XIII. General Information

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University of Guelph General Information

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Student membership at the University of Guelph is associated with fundamental rights and responsibilities intended to maintain the integrity of the University as a community for learning. Staff, faculty and students co-operate to sustain an educational environment that promotes individual learning and development. The University is responsible for providing the resources and opportunities that the students require to succeed.

The Student Rights and Responsibilities brochure outlines the basis of conduct considered to be consistent with the goals and wellbeing of the University community and describes the process in place to review reported incidents of misconduct. The code of conduct was developed collaboratively by students, staff and faculty and is regularly reviewed by the entire University community.

As a student you have the RIGHT to access the Judicial system if a violation of this policy has occurred, whether that violation has occurred on or off campus provided that the violation affects your ability to use and enjoy university facilities.

The term "University of Guelph community", as referenced in the Student Rights and Responsibilities brochure, includes the Regional Colleges at Alfred, Kemptville and Ridgetown.

University Community Principles

The University of Guelph is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the dissemination of knowledge; the intellectual, social, moral and physical development of its members; and the betterment of society (University of Guelph Act, 1964). These overall goals commit us to three central values:

The development of all members of this university community, which implies and affirms the dignity, worth and autonomy of the individual.
A focus on learning and knowledge, which upholds the fundamental importance of reasoned debate and inquiry in all of this university's academic and service functions.
Societal enhancement, which extends the commitment to individual development beyond the walls of the institution to the ideal of service to the broader community.

Student Regulations

The University accepts that you are able to make responsible decisions regarding your own moral and social behaviour. The purpose of these regulations is to provide for an environment that supports personal and intellectual growth. These regulations are intended to recognize your rights as a student and the rights of others, while also identifying certain responsibilities of students that are a part of the exercise of these rights.

For purposes of these regulations, a student is a person registered in an undergraduate or graduate program proceeding toward a degree, a diploma or a certificate at the University of Guelph, or otherwise taking credit or non-credit courses offered by the University.

Academic Responsibility.

You have the right to engage in free intellectual enquiry and, within the limits of the material and human resources and approved University protocols, to access the resources necessary to plan and accomplish your educational and career objectives. You have the responsibility to:

pursue the Learning Objectives established by the University in the context of your own program and goals;
adhere to the schedule of dates and academic and non-academic regulations;
select courses based on academic program requirements;
consult your academic advisor (Program Counsellor, Departmental Advisor, Grad Coordinator) or the relevant Academic Review Committee if extenuating circumstances affect your academic performance;
abide by the University's Policy on Academic Misconduct.1

1 Refer to Section VIII of the Diploma Program Calendar or the Undergraduate Calendar or to the Graduate Calendar, available at the Office of Registrarial Services or the Directors Office at each Regional College, for specifics. This information is also available electronically at http://www.uoguelph.ca/undergrad_calendar/ or http://www.uoguelph.ca/graduatestudies/calendar/.

Civil/Criminal Statutes.

You retain your ordinary right as a citizen when you become a member of the University community. You have the responsibility to abide by Federal, Provincial and Municipal statutes in addition to the University's own regulations. The University's interest may cause it to initiate a hearing (refer to Judicial Processes) whether or not non-university authorities have taken action.

Offenses against Persons

Bodily Harm

You have the right to an environment that is safe and free from unwanted attention. You have the responsibility not to engage in activities 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..

Harassment

You have the right to an environment characterized by mutual respect. You have the responsibility to treat all members of the University community with respect and without harassment. Harassment is defined as any attention or conduct (oral, written, 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.1

The use, or permitting the use, of the University computing, telephone, mail, display, and other communications systems to convey nuisance, obscene, or otherwise objectionable messages is prohibited.2

1 Refer to the University's Policy and Procedure on Sexual and Gender Harassment, available from the Office of Student Affairs, 4th Floor, University Centre, the Human Rights and Equity Office in Fielding House and the Director's Office at each Regional College or electronically on the University's website at http://www.uoguelph.ca/hre/.

2 Refer to the University's Acceptable Use Policy and Guidelines on Computing, available from Computing and Communication Services and the Director's Office at each Regional College or electronically on the University's website at http://www.uoguelph.ca/web/aupg.shtml.

Discrimination

You have the right to an environment characterized by equal opportunity and equitable access to University goods and services. You have the responsibility to treat all members of the University community without discrimination. Discrimination is defined as any conduct that results in adverse treatment of an individual or group on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed/religion, sex, sexual orientation, handicap, age, marital status, record of offences or receipt of public assistance.

Offenses involving Property

Facilities, Telecommunications, Library, Property and Private Property

You have the right to the use of University facilities. You have the responsibility to:

respect posted hours and limits on entry where such conditions exist;
confine smoking only to areas designed for that purpose;
not destroy, tamper with, deface or vandalize, monopolize, unlawfully access, remove or possess property not your own, including, but not limited to, Library material, computing facilities, telecommunication systems, and emergency telephones;
abide by the University's policy and guidelines¹ related to all University computing and networking facilities; and
not remove, possess or tamper with University fire protection equipment.

¹ Refer to the University's Acceptable Use Policy and Guidelines on Computing, available electronically on Griff or from CSS.

Permits and Identification

You have the right, upon payment of any required fee, to access certain special services as a University community member. You have a responsibility not to acquire or use meal cards, University identification, computer identification, bus passes or parking permits that are stolen, cancelled, lost, false, altered or expired.

Grounds

You have the right to use of the University grounds. You have the responsibility to observe the following specific limitations:

Authorized Entry - posted hours and limits on entry must be observed and adhered to.
Bicycles - Bicycles are subject to removal at the owner's expense if they are secured to trees or railings, secured to ramps for the disabled, left in fire routes or stairwells of any University building or otherwise found obstructing by being in any unauthorized area.
Automobiles - Automobiles are subject to removal at the owner's expense if left in fire routes, area for disabled access, pedestrian walkways, driveways, or otherwise found obstructing by being in an unauthorized area.
In-Line Skates, Roller Skates and Skateboards - University Policy¹ permits the use of these devices except within any building or other areas designated as prohibited for such use.
Temporary Accommodation - Sleeping or maintaining residence in vehicles, trailers, tents or University facilities is prohibited, except where specifically authorized.
Pets - Pets on campus must be under direct control at all times and must not be left unattended. Pets are not allowed in University buildings except as authorized.

¹ Refer to the University's In-Line Skates, Roller Skates and Skateboards Policy available at the Director's Office at each Regional College or electronically on the University's Financial Services website.

Disruption

You have the right to an environment that, while safeguarding dissent, is free from interference and disruption. You have the responsibility not 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 out their legitimate activities, including their ability to speak or associate with others.

Other

Drugs and Alcohol. You have the responsibility to abide by the Provincial Liquor Licence Act and Provincial and Federal statutes pertaining to illegal drugs and alcohol. The possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs is prohibited. The possession of liquor by those under the age of 19, is prohibited. Consumption or open possession of liquor is prohibited, other than in those residence rooms where it has been specifically permitted or in licensed premises.
Visitors. You have the right, upon compliance with existing sign-in requirements (Student Housing Services and licensed establishments), to have visitors on campus. As their sponsor, you have the responsibility to ensure that your guests abide by these regulations.
Firearms and other Weapons- Firearms, any other weapons, firecrackers, gunpowder, flammable solvents or any other forms of explosive or volatile materials are prohibited on campus, except in a location specified by the University Police or by the Director's Office at each Regional College. You have the responsibility to ensure that all firearms and weapons are properly registered and stored in a location designated by the Univeristy Police or Director of a Regional College.

Judicial Processes

Every student has a right to a full and fair hearing, by an impartial tribunal, of the merits of any charge brought against him or her under these regulations. Every student who is charged with a non-academic offence has a right to present a full and complete defence, and to be accompanied by an advisor (or legal counsel) at any hearing of the charge against him/her. Students charged are presumed innocent until found guilty on the basis of evidence presented, using the balance of probabilities as the standard of proof. The University has devised a non-academic process which provides for appropriate disciplinary penalties to be imposed. These penalties may include fines (up to $500), probationary periods, warnings and, in extreme cases, a recommendation to the President for suspension or expulsion.

The President or designate may implement an interim suspension if, in his/her opinion, a student's conduct raises a reasonable apprehension of harm to the student or to others in the University community, or the normal functioning of the University. A Judicial proceeding will be undertaken as soon as possible to allow for a hearing of the case and, in any event, no longer than fourteen (14) working days from the laying of the charge.

The Judicial Committee at the main campus and each Regional College has the authority to enforce these regulations if a breach of the regulations occurs off-campus which affects the rights of the members of the University community to use and enjoy University facilities.

University Committees

The Senate Committee on Student Petitions, and the Appeal Board at each Regional College, assess and dispose of academic appeals, including appeals to decisions on academic misconduct, by students registered at the University of Guelph.

Each Judicial Committee is an appointed Tribunal of students and faculty which hears reported incidents of student behaviour that represent alleged infractions of the student regulations. The Judicial Committee may also act as an appeal body to hear appeals regarding actions or penalties of an non-academic nature imposed by a University of Guelph department or Regional College where there is no other existing appeal process.

Decisions of a Judicial Committee may be appealed to the Hearing Board, or in the case of the Regional Colleges, the Appeal Board. The Hearing/Appeal Board is a student/faculty tribunal appointed from a roster of candidates, based on recommendations from the Colleges. The Board hears appeals from decisions of the Judicial Committee when one or more of the grounds for appeal are satisfied.

Further information on the Judicial process or the Petitions process may be obtained from the Judicial Officer, Senate Office, 4th floor, University Centre, at ext. 3116, or from the Director's Office at each Regional College.

Further information and additional copies of the Student Rights and Responsibilities document are available from the Office of Student Affairs, 4th floor, University Centre, at ext. 3868, or from the Director's Office at each Regional College.

Comments on the document and specific suggestions for amendments or additions to the student regulations are welcome at any time and should be referred to the Office of Student Affairs.

2004-2005 University of Guelph Diploma Program Calendar