Policy On Non-Academic Misconduct

Purpose and Jurisdiction

  1. The University of Guelph is an environment that develops the person, scholar & citizen. This Policy sets out the University's expectations regarding student conduct as members of the University of Guelph community.
  2. In this Policy, a "student" is any person registered in a diploma, undergraduate or graduate program at the University of Guelph or otherwise taking credit or non-credit courses offered by the University of Guelph, or any person who was a student at the time the alleged breach occurred. "Campus" means the physical grounds of either the University's main campus or the regional campuses. This Policy does not apply to students registered at University of Guelph-Humber programs and attending Humber College.
  3. Except as noted in paragraph 4 and 5, this Policy applies to all student non-academic behaviour on campus and to students who are engaged in University programs off campus. Allegations regarding other off campus conduct may be brought forward under this Policy if the violation in question materially affects the safety, integrity or educational interests of the University community or as provided under the Community Standards Protocol.
  4. Alleged breaches of this Policy which arise within University residences may in the discretion of Student Housing Services, proceed under the Residence Community Living Standards.
  5. Alleged breaches of this Policy which arise at the regional campuses will be subject to the process and procedures specific to the regional campuses.

University Community Values

The University of Guelph's core value is the pursuit of truth. It is animated by a spirit of free and open enquiry, collaboration, and mutual respect. It asserts the fundamental equality of all human beings and is committed to creating for all members of its community, an environment that is hospitable, safe, supportive, equitable, pleasurable, and above all, intellectually challenging (University of Guelph Act, 1964). It is expected that all members of the University community will support and enrich these values by interacting with each other in a manner that is respectful, civil and consistent with the following responsibilities. Failure to abide by these responsibilities may result in penalties.

Diversity

Students have a responsibility to help create and uphold an environment that respects the diversity and differences of members of our campus, and allows all members to be treated with dignity, worth and respect. An example of this type of responsibility is the requirement to abide by the University's commitment to the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Human Rights at the University of Guelph Policy1.

1

Allegations of breach may be pursued either under this Policy or the applicable human rights policy or legislation.

Integrity

Students have a responsibility to help maintain the integrity of the University as a community for learning. An example of this type of responsibility is the requirement to abide by all Federal, Provincial and Municipal laws2 and University policies including but not limited to:

  1. Drugs and Drug Paraphernalia - to not possess, use, supply or traffic illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia or controlled substances.
  2. Alcohol - to possess, purchase, and/or use of liquor by those under the age of 19 is prohibited. The sale or provision of alcohol to anyone under the age of 19 is prohibited. Consumption or open possession of liquor is prohibited on campus other than in those areas where it has been specifically permitted.
  3. Smoking - to abide by the University's policy, Smoking in the Workplace, which includes not smoking inside any University building or vehicle, or within nine metres of any building entrance or exit.
  4. Information Technology (IT) - to use computer login codes or passwords and University IT resources (e.g., computing account or workstation) in accordance with the University's Acceptable Use Policy.
  5. Permits and Identification - to not acquire, use, loan or disseminate University identification, express plans, building access cards, bus passes or parking permits that are stolen, borrowed, cancelled, lost, false, altered or expired. To not loan any of your identification to others nor alter or produce fake identification.
2

Allegations of criminal or other offences may be addressed off-campus under the applicable legislation. The University may also initiate charges under this Policy with respect to the same incident(s) if the allegation in question materially affects the safety, integrity and/or educational interests of the University community.

Learning

Students have a responsibility to help support community members' access to the tools they need to engage in their learning and development, both in and outside of the classroom. An example of this type of responsibility is the requirement to abide by the following:

  1. University Property - to respect posted hours and limits on entry where such conditions exist and not destroy, tamper with, deface or vandalize, monopolize, unlawfully access, remove or possess property not your own.
  2. Disruption - to not interfere with the normal functioning of the University, nor to intimidate, interfere with, threaten or otherwise obstruct any activity organized by the University, including classes, or to hinder other members of the University community from being able to carry on their legitimate activities, including their ability to speak or associate with others.

Safety

Students have a responsibility to support an environment that enables students to be safe and free from harm. An example of this type of responsibility is the requirement to abide by the following:

  1. Harassment - to treat all members of the University community with respect and without harassment. Harassment is defined as any attention or conduct (oral, written, virtual, graphic or physical) by an individual or group who knows, or ought reasonably to know, that such attention or conduct is unwelcome/unwanted, offensive or intimidating. Examples include but are not limited to bullying, hazing, sexual harassment, or unwanted sexual attention.
  2. Sexual Assault - to not assault any person sexually or threaten any person with sexual assault.
  3. Bodily Harm - to not engage in activities that are likely to endanger the health or safety of yourself or another person, or to assault or threaten to assault another person or to knowingly cause another person to fear bodily harm.
  4. Firearms and Other Weapons - to not bring onto campus any firearms or weapons (examples include but not limited to: BB guns, slingshots, paintball guns, firecrackers, gunpowder or any other forms of unauthorized hazardous materials). Students are not allowed to use any objects to injure, threaten or intimidate a person.
  5. Fire and Life Safety Equipment - to not tamper or interfere with, discharge or activate any life safety or fire equipment on campus unless for the purposes of responding to an emergency. Life safety equipment includes but is not limited to defibrillators, fire extinguishers, fire alarms and emergency phones.
  6. Guests - to take reasonable steps to ensure your guests comply with this Policy. Students may be held responsible for any breach of the rules committed by your guests on campus.

Interim Suspension

If a student has been charged with a breach under this Policy and a student's conduct raises a reasonable apprehension of harm to the student or to others at the University, or the normal functioning of the University, the President or designate may, in their discretion, implement an interim suspension order. A Judicial Hearing will be undertaken as soon as possible and, in any event, no longer than fourteen working days from the laying of the charge.

Process - Main Campus

  1. Students who do not comply with these responsibilities may be charged with a breach of this Policy in two ways:
    1. a ticket issued by Campus Community Police (a University of Guelph Offence Notice or "UGON") or
    2. a charge laid by an individual or by the University.
  2. The hearing process under this Policy is carried out by the Judicial Committee based on the principles of fairness, participation and efficiency.
  3. The Judicial Committee has authority to issue orders and penalties as outlined in its Terms of Reference. If a student has been found guilty of previous breaches of this Policy or the Residence Community Living Standards, that information is made available to the Judicial Committee for penalty consideration

Information on the Judicial procedures or common penalties may be obtained from the Judicial Website, or by calling the Judicial Officer, University Centre, at extension 52464 or from the Director's Office at each regional campus.

Note: Process and Procedures for the regional campuses are available in the associate diploma calendar.

Periodic Review Process

This Policy will be reviewed no less than every five years by the Student Rights & Responsibilities Committee. Comments and specific suggestions for amendments or additions to the Policy are welcome at any time and should be referred to the Office of Student Affairs at: st_affs@uoguelph.ca.