AC-VPS-POLPRO-051 Student Code of Conduct
Department: Academic/VPS
Approval Date: July 28, 2026
Effective Date: September 8, 2026
Organizational Scope
This Policy applies to all applicants to, and all students enrolled in, full time, part time, and continuing education programs and courses offered by The Michener Institute of Education at UHN.
Purpose
The Student Code of Conduct (non-academic) establishes behavioural standards which all applicants and students (full time, part time and continuing education) at The Michener Institute of Education at UHN (referred to as Michener hereinafter) are expected to follow. It holds individuals and groups responsible for the consequences of their actions. All members of our student community are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that contributes positively to an environment in which respect, civility, diversity, opportunity, and inclusiveness are valued, and to support the success of both the individual and the community. Failure to fulfill these responsibilities may result in the withdrawal of privileges or the imposition of sanctions.
The Student Code of Conduct (non-academic) applies to conduct when applying to academic programs, taking part in academic programs or activities at Michener, affiliated locations (clinical placements, conferences etc.) or participating in online and virtual content in the Michener community.
Michener students can expect a safe, respectful, secure, and inclusive learning environment with the highest level of academic integrity and behavioural ethics reflected in our students. Michener faculty and staff can expect an educational environment that is safe, respectful, secure, and inclusive where instructional and support efforts are not marred by academic dishonesty or student conduct that is disruptive to the teaching and learning environment.
It is the responsibility of all applicants and students to be familiar with this policy, adhere to the standards of conduct outlined in this and all Michener policies and procedures and conduct themselves in a manner that respects the safety and well-being of the Michener community, property and reputation. Michener has a responsibility to investigate and evaluate allegations of violations of The Student Code of Conduct in a manner that adheres to procedural fairness. Michener may refer any suspected violation of this code to the police or other outside authorities
Policy
Michener’s Student Code of Conduct (non-academic) requires students to behave responsibly, to respect the rights of others, to treat others with dignity and respect and to abide by laws and legislation. All non-academic misconduct is subject to review under this Code. The Student Code of Conduct (non-academic) prohibits behaviour that includes, but is not limited to:
- Threatening, assaulting, intimidating, harassing, and/or bullying another individual or group.
- Disrupting or obstructing teaching and learning.
- Disrupting administration or activities due to unreasonable or inappropriate behaviour.
- Violation of the Institute’s Sexual Assault & Sexual Violence Policy.
- Violation of privacy through unauthorized filming, live streaming, or photography.
- Endangering the health and/or safety of others.
- Theft, damage to property, or unauthorized access to Michener facilities.
- Possession, use, or distribution of prohibited or controlled substances; or weapons; or dangerous substances.
- False reporting of an emergency.
- Making or conspiring to make, vexatious, frivolous, or malicious complaints against a Michener student, employee, contractor, visitor or patient.
- Failure to comply with the reasonable directives of a Michener staff member in the performance of their duties.
- Abuse or misuse of information technology or electronic devices.
- Failure to identify oneself and/or produce a Michener ID when requested by Michener staff or Security in performance of their duties.
- Failure to comply with Michener guidelines or policies where the violation in question is not otherwise prescribed in The Student Code of Conduct.
- All Municipal, Provincial and Federal laws apply on campus.
Violations of The Student Code of Conduct (non-academic) will result in disciplinary sanctions up to, and including suspension from Michener, and may include one of more of the following:
- Restitution – establish and recover costs to fix the damage caused by the student’s behaviour
- Behavioural Agreement – establish an agreement that sets out expected behaviours, limitations, and associated timeframes
- Formal Letter – a letter issued to the Student with a copy being placed in the student’s file in accordance with the Academic Integrity Policy
- Completion/Participation in educational activities
- Academic Probation
- Suspension from Program
- Mandatory withdrawal
- Withholding of a credential
- Rescinding of offer(s) of admission
Procedure
Any member of the Michener community may report a suspected violation of The Student Code of Conduct to the Office of the Vice Principal Students. Relevant details to support the report are:
- Description of events
- Available date(s), time(s) and location(s) which the alleged incident occurred
- Name, phone number and email address of the complainant
- Any known names and contact information of parties involved in the incident
If the complaint involves alleged discrimination, harassment, sexual violence, or assault please use the associated policies:
Anti-Harassment and Anti-Discrimination Policy
Sexual Assault & Sexual Violence Policy
Written notification regarding Student Code of Conduct complaints, updates to investigation, and outcomes, will generally be made via Michener email but may also be made by hard copy delivered to an involved party’s address of record with Michener.
When a complaint is received, the Vice Principal Students (or designate), will investigate and review to determine the applicability of The Student Code of Conduct and if there is reasonable basis for the complaint to be further reviewed.
If a complaint is determined not to have violated The Student Code of Conduct, the Vice Principal Students (or designate) will notify the complainant in writing/email. A complainant can request the withdrawal of a complaint at any time by contacting the Vice Principal Students (or designate). The Vice Principal Students (or designate) has the authority to either continue the hearing process or dismiss the complaint.
Throughout an investigation, the Vice Principal Students (or designate) and the relevant academic and/or administrative areas will use their best efforts to ensure that the academic progress of any student involved in a complaint is not unreasonably jeopardized.
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.
A student may have temporary restriction from Michener, the Michener student residence, and other campus restrictions pending an appropriate administrative proceeding, when, in the judgement of the Vice Principal Students (or designate), the continued presence of the student constitutes a danger to themselves, to others, or the operations of Michener.
When a complaint is escalated to a hearing process, the accused student will be informed of the complaint and notified of the scheduled hearing and hearing date. Notifications are sent to Michener student email accounts whenever possible. Hearings will be scheduled based on staff availability and scheduled around available class/lab/clinical schedules of the accused student and complainant.
The accused student and complainant(s) may have a support person accompany them to any scheduled complaint hearing. The support role is limited to directly supporting the student and may not disclose any student information obtained throughout their participation in the hearing. Support persons who do not abide by these requirements may be dismissed and not permitted to participate in further proceedings. A student may request a different support person for any future scheduled proceedings.
Grounds for Academic Appeals
- The student(s) will be provided a minimum of three (3) days written (email) notice of date and time of the hearing
- If requested in advance, and determined to be a reasonable and appropriate accommodation by the Accessibility and Accommodation Learning Advisor; notes, reports and/or written materials will be provided in an alternate format
- All hearings will be held in a closed session
- Hearings will be scheduled to complete the review within a reasonable amount of time. This may require hearing formats that are in-person or virtual
- If a respondent does not participate in the investigation and complaint resolution processes, the Vice Principal Students (or designate) may reach conclusions without their input, and the respondent will still be responsible for adhering to any resulting sanctions.
- The accused student will receive written (email) notice outlining the hearing resolution and the associated disciplinary actions and sanctions (if applicable). Unless otherwise stated, this will be made via Michener email
Sanctions are imposed to protect Michener from behaviours that are detrimental to the learning environment and to assist students in identifying acceptable parameters for their activities and consequences of future behaviours.
Severity of sanctions imposed will correspond with the nature of the offence and/or frequency of violation, and the student’s willingness to recommit themselves to behaviour that is in accordance with The Student Code of Conduct. Failure to complete any required sanction may result in the imposing of more severe sanctions.
Only the accused student(s) will be entitled to appeal the hearing resolution for Student Code of Conduct violations. An appeal must be in the form of a written letter of appeal to the Vice Principal, Academic (or designate) within five (5) days of the student’s receipt of the hearing resolution. An appeal may be received electronically.
Appeals may be made on any one of the following grounds:
- A material procedural error within the investigation that would substantially alter the outcome.
- To consider new evidence that was not known at the time of the investigation and would substantially change the outcome.
- The sanctions imposed were unreasonable, or substantially disproportionate to the circumstances or offence.
An appeal will proceed if the above criteria are met and the Vice Principal, Academic (or designate) will decide to uphold, reverse, or modify the hearing resolution. A written decision will be provided to the parties. All appeal decisions are final.