Off-Campus Community Standards Protocol

The University of Guelph introduced the Community Standards Protocol in the fall of 2010 as a tool for responding to problematic student behaviour off-campus in a collaborative effort involving the University, Guelph Police Services, By-Law Enforcement, neighbours, and students.

From the Office of the Associate Vice-Provost (Student Affairs)

Dealing with problematic student behavior off campus is a collaborative effort involving the University, Guelph Police Services, By-Law Enforcement, neighbours, and students. To more appropriately address community complaints against students living off-campus, the University of Guelph has instituted the following protocol:

Process for Addressing Complaints

It is understood that many neighbourhood complaints are situational, one-time in nature, and do not require a formal intervention. One-time incidents may be resolved by neighbours informing students of by-laws, a visit from a By-law Enforcement Officer, or in extreme cases, a visit by Guelph Police Services. It is recognized that for the vast majority of situations, once all parties are aware of the issues, the matter is resolved. However, in some cases, despite the fact that steps have been taken to inform students of behaviour that is inappropriate, such behaviour recurs. In these cases, the matter may be referred to the University for further follow-up in keeping with the following process:

A member of the community, Guelph Police Services or By-law Enforcement contacts Off-Campus Living and provides a description of activities.
The Manager, Off-Campus Living undertakes a preliminary investigation to determine whether a response is warranted.
The Manager, Off-Campus Living categorizes the incident(s) as either a Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3 designation, which will then determine the nature of the response. The Manager has ultimate discretion to determine which class any particular incident will fall under, considering the following:
- The severity of the incident. “Severity” is determined on a continuum, with incidents that constitute a nuisance on the lower end of the continuum, and incidents that compromise the safety and security of any community member on the higher end of the continuum.
- Whether it is a repeat incident. Repeat offences may result in a higher Class designation as determined by the Manager, Off-Campus Living.
- Whether any City of Guelph agency has been involved due to the incident. If a City of Guelph agency has intervened but the student(s) has/have not complied with an earlier order, the incident may move to a higher class.
Once the Manager, Off-Campus Living has determined which Class an incident falls under, he/she shall have recourse to employ any remedy or action as specified in the Issue Identification & Response flow chart.
In the case of Class 3 designation, the Manager, Off-Campus Living may employ progressive discipline, beginning with Option A, and culminating in Option E.
If Option E is chosen under Class 3 designations, the Manager, Off-Campus Living will initiate charges before the University of Guelph Judicial Committee.

Class Designations

A Class 1 designation will be assigned upon receiving a formal complaint regarding issues or uncivil behaviours that are not sustained, repetitive or ongoing in nature.

Examples may include and are not limited to:

Noise disturbances
Garbage
Minor Party with less than 20 people where a community disturbance is reported
Minor damage

A Class 2 designation will be assigned once sustained, repetitive and/or ongoing issues or behaviors including, and not limited to those identified as Class 1 are reported. However, any one incident that demonstrates major disregard to some aspect of the community-at-large may be elevated immediately to a Class 2 designation. For example, while a party would typically be identified as Class 1, it may be moved to a Class 2 if it involves a large number of students who encroach on neighbouring properties, and requests to contain it are not acted upon.

A Class 3 designation will be considered if further sustained, repetitive and/or ongoing issues or uncivil behaviours are not rectified by the student(s) involved. However, any one incident that proves to be of major disregard to some aspect of the community-at ¬large may be elevated immediately to a Class 3 designation.

Examples may include, and are not limited to:

Harm to others (assault, sexual misconduct, endangering others)
Serious property damage
Possession of an Illegal substance with intent to distribute

Issue Identification & Response

Process Initiation

Community member contacts Off-Campus Living and provides a description of activities

Class 1

Neighbourhood Drop-in

~ then ~

Letter of Review

Class 2

Neighbourhood Drop-in

~ then ~

Letter of Review

Class 3

Confirmation of individual’s identify and registration as a University of Guelph student

~ and ~

Confirmation of offense by City of Guelph By-law Enforcement and Compliance Office, or Guelph Police Services

~ then ~

Option Continuum

Option A

Student participates voluntarily in a campus session relevant to off-campus misconduct

Option B

Student participates voluntarily and in good faith in mediation with the person or persons affected by the misconduct under a mediation protocol established by the Office of Student Affairs

Option C

Student participates voluntarily in a meeting with a representative from the Office of Student Affairs to receive information and counseling regarding his or her responsibilities as a university

Option D

Student participates voluntarily in a community service project

Option E

Participation in Judicial Process

For more information, contact:

Kathryn Hofer

Director, Student Experience

khofer@uoguelph.ca