Faculty of Law Policies

Gender Discrimination

The following resolution was adopted at the Faculty Council meeting of March 17, 1982.

"Be it resolved that the Faculty of Law of the University of Toronto affirms its policy of opposing and avoiding discrimination against women whether by conduct or language, and that this policy be communicated to students and professors each year".

 

Restrictions on Taping Lectures

Because of a host of pedagogic, privacy and intellectual property concerns, the Faculty of Law does not permit the recording of classes, nor does it permit instructors to grant such requests. In instances of disability accommodation or extraordinary circumstances where students are required to miss class, students should expect to rely on class notes.  Such notes can be requested at the University of Toronto’s Accessibility Services. The Assistant Dean, J.D. Program, can also help recruit note takers where Accessibility Services is unable to do so.

 Back to Top

Religious Holidays

The Faculty of Law follows the University policy on religious observances, recognizing it is important that no student is seriously disadvantaged because of his or her religious beliefs.

If, for reasons of religious observance, a student is absent from a class that is not otherwise cancelled, he or she may request assistance in obtaining notes for the lecture. Requests should be made in advance (at least one week) to the Assistant Dean, J.D. Program. The Assistant Dean, J.D. Program will make all efforts to protect the privacy of the requesting student and ensure that no penalty ensues.

Students are expected to plan the completion of their work around religious observances. Extensions on the date for submission of written work will not ordinarily be granted due to religious obligations, unless there is significant and unavoidable overlap between the timing of the assignment and the religious holiday.

See also the University of Toronto Policy on Scheduling of Classes and Examinations and Other Accommodations for Religious Observances (PDF).

Back to Top 

Research with Human Subjects

The University of Toronto requires that all student and faculty research involving human subjects be reviewed and approved by a Research Ethics Board (REB) before work can begin. Although research methodologies differ, the fundamental ethical issues and principles in research involving human subjects are common across all disciplines.

When planning research, students and faculty members should carefully consider whether their research involves human subjects. This is the case, for example, when students interview people, send out questionnaires, or observe people's behavior. When human subjects are involved, students have to obtain ethics approval by one of the University's REBs prior to starting to conduct this research.

Back to Top 

Student Conduct

The University of Toronto has adopted a Code of Student Conduct and all students are subject to its provisions. The full text of the Code is found here (PDF).

Back to Top 

Technology Use in Classrooms and Assessments

April 2007

Introduction

Students are expected to adhere to the University of Toronto's Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters (PDF) and Code of Student Conduct (PDF). This is intended to provide additional guidance concerning appropriate behaviour with respect to the use of technology in both classrooms and during examinations at the Faculty of Law. Common sense, respect for others and for the learning environment of the law school are the overriding principles.

General Conduct

Professors may use technology to facilitate and enhance classroom learning but may also circumscribe the use of technology in the classroom and may limit or prohibit the use of laptops in class. The academic administration sets limits on, or rules for, the use of technology during examinations.

Specific Classroom Use of Technology

The role of technology is to enhance learning and facilitate course and general administration by providing a communications platform between faculty, students, and the administration.

Avoiding inappropriate use of technology in the classroom is a matter of respect, both for the professor and for the learning experience at the faculty. Disregard for these guidelines or repeated actions which are inconsistent with these guidelines may lead to appropriate consequences. While Professors may incorporate internet use in classroom teaching, the use of laptops during class for personal internet activity, messaging, email, or games is inappropriate.

Out of consideration for other students, cell phones, pagers and other electronic devices must be switched off or put in a "silent" mode during class.

The noise from laptop computers can be a source of distraction in the classroom. Students using computers should sit in an area of the classroom which minimizes the disruption to other students. In no circumstances should cords be stretched across aisles or other areas where students walk. If plugs are not available beside student seats, as may be the case in some classrooms, the computers will have to operate on batteries. The law school does not provide extension cords.

Specific Use of Technology during Examinations

The use of downloaded papers, case notes or other online material without authorization when writing exams or assignments constitutes academic dishonesty and is subject to appropriate sanctions as described in the relevant sections of the University's Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters and/or Code of Student Conduct.

Students are permitted to type examinations on their laptops, or in limited circumstances in a designated computer laboratory. If you wish to type your exams your computer must be in excellent working condition. During exams, communication between laptops is disallowed. In the interest of fairness and perceived equality, ALL students who type their exams on either a personal laptop or in a computer lab must use Examsoft secure software and sign an Acknowledgement and Undertaking Form. If computer problems occur during an exam the student will be expected to continue hand writing the examination in examination booklets provided during the exam.

A few weeks before each exam period, detailed information and relevant forms are posted on the use of computers for examinations web page on the main Faculty of Law website, as well as in Headnotes.

Cell phones, pagers and Ipods are prohibited in exams. Cell phones and other communication devices are not an acceptable "time-keeping" device during exams. Electronic equipment is also prohibited, and includes but is not limited to devices that play music, i.e. MP3 players, IPods, walkmans, etc. Cell phones and other PDAs must be switched off.

Use of Generative AI Tools on Marked Assessments

Students should be familiar with the University’s policy on the use of ChatGPT or other generative AI tools on marked assessments.  That policy is posted  here.

 

In accordance with this policy for undergraduate students, the Law Faculty recognizes this technology can be used productively and can be an important part of a learning experience. The University also recognizes that the use of any tool must be consistent with academic integrity. You can read the University’s policy on this issue here.

 

In the context of graded written submissions at the Faculty of Law, absent express instructions from an instructor permitting the use of generative AI tools on a specific assignment, using them constitutes the use of an unauthorized aid, which is an offence under the University’s Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters. You can read the Code here

 

Please be aware that the Faculty expects students to complete their own work, without outside assistance from another person or technology tool unless otherwise specified by their instructors. Students who are not certain about the permissibility of a technology tool in the completion of an assignment should ask their instructor.

 

 

Back to Top