According to the Legal Secretariat’s notes, the number of disciplinary matters at Stockholm University has increased in recent years. In terms of the total number of registered disciplinary matters per year, i.e. reports of suspected cheating in connection with examinations, for example, 164 cases were registered in 2018, 171 cases in 2019 and 274 cases in 2020.
“And so far this year, from 1 January to 25 February, 97 disciplinary matters have been registered,” says Ellinor Sigelfeldt, university lawyer and coordinator for disciplinary matters at the Legal Secretariat in the President’s Office.
The Disciplinary Committee can decide on sanctions
If there is any suspicion that a student has attempted to mislead during an examination, for example by plagiarising a text or using unauthorised aids or collaboration, this can result in disciplinary action. Such cases are determined by the Disciplinary Committee at the University, which can decide on sanctions, with the result that the student receives a warning or is suspended from studies for a maximum of six months.
“For a long time, Stockholm University has witnessed the number of disciplinary matters increasing year on year. The reasons for this increase cannot be determined with any degree of certainty, although the increase does appear to be broadly linked to a growth in the number of instances of plagiarism. This in turn can probably be linked to the departments’ increasing use of Urkund, which is Stockholm University's plagiarism tool,” says Clas Hättestrand, Vice President.
He notes that the annual increase in the number of disciplinary matters was even greater in 2020 than previously.
“This can probably be linked to the transition to remote examinations in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, when take-home exams became considerably more common than before. And it is in relation to take-home exams that most of the disciplinary matters arise, either in the form of plagiarism or unauthorised collaborations,” he says.
Following an internal audit in 2020 regarding what the University is doing to counter and deal with suspected attempts at cheating, the President, in consultation with the University Director, decided on a number of measures, which will be followed up in December 2021. These include strengthening the information provided to students by reviewing the information on the University’s website about cheating and plagiarism. Another measure involves reviewing whether rules relating to education and examinations at first and second cycle level should be supplemented with additional rules regarding digital examinations. In addition, the Legal Secretariat and the Management Secretariat will investigate whether it should be mandatory for the departments to use Urkund for written examinations.
Clas Hättestrand explains that the University is working from both a preventive and a control perspective to address the increasing number of disciplinary matters.
“It is important to be clear when it comes to information about cheating and in rules regarding plagiarism and collaborations, for example, while at the same time regularly checking all submitted examination data in Urkund to detect any correspondence between texts. The departments are also doing this to a large extent today. In addition, the Centre for the Advancement of University Teaching is working to produce study material regarding plagiarism for teachers and students. It is important not only to notify students about rules, but also for them to have the opportunity to reflect on what they mean, for example what is the cut-off point for similarities between texts being considered plagiarism,” says Clas Hättestrand.
The Student Handbook will be updated
When it comes to Student Services’ commitments, they have, following consultation with the Legal Secretariat, updated the information regarding cheating on the website under the section on Your rights and obligations.
“The Student Handbook will be updated accordingly in the next academic year’s edition,” says Jerker Dahne, Head of Student Services.
Some other universities have introduced camera surveillance of digital take-home exams, and various departments at Stockholm University have introduced it from time to time. Is this something that may be applied by the University as a whole?
“Stockholm University has not decided to recommend camera surveillance. The legal situation is currently too uncertain when it comes to surveillance, for example using a mobile phone in the home environment. However, an investigation is currently being carried out into the matter under the auspices of the Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions (SUHF), and we are waiting for the results of this before adopting a specific position,” says Clas Hättestrand.
Disciplinary measures are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance, and when it comes to the way they are handled at Stockholm University, the guidelines for disciplinary matters contained in the Governing Documents are followed.
Instances of suspected cheating are reported by the departments to the President, after which they are dealt with by the Legal Secretariat in the President’s Office. Most cases are referred to the University’s Disciplinary Committee for review.
Stockholm University’s Student Union has criticised the fact that the decisions made by the Disciplinary Committee have overly standardised responses, which can make it more difficult for students to appeal. How do you view this criticism?
“We have received this complaint and will, at the request of the Parliamentary Ombudsmen, issue a statement about the complaint and the criticisms made. In general, we consider that our decisions and justifications are of a high standard as regards legal certainty, and that we are complying with the Administrative Procedure Act regarding the content of the grounds for our decisions,” says Clas Hättestrand.
More information
Guidelines for Disciplinary Matters at Stockholm University
Teaching Online – Centre for the Advancement of University Teaching