Glossary

Academic advisor

An academic advisor advises students on academic issues. To find out more about visiting your academic advisor, visit the Registrar’s Office website.

Academic integrity

The International Center for Academic Integrity defines academic integrity as a commitment, even in the face of adversity, to six fundamental values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, and courage. From these values flow principles of behavior that enable academic communities to translate ideals to action.

Cheating

Trying to gain or give an improper advantage in an academic evaluation. For example: copying from another student during an exam, or using or intending to use an unauthorized aid during an exam.

Counsellor

A counsellor is trained to give guidance on personal or psychological problems. For more information, University of Waterloo students can visit the Campus Wellness website.

Theft of intellectual property

The possession or use of another person’s intellectual property without their permission or knowledge. For example: uploading course content to a website without your instructor’s permission.

Exam invigilator

A person appointed by the institution to oversee the writing of exams. For more information on rules for test conduct, University of Waterloo students can visit the Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar.

Falsify

Not being truthful, or altering official documents such as transcripts, official test score, or diplomas.

Fabrication

Making up information, research, or results that are not real.

Plagiarism

Presenting the ideas or work of someone else as one’s own work. For example: failing to cite sources in an assignment.

Teaching assistant (TA)

A teaching assistant is an individual, normally a graduate student, who is hired by the instructor to assist with the course. Their duties may include marking assignments, leading tutorials, or helping to answer student questions.

Tutor

An individual who is knowledgeable in a subject area and teaches and instructs students. For free on-campus drop-in tutoring or to connect with a tutor, University of Waterloo students can visit the Student Success Office website.

Unauthorized collaboration

Working with another student(s) in the completion of the assignment beyond what the instructor has indicated is acceptable. For example: working with classmates on an individual assignment.

Unauthorized resubmission of work

Re-using past, previously graded assignments in another course.