Academic Integrity and Plagiarism Policy

Revision Date: June 25, 2024

Royal Pacific Institute is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity across all in-person and online programs.

This policy outlines the institution’s principles and procedures to ensure academic honesty, prevent plagiarism, promote student engagement, and maintain the validity and reliability of all assessments.

This policy complies with the standards and requirements set by the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC) and applicable regulatory bodies.

• Maintain the integrity and credibility of all assessments.
• Prevent and detect academic dishonesty, including plagiarism and cheating.
• Promote active student participation and engagement through structured learning activities.
• Ensure that assessments reliably measure student learning outcomes.

• Education:
   Students will receive guidance on academic integrity, including proper citation methods, referencing standards, and the consequences of plagiarism.
• Detection:
   All major assignments and assessments will be screened using plagiarism detection software such as Turnitin and Grammarly. Additional tools like Copyleaks may be adopted for enhanced verification.
• Consequences:
   Violations of academic integrity, including plagiarism or cheating, will result in academic penalties ranging from resubmission requirements to suspension or expulsion, depending on the severity of the infraction.

• All assessments are designed to be fair, standardized, and aligned with learning objectives.
• Exam content and marking rubrics are reviewed regularly to ensure consistency.

• For in-person examinations, secure protocols will be implemented.
• For online examinations, proctoring software such as ProctorU and AI monitoring systems may be used to prevent misconduct.

• The Learning Management System (LMS) will host all online assignments, discussions, and quizzes.
• ExamSoft and Respondus platforms are intended for future use to support secure computer-based testing.

• Students will receive timely, constructive feedback aimed at supporting learning, academic growth, and skill development.

• Virtual Meetings:
   Real-time sessions using platforms such as VooV Meeting facilitate live interaction between students and instructors.
• Discussion Boards:
   Online discussion forums within the LMS encourage peer-to-peer learning and dialogue outside of class hours.
• Group Projects and Presentations:
   Collaborative assignments are incorporated to foster teamwork, critical thinking, and engagement.
• Office Hours:
   Instructors offer regular office hours, allowing students to seek academic support and clarification on coursework.

• Regular Audits:
   Periodic reviews will be conducted to ensure adherence to this academic integrity policy.
• Student Support:
   Academic support services are available to help students understand institutional expectations regarding integrity and avoid unintentional violations.

Royal Pacific Institute strives to foster a culture of honesty, responsibility, and academic excellence.

By maintaining rigorous academic integrity standards and employing reliable assessment methods, the Institute ensures the credibility of its educational programs and supports students’ long-term academic and professional success.