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Policy 61 review

Reviewing the Student Code of Non-Academic Conduct

Toronto Met's  (PDF file) Student Code of Non-Academic Conduct (opens in new window)  - what is known as The Code or Policy 61 - was last reviewed in 2011.  The Code is an important policy because it outlines the expectations the university has of its students to ensure that our learning and research environment is civil, safe and respectful. Much as changed since 2011 and the policy and procedures the Code sets out must be responsive to those changes.

  

Understanding the policy review process

As the office responsible for Policy 61, the Vice-Provost Students constituted the following policy review committee in December 2018 with Senate's approval:

Current Members

  • Cheo Bannis, FOS Student Representative, Senate
  • Tara Burke, Faculty/Senate/ Psychology
  • Naomi Chen, The Creative School Student Representative, Senate
  • Rachel DiSaia, Strategic Initiatives and Policy Coordinator, YSGS (Served:January 2019-February 2021)
  • Maddy Fast, Vice President, Equity, CESAR
  • Simon Finn, Associate Director, Residence Life & Education
  • José González, Student Issues & Advocacy Coordinator, TMSU
  • Jen McMillen, Co-chair, Vice-Provost, Students
  • Marcelle Mullings, Co-chair, Director, Student Housing & Community Care
  • Lyndall Musselman, Student Rights Coordinator, CESAR
  • Janice Neil, Faculty/Senate, The Creative School (Served October 2020-Februrary 2021)
  • Donatus Oguamanam, Chair, Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, Faculty/Senate, FEAS
  • Siddhanth Satish, TMSU Student Representative, Senate
  • Thomas Tenkate, Director, School of Occupational Health & Safety
  • Nancy Walton, Associate Dean, Students, YSGS

The committee will provide input, perspective and advice on the revised policy, and will consult with stakeholders from across campus. The committee has representation from students, faculty and staff, and has been constituted to ensure an effective, efficient, and timely process.

The policy requires a substantive review and rewrite. Among other things, the review will seek to ensure that:

  • the policy is written in coherent, student-friendly and accessible language
  • there is a clear separation between policy and procedures
  • the policy and procedures reflect current operations, foundational principles and best practice
  • the policy will reflect a support framework to ensure that students impacted by harmful student behaviour receive the support they need whether they choose to participate in a disciplinary process.
  • an EDI - or equity, diversity and inclusion - lens is applied
  • there is compliance with legislation, government directions and policy requirements (i.e. the Senate policy framework)

Phase 1: Themes + Issues

January - April 2019

First Round Consultations:

  • Students
  • Faculty & staff
  • Online surveys
  • Key stakeholders

Phase 2: Writing

April 2019 - March 2021

In-depth writing of draft policy and procedures guided by committee work.

NOTE: committee paused from December 2019-September 2020 due to COVID-19

Phase 3: Draft policy

October 2020 - April 2021

Review and finalize draft

Second Round Consultations

  • Students
  • Faculty & staff
  • Online surveys
  • Key stakeholders

Phase 4: Senate approval

May 2021

Final draft goes to Senate for consideration

Expected implementation for Fall 2021

Yes. Consulting directly with Toronto Met undergraduate, graduate and continuing education students will be a core component of the review process. There will also be outreach to students who have been directly involved in the Code complaint process. Student Representatives from the Senate, TMSU and CESAR are members of the Policy 61 Review Committee.

As Policy 61 is a Senate policy, the revised policy and procedures will require Senate's approval. The revised documents will be presented and discussed in various Senate committees prior to being added to a Senate agenda where Senate as a whole considers and votes on the changes. Community members are welcome to attend the Senate meeting when the revised policy is presented for approval.

First round of consultations

Key stakeholders were invited to committee meetings to discuss proposed changes and to provide feedback about the policy.  

OVPS staff also hosted one on one meetings with departments to provide an overview of the policy and discuss proposed changes. OVPS also attended a Mental Health Committee meeting to discuss the review process.  

Four in-person town hall meetings were held in March 2019 to provide students and staff with an opportunity to hear about the policy review process, to provide an overview of proposed changes and to hear feedback from the community. 

A survey was sent out to community members who participated in recent disciplinary proceedings asking for feedback regarding proposed changes.  

Overall, OVPS engaged with over 100 community members during the consultation process.

Upcoming second round of consultations

How to participate

We want to hear from you. Community members can review the policy review summary presentation, read the draft and then complete a survey to determine how well policy review goals have been met through the draft. This process will run from March 22-April 2.

Attend a Virtual Town Hall

A second round of consultations are being hosted for students, and faculty and staff. Details about these in-person consultations can be found below. 

Complete the Survey

Provide your feedback about the Policy 61 draft by completing the survey (external link) 

Email Feedback

Send ideas, suggestions and written feedback about the Policy 61 draft to policy61review@torontomu.ca