Academic Integrity is to work with other departments on campus to raise awareness of the issue and educate students on the importance of academic integrity. In addition to being a source of general information and best practice related to AI, it will coordinate and facilitate educational forums for students and faculty, assist to enhance current university policies, procedures and guidelines, and work with the Faculties to ensure equitable treatment of students across campus.

Just in time for September’s Orientation Week, UW’s Office of Academic Integrity has created a website to serve as a resource for both students and faculty. A number of educational sessions will be hosted for new students to alert them to the importance of academic integrity in their work. In November, the Centre for Teaching Excellence will offer a session on academic integrity for faculty.

Students are responsible for understanding and adhering to UW policies, and this site explains why AI is important and how students can avoid academic misconduct. It also identifies resources available on campus for students to help them achieve academic integrity in — and out — of the classroom.

Also available is an AI Tutorial, specifically designed to help students recognize and avoid common errors, such as plagiarism and improper citing of sources. (Pictured: comic-style art for the tutorial by Sara LeBlanc of UW Graphics. The tutorial was prepared by a team led by librarians Christine Jewell and Leeanne Romane.)

Following recommendations made by the Committee, other aspects are being investigated to introduce improvements in academic integrity, such as in exam management, Verification of Illness Forms (VIFs), text- detection software, and Distance Education Courses.

All departments are encouraged to have a brief statement on their website and in their documents for students and/or faculty as follows:

Academic Integrity: All members of the UW community are expected to hold to the highest standard of academic integrity in their studies, teaching, and research.
The Office of Academic Integrity’s website contains detailed information on UW policy for students and faculty.
This site explains why AI is important and how students can avoid academic misconduct. It also identifies resources available on campus for students and faculty to help achieve academic integrity in — and out of — the classroom.

Any questions may be directed to Bruce Mitchell, Associate Provost, Academic & Student Affairs (ext. 37502 or mitchell@uwaterloo.ca).

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Pixels in the big picture

Here’s a reminder that everybody — in particular “all university staff and faculty members, and family, friends, and community members” — is invited to a premiere performance of “Single and Sexy” this afternoon. Residence dons and orientation leaders will also be there, in preparation for nine performances of the show that will be given next week for UW’s thousands of new first-year students. “The play depicts the lives and experiences of first-year students in a thought-provoking production,” publicity explains. “In a non-judgmental manner, it delivers straight talk about sex and sexuality in all its complexity, from date rape to homophobia. It also explores such diverse topics as suicide, disordered eating, racism, plagiarism and substance abuse.” Not bad for something that runs just an hour. Today’s free performance starts at 1:00 in the Humanities Theatre, with a reception following at 2:30, and anybody planning to attend is urged to send word to sc2gibso@uwaterloo.ca so organizers will know what to expect.

A funeral service was held August 13 for William (Bill) Horman, a member of UW’s plant operations custodial staff, who died on August 10 at the age of 56. Horman was actually at UW only briefly: he began his employment in March 2007 in the “regular recurring” custodial group who work during the messier winter months, and was unable to return in winter 2008 because of illness, plant operations says. “Condolences for the family and donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your choice” can be arranged through the Erb & Good Funeral Home.

I asked Lee Elkas, director of food services, whether UW had been affected by the much-publicized recall of packaged meat that came from a Toronto plant. He replies that food services “has been closely following the most recent food recalls from Maple Leaf Foods and have been in touch with local health officials with the Region of Waterloo and our food distributer, Gordon Food Services. Fortunately, UWFS predominately uses Piller deli meat products, a local producer in the Waterloo area, in its deli locations. Furthermore, this time of year we have limited units open and thus limited inventory. We had purchased some product from Maple Leaf Foods earlier in the term that was stored in our freezers. As a precaution all our frozen Maple Leaf products (either on the recall list or not), were labeled and discarded last week. In all we discarded approximately $400 worth of frozen Maple Leaf product purchased in July. Since the initial recall announcement, our chefs have discontinued purchasing any Maple Leaf Foods product and will continue to buy our deli meats from other sources, like Piller and Olymel, going into the Fall term.”

Yesterday’s Daily Bulletin stated that by the end of orientation activities next week, “everybody,” referring to the new first-year students, “will have taken the English Proficiency Exam.” Not so, as a faithful and punctilious reader promptly pointed out. Only students in Engineering, Software Engineering and Math will write next week. Students in AHS, Arts, Environment, Science, and Computing and Financial Management will write on December 4. Ann Barrett of the writing centre explains why: "Last year we had a problem with so many students and too few seats in the PAC. After consulting with faculty administrators, we have made changes to ensure that all students will get a seat and our staff will be able to mark exams within our time line."

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Jobs in rehab facility: 'priceless'

by Andrea Lorentz, from the Inside Scoop newsletter for co-op students

Believe it or not, there’s a good kind of rehab — the kind where patients suffering from debilitating ailments, such as amputation, stroke, and lung disease, go to reclaim their freedom.

Senior co-ops Shannon Knutson (left, with patient) and Kim Harder give a snapshot of their most recent work terms as Recreation Therapy Interns at the West Park Healthcare Centre.

Sitting atop nearly 27 acres of lush, emerald grass, blossoming gardens, and tree-lined walkways is the West Park Healthcare Centre — northwest Toronto’s kindhearted provider of rehabilitation, complex continuing, and long-term care services. Patients at this facility are survivors — some have lost a limb, some suffer brain damage, some rely on an oxygen tank — and yet all of them live full, enjoyable lives. This is because of special programming hosted by Therapeutic Recreation students, such as Knutson and Harder.

“My main function is to run small therapeutic groups of eight or less,” Knutson says. “I garden with the residents in Complex Continuing Care, and teach leisure education with our Respiratory Outpatient Services.” Knutson and Harder also complete consultations for community reintegration for those with special needs.

The opportunity to positively affect someone’s life is the number one reason the interns were attracted to the job, but also being able to implement their own ideas and creativity was a bonus. “In Therapeutic Recreation, you are constantly trying to find ways to adapt and modify activities so everyone can participate,” Harder says. “When you see the smiles on the patients’ faces when they succeed — it’s priceless.”

Both co-op students presented a project they have been working on throughout the term at the Therapeutic Recreation Ontario conference this June. Knutson spoke about team building efforts, while Harder focused on therapeutic art programs.

CAR

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