Student Support and Conduct
What is the Student Non-Academic Misconduct policy?
Douglas College wants to create a respectful and inclusive community. This policy explains what is expected of students to ensure that the College is a safe, comfortable, and fair environment. There are similar policies for employees.
This policy is about non-academic misconduct; for information about academic misconduct, see Academic Integrity Resources.
This policy outlines the College's expectations for student behaviour (conduct) and explains how inappropriate behaviour is addressed.
When mistakes happen, Douglas College believes everyone can learn from them. If rules are broken, the College promises:
- Investigations will be complete and fair.
- Records will be kept in accordance with privacy laws.
- Opportunities for learning will be provided throughout the process.
What are the rules for student behaviour?
When you are at the College, participating in a College event or activity, or participating in an online space at the College:
- Do not interfere with other people’s studying, research, or work.
- Do not bother or discriminate against anyone at the College.
- Do not damage College property.
- Do not be violent or threatening.
- Do not do anything that a reasonable person would call inappropriate.
Definitions
Academic misconduct is breaking the rules for academic integrity, like plagiarism or cheating on a test.
Non-academic misconduct is harm caused to another person or damage to College property.
Inappropriate behaviour is when someone behaves in a disrespectful way or breaks the rules.
To discriminate is to treat someone badly or differently because they belong to a group. You may not discriminate against anyone based on:
- race
- religious beliefs
- skin colour
- gender or gender identity
- physical or mental disability
- whether someone is single, married, separated or divorced
- whether someone has children or not
- how much money someone earns or how they earn it
- age
- where someone comes from (country or region)
- sexual orientation (for example, heterosexual, bisexual, homosexual, pansexual)
What happens if I break the rules?
If a member of the College community reports a violation:
- The Director/Associate Director of Student Affairs and Services and Safety, Security and Risk Management will review the report.
You will receive an email from the College explaining the reported incident and that an investigation will take place.
- This does not mean you are in trouble. It's the first step in the process. The College wants to hear your side of the story and make sure all the facts are considered before making a decision.
- You will be invited to a meeting where you can tell your side of the story and hear the details of what was reported.
- During the investigation, you may be asked to stop certain behaviors or take a temporary break from College activities.
If you are found to have violated the rules, there may be consequences, such as:
- Suspension from the College for a specific period of time;
- Educational or restorative activities (workshops, essays, completion of an educational program/service, etc.)
- Paying for damages; and/or
- Verbal or written apology.
How can I report someone who broke the rules?
Any member of the College community (student, faculty, or staff) who has witnessed or been the subject of an alleged incident of non-academic misconduct can make a report.
To make a report:
- Write down the details of what happened, including the date, time, witnesses, and any evidence (such as screenshots of social media or texting).
- Share the report with Campus Security or your instructor if the incident happened within a course.
After you make a report, a College staff member may ask to meet with you to gather more information. They may suggest some possible solutions or other campus services to help with the situation or start an investigation if they believe rules were broken.;
You can withdraw a complaint at any stage of the process, but the College may still act on the issue to comply with its obligations under the law or policy.
Supports
- The Douglas Student Union (DSU) can support students who are involved in a conduct process. They can advise you on your rights and responsibilities and College polices and processes.
- Students can have a support person or representative from the DSU present at a conduct meeting. The person is there to support the student. They are do not act as a representative or legal counsel.
- Counselling Services can offer personal support and counselling for anyone who is going through an investigation.
- Indigenous student can speak to a staff member from Indigenous Student Services for support in either making a report or participating in an investigation.