Who facilitates AIM?
The AIM program is part of the UBC Okanagan Library and Student Learning Hub, run by the Library’s Academic Integrity Program Manager and peer staff, the Academic Integrity Assistant (a graduate student position).
How can AIM benefit students?
Academic integrity is not just about rules—it’s about cultivating a mindset of excellence and achieving full potential. AIM is a partner in this journey, providing students with the tools and support they might need. Through personalized 1-on-1 support, students can further develop their knowledge of academic integrity and hone their skills, from recognizing risks and avoiding misconduct to appropriately integrating sources. AIM can support students 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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What referrals are not considered to be appropriate for the AIM program?
Given the embedded academic consequences for being referred to the AIM program, we can no longer accept referrals that involve a detection method that has not been made transparent to the student. For questions, reach out to aim.ok@ubc.ca.
How do students know if they’ve been 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 might a student be 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 students should refer to the email from AIM for their specific steps. If a student cannot find their instructions, they should contact aim.ok@ubc.ca. See “What is generally required to complete AIM?”
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What is generally required to complete AIM?
- Read, fill out, and initial a consent form.
- Self-enroll in the assigned AIM Canvas course.
- Read all of the materials in the Canvas course and complete all quizzes.
- Email aim.ok@ubc.ca to request a follow-up Zoom meeting. The email should include the student’s name and a request to book an AIM meeting.
- Book and attend a Zoom meeting with an AIM consultant. Additional meetings may be recommended if a student is given the opportunity to revise an assignment.
- Once a student has completed the course and meeting(s), AIM will notify the referrer that the student has 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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Can students access support from AIM without a referral from a faculty member?
Yes! Students can access support from AIM in a few different ways:
- Self-enroll in one or both of the self-guided AIM Canvas courses;
- Email AIM with 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 meetings.
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