COVID Conduct Compliance Strategy

Response to Non-Compliance with COVID-19 Protocols Summary

Purpose:

Outline the strategy developed to respond to and address situations of student breaches of federal, provincial and public health by-laws, controls and guidelines and U of G protocols regarding COVID-19 (“Covid Protocols”)

Approach:

Breaches of Covid Protocols by students may occur on-campus or off-campus.

• On-campus breaches that are Low Risk* can be dealt with situationally by a present staff, student or faculty member using a courteous educational approach.
• On-campus incidents that are Medium Risk* should be reported to the Student Conduct Support Coordinator or to Residence staff if the breach occurs within student residence
• On-campus breaches that are High Risk* should be reported to the U of G Campus Safety Office.
• Unless otherwise identified, off-campus incidents will be the responsibility of external authorities to address, i.e. City of Guelph Bylaw Enforcement, Guelph Police Services, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health.
• Off-campus incidents involving identified students or groups may warrant an educational response under the University’s Community Standards Protocol or discipline under the Policy on Non-Academic Misconduct.

*Levels of risk are defined below in the Response Strategy Outline

Response to Non-Compliance with COVID-19 Guidelines

Purpose:

Students are expected to return to the University of Guelph for the Fall 2021 academic semester. Approximately 4500 students will live on campus in residence and thousands more will live in neighbourhoods off campus.

Students living on campus and in City neighborhoods are expected to comply with all Covid Protocols and to be responsible for keeping up to date and adjusting their behaviour accordingly as Covid Protocols change in response to dynamic pandemic conditions. With significant numbers of students anticipated to return, concerns have arisen that students will be complacent about or will blatantly disregard important prevention measures with the risk of students being exposed to COVID-19 and in-turn spreading COVID-19 to the wider community and its vulnerable populations.

In preparation for the return of students, this document outlines the strategy developed to respond to and address situations of non-compliance with Covid Protocols.

Guiding principles include:

• Students are part of a broader community
• Everyone has a responsibility to do their part to keep the community safe
• Successful prevention of COVID-19 spread means the University and student life can get back to regular operations
• Promoting a culture of personal responsibility and accountability
• Students will be advised and reminded of Covid Protocols regularly via U of G email, U of G’s Covid-19 website, social media, and posters displayed on U of G properties.

Possible Outcomes of Non-Compliance with Covid Protocols:

• Students who have breached Covid Protocols will be reminded of the risks to the community and have the opportunity to reflect on and understand the adverse impact of their behaviour on themselves and others
• Students will be reminded of the importance and the benefits of following Covid Protocols
• Students will be encouraged to exercise responsible behaviour
• Where appropriate, students who breach Covid Protocols may be subjected to disciplinary action

Target Audience:

• Direct audience: Students
• Indirect audience: Students, faculty, staff, parents, and community members who rely on students to follow Covid Protocols

Reporting of Incidents:

Concerns regarding off-campus non-compliance is normally first reported to Guelph Bylaw Enforcement or Guelph Police Service. Guelph Bylaw Enforcement may advise the Vice-Provost (Student Affairs), the Director of the Campus Safety Office or the Coordinator, Neighbourhood Relations and Off-Campus Living, as appropriate.

Response Strategy Outline:

Breaches of Covid Protocols may differ in context, scope and scale; therefore, a range of response options are proposed as part of this strategy. The range of options is not intended to be linear or sequential, but rather tailored to suit the context, scope, and scale of the breach that gives rise to a need to respond.

Broadly speaking, on-campus breaches will fall under three main categories; Low Risk, Medium Risk and High Risk. Breaches taking place in student residence will usually be addressed by Residence staff in accordance with Residence Community Living Standards or the residence contract. However, there may be instances where a breach may result in discipline under the Policy on Non-Academic Misconduct.

Low Risk (Minor Breaches)

A Low Risk breach is one where there is a minor breach of Covid Protocols. Education is the primary and preferred tool for compliance. Low Risk breaches can be dealt with situationally by individuals using a courteous educational approach. Individuals addressing a breach may request assistance from the Student Conduct Support Coordinator.

The Student Conduct Support Coordinator may provide the student with educational materials on the importance of following Covid Protocols and/or issue a written reminder. A written reminder serves three purposes: to draw awareness to behaviour which can fall under University policies, to offer supports and resources, and to communicate possible disciplinary outcomes if there are repetitive breaches of the Covid Protocols.

Medium Risk (Repeated or Significant Breaches)

A Medium Risk breach is one where there is a significant breach of Covid Protocols or a pattern of repetitive breaches. Medium Risk breaches may include but are not limited to a significant failure to maintain physical distancing, abide by mask wearing requirements or abide by maximum limits for social gatherings.

Medium Risk breaches should be reported to the Student Conduct Support Coordinator (or to Residence staff, if the breach occurs within student residence) who can address the breach, as appropriate. Responses to a Medium Risk breach may include but are not limited to educational options noted for Low Risk breaches up to and including discipline under Residence Community Living Standards or the Policy on Non-Academic Misconduct.

High Risk (Serious Breaches and risk to others)

A High Risk breach is one where there is a serious breach of Covid Protocols or where there has been a pattern of repetitive breaches or there is a likely risk to the health and safety of others. High Risk incidents may include but are not limited to failing to abide by quarantining requirements; hosting a gathering significantly in excess of maximum limits for social gatherings.

High Risk breaches should be reported to Campus Safety Office or to Residence staffif the breach occurs within student residence for response as appropriate under the University’s policies including but not limited to the Residence Community Living Standards or the Policy on Non-Academic Misconduct.

Off-Campus Non-Compliance

Breaches of Covid Protocols occurring off campus normally fall within the jurisdiction of local Public Health authorities and/or City of Guelph Bylaw enforcement and/or Guelph Police Service. Depending on the circumstances, the University may respond to the off-campus breaches in accordance with the Community Standards Protocol or the Policy on Non-Academic Misconduct.

See the table below and note that examples may change as Covid Protocols change.

Note: Examples included below do not constitute an exhaustive list and are intended only to illustrate the distinction between categories of behaviour.