Student Community Standards Procedures

Ref. No.	Executive sponsor	Policy steward	Approval authority	First approved	Last reviewed	Effective date	Next review
33.02					July 18, 2025	September 2, 2025

Purpose
1. All NSCC students are expected to act with consideration and respect, upholding the values of the college, whether on or off campus, including the online environment.
2. Our aim is to invest in relational and restorative approaches that support dignity, equity, accountability, and transformative growth when approaching behaviours that are breaches of the Student Community Standards (SCS) policy.
3. This Procedure specifies the steps involved in understanding and addressing a potential breach of Student Community Standards (SCS) Policy.
4. A dignified, equitable, trauma informed, intersectional and culturally responsive lens will be applied throughout the procedures.

Definitions

Term	Definition
Accommodation	Supportive measures given by the College to individuals enabling them to continue to learn, live, work and participate in the College while participating in a Student Community Standards process.
College Community	NSCC Community member under this policy/procedure includes, but is not limited to the following: Employee: any person who is currently employed by NSCC or provides services to NSCC under an employment contract. This includes all employees, regardless of status, as well as current employees who are on a leave of absence (paid/unpaid). Student: anyone who is active in a program and/or enrolled in courses. Volunteer: any person performing work for NSCC in an unpaid capacity. NSCC Community Member: any person working in collaboration with NSCC for a business or academic purpose.
Concern	An issue identified by NSCC community member believing that a student has breached the Student Community Standards Policy.
Culturally Responsive	An approach that recognizes the uniqueness of everyone, their culture and history.
Fact Finding	Activities used to gain understanding of a SCS report to determine the most appropriate policy and process application, while ensuring procedural fairness for all parties. The College determines the extent of the process to enable the best understanding possible.
Fairness (Procedural, Substantive, and Relational)	Procedural Fairness describes the duty of fairness that is most discussed in relation to administrative decisions, such as investigations. The two primary rights involved in Procedural Fairness are the right to be heard and the right to an unbiased decision. Procedural Fairness requires: Notice of the matter under consideration, Access to information that will be considered when the decision is made. The College considers personal privacy and safety factors when determining access to information, The right to respond; a meaningful opportunity to be heard, An impartial and unbiased decision maker, and, Reasons for the decision or outcome. Substantive Fairness relates to the fairness of the decision itself. Substantive fairness requires that decisions are: Made by those with appropriate authority to do so, Made with relevant information, Not unjust, oppressive, or discriminatory, or wrong in fact or law, and Are reasonable. Relational fairness describes how the person feels about the process, decision, or outcome. Relational fairness requires a decision maker to: Provide attention, listening to points of view and evidence, Be approachable and easy to communicate with about the decision and decision-making process, Be honest and forthright in dealings with those affected by decisions, Respect confidentiality during and after the process, be accountable, offer apologies if mistakes are made, refrain from retaliation in any form.
Interim Measures	These are temporary, measures that may be imposed on a student(s) by the Manager of Student Services or designate, to facilitate a safe learning, living, and working environment. These measures are preliminary in nature, non-punitive, and do not imply the students) has violated the Policy.
Intersectional	The complex, cumulative way in which the effects of multiple forms of discrimination combine, overlap, or intersect, resulting from the intersection of various identities and histories, especially in the experiences of equity deserving individuals or groups.
Outcome	Measure(s) put in place when there is a finding of a breach of policy.
Relational Approach	A way of interacting or communicating with others that embodies core values such as respect, inclusiveness, honesty, compassion, cooperation, and humility. Accountability, identifying and repairing harms and relationships, including to a campus, college and community are part of this approach.
Reporting Individual	An individual who is a member of the NSCC community and submits a SCS report.
Responding Student	A student who has been named in a SCS report as being in breach of the Student Community Standards Policy.
Resolution Options	Refers to a wide range of options to enable and support Responding Students to identify harms, take accountability and restore relationships/ resolve concerns or conflict.
Support Person	An individual (e.g., family member, elder) asked by the Reporting Individual and/or Responding Student to attend meetings for the purpose of offering personal and/or emotional support and/or to take notes. This person cannot be a witness in a report or act as an advocate or legal representative.
Trauma Informed	An approach that acknowledges the existence and impact of trauma on a person’s physical, psychological, and emotional well-being. This approach includes promoting a culture of safety, dignity, empowerment, choice, and healing.
Timeliness	Starting the process promptly and keeping it moving forward in a way that reflects the risk associated with the report and the impact on those involved.

Procedures

Preamble: The Student Care Navigator (SCN) will oversee the SCS policy and procedures except for eCampus where the Manager of Student Services will lead the SCS procedures. If the SCN believes they cannot proceed without bias or they are not able to oversee the procedures, they will identify a designated person in collaboration with the Manager of Student Services (MSS) to oversee the procedures.
1. Any member of the College Community may submit a report under the policy if they have been impacted by a student's behaviour AND that behaviour is in breach of Student Community Standards Policy.
2. To raise a concern, a community member submits a report online.
3. The College may choose to submit a report without a Reporting Individual, if information comes forward that a breach has occurred that may involve risk to others/community. This would occur in exceptional circumstances where an individual expresses concern to the Student Care Navigator and/or others about making a report and/or the College believes it is in the best interest of the campus and/or larger community to submit a report without a Reporting Individual. The College may choose to submit a report if a Reporting Individual, who is a student, has submitted a false SCS report previously. The Reporting Individual may then become a Responding Student in a SCS report.
4. Reports for incidents in NSCC housing complexes are to be first addressed through Housing Community Standards and if appropriate after that process, and with Housing involvement, may result in a SCS report being made.
5. Reports made without the name of a Responding Student will not be acted upon. Anonymous reports will not be accepted.
6. Prior to submitting a report, the following ought to be considered:
  1. If a community member is unsure that the concern belongs under the Student Community Standards policy, they can consult with the Student Care Navigator (SCN) for their region/campus for guidance on an approach. A SCS report MUST be a breach of the Student Community Standards policy. If there is reason to believe that mental health issues are involved with a student, a consultation with the campus Counsellor or another NSCC Counsellor can be requested.
  2. Reports are not for emergency situations (contact Security/911 directly) and/or activate the appropriate pull station located on campus. For eCampus the Manager of Student Services should be contacted.
  3. Those submitting a SCS report are entering a process where a Responding Student(s) who is found responsible for a breach, is held accountable for their behaviour, identifying and repairing harm caused when possible.
7. Submitting a report:
  1. To make a report, an online form must be submitted. In exceptional circumstances, where completing the online form would cause more harm to the Reporting Individual, an alternate format to a report can be submitted in consultation with the Student Care Navigator.
  2. Students may seek out a trusted College employee to help them decide if they want to submit a report and learn about what happens when they do. Any Student Services employee or other community member can assist a student in completing a report if needed.
  3. If an alternate format for the SCS report form is required, the Reporting Individual can reach out to the Student Care Navigator.
  4. The College encourages individuals to submit a report as soon as possible after a SCS breach occurs. The College recognizes individual differences, and historical trauma may impact reporting times, so there are no deadlines for making a report; however, some types of information may not be available with time.
  5. The report will be received by the Student Care Navigator and Manager of Student Services to be actioned. Reports are monitored during regular business days. The SCS report is also sen to the Manager, Student Care and Community Standards for data collection.
8. Confidentiality:
  1. Information obtained in the SCS process is considered confidential and will only be shared with other NSCC community members as reasonably required to understand and address the concern.
  2. Proper understanding of a concern will require the disclosure of the identity of the Reporting Individual and the Responding Student(s) to those who are best able to support.
  3. The College may keep the identity of the Reporting Individual and any witnesses confidential if there are safety concerns.
  4. All individuals involved in the process and having access to information contained in a SCS file, including the report, are to hold this information confidential to protect the integrity of the process and personal information of those involved.
Jurisdiction:
1. Student Community Standards applies to non-academic behaviours that occur during enrollment of a NSCC student whether these behaviours occur on or off campus, including the online environment, related to their learning, living and/working while a student at the College.
2. Where a concern is outside the scope of this policy or is one that should be more appropriately dealt with under another policy, Act or procedure, the College (Principal, Academic Chair (AC), Manager of Student Services (MSS), Student Care Navigator (SCN), etc.) reserves the right to determine the approach to deal with the concern or refer it to the appropriate forum.
3. Mental health concerns resulting in breaches of SCS may not be addressed through this policy. If a Student Care Navigator, in consultation with others including the campus Counsellor, determines that behaviours related to an SCS report are the result of mental health, the Responding Student will be supported via the Campus Care Team (CCT). If mental health is underlying but not related to the behaviours noted in the report, the Student Care Navigator will decide on policy jurisdiction and may proceed with SCS.
4. Concerns related to bullying, harassment, discrimination, hate, or racism as they relate to Human Rights, will not be addressed through this policy. If a Student Care Navigator determines issues of this nature are present, they will refer to the Collaborative Case Response Table for consultation and or the concerns will be addressed under the Human Rights Policy.
5. The process is managed at a regional /campus level with the Student Care Navigator who will consult with the Manager of Student Services, Academic Chair, Faculty and others as required for review, care management, clarification on policy jurisdiction and support.
6. If civil or criminal proceedings are underway, the College has the discretion to proceed with or pause the internal process.
7. Groups: when SCS reports involve multiple Responding Students for one or more incidents, the Student Care Navigator, in consultation with others, will decide how to proceed with the reports. The Student Care Navigator may approach the SCS reports as a group or address each one individually based on preliminary fact finding.
8. Safety: Principals have responsibility for the safety of their regions/campuses and will act accordingly to keep their community safe. Their actions fall outside of the SCS procedures and may be immediate and may result in an SCS report being made later.
9. If the information provided indicates that the nature of the behaviour falls within the Sexual Violence Policy, the Student Care Navigator will connect the Reporting Individual with Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Lead to access support and reporting options.
10. Faculty have agency to require a student to leave the learning environment if there are safety concerns. This falls outside of SCS and may result in a SCS report being made later.

Process

The process begins when the Student Care Navigator receives a report.

Report Review

All SCS reports will be reviewed by the Student Care Navigator who will decide whether to pursue a more formalized approach, through Student Community Standards Procedure based on whether a breach has been identified or supportive information indicates a breach.
Student Community Standards aim to be restorative and educational and the Student Care Navigator may pursue a relational or restorative process with all involved, such as a facilitated dialogue or circle, instead of proceeding with the SCS process. Their decision will be made considering the appropriate process fit for the circumstances (please see Respectful Community Program) and without bias and/or conflict of interest. If the Student Care Navigator believes a relational or restorative approach could be used to address the issue or harm with accountability, they may consult with the Manager of Student Services and others around using this approach to decide how to proceed.

If the report indicates a breach of policy, the Student Care Navigator begins the process outlined below. A process that considers all the steps in a different sequence may also occur.

Step	Action
1.	Acknowledge Report and Schedule a first meeting Notification in the form of an autoreply email is sent to the Reporting Individual after submitting a SCS report, confirming that their report has been received and will be reviewed. Resources for support are included. The Student Care Navigator will schedule a meeting with the Reporting Individual to discuss the report. The Student Care Navigator may choose to have someone else present in this meeting and the name/title of this person will be disclosed. The meeting will not be recorded by any party. The Reporting Individual is welcome to have a support person attend the meeting and must disclose the name and relationship of this person to the Student Care Navigator prior to the meeting. This person cannot be a witness, advocate, or legal representative. The Student Care Navigator will make relevant college and campus partners aware of the report.
2.	During the first meeting, the Student Care Navigator: Reviews the procedures to ensure clarity including confirmation of the breach that is being reported. Confirms that the support person (if attending) is not a witness, advocate, or legal representative. Discusses any safety concerns for the Reporting Individual and the possibility of interim measure being applied to the Responding Student if these are identified. Discusses the Reporting Individual’s desired outcome(s) to the report and harm caused. Discusses confidentiality of the information and the process. Invites the Reporting Individual to share details of the report, offers supports and accommodations specific to the Reporting Individual’s identified needs. Outlines next steps in the process.
3.	First meeting with Responding Student Notification is sent to the Responding Student making them aware that they have been named in a SCS report and are being invited to a meeting to respond to what has been reported. They are asked to acknowledge receipt of this notification. The Student Care Navigator may choose to have someone else present in this meeting and the name/title of this person will be disclosed. The meeting will not be recorded by any party. The Student Care Navigator will schedule a meeting with the Responding Student to discuss the contents and respond to the report. The Responding Student is welcome to have a support person attend the meeting and are required to give the name of this person to the Student Care Navigator prior to the meeting to ensure that they are not a witness, advocate, or legal representative. During the meeting, the Student Care Navigator, Reviews the procedures to ensure clarity. Confirms that the support person (if attending) is not a witness, advocate, or legal representative. Informs the Responding Student what has been raised in the report and the alleged policy breach. Discusses confidentiality of the information and process. Invites the Responding Student to respond to the alleged breach of policy, if prepared and willing. If they need more time to process the information, schedule another meeting to offer them time to respond. Offers supports and accommodations specific to their individual needs as identified. Outlines next steps in the process. If the Responding Student takes responsibility for the behaviour, understanding the harm caused, move to policy approach (step 5). If the Responding Student does not take responsibility for the behaviour, move to conversation with Witnesses (step 4).
4.	Action Meetings with Witnesses / Others The Student Care Navigator meets with witnesses and/or persons related to the concern. An employee may be present in this meeting for notetaking purposes and/or support. Their name/title will be disclosed. These meetings will not be recorded. Another meeting with the Responding Student is scheduled to discuss the information provided by any witnesses if this information has not already been told to them and they are invited to respond to this information. The Student Care Navigator will keep relevant Academic Chairs/Faculty etc. involved, updated as to the SCS process as required.
5.	Approach The Student Care Navigator considers the report and the results of the fact-finding to determine if there is enough information to support moving forward with the report. The Student Care Navigator may consult with others around approach for more complex situations. The Reporting Individual and Responding Student are notified if there is not enough information to move forward with the report. The report will be closed at this point. If proceeding, the Student Care Navigator assesses how the concern might be addressed by: Student Community Standards Policy - one or more of four breaches have occurred; accountability is required prior to any attempt to restore a relationship, or a relationship cannot be restored due to safety concerns, and an outcome is required. Campus Care Team – in certain circumstances, mental health concerns resulting in concerning behaviour are addressed through the Campus Care Team. Respectful Community Program – The Student Care Navigator may use the spectrum of options available in the Respectful Community Program. For example, they may facilitate a conversation/dialogue with those involved to identify what has occurred, what can be learned and how a relationship can be restored.
6.	Resolution- Student Takes Responsibility Under SCS The Responding Student can take responsibility for the breach and explain any relevant circumstances for their reported behaviour. While considering the desired outcomes of the Reporting Individual, the Student Care Navigator provides the Responding Student with the opportunity to co-create outcomes for the breach, acknowledging harm to the Reporting Individual/ others or the College and/or Community. The Student Care Navigator will provide notification to the Responding Student detailing the outcome(s), the rationale behind the outcome(s), and if there is the ability to appeal. Others at the College, including the Manager of Student Services, Faculty, Academic Chair, etc., who need to be aware will be copied on the communication. Notification will be sent to the Reporting Individual advising them that an outcome has been assigned. Specifics of the outcome(s) are not disclosed. The Reporting Individual cannot appeal an outcome as decided. Outcome - Responding Student Does Not Take Responsibility/Fails to respond to requests to meet and/or respond to the SCS report/denies responsibility but fact finding supports the breach reported. The Student Care Navigator will base the outcome(s) on the available information from the report, witnesses, and others. Notification of an outcome(s), rationale and if there is ability to appeal will be sent to the Responding Student. The Manager of Student Services, relevant Academic Chair, and others who need to know will be copied on the communication. Notification will be sent to the Reporting Individual advising them that an outcome(s) has been decided. Specifics of the outcome(s) are not disclosed unless issues of safety are involved through Interim Measures. Outcome - Inconclusive report/Reporting Individual and/or witnesses do not respond to notifications requesting a meeting/fail to show for meetings. Notification of an outcome(s), reasoning and if there is an ability to appeal will be sent to the Responding Student. The Manager of Student Services, relevant Academic Chair, and others who need to know will be copied on the communication. Notification will be sent to the Reporting Individual advising them that an outcome(s) has been decided. Specifics of the outcome(s) are not disclosed unless issues of safety are involved through Interim Measures. Outcome - Inconclusive report/Reporting Individual and/or witnesses do not respond to notifications requesting a meeting/fail to show for meetings Notification will be sent to the Responding Student, advising that the outcome is inconclusive, and the report is closed. The Reporting Individual is notified there is not enough information to move forward with an outcome and the report is closed.

Complex Concerns
1. Resolution at a regional/campus level is preferred, but some complex concerns may require additional support from others at the College.
2. Matters posing a safety concern for the campus community will require immediate consultation with the Manager of Student Services, Principal, Academic Chair and Security and others.
3. Complex behavioural concerns that are suspected of being related to a student’s mental health will, when possible, proceed through the Campus Care Team if immediate safety issues are not present.
4. Should a Responding Student withdraw from the College while a SCS report is submitted, the Student Care Navigator reserves the right to continue the SCS process should they reregister at any campus, with agreement from the Manager of Student Services/ others and the acknowledgement of the Reporting Individual.
5. The College may receive information after a SCS report has been closed that would result in it being reopened to address all harm known to have been caused but not identified with the initial SCS report.
Interim Measures
1. The College may determine that interim measures are required to protect those individuals involved and the process itself. The College will try to use timeliness to ensure that a student does not experience significant consequences because of these measures, without being able to respond to the SCS report. Interim measures do not assume responsibility, are non-punitive, and may be applied by the Student Care Navigator or Manager of Student Services or designate. Principals can apply interim measures at anytime for behavioural issues on a campus.
2. Interim measures are tiered based on concerns identified:
  1. Tier 1: On campus restrictions decisions will be made by Student Care Navigator or Manager of Student Services in consultation with others. These may include the following:
    1. Restrictions on access to parts of campus
    2. Requirement for no direct and/or indirect contact/communication (online or in person) with others at the campus and/or college.
    3. Education/employment/living/workplace restrictions.
    4. Accommodation to support the Responding Student to continue to work, live and learn with the least disruption possible in the circumstances. In making any accommodations, the safety of the Reporting Individual and the campus will be considered.
    5. For group SCS processes, the Student Care Navigator in consultation with an Academic Chair/ Faculty/Housing may decide on interim measures for the group to ensure that learning continues in the classroom/living environment and outside at work placements.
  2. Tier 2: Restrictions to campus/access to services – decided by the Manager of Student Services in consultation with others. Tier 2 may be assigned in the following circumstances:
    1. There are reasonable grounds to believe that a Responding Student’s continued presence on campus poses a significant threat and/or risk to the safety of others or to the operation of the campus/College.
    2. The Responding Student’s presence could lead to a breach of court-imposed restrictions (e.g., release or probation conditions or a peace bond including a non-association order) or where the College is unable to reasonably accommodate the conditions.
    3. There are reasonable grounds to believe that a person’s personal health and wellbeing are being significantly impacted and affecting their work, living or learning.
    4. There is risk to the integrity of any fact finding, such as when someone’s presence on campus could jeopardize fact finding around the SCS report.
3. Notification of Interim Measures:
  1. Students (Responding and others) who have interim measures assigned will be notified by the Student Care Navigator or Manager of Student Services detailing:
    1. What the interim measure(s) are, and,
    2. The date of when the interim measures are effective, or that they will be notified when these are altered or removed.
    3. The consequence of a failure to follow interim measures assigned may result in a SCS report being initiated.
  2. Others will be consulted and notified (e.g., Manager, Student Care & Community Standards, Academic Chair, Faculty, Housing, Security etc.).
Suspensions/Dismissals:
1. Suspensions are decided through a consultation with the Manager of Student Services/Academic Chair/Faculty, and others. Notification will come from either the Manager of Student Services or the Principal. Suspensions are not noted on a Responding Students transcript. These decisions may be eligible for appeal as per the Student Non-Academic Appeals Procedures. The suspension will remain in effect for the appeal process.
2. Dismissals are a decision of the Principal and on recommendation from the Manager of Student Services. They are not noted on a Responding Student(s) transcript, but there will be a CCR (Campus Consultation Required) notation on the student file indicating a campus consultation required prior to readmission to the College. These decisions may be eligible for appeal through the Student Non-Academic Appeals Procedures. The dismissal will remain in effect for the appeal process.
Accommodations
1. NSCC recognizes the importance of supporting continued learning, living, and/or working during a Student Community Standards process and will address the identified needs for accommodation. These measures are separate from any accommodations put in place through NSCC Accessibility Services.
2. The wellbeing of the students involved, and academic requirements will be assessed to determine what accommodations may be helpful and possible.
Outcomes
1. The Student Care Navigator will take an educational, relational, restorative, and developmental approach, when possible, in determining outcome(s).
2. Outcomes may range from participation in dialogue processes, apologies, education, and reflective learning opportunities, to suspension or dismissal.
3. Responding Student(s) found in breach of Student Community Standards Policy will be given an opportunity to co-create solutions and outcome(s) that allow for accountability, identification of harm, and work to repair relationships with individuals/campus/college/community. The Reporting Individual’s needs around desired outcome will be considered when deciding outcomes.
4. Approach and outcomes will consider:
  1. The nature and severity of the breach.
  2. The impact of the breach on the Reporting Individual and others on and outside the campus and/or college.
  3. The degree to which the breach was intentional.
  4. Whether the breach was an isolated incident or multiple incidents over a brief period (1- 3 months), and/or part of repeated pattern of behaviour reported previously.
  5. The risk the behaviour posed to the potential safety, physical and psychological, of its community members and the College.
  6. The appropriate process fit for the circumstances (see Respectful Community Program) and without bias and/or conflict of interest.
    1. Examples of potential outcomes can be found in Appendix A. Outcomes may be applied individually or collectively.
5. An outcome notification will be sent to the Responding Student(s). Receipt of acknowledgement will be required. The notification will include:
  1. A summary of the information and relevant circumstances.
  2. Findings regarding policy breaches.
  3. Assigned outcome(s) and any related conditions.
  4. The reasoning for the required outcomes.
  5. Information around appeal if applicable.
6. The Reporting Individual will be notified that an outcome(s) has been assigned and that the report has been closed. Specifics of an outcome(s) will not be disclosed to the Reporting Individual unless Interim Measures are applied.
7. Relevant others: Principal, Manager of Student Services, Academic Chairs and Faculty etc., will be notified of the outcome.
8. Further outcomes may be applied if the Responding Student fails to complete those assigned in the outcome letter.
Appeals
1. Students have the right to appeal an outcome of suspension/dismissal if grounds are met as noted in the Student Non-Academic Appeals Procedures. The SCS outcome stands until any appeal is heard and decided upon.
Documentation and Record Keeping
1. Records are maintained with both the Student Care Navigator, Manager of Student Services and Manager, Student Care and Community Standards.
2. Records will be retained in accordance with the College records management policies, protocols, and laws.
3. Records will be accessed by college employees as required for the administration of this policy and in accordance with college privacy and related policies, procedures, and laws.
Data Tracking and Reporting
1. An annual report will be prepared by the office of the Associate Vice President, Student Affairs and shared with Principals and other stakeholders for learning purposes.
2. The report will not contain any identifying personal information submitted through an SCS report and for process.

Policy and other Supports

39.01 Sexual Violence policy
33.03 Student Non-Academic Appeals procedures
Campus Care Team

Appendix A: Examples of Possible outcomes, not an exhaustive list

Outcome	Description
Apology	To accept accountability, acknowledge harm and restore a relationship with an individual, campus and/or college. Requires all involved being supported in the process to cause on further harm.
Developmental and educational initiatives	Participation in developmental opportunities, awareness, health, or safety programs; reflective learning or personal success exercises; projects, seminars, and other assignments as warranted to assist in learning and growth.
Dismissal	The action of being dismissed from a program at the College may extend to three academic years with the opportunity to review annually from the date of the report. Further admission to the College requires approval from the Associate Vice-President, Student Affairs in consultation with a campus.
Forfeiture of awards	Forfeiture of awards or NSCC funded scholarships or bursaries.
Loss of access	Access may affect full participation in campus life but not make it impossible to complete academic requirements. For example, the ability to be on campus other than for scheduled classes.
Reflection paper	Identify what has been learned through the SCS process and how this learning will be applied in the future.
Registration holds (Outcome)	A hold placed on a Responding Student’s account prohibiting access to the College or course registration process and can impact a student’s ability to access grades. Holds may be placed on accounts until student’s acknowledge the requests by the Campus Student Services, or for failing to comply with outcomes as part of Student Community Standards.
Removal from housing	Conditions for readmission to on-campus housing may also be specified.
Suspension	Suspension from the institution for a period of 1 day up to and including one term from the date of incident. The Responding Student will not be permitted to register for courses or apply to a new program during suspension and will retain none of the privileges accorded to students.