The purpose of this Policy is to set out the standards of conduct that the Justice Institute of British Columbia (“JIBC” or the “Institute”) expects all students to comply with, and to outline the procedures that will be followed where a Student is alleged to have breached those standards.
JIBC is dedicated to providing a high quality of education and high standard of service delivery for students and clients, consistent with the Institute’s mission, vision and commitments. Appropriate student conduct is necessary to ensure that JIBC creates and maintains an environment that is conducive to effective teaching and learning, and is safe for Students, Faculty, Employees and clients.
Equity, diversity, inclusion, mutual respect, civility, honesty, and accountability are promoted and expected at JIBC. Students must conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful of the rights, well-being and property of others, and that facilitates a safe and effective learning and working environment.
This Policy applies to student conduct at a JIBC campus or learning site, and also to student conduct that takes place off-campus or online where the student is participating in a JIBC course, program or event, is representing JIBC, or is otherwise engaged in a JIBC-Related Activity.
This Policy applies to all communications: in-person, by telephone, using computer equipment, in writing, or through any other mediums used within JIBC.
This Policy does not apply in the following circumstances:
- where alleged misconduct by a JIBC student does not fall within the scope of this Policy, as described above;
- where legislation or a JIBC contract requires that another process be followed instead of the procedure described in this Policy;
- where JIBC determines that the alleged misconduct can be dealt with more appropriately in another forum (such as a court or administrative tribunal), or by the student’s employer; or
- where, upon review, it is decided that the behaviour would be more appropriately dealt with under another JIBC policy including, without limitation: Policy 3213 Sexual Violence and Misconduct – Students, Policy 3203 Discrimination and Harassment – Students, or Policy 3207 Student Academic Integrity. The decision regarding which policy or policies are most appropriate will be made by the Decision-Maker(s).
Complainant – An individual who files a Complaint. In some instances, the Institute may act as a Complainant where it becomes aware of allegations of Misconduct that, if true, would violate this Policy but no person comes forward with a Complaint, or where an investigation is required by law.
Dean – The administrative head of a JIBC School.
Decision-Maker(s) – The Decision-Maker(s) for this Policy may involve either the Director/Program Director of the respondent’s academic program, the Director of Student Affairs and/or the Director of People & Culture, depending on the nature of the relationship of the Complainant and Respondent to the Institute. If one or more party involved is an Employee or Faculty member, or in the event that an individual is both a Student and an Employee, then the Director of People & Culture shall be involved. The Decision-Maker(s) shall work in collaboration where necessary according to the above definition.
Director/Program Director – The administrative head of a JIBC program area.
Disciplinary or Corrective Measures – as defined in JIBC Procedure 3205-001 Student Code of Conduct.
Employee – a person with any employment relationship with JIBC, including regular Employees, casual Employees, sessional Employees, Employees seconded from other organizations, and volunteers.
Faculty – Employees whose role is to provide educational services to students. Faculty may include regular and sessional Employees, Employees seconded from other organizations, volunteers, or contractors.
Instructor – A person employed or engaged by JIBC who is responsible for providing instruction to students or otherwise directing student learning experiences (may or may not include evaluation).
Interim Measures – For the purposes of individual and community safety, non-disciplinary restrictions that are placed upon Student(s) pending the completion of an investigation. These restrictions could include but are not limited to requiring a community member to limit their participation in non-essential educational activities, limiting contact between individuals, placing interim restrictions on access to campus locations or services, and/or a ban from campus property, or other necessary restrictions. Failure to comply with an Interim Measure may constitute a violation of this Policy.
JIBC Community – All Institute employees, Students, Board members, and any other person who is contractually obligated to comply with this Policy.
JIBC-Related Activity – Any activity occurring on JIBC property or as part of an educational program or administrative action and including online or distance education, practicum, field education, off-site training, or work terms required by a program of study at JIBC and endorsed activities and events.
Manager – A person employed or engaged by JIBC who is responsible for managing JIBC Employees or programs.
Official Student Record – As defined in JIBC’s Student Records Policy.
Registrar – The registrar of the Institute.
Respondent – An individual who is alleged to have engaged in conduct that violates this Policy.
Student – A person the Registrar recognizes as being enrolled in a course or program of studies at the Institute.
Student Misconduct – Misconduct by a student, as defined below.
Vice-President, Academic (VPA) – The person responsible for all academic programs at the Institute.
Prohibited Student Conduct
Students must refrain from engaging in Student Misconduct. Students who engage in Student Misconduct may be subject to Disciplinary or Corrective Measures.
Student Misconduct means any inappropriate conduct by a student, or in which a student assists, that is harmful or disruptive to the Institute, to JIBC Employees or Students, to other members of the JIBC Community, or to the learning or working environment at the Institute. Student Misconduct includes, but is not limited to, the following types of conduct by a Student:
- Any behaviour that a reasonable person should know or ought to know is threatening, intimidating or offensive or that may endanger the health or safety of other persons (e.g. Students, Faculty, Employees, visitors, or contractors);
- Violation of federal, provincial, or municipal laws;
- Criminal conduct, including but not limited to:
- possession, use, manufacture, distribution or sale of illicit drugs on JIBC property or at a JIBC-sanctioned event; or
- unauthorized possession of firearms, explosives, other weapons or dangerous chemicals on JIBC property or at a JIBC-sanctioned event;
- Unauthorized use of alcohol, cannabis, and/or other substances causing impairment on JIBC property or at a JIBC-sanctioned event;
- Unauthorized possession, carrying, or storage of firearms, hazardous chemicals, or other weapons on Institute premises, or use of any such item, even if legally possessed, in a manner that harms, threatens, or causes fear to others, including but not limited to firearms, swords, pellet guns, archery equipment, ammunition, explosive devices, fireworks, knives, replica weapons, or any other object wielded in a threatening or aggressive manner;
- Disruption of the learning environment, including conduct which interferes with classroom, online, lab or field activities;
- Disruption, obstruction, or interference with non-instructional JIBC activities, including but not limited to interference with:
- services;
- access to services;
- JIBC events;
- electronic or social media use; or
- access or use of JIBC public and private spaces;
- Hazing, or any act which endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a Student for the purposes of initiation or admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in, a group, cohort, or organization;
- Obstruction of the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on JIBC campuses or at JIBC- sponsored events or supervised functions;
- Abuse or unauthorized use of JIBC buildings, rooms, property or services;
- Unauthorized use of the name, reputation, or logo of JIBC;
- Removal of Institute property from JIBC premises without prior approval from an authorized representative of JIBC;
- Interference with any JIBC safety or security equipment or procedures, including making, or causing to be made, any false report of an emergency;
- Dishonest conduct not governed by Policy 3207 Student Academic Integrity, including misrepresentation of JIBC credentials, falsification or misuse of identity cards, Institute documents or records, medical certificates, or misrepresentation of any kind to an employee of the Institute;
- Failure to comply with the directions of Institute officials or law enforcement officers in the performance of their duties and/or failure to identify oneself to these persons when requested to do so; or
- Any other behaviour which interferes with JIBC operations, or with the learning or working environment at the Institute.
Procedures
The procedures for dealing with alleged violations of this Policy are set out in Procedure 3205-001.
Student Awareness
Students are required to make themselves aware of all JIBC policies and procedures. Lack of awareness of this or any other JIBC policy does not excuse a Student from responsibility for their actions.
Confidentiality and Documentation
- JIBC recognizes the confidentiality interests and privacy rights of all parties involved in an investigation under this Policy and must protect personal information in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, subject to the exceptions thereunder.
- All persons involved in an investigation under this Policy are required to keep the allegation and information relating to the investigation confidential, and are not to disclose the allegation or information revealed to them through the investigation to others, except as may be expressly permitted or as required by law. Individuals involved in investigations should be aware that while confidentiality is expected, anonymity cannot be guaranteed.
- All documentation related to a decision or appeal under this Policy will be kept in the Official Student Record and stored in accordance with JIBC Policy 3206 Student Records.
- Limits to confidentiality:
- JIBC will share identifying information only in circumstances where it is necessary in order to administer this Policy, to address safety concerns, or to satisfy a legal reporting requirement. In such circumstances, the minimum amount of information needed to allow such concerns to be addressed, or to meet requirements, will be disclosed. Such circumstances include those where:
- an individual is at risk of harm to self or others;
- there are reasonable grounds to be concerned about risk of future violence or the safety of the Institution and/or broader community;
- the sharing of personal information is required or authorized by law; or
- to comply with the reporting requirements of regulatory bodies and/or professional licensing bodies.
- JIBC will share identifying information only in circumstances where it is necessary in order to administer this Policy, to address safety concerns, or to satisfy a legal reporting requirement. In such circumstances, the minimum amount of information needed to allow such concerns to be addressed, or to meet requirements, will be disclosed. Such circumstances include those where:
No Retaliation
- It is contrary to this Policy for anyone to retaliate, engage in reprisals or threaten to retaliate against a person for:
- reporting any alleged violation of this Policy; or
- having participated or co-operated in an informal process or investigation under this Policy.
- Anyone who engages in such retaliation will be subject to Disciplinary or Corrective Measures up to and including suspension, expulsion or termination from JIBC.
- Where an investigation under this Policy determines that a Complaint was made in bad faith, the Institute will take appropriate disciplinary action.
Related Policies and Procedures
- 3205-001 Student Code of Conduct Procedure
- 3203 Discrimination & Harassment – Students Policy
- 3213 Sexual Violence and Misconduct – Students Policy
- 3207 Student Academic Integrity Policy