FAQs

Answer: Policy 130 is a set of guidelines related to the rights and responsibilities of students at uOttawa. It was approved by the Senate on February 14, 2022, and outlines expectations for responsible behavior, respect for the rights of others, and treating everyone with dignity.

This policy is important because it provides a framework for protecting student rights in their interactions and helps ensure that uOttawa provides a safe and respectful learning and working environments for all students. By clarifying students' rights and responsibilities, Policy 130 serves as a valuable resource for promoting a healthy and respectful community.

So, if you're a student at uOttawa, it's important to familiarize yourself with Policy 130 to understand what is expected of you and how to navigate any issues that may arise. Together, we can all work towards creating a safe and respectful community at uOttawa.

Answer: Great question! Policy 130 recognizes several important rights for students, including:

• The right to be treated with respect and dignity, and to be free from harassment or discrimination.
• The right to express your views freely and publicly, even if they are critical of the university.
• The right to participate in peaceful assemblies and demonstrations.
• The right to have your rights protected if they are prejudiced by a breach of responsible conduct.
• The right to bring forward any concerns you may have about the respect of your rights under Policy 130.
• The right to be treated fairly and with procedural fairness, and to have a support person of your choice present if you are the subject of an allegation related to Policy 130.
• The right to maintain ownership of original material they create and to receive proper recognition of, or attribution for, their ideas, academic work, or assistance when used by other members of the University community in accordance with applicable University policies and/or collective agreements.

These rights help to ensure that you can participate fully in the academic community at uOttawa, and that your dignity and well-being are respected. So, if you ever have any concerns about your rights under Policy 130, don't hesitate to reach out to the Human Rights Office for support and guidance.

Answer: Yes! Policy 130 applies to all students at the University of Ottawa but there are some things to keep in mind. The policy covers you when you are on campus or doing university-related activities, including online stuff. So, if there's a breach of responsible conduct online that's connected to the university, the policy applies. But if you are doing something like post-game Panda celebrations or other activities not organized by the university, the policy wouldn't apply.

Answer: Basically, "responsible conduct" means being a good student and following some simple rules. Here are the seven things you should commit to:

• Be respectful to people, places, and things on campus (and off).
• Be smart about how you use technology and the internet.
• Don't do anything dangerous or risky.
• Have fun, but don't cause a nuisance or disruption for others.
• Follow the rules (including this policy and others set by the University).
• Be honest in what you say and do.
• If you need to testify about something, tell the truth and keep it confidential.

It's important to note that responsible conduct isn't just about avoiding negative behavior; it's also about actively contributing to a positive and respectful learning community.

Answer:  It’s good to know that a breach of responsible conduct happens when a student’s actions go against the types of behavior outlined in the examples below. It can also happen if a student encourages others to behave in a way that goes against the Policy.

Answer: Absolutely! Here are some examples of what we mean by a "breach of responsible conduct":

• Online behavior (like on social media or chat platforms) that threatens or intimidates other students or the university community, or that disrupts the learning and living environment.
• Using words, either alone or in a group, that could incite violence, harm, or danger towards individuals or groups, or that could interfere with the functioning of the university's core activities like teaching and research.
• Conduct those harms someone's physical or mental well-being or violates their privacy.
• Failing to follow the policies and processes outlined in this policy or other university policies.

Answer: If someone discloses a breach of responsible conduct to you, it's important to support them and help them get the help they need. As a member of the uOttawa community, you can refer the person to Policy 130, which outlines the procedures for addressing breaches of responsible conduct.

The first step is to encourage the person to contact the Human Rights Office, where they can speak with a case manager who can assess the situation and provide guidance on how to proceed. Depending on the circumstances, the case manager may recommend either an informal or formal resolution process.

It's important to remember that the intake and assessment processes, as well as the procedures for addressing breaches of responsible conduct and appeals, are detailed in Appendix 4 of Policy 130.

Answer: Well, Interim measures are measures that may be imposed at any time, subject to any rights, while a student's case is being processed pending resolution. Interim measures are intended to stabilize a situation, protect the student and others from retaliation or threats of retaliation, otherwise support them, and address safety and other concerns.

Answer: Well, the final measures will depend on the circumstances, the seriousness of the actions and any other mitigating or aggravating factors. They may take the form of verbal and/or written reprimand, required training, counseling, probation, suspension/expulsion from membership, and suspension/expulsion.

Answer: Don't worry, your case will be kept confidential. If you're a witness, or affected by a breach of responsible conduct, you can talk to the Human Rights Office about it, and everything will be kept private. Responsible Conduct Cases are always handled confidentially, and they follow the privacy laws that apply.

Answer: You absolutely can! You have the right to choose anyone as your support person, even someone from the Student Rights Centre or a student representative. They can give you moral support and encourage you throughout the process. If you want, they can also talk to the case manager and get updates on how things are going or ask any questions about the procedures.

Answer: Yes, you can appeal to the Senate Appeals Committee, which has the final decision in this matter.

Answer: The Competent Authority is generally the authority within the University that is empowered to sanction the student in accordance with the University's regulations. It may be, as the case may be, the Dean responsible for the program of study in which the Student is enrolled or admitted, the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs or the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, or their designate.

Answer:  Thanks for asking!Well, we're here to help! Our office is a safe place where you can share your concerns or complaints about discrimination, harassment, workplace harassment, and sexual violence with a neutral and unbiased team. We're also here to provide education and training on these important topics, and we offer guidance and support to anyone in the University community who needs it. So don't hesitate to reach out if you need us!

Hey, we're glad that we could help you out with your questions about Policy 130! Don't hesitate to reach out to us if you have any more questions or concerns.