AIM PRogram

The Academic Integrity Matters (AIM) program provides UBCO students with educational support to learn and apply best practices for academic integrity. The program, based out of the Student Learning Hub and the Library, is available to all students but is also provided as an intervention, such as part of an Integrity Plan, before disciplinary measures are taken for academic integrity violations. Students can access support directly from AIM without a referral or can be referred by a faculty member, whether for additional support or as a response to misconduct incident.

Through AIM, you can receive personalized support, including one-on-one appointments, to develop your knowledge of academic integrity. AIM provides opportunities to clarify expectations for academic integrity, gain confidence in recognizing and avoiding academic misconduct, practice correct citations and source integration, and understand the steps needed to create responsible academic writing.

The Student Learning Hub’s AIM consultants provide one-on-one meetings for students who would like to gain confidence in their understandings of academic integrity. AIM consultants will meet with you to:

• help you get answers to your questions about academic integrity
• discuss student responsibilities and expectations for academic integrity
• share best practices for recognizing and avoiding misconduct
• connect you with appropriate resources and support
• support you with written assignments with a focus on:
  • avoiding plagiarism
  • integrating sources
  • where/when/why of in-text citations
• provide opportunities to practice and gain skills for integrating sources

To meet with an AIM Consultant, you can:

• Contact aim.ok@ubc.ca to request a meeting; or,
• Book directly with an AIM Consultant on QReserve. 

book a meeting on QReserve

1. Login to QReserve with your CWL
2. Go to the “UBCO – Student Learning Hub” Site
3. Look for a Writing Consultant with “AIM” beside their name.
   • Click “Calendar” to view schedule; or,
   • Click on the name of a Writing Consultant with “AIM” beside their name [e.g. Mackenzie – Hybrid (Writing, AIM)] to view their available timeslots;
4. Reserve a meeting (in-person and online meetings available)

Need help creating a QReserve account or booking a meeting?
Download our QReserve Guide or contact aim.ok@ubc.ca for assistance; we’re happy to help you arrange your meeting.

Have questions about academic integrity and not sure who to ask? Interested in ongoing support throughout the academic year?
Reach out to aim.ok@ubc.ca. We’re here to help!

Are you a graduate student looking for integrity-related support?
Contact aim.ok@ubc.ca, and we’ll help you connect with the appropriate support.

The AIM program has three academic integrity Canvas courses that are self-guided, informative, and free. While students referred to the AIM program will be assigned to complete one of the modules, any student can self-enroll in these courses. Instructors can also assign the courses for class credit.

When you complete a course, you get a fancy Certificate of Completion!

Faculty should refer to the AIM page under Faculty resources for more information and to make a referral. The link to the referral form is at the bottom of the page. Please refer as early as possible. There may be many students moving through the AIM program simultaneously and appointments may be limited. Faculty members can also reach out directly to aim.ok@ubc.ca for guidance.

Learn answers to some frequently asked questions about the AIM program. Have a question not answered here or would like to discuss further? Contact us at aim.ok@ubc.ca.

Who facilitates AIM?

The AIM program is part of the UBC Okanagan Library and Student Learning Hub, run by the Library’s Academic Integrity Facilitator and peer staff, the Academic Integrity Assistant (a graduate student position), and the AIM consultants, who are also writing and language consultants in the Student Learning Hub.

How can AIM benefit me?

Academic integrity is not just about rules—it’s about cultivating a mindset of excellence and achieving your full potential. AIM is your partner in this journey, providing you with the tools and support you might need. Through personalized 1-on-1 support, you can further develop your knowledge of academic integrity and hone your skills, from recognizing risks and avoiding misconduct to appropriately integrating sources. AIM can support you in confidently navigating the complex academic landscape and emerging as a leader of integrity.

What can AIM specifically help with?

• Learning about/applying skills for responsible academic writing (understanding and avoiding plagiarism, integrating sources, in-text citations, how to use sources successfully in your writing, paraphrasing, quoting, summarizing)
• Questions about academic misconduct and how to recognize risky situations and avoid them
• Understanding appropriate collaboration
• Deciding whether something is an appropriate learning resource or not (i.e. study help websites, writing tools)
• Guidance on accessing/receiving appropriate help from tutors
• General questions about academic integrity situations

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Who can refer students to AIM?

Faculty members and Associate Deans/Deans’ Designates can refer students to the AIM program. Teaching Assistants can submit referrals on behalf of a faculty member, but we ask TAs to report concerns to their supervising faculty member and discuss referral to the AIM program before doing so. Librarians, staff members, etc. can refer students to the AIM program, but we ask that these referrals be made only in consultation with the student. Students can self-refer to the program as well.

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Is AIM disciplinary/punishment?

AIM is not a disciplinary measure nor should it be considered a punishment; rather, AIM is a offered as a learning opportunity, with the recognition that maintaining academic integrity requires learning and honing skills. Students may be referred to the AIM program by a faculty member or Associate Dean/Deans’ delegate in response to an academic misconduct report. Students may be asked to complete AIM as part of a warning letter or Integrity Plan, where completion of the program is required to meet the terms set out in an Integrity Plan or warning letter.

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Is participation in AIM mandatory?

The AIM program itself does not enforce mandatory participation, but does report the outcome of a referral back to the referrer. In some cases, completion of AIM may be required as part of a diversionary process to halt escalation of a misconduct case, but this is facilitated by the referrer not by the AIM program itself.

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How do I know if I’m referred to AIM?

When a student is referred to the AIM program, they will be contacted by email using the email address provided by the referrer. In cases where instructors do not have a student’s email address, students may be contacted by their instructor through Canvas and asked to contact aim.ok@ubc.ca to enroll in the program.

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Why have I been referred to AIM?

Typically, a student is referred to the AIM program when a faculty member notices that a student is having issues related to academic integrity (such as trouble with integrating sources into their writing) or if the student expresses a need for additional support. Students may also be referred by a faculty member when a misconduct report has been received and/or as part of a warning letter or Integrity Plan.

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Where are the instructions for completing AIM?

Instructions for completing AIM are provided by email to students who are referred to the program. Instructions may be unique to each student referred, depending on the type of support needed, the Canvas course assigned, and other requirements such as completing an assignment revision/rewrite, so refer to the email you have received for your specific steps. If you cannot find your instructions, please contact aim.ok@ubc.ca. See “What is generally required to complete AIM?”

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What is generally required to complete AIM?

1. Read, fill out, and initial a consent form.
2. Self-enroll in the assigned AIM Canvas course.
3. Read all of the materials in the Canvas course and complete all quizzes.
4. Email aim.ok@ubc.ca to request a follow-up Zoom meeting. The email should include your name and a request to book an AIM meeting.
5. Book and attend a Zoom meeting with an AIM consultant. Additional meetings may be recommended if you were given the opportunity to revise an assignment.
6. Once you have completed the course and meeting(s), AIM will notify your referrer that you have successfully completed the program.

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Who do I contact if I have questions about AIM?

Contact aim.ok@ubc.ca. We are always happy to hear from you.

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I haven’t been referred, but can I still get help from AIM?

Yes! You can access support from AIM in a few different ways:

• Self-enroll in one or both of the self-guided AIM Canvas courses;
• Email us your questions or request support at aim.ok@ubc.ca;
• Meet with an AIM Consultant. Book directly on QReserve with a Writing Consultant that has (AIM) beside their name. First time using QReserve or having trouble booking a meeting? See the QReserve guide or contact aim.ok@ubc.ca for help arranging your meeting.

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