Student Disciplinary Policy & Code of Conduct

Disciplinary Policy
Misconduct and poor performance by students at any ORGANIZATION class or activity may warrant disciplinary action. The ORGANIZATION may at its sole discretion, deviate from any order of progressive disciplinary actions and utilize whatever form of discipline is deemed appropriate under the circumstances, from class suspension up to and including immediate expulsion from the program.

Code of Conduct
The code of conduct describes the standards of the ORGANIZATION and includes but is not limited to the following:

Behavior and Conduct Infractions:
Discrimination, Harassment or Retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth, physical handicap, medical condition, physical or mental disability, political activity, sexual harassment as defined in the Sexual Harassment Policy;

Intoxication or drug-related impairment; Possession, procurement, distribution, or sale of alcohol or illegal substances at the ORGANIZATION; Violation of any safety, health, security or Acupressure policies or procedures;

Insubordination including the use of abusive or threatening language toward an instructor;

Creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive learning environment; Fighting, Horseplay; Assault or attempted assault; Veiled or direct threats of violence; Serious disruptive incidents; Disrespectful or aberrant behavior or words; Failure to follow policies and procedures; Character defamation; Use of obscene, vulgar, or abusive language.

Provoking a fight or fighting during working or school hours or on ORGANIZATION property; Carrying firearms or any other dangerous weapons on ORGANIZATION premises;

Fraud; Bribery and attempted bribery; Dishonesty; Disclosure of confidential information or fraudulent statements; Giving false evidence; Falsification of records.

Theft; Willful loss, damage or misuse of property; Unauthorized use of equipment, time, materials, or facilities; Parking in unauthorized areas; Removal or borrowing of school property without prior authorization; Unauthorized use of school equipment, time, materials, or facilities;

Performance Problems:
Safety infractions; Negligent acts or omissions resulting in loss or damage of property; Inability to learn new techniques; Inability to work comfortably with all appropriate areas of the body; Unsatisfactory progress; Lack of communication; Avoiding responsibility.

Tardiness:
Repeated tardiness (more than 15 minutes late for 5 classes without permission); Leaving class early without the consent of the instructor.

Disciplinary Procedure
Forms of discipline the ORGANIZATION may elect to use for conduct and performance problems include informal and formal processes.

Informal disciplinary processes include coaching, counseling, verbal warnings, and suspension from class.

Verbal warnings may be given for initial conduct and performance problems or continuing problems of a minor nature. The verbal warning may point to future disciplinary action if correction or improvement does not occur.

Suspension from class may be used after an instructor has verbally warned a student and the disruptive behavior persists in the class.

Formal disciplinary process include written warnings and expulsion from the program:

Written warnings may be used where a serious conduct or performance infraction has occurred or a previous verbal warning was breached.

For conduct infractions, the student is warned and informed in writing that the conduct is unacceptable, is in violation of the required standards of conduct, and that another violation may result in further disciplinary action, including expulsion. For performance problems, the student is warned and informed in writing that performance levels do not meet acceptable standards and that failure to improve performance may result in further disciplinary action, including expulsion.

Expulsion may be appropriate for a first offence when the misconduct is serious and of such gravity that makes the continued student relationship intolerable. Serious misconduct that may warrant expulsion without warning include, but are not limited to: theft, dishonesty, assault, and other violent aggressive behavior, insubordination, discrimination or harassment, loss or damage to property, and endangering safety. Expulsion may also be used after performance counseling and progressive discipline has failed to correct performance problems or misconduct. Expulsion severs the students' relationship with the ORGANIZATION.

Disciplinary Investigations
Where formal disciplinary action against a student is contemplated on the grounds of misconduct or poor performance, an investigation by the Human Resources Person (HRP) may be conducted. Where the alleged offence is regarded as serious, and where it is considered unsafe or undesirable for the student to continue classes, such student may be suspended temporarily from class, pending the investigation.

Formal complaints will be put in writing and signed by the complainant. The student shall be informed of the investigation into his/her conduct or performance, the nature of the allegations, and the evidence against such student. The student shall be informed of the right to be accompanied by a colleague, be given a reasonable opportunity to respond to allegations and evidence, and a chance to offer his or her own evidence.

Once the investigation has been completed the ORGANIZATION shall determine whether disciplinary action is warranted and if so, what its appropriate form shall be. The decision to take disciplinary action will be communicated to the student in writing.

Action taken should match the severity of the offense or performance problem. As far as practicable, similar problems should be dealt with in a consistent manner. In determining the disciplinary action, the following factors shall be considered: (1) The severity of the offence or performance problem; (2) Any mitigating circumstances; and (3) Previous disciplinary record.

Right to Appeal
Students have the right to appeal against any disciplinary action to the Grievance Appeal Committee in accordance with the procedures set out in the CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROCEDURE. The appeal with reasons must be lodged in writing with the designated HRP within five (5) working days of being disciplined.

Authority to Discipline
Only the HRP and Director may effect disciplinary action more serious than a verbal warning.

Documenting Discipline and Confidentiality A record will be maintained for each student specifying the nature of any disciplinary transgressions, the action taken, and the reasons for the actions. A record will be kept of verbal warnings and a copy of written warnings will be placed in the students' file.

The factual report and the decision prepared, as a result of an investigation shall remain confidential and are disseminated only on a need-to-know basis.

Record Keeping
The HRP will maintain records that reflect the utility of the Disciplinary Policy and Procedure, including but not limited to:

• The number of investigations the HRP conducts;
• The subject matter of the investigations and disciplinary action taken and;
• The time spent in administering the Disciplinary Policy and Procedure by the HRP, the Director, staff and faculty.

The HRP will conduct an analysis of this data each spring. The purpose of the analysis is to evaluate the impact of the Disciplinary Policy and Procedure on the ORGANIZATION, to identify patterns or trends, and to make recommendations for the improvement of the Disciplinary Policy and Procedure to the Director.