If you feel that a breach of responsible conduct has occurred, and you would like to meet with one of our advisors, you should first complete a Case Resolution Request form on our portal. If you prefer, you can contact the HRO at [email protected].  

To better understand the situation, we will ask you to provide details about the incident(s), including:

• What happened?
• Who is involved?
• When did it happen?
• Where did it happen?
• Were there witnesses?

This information will help us gain a basic understanding of the situation and initiate the next step.  
 

At this stage, our advisors will review the allegation and any relevant supporting documentation, seek clarification, consult internally as required, and determine if the allegation falls within the scope of Policy 130. If so, the HRO will notify you (the student who initiated the complaint, also known as the complainant) in writing and provide you with a summary of the allegation and details of the resolution, its related processes, and the subsequent steps, as appropriate.

If the allegation does not fall within the scope of Policy 130, or is not within the jurisdiction of the Human Rights Office, our advisors can recommend other problem-solving options or refer you to other University policies or resources, such as your faculty, Human Resources, union representative, the Ombudsperson, etc. You may then request in writing that the director of the Office of Human Rights reassess this finding. The director will then inform you of the result of the reassessment in writing; this decision is final and without further appeal.  
 

If the complaint does appear to fall within the scope of Policy 130, the HRO can proceed with a resolution mechanism, which can be either an informal or formal process.  

If the HRO, in consultation with the appropriate authority, determines that it is appropriate and feasible to do so, our advisors may facilitate an informal resolution of the breach of responsible conduct case. An informal resolution process is a voluntary conflict resolution method in which the parties may resolve their dispute without a formal procedure, such as through open communication. 

Here are some examples of informal resolution methods:

• Educational strategies
• Mediation
• Negotiation
• Facilitation
• Conflict resolution conferences
• Restorative justice, including healing circles.

When an informal resolution is not conclusive, the HRO may propose a formal resolution process.
 

Where an informal resolution process is not successful, or where the nature of the Breach of Responsible Conduct case is such that an informal resolution would not be appropriate, the formal process and the steps as outlined below will apply to address the case:

1. Opportunity for the Respondent to respond in writing
2. Investigation
3. Investigation report completed and shared with the parties and the Appropriate Authority
4. Outcome and final measures, that can include (but not limited to):
   1. Educational measures;
   2. Written warning;
   3. Probation;
   4. Loss of privileges or suspension/refusal of a service;
   5. Restitution (compensation for loss, damage or injury);
   6. Withdrawal, suspension or cancellation of awards and /or financial assistance;
   7. University suspension.

Communication of the outcome to the parties and sharing of information about the Appeal Process 

A student who is the subject of the breach of responsible conduct case may appeal the case. The Senate Appeals Committee, who has the authority to make a final decision on the appeal, will hear the appeal if all of the requirements outlined in Policy 130 are met.  

The filing of an appeal will not stop the implementation of any measures imposed.

The decisions of the Senate Appeals Committee are final and cannot be further appealed.