XIV--General Information

Student Rights And Responsibilities

Responsibility and authority for University regulations covering students is vested in the Board of Governors of the University. This in turn has been delegated to the Committee on Student Rights and Responsibilities for all areas of student conduct not covered by the University Senate.

The University of Guelph is a community dedicated to the advancement of learning and the dissemination of knowledge; the intellectual, social, moral and physical development of its members; and the betterment of society (University of Guelph Act, 1964). These overall goals commit us to three central values:

• The development of all members of this university community, which implies and affirms the dignity, worth and autonomy of the individual.
• A focus on learning and knowledge, which upholds the fundamental importance of reasoned debate and inquiry in all of this university's academic and service functions.
• Societal enhancement, which extends the commitment to individual development beyond the walls of the institution to the ideal of service to the broader community.

The image of community comes closest to describing what is already distinctive about our university and what we believe should be enhanced as it continues to evolve as an institution that is comprehensive, personalized, and rich in scholarship.

As a student, you become a member of this community when you choose to continue your educational career here. Being part of the University will be a time of accomplishing your learning objectives, discovering new values and points of view on the world, and deepening relationships. The high energy and close proximity characteristic of student life require extra care in a wide range of areas of daily living - relationships, alcohol consumption, respect for persons and property, nutrition, personal safety, and sexuality.

Staff and faculty are part of this educational community. They collaborate to promote student learning and develop new knowledge. The University's responsibility includes providing the resources and opportunities for self-improvement necessary for their efforts to succeed.

The University accepts that you are able to make responsible decisions regarding your own moral and social behaviour. These regulations are intended to help ensure mutual respect for your rights and the rights of others and to support an environment conducive to personal and intellectual growth. In exercising these Rights, you are required to abide by the Responsibilities indicated below.

1. Civil Statutes. You retain your ordinary rights as a citizen when you become a member of the University community. You have the responsibility to abide by Federal, Provincial and Municipal statues in addition to the University's own regulations. The University's interest may cause it to initiate a hearing whether or not civil authorities have taken action.
2. Academic Responsibility. You have the right to engage in free intellectual enquiry and, within the limits of the material and human resources of the University, to access the resources necessary to plan and accomplish your educational and career objectives. You have the responsibility to:
   • establish personal goals for all aspects of University life;
   • pursue the Learning Objectives* established by the University in the context of your own program and goals;
   • adhere to the schedule of dates* and academic and non-academic regulations;
   • select courses based on academic program requirements*;
   • meet the requirements for completion of each course;
   • consult your academic advisor (program counsellor, departmental advisor, grad coordinator) or the relevant Academic Review Committee if extenuating circumstances affect your academic performance;
   • to attend first class meetings, obtain course outlines, and meet the course requirements as specified; and
   • know the University's policy on academic misconduct* and abide by it.

   *Refer to the Undergraduate and Graduate calendars available at the Registrar's Office or Graduate Studies, for specifics.

3. Harassment. You have the right to an environment characterized by mutual respect. You have the responsibility to treat all members of the University community without harassment. Harassment is defined as any attention or conduct (oral, written, graphic or physical) by an individual or group who knows, or ought reasonably to know, that such attention or conduct is unwelcome/unwanted, offensive, or intimidating. Use, or permitting the use, of the university computing, telephone, mail, display, and other communications systems to convey nuisance, obscene, or otherwise objectionable messages is prohibited. (The University's Policy and Procedure on Sexual and Gender Harassment is available from the Office of Student Affairs, 4th Floor, University Centre.)
4. Discrimination. You have the right to an environment characterized by mutual respect. You have the responsibility to treat all members of the University community without discrimination. Discrimination is defined as any conduct that results in adverse treatment of an individual or group on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, citizenship, creed/religion, sex, sexual orientation, handicap, age, marital status, record of offences or receipt of public assistance.
5. Interference and Disruptions. You have the right to an environment that is safe and free from unwanted attention. You have the responsibility not to intimidate, engage in actions likely to lead to physical injury, nor interfere with University activities, including classes.
6. Facilities, Telecommunications, Library and Property. You have the right to the use of University facilities. You have the responsibility to:
   1. respect posted hours and limits on unauthorized entry where such conditions exist;
   2. confine smoking only to areas designed for that purpose; and
   3. not destroy, tamper with, monopolize, unlawfully access, remove or possess property not your own, including Library material, computing facilities, telecommunication systems, and emergency telephones; and
   4. abide by the University of Guelph acceptable use policy and guidelines related to all University computing and networking facilities; and
   5. not remove, possess or tamper with University fire protection equipment.

7. Drugs and Alcohol. You have the responsibility to abide by the Provincial Liquor Licence Act and statutes pertaining to illegal drugs. The unlawful possession of liquor by those under the age of 19 and the consumption or open possession of liquor other than in a residence room or licensed premises are prohibited.
8. Permits and Identification. You have the right, upon payment of any required fee, to access certain special services as a University community member. You have a responsibility not to acquire or use meal cards, University identification, bus passes or parking permits that are stolen, cancelled, lost, false, or altered.
9. Grounds. You have the right to enjoy free use of the University grounds. You have the responsibility to observe the following specific limitations:
   1. Bicycles -- Bicycles are subject to removal at the owner's expense if they are secured to trees or railings, secured to ramps for the disabled, left in fire routes or stairwells of any University building or otherwise found obstructing by in any unauthorized area.
   2. Temporary Accommodation -- Sleeping or maintaining residence in vehicles, trailers, tents or similar temporary accommodation on the University campus is prohibited.
   3. Pets - Pets on campus must be under the direct control of the owner/custodian at all times and must not be left unattended. Pets are not allowed in University buildings.
   4. Firearms and Other Weapons - Firearms, and other weapons, firecrackers, gunpowder, flammable solvents or any other forms of explosive or volatile materials are prohibited on campus except in a location specified by the University Police. All firearms or other weapons must be registered with the Police and stored in the specified location.

10. Visitors. You have the right, upon compliance with existing sign-in requirements (Student Housing Services and licensed establishments), to have visitors on campus. As their sponsor, you have the responsibility to ensure that they abide by these regulations. If a guest engages in misconduct, you may personally be subject to disciplinary penalties.

Judicial Processes

The University Judicial Committee is an appointed Tribunal of students and faculty which hears reported incidents of student behaviour that represent alleged infractions of the student regulations. It also imposes appropriate disciplinary penalties which can include fines, probationary periods, warnings and, in extreme cases, suspension and expulsion. Fines up to $500 can be imposed. Students have the right to be represented by an advisor, including legal counsel.

Decisions of the University Judicial Committee may be appealed to the University Hearing Board, a separate student/faculty Tribunal. For purposes of these regulations, a student is a person registered in an undergraduate of graduate program proceeding towards a degree, a diploma or certificate at the university of Guelph, or otherwise taking credit or non-credit courses offered by the University.

1996-97 Undergraduate Calendar XIV--General Information

Last revised: August 28, 1996. Contact: ccrenna@registrar.uoguelph.ca.