19. University of King’s College Code of Conduct

Commentary

1. The University of King’s College is a community of faculty, support staff and students involved in teaching, research, learning and other activities.

Students are members of the University for the period of their registration, and as such, assume the responsibilities that such registration entails. Similar responsibilities pertain to all employees of the University.

2 The University does not stand in loco parentis to its student members; that is, it has no general responsibility for the moral and social behaviour of its students, as if they were its wards. In the exercise of its disciplinary authority and responsibility, the University treats students and employees as free to organize their own personal lives, behaviour and associations, subject only to the law and to University regulations that are necessary to protect the integrity of University activities, the peaceful and safe enjoyment of University facilities by other members of the University and public, the freedom of members of the University to participate reasonably in the programs of the University and in activities in or on the University’s premises, or the property of the University or its members. Strict regulation of such activities by the University of King’s College is otherwise neither necessary nor appropriate.

3. University members are not, as such, immune from the criminal, civil, and municipal laws. Provisions for non-academic discipline should not attempt to shelter students or employees from their civic responsibilities nor add unnecessarily to these responsibilities. Conduct that constitutes a breach of the Criminal Code or other statute, or that gives rise to a civil claim or action, should ordinarily be dealt with by the appropriate criminal or civil court. In cases, however, in which criminal or civil proceedings have not been taken or would not adequately protect the University’s interest and responsibilities as defined below, proceedings may be brought under Part VIII of the By-Laws, Rules and Regulations of the Board of Governors of the University of King’s College.

4. The University defines standards of behaviour and makes provisions for discipline with respect to conduct that jeopardizes the good order and proper functioning of the academic and non-academic programs and activities of the University or its schools, or programs, or that endangers the health, safety, rights or property of the University or its members or visitors.

5. Matters concerning Academic Discipline are dealt with according to the Faculty or School in which the student is enrolled.

6. The University of King’s College is a place of academic work. As such, none of the definitions in this Code shall be construed in such a way as to limit or hinder normal and accepted academic practices; e.g., it is not a threat or harassment for faculty to say that if papers are not in on time this will result in a lower grade.

A. Definitions

1. In this Code, the word “premises” includes lands, buildings and grounds of the University, or other places or facilities used for the provision of the University’s programs or services or for University-approved events and activities.

2. In this Code, “student” means a person:

• (i) engaged in any academic work or placement which leads to
  the recording and/or issue of a mark, grade or statement of
  performance by the appropriate authority in the University
  or another institution; and/or
• (ii) registered in, enrolled in, or attending any course or course,
  or otherwise participating as a learner in any activity which
  entitles the person to the use of a University library, library
  materials, library resources, computer facility, or dataset.

3. In this Code, “employee” means a person employed by the University on a full or part-time basis.

4. In this Code, “threaten” means any statement or conduct which may cause a reasonable person to believe that

• (a) their personal safety is endangered; or
• (b) property is at risk of damage.

5. In this Code, “harassment” means conduct or comments which are intimidating, threatening, demanding, or abusive and maybe accompanied by direct or implied threats to grade(s), status or job.

6. In this Code, “discrimination” means conduct that results in unfair treatment of an individual or group on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed/religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, political affiliation, criminal record or receipt of public assistance.

7. Unless otherwise stated, a student or employee will only be liable for conduct that they knew or ought reasonably to have known would constitute conduct prohibited under this Code.

8. Nothing in this Code shall be construed to prohibit peaceful assemblies and demonstrations, or lawful picketing, or to inhibit freedom of speech.

B. Offences

The following conduct shall be deemed to be an offence under this Code, when committed by a student or employee of the University of King’s College, provided that such conduct:

• (i) occurs on premises of the University of King’s College or elsewhere in the course of activities sponsored by the University of King’s College or by any of its schools or programs; and
• (ii) is not specifically assigned by the Board of Governors to another disciplinary body within the University, as, for example, the Sexual Harassment Committee, the Equity Committee, and the Wardroom Board of Management;
• (iii) is not subject to the disciplinary authority of the King’s Students’ Union; or
• (iv) is not subject to action under the General College Regulations (The General College Regulations are available from the Dean of Students.)

1. Offences Against Persons

(a) No student or employee shall assault another person sexually or threaten any other person with sexual assault.
(b) No student or employee shall otherwise assault another person, threaten any other person with bodily harm, or cause any other person to fear bodily harm.
(c) No student or employee shall create a condition that unreasonably endangers the health or safety of other persons.
(d) No student or employee shall threaten any other person with damage to such person’s property, or cause any other person to fear damage to their property.
(e) No student or employee shall harass another person.
(f) No student or employee shall discriminate against another person.

2. Disruption

No student or employee shall prevent another person or persons from carrying on their legitimate activities in the College.

3. Offences Involving Property

• (a) No student or employee shall take without authorization, misuse, destroy or damage the property or premises of the University of King’s College, or property that is not their own, or information or intellectual property belonging to the University of King’s College or to any of its members.
• (b) No student or employee shall deface the property of the University of King’s College.
• (c) No student or employee shall possess the property of the University of King’s College, property in the custody of the University of King’s College, or property that is not their own, if they know that property to have been appropriated without authorization.
• (d) No student or employee shall create a condition that unnecessarily endangers or threatens destruction of the property of the University of King’s College or any of its members.

4. Unauthorized Use of University Facilities, Equipment or Services

• (a) No student or employee shall use any facility, equipment or service of the University, or enter or remain on any premises, to which they do not have legitimate access, or contrary to the expressed instruction of a person or persons authorized to give such instruction.
• (b) No student or employee shall gain access to or use any University computing or internal or external communications facility to which legitimate authorization has not been granted. No student or employee shall use any such facility for any commercial, disruptive or unauthorized purpose.
• (c) No student or employee shall wilfully mutilate, misplace, misfile or render inoperable any stored information such as books, film, video, data files, or programs from a library, computer or other information storage, processing or retrieval system.

5. Aiding in the Commission of an Offence

No student or employee shall encourage or aid another person in the commission of an offence defined in this Code.

6. Alcohol and Drug Use

No student or employee shall contravene the Liquor Laws of Nova Scotia. No student or employee shall possess, use or sell a drug/substance to which access is restricted by the Narcotics Control Act.

7. False Information and Identification

• (a) No student or employee shall knowingly furnish false information to any person or office acting on behalf of the University.
• (b) No student or employee shall forge, alter or misuse any document, record or instrument of identification.

8. Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm or Weapon

No student or employee shall possess a firearm or other weapon or hazardous materials on the University premises without the specific written permission of the President.

9. Other

No student or employee shall contravene any provision of the Criminal Code or any other federal, provincial or municipal statute on the premises of the University or in the course of the University’s programs or services or of University-approved events or activities. No one shall violate the rules of confidentiality of any University committee or other body.

The Code of Conduct is currently under review.