The number of disciplinary cases – such as cheating, plagiarism, or harassment that require action from the university – has increased sharply in recent years. SFS is tasked with providing support to students who are dealing with these issues, and is working to establish common guidelines so that the handling becomes more equitable.
Exam time is approaching. For many students, it is the first time they will be taking an exam and having their knowledge tested. It is an exciting time that shows whether we have learned what was expected but also learn more in the exam phase. Unfortunately, the proportion of disciplinary cases has increased sharply in recent years, especially during the last academic year during the corona pandemic.
A growing problem
A review of decisions in disciplinary cases shows that 2,466 students were subject to disciplinary action in 2020. This is an increase of approximately 61 percent from 2019 when the number was 1,528, and by 86 percent since 2018 when the number was 1,326. The most common reason for students being subject to disciplinary action has throughout been plagiarism.
The statistics and chart above come from UKÄ's 2021 report – "Disciplinary cases 2019 and 2020 at universities and colleges".
Between 2019 and 2020, the number of suspensions increased sharply – by approximately 68 percent compared to 2019. Of the higher education institutions that have responded to the questions about the possible impact of COVID-19 on the number of disciplinary cases, 25 of them (75 percent) say that they have seen an increase that they assess/believe is due to COVID-19.
The reason is that the increase has occurred in connection with the transition to digital distance learning and digital examinations/home exams. A contributing factor has also been that the information and communication about the rules that apply to digital examinations has not been clear enough, as this was something that was not done in connection with the rapid transition in spring 2020.
How SFS works with the questions
For the 2021/22 financial year, SFS has been tasked by the annual meeting (SFS council) to work to ensure that disciplinary matters are handled and assessed in an equal and legally secure manner. Currently, there are major differences between the universities' handling of the matters, not least in the outcome of different types of cases. The handling at the universities may differ, but the assessment and penalty should be as equal as possible regardless of which university the student works at. This applies to cheating but also to matters concerning sexual harassment, which should be handled promptly.
SFS calls for the development of university-wide guidelines for disciplinary matters, a task that the Swedish University Association, SUHF, has begun. SUHF has appointed a working group which is tasked with taking stock of the process for disciplinary matters. In addition, the group will consider developing joint declarations, recommendations or frameworks regarding the prevention of cheating, reporting, assessment and punishment of disciplinary matters at the country's higher education institutions. SFS is part of the SUHF working group and has also established a reference group to contribute to the work. Disciplinary matters are increasing throughout the country and it is a priority issue for many, which is why the reference group includes students from several higher education institutions.
Provisions on disciplinary measures against students who, for example, cheat on exams, violate rules of order or harass others are set out in Chapter 10 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100) and thereafter the higher education institutions have local procedures. Students who are guilty of various types of misconduct can be warned or suspended from their studies for up to six months. The discrepancy between the higher education institutions may be a contributing factor to students being assessed differently, something that cannot be considered certain from the student's perspective.
There are ambiguities both within and between higher education institutions, which makes it difficult for students to find their way around. In some cases, this involves students having shared notes during group work, but when the students are later examined, these have not been permitted, but this information has not been made clear to the student – because if one has collaborated in group work, it is not obvious that it would be prohibited at the time of examination. Here, SFS calls for clarity in the instructions, which is related to the teaching staff's higher education pedagogical competence.
SFS is also tasked with ensuring that students involved in disciplinary matters have knowledge and support in their work. As a representative of Sweden's students, we also need to be self-critical and see what we as an organization can do to strengthen the students who are part of the higher education institutions' disciplinary committees. At every university and college there is a disciplinary committee that decides on disciplinary matters and the students, as student representatives, sit at the table and participate in deciding on the matter - it is these individuals that SFS can support in their work through educational materials and a meeting place with others in a similar position.
If you are a student representative on a disciplinary committee, you are welcome to SFS focus on November 23 to learn from others and share your experiences! More info to come on SFS event page shortly.