ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø

To establish ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Polytechnic’s standards of student behaviour that contribute to a positive learning environment and everyone’s well-being; to provide a framework to resolve issues if the standards are not met.

This code applies to all ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø students and applicants. It covers conduct while taking part in academic programs or activities on ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø properties, affiliated locations or online.

Any unwelcome words or images received or distributed in person or any communication medium that intimidate, disparage or cause humiliation, offence or embarrassment to a person.

ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø activities, including but not limited to, field placements, work-integrated learning placements, off-campus conferences and meetings, student committees, clubs, boards, councils and associations.

A student who is initiating an appeal of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø’s initial decision about a case involving student conduct.

An agreement between a student who has engaged in prohibited behaviour and ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø that outlines conditions the student must follow to continue their studies. The contract may be for a specified period or for the full duration of the student’s program.

Service or hours of work carried out by a student who has engaged in prohibited behaviour.

An individual from within the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø community who initiates a complaint.

An allegation received by Student Conduct under the Student Code of Conduct within one year of the incident(s) occurring.

The manner in which a student behaves while part of the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø community.

The process of making an official decision after a complaint has been investigated, including findings of whether there has been a breach of the policy and a determination of whether any remedies, corrective actions or accountability measures are required.

The person in senior leadership at ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø, or their delegate, who is responsible for making a decision following an investigation under this policy.

The revoking of privileges for a student who has engaged in prohibited behaviour to access or use ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø facilities and services for a designated period of time.

Permanent removal of a ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø student who has engaged in prohibited behaviour.

A written reprimand in effect for a period of time with clear written conditions for a student who has engaged in prohibited behaviour to maintain their status at ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø.

A student alleged to have violated ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø’s Student Code of Conduct.

Compensation paid by a student who has engaged in prohibited behaviour to make up for a loss, damage or injury. This may include service, payment of money or replacement of property.

Monday to Friday, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, statutory holidays or another day ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø has publicly acknowledged that it is closed.

Members of the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø’s online and in-person communities, including, but not limited to: students, employees, contractors, suppliers of service and visitors.

A community Elder, spiritual advisor, friend, family member, Student Services representative or classmate who provides support but does not act as an advocate or speak on behalf of a complainant, respondent or witness.

A support person cannot be an individual with direct knowledge of, or involvement in, the incident that is the subject of a complaint or may be called a witness to the investigation.

A written notification that a student who has engaged in prohibited behaviour is excluded from classes and/or other activities for a specific period of time. It may also exclude the student from a campus or ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø-owned or controlled property.

A written notification that continuing or repeating certain conduct will result in further disciplinary action up to and including mandatory withdrawal from ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø.

Not releasing a credential to a student who in under investigation for prohibited conduct.

1. The Student Code of Conduct is the standard by which student conduct is assessed at ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø with all students expected to adhere to this standard.
2. In addition to the Student Code of Conduct, ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø students also have rights and responsibilities under the laws of local, provincial and federal governments, other ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø policies and guidelines and any regulations that may be administered by an academic school or service area.
3. Students have the right to express themselves as long as it does not interfere with the rights of others, and the right to study and work in an environment free from discrimination and harassment.

1. Students will:
   • familiarize themselves and comply with this code and all other applicable ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø policies
   • conduct themselves in a manner that respects civil and criminal law, the safety and well-being of the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø community, its property and reputation
   • make responsible decisions about their conduct, including how they communicate with and resolve differences with other members of the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø community
   • comply with the directions of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø employees, Residence Life employees, employees contracted by ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø, such as its Security Services and ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Student Federation employees
2. ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø will:
   • ensure a safe and respectful environment for all students, employees and visitors
   • support a great student experience and teaching and learning community

1. Any conduct that violates the laws and regulations of Ontario, Canada and/or the municipalities where ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø has campuses will be considered a violation of this code.
2. Students and applicants will not:
   • obstruct or disrupt, or attempt to obstruct or disrupt, any ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø activities through non-compliance with instructions from a ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø employee or failing to produce student identification when requested
   • engage in communications online or in-person that are abusive
   • provide false or misleading information to ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø employees or on official ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø records, including making malicious or bad faith complaints under this code
   • forge, take on, alter or misuse ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø’s name or the name of a ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø student or employee, in their dealings or on any documents or records. Examples include, but are not limited to, false complaints that are vindictive or retaliatory, creating, using and/or distributing false documents or misrepresenting oneself to a ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø employee
   • carry, or have in their possession, any weapon as defined by law, or anything that they intend to use as a weapon while on any campus or ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø-owned or controlled property
   • misuse ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø information technologies in violation of the Information Technology Acceptable Use Policy or any other technologies ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø makes available online or on ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø-owned or controlled properties
3. ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø may refer any suspected violation of this code to the police or other outside authorities.

1. Any member of the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø community may report a suspected violation of the Student Code of Conduct to the Student Conduct Office.
2. Minor behavioural problems can be addressed directly by an employee so long as the employee is comfortable responding to the matter and no danger is present.

1. If a student is involved in any incident that includes a risk to the personal safety or security of another student or individual, or if ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø believes that the student’s behaviour may impair its operations, it may take immediate action, including suspending the student on an interim basis.
2. The alleged violation that led to the interim suspension will be dealt with under this code and related procedures.

1. The Student Conduct Office investigates and resolves conduct issues under this code, regardless of any civil or criminal proceedings.
2. The Student Conduct Office initiates an investigation in response to receipt of a complaint.Ìý
3. A respondent will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations of misconduct.
4. Throughout an investigation, the Student Conduct Office and the relevant academic areas will use their best efforts to ensure that the academic progress of any student involved in a complaint is not unreasonably jeopardized.
5. Complaints will be confidential to the extent possible and without fear of reprisal. However, investigation of a complaint may require the identity of the parties involved to be disclosed to each other and to third parties, including witnesses.
6. Parties to a complaint may have a support person of their choosing in an advisory capacity present throughout the proceedings.
7. Respondents are strongly encouraged to participate in the complaint resolution process.
8. If a respondent does not participate in the investigation and complaint resolution processes, the Student Conduct Office may reach conclusions without their input and the respondent will still be responsible for adhering to any resulting sanctions.

1. A ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø decision maker will determine, based on the findings of an investigation, whether the investigated action(s) is a form of misconduct under this policy.
2. Students found to have engaged in misconduct under this policy may be subject to sanctions based on the relative harm or impact on the rights of others.
3. Sanctions may be based on the severity and frequency of the behaviour; repeated misbehaviour will result in an increased level of sanction.Ìý
4. Sanctions may include:
   • a formal warning letter
   • restitution
   • community service/fines
   • behavioural contract
   • restricted access to ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø resources, facilities and activitiesÌý
   • probation
   • suspension
   • required educational activities
   • mandatory withdrawal
   • withholding of a credential

1. A student who has been found to have engaged in prohibited conduct may request to have an appeal of their resulting sanction by submitting a completed Request for Student Conduct Appeal form to the Office of the Vice-President, Students.
2. Appeals will be heard if one of the following criteria are met:
   • a substantial procedural error was committed by the Student Conduct Office that has denied the student a fair outcome
   • new evidence is available that, through no fault of the student, was not available at the time of the investigation
   • the sanctions imposed by the Student Conduct Office were unreasonable or substantially disproportionate to the circumstances or offence

1. The Student Conduct Office will maintain records of complaints and appeals under this code for a period of 10 years.
2. In cases where a person is found responsible for a violent act or an incident that put the community at high risk, the Student Conduct Office will maintain the records indefinitely.

• Appendix: Student Code of Conduct Procedure

• Behavioural Intervention Team Policy
• Campus Access Policy
• Copyright Policy
• Discrimination and Harassment Policy
• Fair Dealing for Copyright-Protected Work Policy
• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Policy
• Inclusion Policy
• Information Technology Acceptable Use Policy
• Personal Safety/Security Threats Policy
• Respectful Workplace Policy
• Sexual Violence Policy
• Smoking Restrictions Policy

• ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Student Conduct Request for Student Conduct Appeal form

1. Behaviour that violates the Student Code of Conduct that is experienced, witnessed or suspected can be reported to Student Conduct within one year of its occurrence.
2. Complaints can be made by phone, email or in person or by completing the Public Incident Report form.Ìý
3. Situations involving imminent and/or serious violence are to be reported immediately to the police by dialing 911 and then to Security Services at (416) 764-0911.
4. The Student Conduct Office will determine, based on the information provided, whether a complaint has merit to be pursued.
5. The Student Conduct Office will attempt to informally resolve an issue without going through the formal complaint process.
6. If a resolution cannot be reached informally, the Student Conduct Office will initiate the formal complaint process.

1. ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø will inform students in writing of the reasons for an interim suspension.
2. Students have the option to respond to a notification of an interim suspension in writing, requesting ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø to reconsider the decision.

1. An investigation begins with the Student Conduct Office providing the following documents within five ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø business days of receipt of the formal complaint:
   • a copy of the complaint to the parties involved
   • a copy of the Student Code of ConductÌý
   • a statement advising of the steps in the complaint process and possible outcomes
2. The Student Conduct Office will initiate an investigation within seven ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø business days of receipt of the formal complaint and complete the investigation within 15 ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø business days, unless circumstances cause a delay.
3. The Student Conduct Office is responsible for creating an investigative report and distributing it to the complainant and respondent.
4. The respondent will have an opportunity to review the investigative report and respond, in writing or in a meeting with the Student Conduct Office.
5. Based on the findings in the report, a ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø decision maker will determine whether ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø’s Student Code of Conduct has been violated, will notify all parties in writing and decide upon the appropriate sanction to be imposed.
6. ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø maintains records of sanctions in a student’s file, and decision letters will be forwarded to the chair of the academic area with which the student is affiliated.
7. If a ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø decision maker concludes that there has been no misconduct, they will notify all parties in writing and there will be no further proceedings.

1. Within 10 ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø business days of receiving notice of the decision, the respondent may request an appeal in writing to the Office of the Vice-President, Students using the Request for Student Conduct Appeal form.
2. Should a decision maker within the Office of the Vice-President, Students deem the grounds for an appeal have been met based on the information provided in the Student Conduct Appeal form, the Office of the Vice-President, Students will convene a Student Conduct Appeal Committee.
3. The Student Conduct Appeal Committee will consist of a three-person panel of students, where appropriate, and employees.
4. The Vice-President, Students will appoint a chair for the Student Conduct Appeal Committee, who will serve as a non-voting member.
5. ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø will notify the complainant and respondent of the appeal in writing, explaining the basis of the appeal, the procedure that will apply and any other details necessary for an expeditious and fair hearing.

Approval Date: September 2012

Last Revision:ÌýApril 2025