S2 – Student Discipline Procedures

Part 1: Introductory

1.0 Purpose

The purpose of these Procedures is to provide guidance on the process for reviewing alleged instances of Student misconduct or other breaches of College policy and the types of disciplinary measures that may be imposed when a Student is found to have breached College policy.

2.0 Definitions

2.1 Balance of Probabilities

Is the standard of proof in civil matters, such as a workplace or administrative investigation. It means that a set of facts is more likely than not to have occurred. A determination of a breach of College policy is made on the balance of probabilities (i.e., is it more probable than not that the alleged act was committed, based on the facts and evidence).

2.2 College Authority

Refers to the individual who has been given authority by the College to make certain decisions in the course of their duties. For example, in a disciplinary matter, the College Authority might be the Academic Chair, Associate Dean or Dean imposing discipline as a result of a finding of Student misconduct.

2.3 College Matter

Includes any activity, event or undertaking in which the Student participates and which has a substantial connection to the College, such as:

1. College-related activities or events, including but not limited to:
   1. any activity or event on property owned or controlled by the College;
   2. the leasing of space, including student residence rooms, on property owned or controlled by the College;
   3. the offering of any service by the College, including educational services;
   4. student experiential learning placements, practical or clinical training;
   5. College research activities, whether on or off any College campus;
   6. social events or networking, where matters regarding the College or members of the College community are a significant focus of the activity;
   7. College field trips, service-learning activities and similar activities;
2. Activities or events involving members of the College community, where the actions of those members of the College community may reasonably reflect upon or affect the College, including but not limited to:
   1. writings, photographs, artwork, audio or video recordings, and/or electronic communications, including communications through social media, where matters regarding the College or members of the College community are a significant focus of the communication;
   2. matters of off-campus conduct that have, or might reasonably be seen to have, an adverse effect on the proper functioning of the College or the rights of a member of the College community to use and enjoy the College’s learning environment.

For greater certainty, Students can still be considered to be engaged in a College matter even when they are not physically present on campus. This can include:

1. while engaged in remote teaching or learning, whether by video, phone, message board, internet chat or some other mode of communication;
2. when corresponding with other members of the College community including Students, faculty, or staff, whether by email or another method, electronic or otherwise (including social media);
3. when attending video meetings or calls with students, colleagues or staff;
4. when using online learning platforms;
5. at conferences or other off-campus events or meetings.

2.4 Discipline

Refers to a disciplinary action implemented by a College Authority in accordance with this Discipline may take the form of disciplinary/corrective action or non-disciplinary/supportive action.

2.5 Student

For the purposes of this Policy, refers to an individual who:

1. is a current Student at Red River College Polytech;
2. has previously studied at Red River College Polytech within the last 12 months.

3.0 Application

 3.1

These Procedures apply to all Students of the College, as well as employees of the College responsible for reviewing alleged breaches of a Student’s academic or non-academic responsibilities. These Procedures apply to the review of allegations of contraventions of College policy by Students unless different procedures are contemplated by a specific policy (such as the specific procedures applicable to the review of matters under Policy H1 – Respectful Workplace and Learning Environment or Policy G5 – Sexual Violence).

3.2

These Procedures are subject to reasonable modifications, as may be dictated by the circumstances of the individual matter. In all cases, the College will meet its procedural fairness obligations in reviewing any alleged instances of Student misconduct and in reaching disciplinary decisions.

Part 2: Procedures

4.0 General Procedures

4.1

Where a Student is alleged to have breached College policy as it relates to a College Matter, an investigation will be undertaken by the appropriate College Authority. This may be an Instructor, Academic Manager (Academic Chair, Academic Coordinator, Program Manager or Regional Campus Manager), Dean or other designated person, as the case may be.

NOTE: Specific procedures for investigating alleged breaches of the Policy H1 – Respectful Workplace and Learning Environment and Policy G5 – Sexual Violence are contained in those policies. S2 Policy and these Procedures do not replace the procedures set out Policies H1 or G5.

4.2

Depending on the nature of the alleged offense, the investigation may include but is not limited to:

1. interviews with the parties involved;
2. interviews with any applicable witnesses;
3. review of any relevant documents or other evidence, which may include review of emails, screen shots, social media, network activity, security technology (such as security footage or key card use) and incident reports, a third-party review of academic works where plagiarism is suspected, etc.

4.3

Students are required to cooperate in investigations. Where a Student refuses to cooperate in an investigation, the investigation will proceed, and a decision on the matter will be reached on the basis of the available information and evidence.

4.4

Investigations will be completed in timely manner, while being adequately thorough.

4.5

Investigations shall comply with the principles of procedural fairness, as set out in the Policy. The College Authority reviewing the matter shall:

1. inform the Student whose conduct has allegedly breached College policy of the suspected violation in writing;
2. provide the Student with the opportunity to respond to the concerns and share their perspective on the matter (orally or in writing, as the case may be at the discretion of the decision-maker and as appropriate for matter in question);
3. keep an open mind during the review of the matter, making a determination only once the relevant evidence has been reviewed;
4. inform the Student in writing of the outcome of the review (i.e., whether the allegations were substantiated or not), and any resulting disciplinary action to be taken.

4.6

Determinations of Student misconduct are made on the balance of probabilities; that is, whether a set of facts is more likely than not to have occurred.

4.7

If it is found a Student has breached College policy, the Student will be informed in writing of breach and the specific terms of any disciplinary action being imposed.

4.8

A copy of the formal letter of discipline referred to in Section 7 shall be sent to the Dean of the School and the Office of the Registrar to be retained in the Student’s file.

4.9

With the exception of a removal of a Student for the duration of a class or an oral reprimand, all disciplinary action will be noted on the student’s electronic record for the period it is to be enforced. This note will be removed from the electronic record when the specified period has elapsed and associated conditions have been met.

4.10

Disciplinary action may be appealed in accordance with Policy S3 – Student Appeals. Not all actions are appealable, and the right to an appeal is not automatic.

5.0 Types of Disciplinary Action

The following non-disciplinary/supportive and disciplinary/corrective disciplinary actions may be applied in the resolution of all non-academic or academic infractions by Students. Disciplinary actions may progress in the sequence as outlined below depending on the severity of the incident. However, the College, in its sole discretion, shall determine reasonable and appropriate discipline based on the nature and severity of the issue. The actions detailed below may be repeated, omitted, or taken out of sequence. Serious breaches of conduct may result in immediate suspension and/or expulsion. Various College Authorities are empowered under these Procedures to implement discipline.

5.1

Reprimand A reprimand is a non-disciplinary/supportive action which officially recognizes a violation of good conduct and advises the Student to avoid future infractions. An initial reprimand may be oral in nature, though it is advisable that an oral reprimand also be summarized in an email to the Student, copying the Academic Manager. If a Student fails to comply with this reprimand, a written reprimand will be issued. The written reprimand shall outline the violation and the implication of further misconduct. A copy of the written reprimand will be placed in the student’s file in the Office of the Registrar. The Student shall be permitted to continue as a Student at the College. A reprimand may be issued by an Instructor, Academic Chair or Manager.

5.2

Behavioural Contract A behavioural contract is a non-disciplinary agreement between the College and the Student which specifies certain conditions that are required in order to rectify unacceptable behaviour. The contract will outline the ongoing expectations of acceptable conduct required for the Student to continue their studies. The Student will continue to be registered for the duration of the contract, subject to the conditions outlined. If the contract is breached by the Student, further disciplinary action may be imposed, up to and including expulsion. The contract may be for a specific period of time or for the full duration of the Student’s program. A copy of the behavioral contract will be placed in the Student’s file in the Office of the Registrar. A Behavioural Contract may be issued by an Academic Chair or Manager, or Associate Dean.

5.3

Suspension A suspension is a punitive/corrective action which excludes the Student from a course, an experiential learning activity, a program or the College on a temporary basis. The length of the suspension shall either be for a specific period of time, or until such time as the Student satisfies the conditions imposed. Suspensions may be issued as follows:

1. For a suspension of up to five days in duration, by an Academic Chair or Associate Dean of the applicable school in consultation with only BIT or legal if deemed necessary;
2. For a suspension of longer than five days in duration, by the Dean of the applicable school.

NOTE: Academic probation or academic program suspension issued as a result of a Student’s GPA in accordance with Policy A22 — Academic Standards are administrative suspensions as opposed to disciplinary decisions contemplated by this Policy.

5.4

Expulsion An expulsion is an action which permanently excludes the student from attending the College. Expulsions may be issued by the Executive Director, Academic.

5.5

Restitution In incidents involving defacement, damage to, or misappropriation of College property, restitution may be ordered to compensate the College for financial losses. Restitution may be by way of personal service in order to repair or otherwise compensate for physical damage, or it may be a fee assessed which covers the cost of repair, replacement or an insurance deductible. If a Student is ordered to provide restitution, the College may withhold the Student’s transcript until the restitution is paid or property restored. Restitution may be ordered in addition to other disciplinary actions and can be payable to the College or another impacted party. Orders of restitution may be made by the Executive Director, Academic. The Dean may recommend such action to the Executive Director, Academic.

5.6

Other Sanctions Other sanctions that may be applied where a breach of College policy has been found include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. as a form of consequence for breaches of academic integrity, a lowered grade on an assignment or course (including a grade of F or 0); and
2. a barring notice, with the approval of the Dean of the applicable school;
3. any other measure that is reasonable in the circumstances.