Professional Suitability Policy (Undergraduate)

Purpose

The purpose of this Policy is to provide a framework that outlines faculty members’ and students’ responsibility in regard to undergraduate-related professional suitability.

Definitions

1. For the purposes of this Policy the following definitions apply:

“Semester” means sixty days of lectures and a Final Examination period.

“Academic Record” means any information or documents that are part of a student’s academic career, including transcripts, degrees, student schedules, exams, papers, theses and personal information.”

“Transcript” means the complete report of a student's academic record.

Scope and authority

This Policy applies to faculty members’ and students’ responsibility regarding undergraduate-related professional suitability.

This Policy does not apply to graduate-related professional suitability. For more information regarding graduate-related professional suitability, please refer to the Graduate Academic Calendar.

The Registrar, or successor thereof, is the Policy Owner and is responsible for overseeing the implementation, administration and interpretation of this Policy.

Policy

Professional unsuitability

1. Students in programs leading to professional certification must demonstrate behaviour appropriate to practice in those professions. Where a dean determines that behaviour inconsistent with the norms and expectations of the profession has been exhibited by a student, that student may be immediately withdrawn from the program by the dean or subject to one or more of the sanctions described below.
2. A student demonstrating professional unsuitability may be immediately suspended from any practicum, field work or similar activity at the discretion of the dean pending a final decision.

Disciplinary sanctions

1. If a student is alleged to have demonstrated behaviour inconsistent with professional suitability, one or more disciplinary sanctions may be imposed.
2. The severity of the disciplinary sanction will be determined by the nature of the professional unsuitability and the student's past record of conduct.
3. Students found guilty of successive acts of misconduct and/or professional unsuitability will receive increasingly severe sanctions.
4. Disciplinary sanctions include, but are not limited to the following:
   1. Resubmission of the piece of academic work in respect of which the misconduct was committed, for evaluation.
   2. A written reprimand, warning the student that the behaviour was unacceptable and that further misconduct will lead to additional sanctions. A copy of the reprimand will be placed in the student's file, but no notation will appear on the transcript.
   3. Submission of a failing grade in an examination, test, assignment or course.
   4. Disciplinary probation for the remainder of the student's registration in his/her current program of study. A note to this effect will be placed in the student's file, and a notation may appear on his/her transcript. Any further offence will lead to a more severe sanction.
   5. Expunging of grades or revoking of degrees.
   6. Restraining orders or monetary restitution where appropriate in the case of threats, harassment, or damage to property.
   7. Suspension from attendance in a course, a program, a faculty, or the university, for a period not less than one Semester (fall or winter) and not exceeding three years as deemed appropriate. While suspended, a student may not register for courses, and loses the right to attend lectures, write examinations, and receive payment from university sources. Courses taken elsewhere during the period of suspension are not eligible for transfer credit. Notice of suspension will be placed in the student's file and will appear on his/her transcript. The conditions of suspension will specify the length of time such notice will remain on the student's transcript.
   8. Permanent expulsion from the university. A note to this effect will be placed in the student's file and will remain on his/her transcript.
   9. Such other sanctions as deemed appropriate.

Allegations of professional unsuitability

1. With respect to all allegations of academic misconduct or professional unsuitability, students are presumed innocent until the contrary has been established. Decisions regarding the commission of professional unsuitability shall be determined using the balance of probabilities as the standard of proof.
2. A record of all allegations of professional unsuitability, along with details of the resolution, will be entered into the central transcript kept by the Office of the Registrar.

Monitoring and review

This Policy will be reviewed as necessary and at least every three years. The Registrar, or successor thereof, is responsible to monitor and review this Policy.

Relevant legislation

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Related policies, procedures & documents

Professional Unsuitability Procedures (Undergraduate)