Student Code of Conduct Policy

To establish Seneca Polytechnic’s standards of student behaviour that contribute to a positive learning environment and everyone’s well-being; to provide a framework to resolve issues if the standards are not met.

This code applies to all Seneca students and applicants. It covers conduct while taking part in academic programs or activities on Seneca properties, affiliated locations or online.

Any unwelcome words or images received or distributed in person or any communication medium that intimidate, disparage or cause humiliation, offence or embarrassment to a person.

Seneca activities, including but not limited to, field placements, work-integrated learning placements, off-campus conferences and meetings, student committees, clubs, boards, councils and associations.

A student who is initiating an appeal of Seneca’s initial decision about a case involving student conduct.

An agreement between a student who has engaged in prohibited behaviour and Seneca that outlines conditions the student must follow to continue their studies. The contract may be for a specified period or for the full duration of the student’s program.

Service or hours of work carried out by a student who has engaged in prohibited behaviour.

An individual from within the Seneca community who initiates a complaint.

An allegation received by Student Conduct under the Student Code of Conduct within one year of the incident(s) occurring.

The manner in which a student behaves while part of the Seneca community.

The process of making an official decision after a complaint has been investigated, including findings of whether there has been a breach of the policy and a determination of whether any remedies, corrective actions or accountability measures are required.

The person in senior leadership at Seneca, or their delegate, who is responsible for making a decision following an investigation under this policy.

The revoking of privileges for a student who has engaged in prohibited behaviour to access or use Seneca facilities and services for a designated period of time.

Permanent removal of a Seneca student who has engaged in prohibited behaviour.

A written reprimand in effect for a period of time with clear written conditions for a student who has engaged in prohibited behaviour to maintain their status at Seneca.

A student alleged to have violated Seneca’s Student Code of Conduct.

Compensation paid by a student who has engaged in prohibited behaviour to make up for a loss, damage or injury. This may include service, payment of money or replacement of property.

Monday to Friday, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, statutory holidays or another day Seneca has publicly acknowledged that it is closed.

Members of the Seneca’s online and in-person communities, including, but not limited to: students, employees, contractors, suppliers of service and visitors.

A community Elder, spiritual advisor, friend, family member, Student Services representative or classmate who provides support but does not act as an advocate or speak on behalf of a complainant, respondent or witness.

A support person cannot be an individual with direct knowledge of, or involvement in, the incident that is the subject of a complaint or may be called a witness to the investigation.

A written notification that a student who has engaged in prohibited behaviour is excluded from classes and/or other activities for a specific period of time. It may also exclude the student from a campus or Seneca-owned or controlled property.

A written notification that continuing or repeating certain conduct will result in further disciplinary action up to and including mandatory withdrawal from Seneca.

Not releasing a credential to a student who in under investigation for prohibited conduct.

1. The Student Code of Conduct is the standard by which student conduct is assessed at Seneca with all students expected to adhere to this standard.
2. In addition to the Student Code of Conduct, Seneca students also have rights and responsibilities under the laws of local, provincial and federal governments, other Seneca policies and guidelines and any regulations that may be administered by an academic school or service area.
3. Students have the right to express themselves as long as it does not interfere with the rights of others, and the right to study and work in an environment free from discrimination and harassment.

1. Students will:
   • familiarize themselves and comply with this code and all other applicable Seneca policies
   • conduct themselves in a manner that respects civil and criminal law, the safety and well-being of the Seneca community, its property and reputation
   • make responsible decisions about their conduct, including how they communicate with and resolve differences with other members of the Seneca community
   • comply with the directions of Seneca employees, Residence Life employees, employees contracted by Seneca, such as its Security Services and Seneca Student Federation employees
2. Seneca will:
   • ensure a safe and respectful environment for all students, employees and visitors
   • support a great student experience and teaching and learning community

1. Any conduct that violates the laws and regulations of Ontario, Canada and/or the municipalities where Seneca has campuses will be considered a violation of this code.
2. Students and applicants will not:
   • obstruct or disrupt, or attempt to obstruct or disrupt, any Seneca activities through non-compliance with instructions from a Seneca employee or failing to produce student identification when requested
   • engage in communications online or in-person that are abusive
   • provide false or misleading information to Seneca employees or on official Seneca records, including making malicious or bad faith complaints under this code
   • forge, take on, alter or misuse Seneca’s name or the name of a Seneca student or employee, in their dealings or on any documents or records. Examples include, but are not limited to, false complaints that are vindictive or retaliatory, creating, using and/or distributing false documents or misrepresenting oneself to a Seneca employee
   • carry, or have in their possession, any weapon as defined by law, or anything that they intend to use as a weapon while on any campus or Seneca-owned or controlled property
   • misuse Seneca information technologies in violation of the Information Technology Acceptable Use Policy or any other technologies Seneca makes available online or on Seneca-owned or controlled properties

1. Any member of the Seneca community may report a suspected violation of the Student Code of Conduct to the Student Conduct Office.
2. Minor behavioural problems can be addressed directly by an employee so long as the employee is comfortable responding to the matter and no danger is present.
3. Seneca may refer any suspected violation of this code to the police or other outside authorities.

1. If a student is involved in any incident that includes a risk to the personal safety or security of another student or individual, or if Seneca believes that the student’s behaviour may impair its operations, it may take immediate action, including suspending the student on an interim basis.
2. The alleged violation that led to the interim suspension will be dealt with under this code and related procedures.

1. The Student Conduct Office investigates and resolves conduct issues under this code, regardless of any civil or criminal proceedings.
2. The Student Conduct Office initiates an investigation in response to receipt of a complaint. 
3. A respondent will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations of misconduct.
4. Throughout an investigation, the Student Conduct Office and the relevant academic areas will use their best efforts to ensure that the academic progress of any student involved in a complaint is not unreasonably jeopardized.
5. Complaints will be confidential to the extent possible and without fear of reprisal. However, investigation of a complaint may require the identity of the parties involved to be disclosed to each other and to third parties, including witnesses.
6. Parties to a complaint may have a support person of their choosing in an advisory capacity present throughout the proceedings.
7. Respondents are strongly encouraged to participate in the complaint resolution process.
8. If a respondent does not participate in the investigation and complaint resolution processes, the Student Conduct Office may reach conclusions without their input and the respondent will still be responsible for adhering to any resulting sanctions.

1. A Seneca decision maker will determine, based on the findings of an investigation, whether the investigated action(s) is a form of misconduct under this policy.
2. Students found to have engaged in misconduct under this policy may be subject to sanctions based on the relative harm or impact on the rights of others.
3. Sanctions may be based on the severity and frequency of the behaviour; repeated misbehaviour will result in an increased level of sanction. 
4. Sanctions may include:
   • a formal warning letter
   • restitution
   • community service/fines
   • behavioural contract
   • restricted access to Seneca resources, facilities and activities 
   • probation
   • suspension
   • required educational activities
   • mandatory withdrawal
   • withholding of a credential

1. A student who has been found to have engaged in prohibited conduct may request to have an appeal of their resulting sanction by submitting a completed Request for Student Conduct Appeal form to the Office of the Vice-President, Students.
2. Appeals will be heard if one of the following criteria are met:
   • a substantial procedural error was committed by the Student Conduct Office that has denied the student a fair outcome
   • new evidence is available that, through no fault of the student, was not available at the time of the investigation
   • the sanctions imposed by the Student Conduct Office were unreasonable or substantially disproportionate to the circumstances or offence

1. The Student Conduct Office will maintain records of complaints and appeals under this code for a period of 10 years.
2. In cases where a person is found responsible for a violent act or an incident that put the community at high risk, the Student Conduct Office will maintain the records indefinitely.

• Appendix: Student Code of Conduct Procedure

• Behavioural Intervention Team Policy
• Campus Access Policy
• Copyright Policy
• Discrimination and Harassment Policy
• Fair Dealing for Copyright-Protected Work Policy
• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Policy
• Inclusion Policy
• Information Technology Acceptable Use Policy
• Personal Safety/Security Threats Policy
• Respectful Workplace Policy
• Sexual Violence Policy
• Smoking Restrictions Policy

• Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46
• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O 1990, c. F.31
• Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, c H.19
• Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1
• Seneca Student Conduct Public Incident Report form
• Seneca Student Conduct Request for Student Conduct Appeal form

1. Behaviour that violates the Student Code of Conduct that is experienced, witnessed or suspected can be reported to Student Conduct within one year of its occurrence.
2. Complaints can be made by phone, email or in person or by completing the Public Incident Report form. 
3. Situations involving imminent and/or serious violence are to be reported immediately to the police by dialing 911 and then to Security Services at (416) 764-0911.
4. The Student Conduct Office will determine, based on the information provided, whether a complaint has merit to be pursued.
5. The Student Conduct Office will attempt to informally resolve an issue without going through the formal complaint process.
6. If a resolution cannot be reached informally, the Student Conduct Office will initiate the formal complaint process.

1. Seneca will inform students in writing of the reasons for an interim suspension.
2. Students have the option to respond to a notification of an interim suspension in writing, requesting Seneca to reconsider the decision.

1. An investigation begins with the Student Conduct Office providing the following documents within five Seneca business days of receipt of the formal complaint:
   • a copy of the complaint to the parties involved
   • a copy of the Student Code of Conduct 
   • a statement advising of the steps in the complaint process and possible outcomes
2. The Student Conduct Office will initiate an investigation within seven Seneca business days of receipt of the formal complaint and complete the investigation within 15 Seneca business days, unless circumstances cause a delay.
3. The Student Conduct Office is responsible for creating an investigative report and distributing it to the complainant and respondent.
4. The respondent will have an opportunity to review the investigative report and respond, in writing or in a meeting with the Student Conduct Office.
5. Based on the findings in the report, a Seneca decision maker will determine whether Seneca’s Student Code of Conduct has been violated, will notify all parties in writing and decide upon the appropriate sanction to be imposed.
6. Seneca maintains records of sanctions in a student’s file, and decision letters will be forwarded to the chair of the academic area with which the student is affiliated.
7. If a Seneca decision maker concludes that there has been no misconduct, they will notify all parties in writing and there will be no further proceedings.

1. Within 10 Seneca business days of receiving notice of the decision, the respondent may request an appeal in writing to the Office of the Vice-President, Students using the Request for Student Conduct Appeal form.
2. Should a decision maker within the Office of the Vice-President, Students deem the grounds for an appeal have been met based on the information provided in the Student Conduct Appeal form, the Office of the Vice-President, Students will convene a Student Conduct Appeal Committee.
3. The Student Conduct Appeal Committee will consist of a three-person panel of students, where appropriate, and employees.
4. The Vice-President, Students will appoint a chair for the Student Conduct Appeal Committee, who will serve as a non-voting member.
5. Seneca will notify the complainant and respondent of the appeal in writing, explaining the basis of the appeal, the procedure that will apply and any other details necessary for an expeditious and fair hearing.

Approval Date: September 2012

Last Revision: April 2025