A message from Niagara College president Dan Patterson:
One of our defining features as a college is our focus on creating a safe and inclusive college community for all of our students, staff, faculty and visitors. In that vein, I’m happy to share with you that this fall, Niagara College has introduced its first-ever Student Code of Conduct.
Managed by NC’s Student Rights and Responsibilities Office, the new Student Code of Conduct consolidates a number of policies and procedures that previously addressed issues of student misconduct. The new policy clearly outlines the rights and responsibilities of students, what is considered misconduct, the process and timelines for investigation and adjudication, and sanctions for findings of misconduct.
In order to streamline the process of reporting incidents of student misconduct, a new simplified online reporting tool has been created that allows anyone to report an incident directly to the Student Rights and Responsibilities Office. Also accompanying the Code is a new appeals procedure for sanctions imposed under the Code.
The Code of Conduct was developed by the Student Rights and Responsibilities office and approved by Niagara College’s Executive Team. It was created with input from stakeholders from across the college, and reflects a body of best practices that have proven successful at other postsecondary institutions.
Embracing the new Code and our roles within it ultimately reflects our identity as a college that cares deeply for the safety and well-being of our diverse community of students, faculty and staff. Please take some time to review the Code itself, as well as the reporting procedures and tools, all available online at www.niagaracollege.ca/srro.
It’s important that everyone in the college community knows their role and responsibilities under the Code. NC’s Student Rights and Responsibilities Office can also provide additional information and resources to help you share the Code of Conduct with your students, colleagues and other members of the college community.
If you have any questions surrounding the new Code of Conduct, please contact Hafsah Shaikh, supervisor, student rights and responsibilities, at [email protected] or ext. 7370.
