Langara’s Standards of Student Conduct are built on the belief that students learn best in a respectful environment. To ensure the best environment for our students, all students must:

  1. Respect the safety, rights, and well-being of others and will not cause or threaten to cause harm to another individual or endanger the safety of another individual.
  2. Treat others with dignity, civility, and respect, and refrain from harassment, bullying, hazing, or discrimination, or behavior that is defined as sexual violence or misconduct.
  3. Respect the rights of others to enjoy the work and learning environment and not disturb, disrupt, or otherwise interfere with the learning, work, or other activities of members of the College Community.
  4. Respect the property rights of other individuals and the College, and refrain from causing or threatening damage to another individual’s property or the College's property.
  5. Use College property, facilities, equipment, or materials only for authorized purposes.
  6. Respect the College and its reputation, and refrain from interfering with the operations, functions, activities, and services of the College.
  7. Demonstrate integrity and trustworthiness by avoiding false or deceptive practices, whether through word, action, concealment, or omission.
  8. Comply with reasonable directions given by a college representative.
  9. Conduct themselves in a way that is safe, legal, and consistent with their role as a student.
  10. Take responsibility for their actions and not engage in reprisals, retaliation, or threats of retaliation against any member of the College.
  11. Refrain from bringing a false allegation against any member of the College community under this or any other policy of the College.
  12. Comply with all College policies and all municipal, provincial, and federal laws.

Behaviour that harms the Learning Environment

Behaviours that harm a respectful, safe, and productive learning environment are not allowed. These include engaging in, attempting to engage in, or assisting others to engage in any of the actions described below:

Misconduct Against Persons 
  1. Any action or activity that endangers the health, safety, or property or wellbeing of any person, or creates conditions that so endanger.
  2. Discrimination directed at one or more specific persons based on any of the protected grounds under the B. C. Human Rights Code.
  3. Harassment, stalking, bullying, intimidation, coercion.
  4. Physically aggressive behaviour, assault, threats of violence or physical harm.
  5. Unwelcome, vexatious, or persistent conduct that the student knows, or ought to know, would cause another person to feel demeaned, undermined, intimidated, or harassed.
Disruption or interference 
  1. Any action or activity that disrupts the ability of other students to learn.
  2. Any action or activity that interferes with the ability of instructors to teach.
  3. Any action or activity that interferes with the right of others to carry on their legitimate activities.
  4. Any action, or activity that disrupts any activity organized by the College, or the duties of any employee of the College.
Sexualized Violence and Misconduct 
  1. Any unwanted action carried out through sexualized means or by targeting sexuality, including sexual assault, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, stalking, indecent or sexualized exposure, voyeurism, sexualized cyber harassment and stalking, sexual trafficking, sexual exploitation, voyerism, and the distribution of sexually explicit imagery of a person or persons without consent.
  2. Any attempt or threat to commit an act of sexualized violence.
Retaliation 
  1. Reprisals, retaliation, or threats of retaliation against any member of the College community for bringing forward a concern under this or any other policy of the College.
Misconduct Against Property 
  1. Attempted or actual theft of College property or the property of any member of the College community, or taking property of another without consent, even with an intent to return the property
  2. Creating a condition that unnecessarily endangers or threatens destruction of college property or the property of any member of the College community.
  3. Destroying, misplacing, misfiling, or rendering inoperable any stored information such as books, film, data files or programs from a library, computer or other information storage, processing, or retrieval system.
  4. Misusing, destroying, defacing, damaging, or destroying College property or the property of any member of the College community.
  5. Possessing College property or the property of any member of the College community, if the student knows, or ought to know, that the property is in their possession without consent.
Unauthorized Use of College Facilities, Equipment or Services 
  1. Recording any business of the College, including conversations, lectures, demonstrations, and presentations without authorization.
  2. Tampering with fire safety, security, or emergency equipment.
  3. Unauthorized entry and/or presence on any premises of the College or its affiliated properties or any premises used for College sponsored programs, events, or activities.
  4. Use of any College computing equipment, facility, network, or system for any disruptive or unauthorized purpose, or in a manner that violates any law, College regulation, policy, or procedure.
  5. Use of any facility, equipment, or service of the College, contrary to the expressed instruction or without proper authority.
False Allegations 
  • Bringing a false allegation against any member of the College community under this or any other policy of the College.

     
Fraud, Misrepresentation, or False Information 
  1. Any act of pretending to be another person for the purpose of fraud or deceit.
  2. Any false or deceptive representation by word, action, concealment, or omission that is intended to deceive another so they may act upon it or to gain an unfair advantage.
  3. Forging, altering, or misusing any College document, record, or instrument of identification.
  4. Knowingly furnishing false information, including information pertaining to a student’s standing, status, or academic record, to any person or office acting on behalf of the College.
Aiding the Commission of Prohibited Conduct 
  1. Encouraging aiding or enabling behaviour by a non-student that, if committed by a student, would be prohibited conduct under this policy.
  2. Encouraging, aiding, or conspiring with another student to engage in prohibited conduct.
Failure to Comply with a Direction 
  1. Failing to comply with reasonable direction given by a College representative authorized to give such direction.
Abuse of the Student Conduct Process 
  1. Any interference with or obstruction of the application of the Standards of Student Conduct Code.
  2. Failure to comply with any processes or any requirements or responses imposed through the conduct process.
  3. Interfering with an investigation undertaken under the Standards of Student Conduct.

     
Unauthorized Possession or Use of Dangerous Objects 
  • Storing, possessing or using real or replica firearms or other weapons, explosives (including fireworks), ammunition or toxic or otherwise dangerous materials on College premises.
Substance Use 
  1. Contravening policies of the College governing the possession, distribution and/or consumption of alcohol, tobacco, or cannabis and/or its derivatives.
  2. Using, possessing, or distributing a controlled or restricted substance without a verifiably legitimate purpose.

     
Contravention of Other College Policies or Laws 
  1. Contravening any provision of existing College policy or regulations.
     

Standards of Student Conduct Procedures

Any member of the Langara College community, including a student, can let us know if a student is not behaving in a way that honours the Standards of Student Conduct. We will look into the situation and decide if the policy has been breached. It is not a criminal process and will not determine guilt or innocence with regard to a violation of the Criminal Code of Canada. Standards of Student Conduct Procedures are detailed below. 

 

Immediate intervention 

Safety First

When a student's behaviour is or appears to be unsafe, anyone on campus can contact Safety and Security to get help. The Safety and Security Office is next to the A building.

Disruptive Behaviour

When a student's behaviour is disruptive either in a classroom or elsewhare on campus, an instructor or staff mamber can ask the student to stop the behaviour. 

If the student does not stop, the instructor or staff mamber can tell the student to leave and/or contact the Office of Student Support, Rights and Responsibilities.

If the student is asked to leave and refuses to do so, the instructor or staff member can call Safety and Security.

Reporting and Response 

When the Office of Student Support, Rights and Responsibilities receives a report of a possible breach of the Standards of Student Conduct, they will review report and decide if: 

  1. The reported behaviour falls within the scope of the Standards of Student Conduct.
  2. The reported behaviour can be addressed based on the report alone.
  3. The reported behaviour is best addressed through supportive interventions.
  4. The reported behaviour is best addressed under another college policy or process (e.g.: Concerns About Instruction Policy; Sexual Violence or Misconduct Policy, Respectful Workplace Policy, Appeal of Final Grades Policy etc).
  5. The use of interim measures is needed to preserve the safety or security of any person or to protect College property or operations.
Student Meeting 

When the Office of Student Support, Rights and Responsibilities receives a report that a student may have breached College policy, the student will be informed of the concerns and may be required to attend a meeting with a staff person from the Office. Meetings can be face to face or online. The office will decide the best format for the meeting.

Access Accommodations

If a student needs access accomodations to attend the meeting, they must notify the Office in advance of their need. 

Support person

A student can have a support person attend a meeting with them for support. A support person must be a member of the College community who has no previous involvement in the situation. Support persons do not speak or participate in the meeting.

At the meeting
During the meeting, the student will told about the concerns and given an opportunity to provide information about the incident or situation. The interviewer may ask some questions to clarify and/or test the information provided by the student. If more infromation is needed, another meeting may be arranged.

At the end of the meeting
The student will have an opportunity to ask procedural questions or offer any additional information not previously mentioned.

Decision Making 

Following a Student Meeting, the Office will decide if:

  • The situation warrants a College Response based on the available information.
  • The situation is appropriate for informal resolution.
  • The situation warrants further investigation (see Investigation below).
  • The situation would be better addressed under another college policy or process.
Standard of Proof 

Decisions  are made "on the balance of probabilities." The balance of probabilities means that something is more likely than not to have occurred.

Legal Council 

Student meetings and related investigations are administrative processes, not legal ones. Legal counsel is not permitted to attend a Student Meeting or participate in an investigation.

Non-Attendance at a Student Meeting 

If a student does not attend a meeting when required to do so, the Office may:

  1. Apply interim measures until a meeting takes place.
  2. Undertake a formal investigation.
  3. Make a decision as to whether the behaviour is in breach of the policy based on the available information.

Interim measures are temporary non-disciplinary actions or restictions taken by the College on a case-by-case basis to preserve the health, safety and productivity of individuals, property, and operations.

Supportive Interventions 

When information suggests that a student may benefit from support services that will enable the student to continue at the College without causing harm or disruption to others, the Office of Student Support, Rights and Responsibilities may develop a plan to support the student.

A supportive intervention requires cooperation from the student to be successful.

If the supportive intervention is successful in addressing the behavioural concerns, the student will be notified of any relevant expectations or conditions.

If the attempt is not sucessful, the Office of Student Support, Rights and Responsibilities may make a decsion based on the available infromation or undertake further investigation.

Informal Resolution 

The Office of Student Support, Rights and Responsibilities reserves the right to work with a student to achieve an informal resolution to a concern or allegation as an alternative to rendering a formal decision and imposing a formal response.

Investigation 

If more investigation is needed, the Office of Student Support, Rights and Responsibilities will conduct the investigation.

Investigations will normally commence within 10 business days of receiving a formal report and will normally conclude within 90 business days, notwithstanding extenuating circumstances. 

An investigation may include any or all the following:

  1. Interviews with the student, those affected and any relevant witnesses, if available.
  2. A review of relevant documents, media, on-line communications, and any other material relevant to the investigation.
  3. A review and analysis of all information to determine the facts and any policy breach.

When necessary, Langara College may contact witnesses or other individuals who have pertinent information regarding the concerns and require the individual(s) to attend an interview. Names of witnesses may be provided by the student or another person. The Office will decide which, if any, witnesses will be interviewed.

If the investigation reveals significant new information, the Office will inform the student and allow the student to comment on the new information.

Decisions following an investigation will be made on the balance of probabilities, based on the preponderance of evidence.

When an investigation establishes that the student has breached the Standards of Student Conduct, the student will be notified in writing (using accessible format when requested) of the decision and any responses or conditions imposed.

Practicum, Co-op, and Work Placements 

When a student in engages in behaviour contrary to the behaviour expectations outlined in the policy, Department standards/protocols or may pose a safety risk in the placement, the relevant Department may, in consultation with the Office of Student Support, Rights and Responsibilities:

  1. Delay or postpone the placement according to department standards and protocols.
  2. Remove a student from the placement according to departmental standards and protocols.
  3. Refer the matter to the Office of Student Support, Rights and Responsibilities.
Student Rights 

In any student conduct or sexual violence and misconduct investigation, students have the right to:

  • Know the allegation made against them
  • Have an opportunity to respond and be heard before a decision is made
  • Appeal a disciplinary decision that is made against them
  • Have a support person during a meeting or during an investigation process
Confidentiality 

Students are asked to keep the details of the situation private and confidential among those directly involved in the case or investigating/managing the case. Participants in a student conduct process are asked not to discuss the case with closely involved students, instructors or colleagues until the matter is resolved.

Students may discuss their situation with a support person (counsellor, family member, LSU representative, or confidante), but are responsible to ensure that confidentiality is maintained.
Confidentiality cannot be ensured if a student is/appears to be at risk of harm to self or others, or has made reference to harming a child or senior, or shares knowledge of a child or senior being harmed. In such cases, relevant information will be shared with the appropriate bodies to ensure the safety of the student/community.

Information may be requested from other College administrators, staff or faculty if it is deemed pertinent to the investigation, management or resolution of a situation. Information may be shared with other members of the College on a need to know basis.

Student Conduct Records 

College respponse to a found breach of the policy ido not appear on a student’s transcript or permanent academic record, except where a student is suspended from the College for disciplinary reasons.

All records related to the incident file are kept in the Office of Student Support, Rights and Responsibilities.

Appeals 

Students may appeal decsions and responses imposed under the policy if the student believes the process was unfair or incorrect. Appeals are submitted in writing and most cases; the student is not required to attend a formal appeal meeting.

See the Student Appeals tab on this site for more information

College Responses to a Breach of Policy

Langara may respond to a breach of the Standards of Student Conduct by imposing any of the following. The response will depend upon the nature and seriousness of the offence, and whether the student has engaged in previous misconduct. Decisions as to the most appropriate response to a given situation are made by the Office of Student Support, Rights and Responsibilities (short of suspension). 

Suspension and expulsion decisions are made by the President. Suspension standings will be noted on the student's transcript.

Below are examples of possible responses that impact a student who is found responsible for a breach of the Standards of Student Conduct: 

  • Coaching
  • Community Service
  • Educational Projects or Assignments
  • Formal Apology
  • Letter of Expectation
  • Letter of Reprimand
  • Loss of Privilege
  • No Contact Directive
  • No Trespass Direction
  • Probation
  • Requirement to Withdraw
  • Restorative Conference
  • Restriction on Participation
  • Suspension
  • Verbal Warning
  • Workshop/Training Attendance
  • Other 

Suspension Process

Only the President can suspend a student from the College or deny or rescind a student’s credential for a violation of college policy. If a student has engaged in serious or repeated misconduct, they may face suspension from the College. A student discipline committee will review the facts and ask for the student's response before deciding if a recommendation will be made to the President for suspension or withdrawal of the student's credentials.