University of Regina seeks evidence in alleged cheating during ethics class

A provost at the University of Regina says it won’t investigate allegations of students cheating in an ethics class unless concrete evidence surfaces.

Thomas Chase, who is also vice-president academic, was responding to a CBC story that said a significant number of students are suspected of cheating in a fourth-year law and professionalism class.

“It’s unfortunate when we learn that there are allegations of cheating,” Chase told The Canadian Press. “We’d stress in this case that we have allegations from two students, but no concrete evidence or names at this point for the incident that was alleged to have taken place.

“More generally, any kind of allegation of cheating is troubling.”

The CBC report said a professor handed out a quiz to his class and then left the students under the supervision of teaching assistants. CBC said the university received reports from two students who witnessed others cheating.

Chase confirmed two reports from a class on Feb. 6, but reiterated evidence is needed to investigate. He said there is evidence in a second, single case from the same class on Feb. 27.

“We are certainly following that up,” said Chase, who added an associate dean is investigating.

Any students involved could be reprimanded if cheating or plagiarism is proven, he said.

“The penalty can range from a reduction in marks on that assignment, to a failure on the assignment or the exam, to failure of the entire course — all the way up to suspension from the university and, in very bad cases, expulsion from the university.”