LETTER F – Example
Associate Professor Jane Citizen
Nominated Academic, School of Biological Sciences
30 November 2012
Mr. John Smith
123 Station St
Sydney NSW 2000
Dear Mr. Smith,
Written Warning against Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty
The School of Biological Sciences wrote to you on 31 October 2012 to inform you of
allegations of Dishonest Plagiarism in relation to the Final Examination for BIOL1003
Human Biology.
The correspondence from the School stated a reasonable time frame for you to respond.
You did not respond to this correspondence. You did not attend the scheduled interview
to discuss and respond to these allegations.
As you have not participated in the process, the School was unable to apply your
response in forming a decision as to whether you have engaged in Dishonest Plagiarism.
Consequently, the School has undertaken an assessment as set out in the Policy. The
School has concluded that your conduct constituted Dishonest Plagiarism.
In this instance, the School has decided it is appropriate that:

You undertake remedial action in the form of a 500-word reflective essay on the
seriousness and severity of plagiarism and academic dishonesty. The topic is
‘Plagiarism is Theft’. This is to be submitted to the Faculty of Science Office –
Level 2, Carslaw Building by 15 December 2012. AND

You undertake another examination at 11:00am on 10 December 2012 held in
Merewether Building Room 405. The assessment guidelines and marking
criteria are attached to this letter. OR

A mark of 0 Fail will be applied for the Final Examination.
School of Biological Sciences
Level 5, Carslaw Building
The University of Sydney
NSW 2006 Australia
T +61 2 9876 5432
F +61 2 9123 4567
E jane.citizen@sydney.edu.au
sydney.edu.au
ABN 15 211 513 464
CRICOS 00026A
This correspondence constitutes a Written Warning in accordance with Clause 5.8.1 of
the Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism in Coursework Policy 2012.
The consequences of Plagiarism and/or Academic Dishonesty at any time in the future in
any unit of study may be referral to the Registrar as constituting potential student
misconduct under Chapter 8 of the University of Sydney By-Laws 1999 (as amended).
Please be advised that a copy of this Written Warning is placed on a central file
maintained by the Registrar.
It is the School’s view that your future academic performance may be enhanced by
attending appropriate Learning Centre workshops. The Learning Centre provides
resources for students to build and extend the skills they need for study and research at
University. Suggested workshops include:

Critical Reading of Research Articles

Essay Writing

Writing in an Academic Style

Quoting, Summarising and Paraphrasing Evidence

Language Strategies for Referring to Evidence

Quoting, Summarising and Paraphrasing Evidence
You will find attached to this letter:

Referencing guidelines relevant to the unit [if relevant to the student’s case]

A brochure on various University Services available to you
You are required to sign and date the acknowledgement slip at the back of this
letter and return it to me. Please also retain a copy for yourself. By signing and
dating, you acknowledge you have received the information provided in this letter.
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If you are dissatisfied with this academic decision you may appeal to the Faculty of
Science within 15 business days from the date of this letter. Information on appealing can
be found at: http://sydney.edu.au/science/cstudent/ug/forms.shtml#appeals
Yours sincerely,
[Signature]
[Date]
A/Prof Jane Citizen
Nominated Academic, School of Biological Sciences
Cc Registrar, Student Affairs Unit
Cc Appeals Officer, Faculty of Science
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Acknowledgement Slip:
I, John Smith (SID 312345678), acknowledge receipt of a Written Warning.
____________________________
_____________
Student Signature
Date
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