Policy Feedback and Recent Policy Updates
Policy Feedback
Now that several NSCC policies have been in place for the past few months, we are seeking feedback from students and employees on how they are working in practice. Your feedback will help us understand what is working well and identify opportunities to improve the clarity, effectiveness, and implementation of these policies. Please review the policies relevant to your role and complete the corresponding feedback form based on your experience, observations, and suggestions.
Policies and Feedback Forms
1. Employee Community Standards Policy: Our Workplace, Our Standards: We Want to Hear from You. Share your thoughts on the clarity of the expectations and how effectively the policy supports a respectful, inclusive, and professional workplace.
Who should provide feedback: Employees
[View Policy] | [Complete Feedback Form]
2. Health and Safety Policy: Your Safety Matters: Tell Us How We’re Doing. Let us know whether the policy is clear, practical, and supports a safe and healthy working and learning environment.
Who should provide feedback: Students and employees
[View Policy] | [Complete Feedback Form]
3. Human Rights Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination Policy: Building a Respectful, Inclusive College. Tell us whether the policy is clear, supports the prevention of harassment and discrimination, and provides helpful guidance when concerns arise.
Who should provide feedback: Students and employees
[View Policy] | [Complete Feedback Form]
4. Sexual Violence Policy: Help Us Strengthen Our Approach to Sexual Violence Prevention and Response. Share your experience and let us know what is working well or where further clarity or support may be needed.
Who should provide feedback: Students and employees
[View Policy] | [Complete Feedback Form]
5. Student Community Standards Policy: Your College Community, Your Voice. Tell us whether the expectations are clear, easy to understand, and supportive of a respectful, inclusive, and safe college community.
Who should provide feedback: Students and employees
[View Policy] | [Complete Feedback Form]
Recent Policy Updates
This section highlights the most recent changes to NSCC’s policies and procedures. Updates may include new policies, revisions to existing ones, or the retirement of outdated policies. Staying informed of these changes helps ensure consistent understanding and application across the College.
Policy Updates as of August 15, 2026
- The Board of Governors approved this policy for the 2027/27 academic year with no changes from the previous year.
Employee Community Standard Policy
- Replaces the Employee Code of Conduct and includes:
- Updated language and definitions to improve consistency throughout the policy.
- Clarified referral pathways to ensure appropriate handling of concerns.
- Removed duplicated processes to streamline policy application.
- Strengthened operational guidance by defining roles, responsibilities, and accountability.
- Added clear behavioural expectations related to employee conduct, respect, and workplace conflict.
- Improved alignment with Student Community Standards where applicable.
- Included cross-references to Human Rights processes to support coordinated case management.
- Section 4.9.a.i - the requirement that students achieve a minimum of 80% in any individual course to qualify for graduation with Honours has been removed.
Human Rights Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination Policy
Human Rights Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination Procedure
- Replaces the Respectful Community Policy, edits include:
- Use of consistent language and definitions
- Defined clear referral pathways
- Avoidance of duplication of processes
- Strengthened operational clarity
- Addressing concerns of Bullying, Harassment, Discrimination Racism and Hate
- A formal complaint processes; Relational, Restorative, and Administrative Options
- Emphasis on fairness
Edits to the policy and procedure were made in response to commitments made in collective bargaining to review how the Student Community Standards, Respectful Community, and Sexual Violence policies intersect. It was noted that there is overlap in these three major policies, and confusion amongst NSCC community members regarding the appropriate choice of policy, as well as concerns about some of the associated processes.
- The “Purpose” section of the policy is enhanced to reflect the gendered and disproportionate impact of sexual violence.
- Changes to the definition of sexual harassment and addition of language of psychological safety to align with amendments to the NS Occupational Health and Safety Act.
- Addition of Immediate Measures to allow after-hours staff to address immediate safety needs.
- Addition of a decision review process allowing non-unionized employees and students to challenge the findings of an investigation report (opportunity to appeal).
Student Community Standards Policy
Student Community Standards Procedure
Student Community Standards Guideline
- To align this policy with other related policies, the following edits were made:
- Behavioural expectations for students are clearly defined
- Concerns regarding student conduct, disrespect and conflict within student life and housing are addressed
- Parallel structure to Employee Community Standards Policy
- Defined reporting pathways through Student Care Navigators
- Alignment with Human Rights Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination Policy and Procedures
Policy updates as of July 7, 2026:
- This policy aims to promote clarity and consistency in the establishment, application, revision, payment, and refunding of the College’s tuition, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements.
- In accordance with Section 63(1) of the Community Colleges Act, and with the approval of the Governor in Council, the Board of Governors shall establish a tuition policy and schedule of tuition fees, subject to the approval of the Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration.
- Following approval by NSCC’s Board and the Provincial government, tuition costs for the 2026-27 academic year have been set. They will increase by 5% for both domestic and international students – or approximately $180 and $645 per year respectively.
- Links to tuition information for international and domestic students for the 2026-27 academic year.
Policy updates as of June 30, 2026
- This policy has been updated to meet compliance and the health and safety needs of NSCC, including the new changes to regulations. This will be the foundational document to renew the Health and Safety Program.
- New additions that were incorporated are as follows:
- changes to the OHS Act and Regulations regarding psychological health, harassment and bullying – Section 27.2
- provide a foundational document to build a Health and Safety program that is consistent, compliant, and encompassing.
- the Safety Office will play a role in the monitoring of compliance at the College for all OHS Act requirements in collaboration with other departments as required.
Policy updates as of May 25, 2026:
- Updated language in section 4.3: Attendance
Institute of Skilled Trades (IST) Pre-apprenticeship Attendance Procedure
- New procedure to support mandatory attendance for pre-apprenticeship programs.