Community Services Academic Handbook

2024/25 | Conestoga College

Community Services

Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

Academic Handbook Guidelines

The purpose of this academic handbook is to provide students with important information relating to their academic journey. Academic handbooks are updated annually and are applicable to all new and returning students for the current academic year. Students will be informed of handbook changes that occur outside of the annual update through college email. Students must check their academic handbook for the current edition.

This handbook must be read in conjunction with general information about Conestoga College found on the college website. The information on the college website applies to all students, regardless of program.

The college website provides information regarding Student Services, Safety and Security, Student Rights and Responsibilities, and more.

Contact Information and Communication Standards

Your Program Team

Your program team includes faculty, staff and administrators who are committed to your success. If you have questions about your progress in the program, course work or field placement, please take the time to connect with them.

For all School of Community Services contacts, please use the following link: School of Community Services Contacts | Conestoga College

Placement/Co-op Office

Co-operative Education Office

College Email Communication Requirements

Conestoga College student email accounts are used for all official communication with students. Faculty and staff are only expected to communicate through college email and/or eConestoga regarding specific program/course inquiries/concerns. Faculty are not expected to respond to emails from non-Conestoga email addresses.

Students are expected to check their student email accounts regularly.

When corresponding with anyone at the college, please include your student number and program information. Emails are responded to during business hours. Please allow for a response within 2 business days. Abusive language and/or repeated emails will not be tolerated and are a violation of the Student Expectations for Online Engagement.

If you experience issues accessing your college email, please visit the IT support page for assistance. Students are accountable for ensuring a functioning college email account.

College Hours

The College is open and offers classes seven days a week.

For additional information regarding hours of operations and campus locations, please visit the College website.

Academic Information for Your Studies

Conestoga 101

The Student Engagement Department is here to help you transition to the Conestoga College experience, connect with your community, and build your skills.

Start your college experience by completing Conestoga 101 (CON0101) on eConestoga, a mandatory course for all new full-time students that will take you approximately 90 minutes to complete. CON0101 provides an overview of the supports, services, and opportunities available to you throughout your time at Conestoga. Make sure you complete it early on in the term, as it contains valuable information that will help set you up for success as you transition to Conestoga.

School Programs

For a complete list of the full-time programs in the School of Community Services, please see the programs tab of the School of Community Services Full-time Programs | Conestoga College.

For a complete list of the part-time programs and courses (including micro-credentials) in the School of Community Services, please see the link below:
Programs | Continuing Education | Conestoga College

Current Program Design

Students are registered in a specific program design based on the year that a student begins in a program. Program designs contain all the required courses necessary to graduate from the program. Designs are evolving documents and may change from one academic year to the next. These changes are to reflect the industry standards and requirements for a graduate of this program. If a student does not graduate at the end of the designated semester from the original program design, the student may be responsible for meeting new program design changes in order to graduate.

Students can find their program design on the Student Portal by following the steps below:

Log in to Student Portal
Click on 'My Courses' tab
Select 'View Progress Report' button

Courses are listed by level/semester. Please be aware that General Education/Interdisciplinary electives are listed at the bottom of the student's progress report and indicate the specific level/semester in which they are to be completed.

General Education & Interdisciplinary Electives

Students are required to complete General Education/Interdisciplinary elective courses as part of their program requirements. General Education/Interdisciplinary elective course requirements are listed at the bottom of the progress report, which is found on the Student Portal under My Courses. The progress report indicates the level/semester in which the course must be taken. Students are responsible for adding General Education/Interdisciplinary electives into their schedule for the designated semester. Eligible courses are posted each semester by the School of Interdisciplinary Studies on the College's elective website.

For more information and to view the current elective course offerings for non-degree programs, visit https://www.conestogac.on.ca/electives/diploma.

For more information and to view the current elective course offerings for degree programs, visit https://www.conestogac.on.ca/electives/degree.

Questions regarding General Education electives can be directed to the School of Interdisciplinary Studies: genedfaq@conestogac.on.ca.

Degree Minors

Conestoga College's degree students may be able to apply their interdisciplinary electives toward a minor within their degree program. A minor acknowledges additional learning within a specific discipline that a student achieves while completing their degree. A minor can help recognize the additional interests a student may have and can help differentiate a job seeker from their competitors. Successful completion of a minor will be identified on the student's official transcript.

For more information, please click here: https://www.conestogac.on.ca/electives/degree/minors

Course Outlines

Course outlines state the learning outcomes that will be covered during the course. Details about the evaluation method, the weighting of assessments, and any other specific criteria required to successfully complete the course are also listed in the course outline. Students are responsible for reviewing the outline and the requirements to pass each individual course. Evaluation requirements vary from course to course. The passing grade and specific course stipulations are listed under the evaluation section of the course outline.

Course outlines are available on the Student Portal and posted on eConestoga. Students are required to review the course outline to acquire the correct resources/textbooks (i.e. edition, volume, etc.)

Instructional Plans

Instructional plans will be provided to students on eConestoga. All assessment dates and deadlines will be posted on the instructional plan, including assignments, tests/quizzes, midterms, presentations, etc. This information acts as a guide to the course and will include a course schedule, which may be subject to change by faculty. Students are expected to review these documents, in coordination with the course outline, on a regular basis and note all key dates and deliverables.

Program Technology Requirements

Program technology requirements are posted on the program web page. Students in hybrid delivery courses will require a device, webcam functionality, and reliable Internet access.

Required Supplies and Texts

Please see course outlines and instructional plans, found on eConestoga, for details on program/course supplies and textbooks

Required supplies, textbooks, and other materials for a course are listed on the course outline. Students are responsible for purchasing other supplies, etexts, or hard-copy texts as required by the course. Get your personalized booklist through the Conestoga College Bookstore.

Academic Dates

It is the student's responsibility to be aware of various important academic dates throughout the year. These academic dates are posted on the college website.

Please note that Continuing Education courses and Apprenticeship programs may have different start dates and exam dates for courses.

Course Add/Drop

Students can find the courses in which they are currently enrolled on the Student Portal by following the steps below:

Log in to Student Portal.
Click on 'My Courses' tab.
Scroll over the icons to the right of individual course listings.

It is strongly recommended that students consult with the Program Coordinator prior to dropping a course.

If a course withdrawal is processed prior to the deadline date, a dropped course will be recorded as a "W" (withdrawal) on the transcript.
If a course withdrawal is processed after the deadline, an "F" (fail) will be recorded on the transcript.

Continuing Education and OntarioLearn courses are not included in student full-time fees. Students wishing to take these part-time courses are required to pay the full fee for the individual course(s). Students may add these or other courses under the 'Browse Continuing Education' tab in their Student Portal.

Timetables

Pre-arranged Timetables

Students in a block-scheduled timetable can add or drop courses via their Student Portal, provided the course fits into their timetable, and there is space in the section they wish to join. If a block change is available, there will be a 'change block' button available in the Student portal. If this button is not available, block changes are not permitted. Course sections and blocks that are full are not accessible to students.

Timetabling Assistance

Students who are out of sync with their program design may require assistance in planning and selecting courses for their next semester in order to meet program requirements. Some courses are a pre-requisite for a subsequent course. Student Success Advisors are available throughout the academic year to meet with students to review their course and program options. Please book an appointment via the Student Success Portal for assistance.

Credit Transfer, Pathways & PLAR

Conestoga recognizes you may have formal post-secondary education that may allow you to enter a program at an advanced level or provide for individual course exemptions. To ensure your credits are eligible for transfer, please contact our Credit Transfer Office at: credittransfer@conestogac.on.ca.

The Credit Transfer Policy and Procedure are available on the college website.

For more information, visit the Credit Transfer webpage and the PLAR webpage.

If you are currently a Conestoga student and want to continue studying at Conestoga, there are a number of different pathway opportunities available to you.

Whether you wish to transfer to another program or apply to a new program after graduation, Conestoga has established pathways, to help you meet your goals.

Conestoga College has articulation agreements with many domestic and international institutions. These agreements allow students to transfer into a specific program with advanced standing. Students must meet the academic requirements stated in the agreement.

For more information regarding pathways at Conestoga, contact the Credit Transfer Office at: credittransfer@conestogac.on.ca

Attendance and Your Success

Working Together to Plan Your Success

Your success matters! Regular, punctual attendance, and active participation in scheduled classes, field and clinical placements, labs and any on-campus and off-campus activities scheduled by your program will help you to understand and master the learning complexities of your program.

If extenuating, unplanned circumstances require you to miss a class or an assessment, please note that it is your responsibility to follow up with individual faculty members prior to the class/assessment and access any missed information.

Attendance for Evaluations

Evaluations are critical components of each course and your overall success in your program. It is your responsibility to attend all evaluations (e.g. test, exam, presentation, etc.). If there is a concerning pattern of absence from evaluations across your program, you may be asked to meet with the Program Coordinator and/or Student Advisor to discuss strategies for success.

While circumstances such as religious holidays and academic accommodations may necessitate rescheduling of evaluations and will be accommodated, please note that there will be no special arrangements made for rescheduling evaluations due to personal conflicts such as work, commuting, or vacation plans.

Faculty Responsibilities

To communicate the dates of each evaluation at the beginning of each semester through the Instructional Plan.
To communicate, in writing, any unplanned extenuating circumstances that may require changes to the course schedule.
As per the Religious Holiday Procedure, provide alternative evaluation arrangements for missed evaluations due to recognized religious holidays as defined by the College Employer Council.
To provide all accommodations requested by Accessible Learning.
To consider alternative evaluation requests in good faith and examine the unique circumstances (e.g., unexpected family obligations, personal emergencies, etc.) and collaboratively determine an appropriate solution.
Note, do not request doctor's notes from students.

Student Responsibilities

To review the instructional plan and familiarize yourself with the dates of evaluation.
As per the Religious Holiday Procedure, inform your faculty member in writing that the religious holiday defined by the College Employer Council will occur during the semester and may require considerations for evaluations to be rescheduled.
If you must be absent from any scheduled evaluation, report your absence on the Student Portal using the procedure below. You must do this prior to the start of the evaluation or risk receiving a mark of zero.

How to Report Absences on the Student Portal

Log into the Student Portal and click on the 'Absence' tab.
Indicate whether or not there is an assessment scheduled on that day by clicking 'Yes' or 'No', as well as the reason for the absence (illness or other).
Click 'Continue' to report the absence.
Click 'I agree' to confirm the absence.
You will receive a confirmation email that your absence has been recorded.

Important! Please note the following:

The earliest you can record an absence for a particular day, is after 8:00 p.m. the day before. You must report each day you are absent.
The Absence Recording System will show you as being absent for the day, starting from the time that you recorded the absence. For example, if you record your absence on a specific day at 11:00 a.m., the system will show you as being absent for all classes starting after 11:00 a.m. that day.
If you are going to be present for any other classes on the day for which you recorded an absence, please let the faculty member know by attending or following up by eConestoga or college email.
As soon as possible, email the faculty member associated with the evaluation you missed and arrange for appropriate follow-up.

Documentation for Absences

Conestoga recognizes that unexpected circumstances, such as brief illness, do arise during the term. As a visit to a health practitioner may not be necessary or possible, we do not ask you to provide a doctor's note except in exceptional circumstances.

If the evaluation cannot be rescheduled, (e.g., experiential activity, lab, or a group presentation) your professor may provide you with a revised assignment or allocate its marks to another evaluation item, so long as the combined total does not exceed 40% of the course grade. This will be communicated to you by email.

Reasons for Absence

Illness

If a student is suffering from any condition that would impair their ability to perform their academic work or the nature of the health issue would also place other students/employees at risk, it is generally recommended that the student take a day or several days off until the illness is resolved.

Compassionate Leave

Request for leaves of absence to attend to family illness, death or family problems are usually granted. These requests will be submitted to faculty who will consult with the Program Coordinator/Chair if necessary.

Jury Duty

Any student who receives a summons for jury duty must submit the document to their respective faculty as soon as possible. The faculty will consult with the Chair to determine what arrangements can be made to have the student excused from submission of assignments, if such duty interferes with the progress in the program. Students may also be required to engage in activities in the evening or weekends using eConestoga.

Other Absence(s)

Student absence(s) must be supported by formal, original documentation.

Religious Holy Days and Spiritual Observances

Students are supported by Conestoga Policy to be absent from class to observe a recognized religious holy day. Any student who is unable to attend classes or participate in an examination, study, or work requirement on some particular day(s) because of religious beliefs will be given the opportunity to make up the missed work or complete alternate work/examinations subject to timely written notification.

Conestoga recognizes all religious holy days as defined by the College Employer Council.

It is your responsibility to:

Plan ahead and be aware of the dates of all examinations and other course obligations;
Advise the faculty that you will be seeking accommodation to observe a recognized religious holy day.
Make a request in writing to your Program Coordinator within the first three weeks of the semester and prior to the date of assessment that falls on the religious holy day. Exceptions based on extenuating circumstances must be approved by the Program Chair.

Emergency Closures

If a campus is closed:

All in-person classes and activities will be cancelled at that site.

Previously scheduled/timetabled online classes may continue at the discretion of the online instructor.

Scheduled in-person examinations and severe weather conditions

If the college is closed due to extreme weather, all in-person assessments to be administered during a regularly scheduled class will be postponed until the next class. Previously scheduled/timetabled online classes may continue at the discretion of the instructor.

If the college has to be closed during an examination week, all in-person exams will be rescheduled to the end of the exam schedule (Saturday or the next Monday).
Students who cannot travel to the college due to extreme weather (e.g., travel advisories or road closures) in their local area are responsible for notifying their faculty of their inability to write on the day of the assessment. The notice must be provided by email or telephone before the time of the scheduled assessment. Students who fail to provide this notice will receive a grade of zero. Students must make arrangements to write the assessment immediately upon their return to the college.

Notice of college closure will be posted on the homepage of the Conestoga website as follows:

Classes commencing prior to 5:59 p.m. - by 6:15 a.m.
Classes commencing from 6:00 p.m. onwards - by 4:00 p.m.
Emergency Situations - as needed.

Evaluations

To be successful in a given course, a student must meet evaluation criteria as communicated in the course outline. Students are expected to complete assignments per faculty instruction. Unless otherwise specified, students are expected to submit assignments in eConestoga by the due date in the appropriate assignment submission folder. Assignments submitted in alternative formats or contrary to the submission standards communicated by faculty will not be accepted.

Course evaluation criteria and weighting is specified in the course outline and due dates are communicated via the course instructional plan.

Each faculty member will inform students of their guidelines for submitting assignments and late submission rules within their Instructional Plan. It is the responsibility of the student to be aware of the course requirements for each of their courses.

NOTE: An extension of time may be given at the discretion of faculty. An extension will not be considered if the request is made on the day the assignment is due.

Working Together on Group Assignments

Students will often work with their peers on various group assignments/projects throughout the program. Each group member is responsible for ensuring that they have an equal role in the group. All students in the group should review the completed work before it is submitted/presented. When concerns arise during the group process, it is the responsibility of group members to work together to resolve the concern as quickly as possible. If the concern cannot be resolved within the group, all group members must contact the faculty member for assistance well in advance of the due date.

Late Policy

It is expected that students will submit all assignments on time, on the date they are due, as per instructions of the course faculty.

Assignments that are received past the due date will be subject to the following deductions:

1 Day late - 20% deduction

2 days late - 40% deduction

3 days late - 0 on the assignment

NOTE: An extension of time may be given at the discretion of faculty. An extension will not be considered if the request is made on the day the assignment is due.

Web-based Tools

Program courses may use web-based services with data centres outside of Canada. Students may be expected to complete assessments where information is transmitted outside of Canada. Students who do not wish to submit their information to other countries have the right to opt-out. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor if they, in the first week of term or at the time assignment details are provided, wish to submit an alternate assignment.

Course examinations may be administered through a remote proctoring service to assure academic integrity. Ensure that you meet the system requirements that will allow the recording of your computer screen, webcam, and microphone.

Academic Assistance

Academic assistance is available to students through a variety of avenues. The Program Coordinator and/or Student Success Advisor can advise on specific program and course information, as well as on the wide range of supports available at the College. Conestoga's Student Success Services Department can provide assistance with Counselling, Accessible Learning, and Career Services.

Student Success Advisors

Student Success Advisors (SSAs) are available to support you. Support is available for all campuses, schools, and programs. Your SSA is there when you don't know where to start, are experiencing challenges affecting your learning experience, or need help succeeding in your program.

You can sign in to the Student Success Portal to book an appointment.

Accessible Learning

Conestoga College provides an equitable environment where all students have the opportunity to participate in College life. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code, Conestoga recognizes its responsibility and legal obligation to provide education, information and services in an accessible manner.

Conestoga's Accessible Learning services provide support for students with permanent and temporary disabilities who feel they are encountering barriers to learning. They work with students to understand the impact of a disability in the college environment and will help develop a success plan that considers student goals and required academic accommodations. Accessible Learning will also communicate necessary accommodations to professors on behalf of the student.

To consult with an Accessibility Advisor about accommodations please make an appointment by emailing accessibility@conestogac.on.ca or calling 519-748-5220 ext. 3232.

Exceptions for non-accessibility focused issues need to be consulted on with your professor. Final approval for exceptions unrelated to academic accommodations rests with the program chair.

Awards, Scholarships and Bursaries

Conestoga has more than 400 awards, bursaries, scholarships, and academic grants available to Conestoga students. These funds are made available to our students through the partnerships we have established with local business and industry leaders.

To be considered for an award, complete the General Application available through your Student Portal. Notifications, deadlines, and instructions to complete the application are sent to all full-time students' email accounts in the fall, winter, and spring semesters.

Visit the Financial Aid and Student Awards Office on Conestoga's website.

Academic Expectations for Your Studies

Professionalism and Student Expectations

Rights and Responsibilities

As a student of Conestoga College, you are a member of the college community and as such you have Rights and Responsibilities.

Student Rights include the right to learn, to be safe, to be informed, to be heard and to appeal.
Student Responsibilities include respect for persons, respect for college learning and working environment and respect for property, facilities and college reputation.

For more information, please visit the Student Rights and Responsibilities page of the college website.

Professionalism

Throughout their studies, students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and to apply themselves to academic achievement. The fundamental responsibility of the student is to gain additional knowledge and skills to be a competent professional. As professionals, it is imperative that behaviours and attitudes reflect standards that are endorsed by Conestoga College and your chosen profession. As a Conestoga College student, there are three areas of conduct you are expected to follow: Academic Conduct, Professional Conduct, and Social/Behavioural Conduct.

Professionalism Expectations

Attire: To dress professionally means to dress tastefully and respectfully and to adhere to the standards of health and safety as set out by your program. When you dress professionally, you are putting yourself in a professional mindset that will enhance/support your learning.

Attitude: It is expected that you will treat your experience in your program similar to that of a workplace. As you interact with peers and faculty, your attitude, behaviour and language should reflect that of a positive, hard-working professional.

Teamwork: You are expected to demonstrate effective teamwork strategies including taking on roles as a leader and as a member in group situations. You are to respect your colleagues and interact in a positive, encouraging, productive, and collaborative way.

Organization: Time management and organization are of the utmost importance throughout any program. Demonstrate appropriate time-management and organizational skills, allowing for the completion of tasks in a timely and effective manner.

Personal Device and Social Media Usage

To support a quality and respectful learning environment both in the classroom and in Work Integrated Learning (WIL) experiences, the use of cell phones and laptop computers for social networking should only occur during break times, before/after class, and during formal break time during WIL experiences.

As a student and future professional, it is essential to maintain professional boundaries in all communication, including social media.

Make sure your posts reflect the professional image you want to project, as if a potential employer were viewing them.

Many types of social media encourage instantaneous, casual dialogue. It is important to remember that even an innocent comment may be easily misunderstood.
Assume that information you post or send can be accessed or altered by anyone.
Consider whether any posting may reflect poorly on you, your school, or your profession.
Avoid online criticism of other students, colleagues, professors or WIL experiences.
Avoid impulsive or inappropriate comments.
Pictures should not be taken, posted to social media sites or shared without the express permission of all individuals involved.
Remember that online sites you visit are not anonymous.
Make sure your online name and email reflect professionalism.
Ensure that your postings will not be considered harassment or defamation of a peer, colleague, faculty or others.

Maintain privacy of all care and service activities when in practical work experiences:

Do not take or post any pictures during WIL experiences or involved in lab activities
Maintain client-provider relationships and boundaries. The addition of a client to a 'friendship" status online is unacceptable.

Please respect the fact that your faculty and staff will not invite you to their personal web pages when you are a current student, nor will they accept any invitations to your personal sites.

Classroom Practices

Faculty responsibilities:

Provide to students at the start of each course an instructional plan, which indicates the due dates for all assessed items (assignments, tests, exams, case studies, presentations etc.) and the respective weighting of each item toward the student's final grade.
Return assessed items promptly and review with students – generally, students are not able to retain their tests/examinations/assignments and should review thoroughly at this time. It is the responsibility of the student to ask any questions regarding the assignment with the faculty member outside class time during posted office hours, if required.
Respond to student requests for consultations to discuss performance or questions in respect to their coursework and assessed items.
Respond to student emails/voicemails within 48 business hours.
Ensure course outcomes are covered in the assessment method.

Student responsibilities:

Attend and participate in lectures, labs, presentations, group work, field trips or other activities related to the course/program.
Students are not permitted to record lectures or take pictures without the consent of faculty and/or students. Content from the course is not to be posted on any external websites.
The use of an electronic translator is prohibited. Students must be able to communicate in English.
Electronic devices may be used for learning or instructional purposes. Faculty or technologists may request devices be put away when a safety issue or distraction occurs.
Adhere to all deadlines for assessed items.
Write final exams as per the schedule posted by the Program Coordinator/Faculty.
Please consult with the Program Coordinator/Faculty regarding final exam dates and times.
Unauthorized devices in a testing situation will result in an academic offence and a grade of zero.
Submit coursework in the requested format, described by the faculty member in the rubrics or guidelines, by the specified deadline.
Fully disclose and completely reference all sources used in submitted course assessments and not engage in plagiarism.
Advise faculty of circumstances that would prevent the completion of assessments, prior to the deadline and provide required documentation.

Classroom practices extend to online and hybrid learning environments. Students are expected to abide by the Student Expectations for Online Engagement guidelines available on the college website.

Please note: Students registered with Accessibility Services and have accommodations for approved electronic devices are permitted to do so with the faculty's knowledge.

Program Standards

Due the the complex nature of some Community Services programs, the School of Community Services Program Standards Guide outlines program specific industry/regulatory expectations, uniform policies and/or facility use policies.

What is Academic Integrity?

Academic integrity means the degree to which the outcomes of learning activities or scholarly work have authenticity and align with formal goals and objectives established by the College. It includes acting fairly and honestly when engaging in academic activities including but not limited to course work, work integrated learning, academic documents, and research. All members of the Conestoga community are responsible and accountable for upholding academic integrity.

As a current Conestoga student, you are expected to understand what constitutes an academic incident and to avoid any activities that may lead to an academic incident.

By having and applying an Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure, Conestoga ensures graduates complete their studies fairly and honestly through hard work and dedication, and thus are well-prepared for their future careers.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism involves knowingly presenting someone else's work as your own, be it text, an illustration, a photograph, part of a video, an audio track or a design. If within your assignment non-original work is permitted to be used, you must still credit the source of that work. You can provide this credit through a recognized citation format, like APA, or as directed by your Faculty.

Penalties for plagiarism can be severe and can include receiving a failing grade for the entire course. There are many resources that can help you with proper citation, and help you understand when you can and cannot use other sources as influence for your work.

For more information about plagiarism, consult the Academic Integrity page from Conestoga College Library Services.

Other forms of Academic Misconduct

There are other ways a student might cheat, including, but not limited to, Contract Cheating, Unauthorized Collaboration, Aiding and Abetting, and using Unauthorized Aids and Assistance. It is important to familiarize yourself with potential ways of cheating in order to know how to avoid it. For help, please contact the Academic Integrity Office for guidance and support.

Copyright at Conestoga

Conestoga facilitates access to print, media, and electronic resources to support and enrich learning, teaching, and research in compliance with the following:

The proper use of Intellectual Property (IP) is essential and reflects industry and legal standards.

Whether your work appears in print, broadcast, online, or in another form, copyright laws apply. These laws also protect the work you produce. Work submitted for assessments must conform to copyright requirements, unless otherwise stated by Faculty. Elements under copyright can include, but are not limited to: music, text, images, and designs. If in doubt, do not use elements that could be under copyright protection.

For further guidance, please see Conestoga's Academic Offences Policy or the Conestoga College Library Services' Academic Integrity page.

Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI)

GenAI tools are prohibited from being used for assignments unless you are specifically authorized to use GenAI tool for an assignment by your professor.

Please visit Conestoga's Gen AI for Students website to learn more.

Research

Some courses have a research component, which may be college-based and/or in collaboration with a host organization. Research must adhere to the highest level of ethical standards and is a reflection of Conestoga College. Faculty will provide more information relevant to the research requirements in the course. For further details regarding required citing and referencing, please contact Library Services.

For help with research, please Book a Research Help Appointment.

Academic Concerns During a Course

If a student has a concern regarding an assignment, lab, midterm, final exam, etc., the student must first meet with the faculty to discuss the situation. When contacting faculty, students should carefully consider the feedback provided and reflect on their submission.

A student who wishes to appeal an academic decision, such as a final course grade, academic integrity violation, or discontinuance from the program, should refer to the Academic Dispute Resolution and Appeal Policy and Procedure for instructions.

Student Representation - CSI

Conestoga Students Inc. (CSI) and Conestoga agree that a student has the right to invite a member of CSI to a student and/or faculty meeting provided that 24 hours advance notice is given to faculty. This advance notice will ensure that all parties will have an opportunity to adequately prepare for the meeting.

Academic Progress Through Your Studies

Academic Progression

The college's approach to academic progression is governed by the Academic Advancement and Achievement Policy.

A student's academic achievement results in a promotion decision, such as Promotion with Good Academic Standing, Promotion on Probation, Graduation, and Discontinuance.

Probation

Promotion on probation refers to students who do not achieve the minimum overall acceptable achievement for progression as identified in the Academic Advancement and Achievement Policy. Students who progress on probation can register in the next Term, but course registration is subject to course prerequisites.

First Probation: Students on probation for the first time are encouraged to meet with their Student Success Advisor (SSA) or Program Coordinator to map out a Learning Plan and discuss strategies they can use to support their success.
Consecutive Probation: Students on probation for a second consecutive Semester must meet with their Student Success Advisor (SSA) or Program Coordinator to develop a Learning Contract.

Discontinuance

A student can be discontinued from their program for either academic or non-academic reasons, as set out in the Discontinuance Procedure.

Academic Discontinuance may occur when a student fails to meet the specified academic Progression Requirements of their program.
Policy Violation Discontinuance may occur when a student has been found to have violated College policy and/or procedure, such as but not limited to:
- Student Rights and Responsibilities Policy and Procedure
- Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure

Supplemental Assessment

A student who has failed a course may be provided an opportunity to complete a supplemental assessment if they have met the established criteria in accordance with the Supplemental Assessment Policy and Procedure.

Withdrawal

Students considering withdrawing from a program should communicate with their Student Success Advisor prior to withdrawing. In order to formally withdraw from a program, the student must complete the Program Withdrawal form on the Student Portal by selecting the "Services" tab, "My Forms" button . It is your responsibility to make sure that you are aware of and adhere to deadlines for withdrawal. Deadlines for withdrawing from a program with/without an academic penalty or with/without a refund are posted on the website under Academic Dates.

Readmission

If you are discontinued or if you withdraw from the program, you must reapply for admission in accordance with the Readmission Procedure. Readmission is not guaranteed.

Progression Requirements

Some programs may require a higher minimum standard than those indicated in the Academic Advancement and Achievement Policy due to the nature of their program, including but not limited to, accreditation or regulatory requirements. These minimum standards are documented in the School of Community Services Progression Requirements Guide.

Graduation

Students are eligible to graduate upon completion of all academic requirements in their program of study, including co-op placements if applicable, in accordance with the Academic Advancement and Achievement Policy. This also includes meeting the minimum Program GPA. This minimum Program GPA is listed in the School of Community Services Progression Requirements Guide. Students who take longer than the designed program length of time to complete their studies are accountable for completing any new or additional courses that may result due to changes in the program of study.

Work-Integrated Learning Experiences

Many School of Community Services programs have field placement opportunities as a component of their program design. Field Placement standards for these work-integrated learning opportunities are detailed in the School of Community Services Field Placement Guide.

Co-operative Education

The Co-operative Education Department provides services and supports to co-op students throughout their co-op experiences. For more information regarding services or to connect with your Co-op Advisor, please refer to the Student Success Portal.

For Co-op Eligibility Requirements, please review the School of Community Services Co-operative Eligibility Guide.

Equipment and Facility Information

Smoke-Free Environment

Smoking is not allowed in any Conestoga building. Help keep the environment clean by using the waste receptacles when you smoke outdoors. To provide unobstructed entry to the college for visitors and non-smoking employees and students, all campus entrances have been designated smoke-free.

Use of Food and Beverages in Classrooms and Labs

It is the responsibility of senior management to ensure that the academic environment is clean and conducive to learning. The following policy statements will be adhered to regarding the use of food and beverages in classrooms and labs:

There is no food permitted in any classroom or lab. Beverages are permitted in unbreakable, re-sealable containers. Please note that in computer labs, containers should be placed away from the keyboard to prevent unnecessary damage.
Beverages (including water) are not permitted in health sciences skill labs. For health and safety reasons, instructions will be established by faculty and management within designated shop areas, such as Electrical, Metal Machining, and Woodworking.

It is the responsibility of instructional staff and management to ensure that the policy is adhered to by students.

Standards for Student use of College Facilities

When you are at the college, please remember that you are also sharing space with other students, staff and community members. It is essential that we all work together to make all feel valued, respected, and safe. When you are in this space, please consider the following:

Be mindful of your language, both choice of words and tone;
Be considerate when walking through the halls and make every effort to minimize noise. This is especially important during class times;
Be respectful of all individuals.

Standards for Use of the ECE Building and Classrooms

Standards for Use of the Esthetician Lab

Standards for Use of the WREMS Building and WRESTRC Complex

Student Feedback

Student feedback is an essential component of our continuous improvement process. Our opportunities for student feedback include:

Ontario College Student Experience Survey

All college programs in the province are evaluated using the Ontario College Student Experience Survey. This survey is conducted each academic year in select classes - every student is invited to participate in each year of their program. Strategic goals to improve programs are developed from these results. This data and other data specific to the campus and the program/school are collected so that Conestoga College can continually improve quality.

Early Course Check-in

Direct feedback from students on teaching for a particular course provides valuable information to use for the improvement of teaching at Conestoga. The Early Course Check-in is a short 5 -10 question survey that occurs during week 5 10 of classes and provides early feedback to faculty about the student experience within their classroom.

Student Appraisal of Teaching (SAT)

The Student Appraisal of Teaching (SAT) allows direct feedback from students on teaching and course structure. Completion of the SAT forms give teachers and academic managers valuable information to use for the improvement of teaching at Conestoga.

The SAT is 30-40 questions and occurs late in the semester; a summary of the results goes to the faculty member and their academic manager. Typically, about one-quarter of the faculty is appraised per term. All full-time faculty have a SAT review at least once every two years. Part-time faculty may be reviewed more frequently.

Program Advisory Committees (PACs)

Program Advisory Committees (PACs) provide the necessary link between Conestoga and the community it serves. PACs operate in an advisory capacity to Conestoga administration with the objective to keep Conestoga responsive to current and future workforce needs, trends or opportunities in industry and the marketplace.

All post-secondary education programs of study at Conestoga, both full-time and part-time, which lead to an employment related credential, or are approved by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU), will be associated with a PAC, with the exception of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. For any program not leading to an employment related credential, such as foundation programs, PACs are optional.

Each academic year, the coordinator(s) of the program will ask for student volunteers. The coordinator(s) will select which student(s) will represent the program at PAC. Student attendees are expected to be present at all meetings and are responsible for preparing and submitting a report based on guidelines provided by the program coordinator.

Students who participate in PACs will receive credit on their Co-Curricular Record (CCR) . Your CCR is an official document, complementary to your academic transcript, which recognizes and records learning that you have achieved through approved co-curricular experiences at Conestoga.

College-wide Policies and Procedures

A Student Protection Acknowledgement confirmation pop-up will appear when a student logs into the Student Portal on an annual basis. Students are advised to review and comply with all Conestoga policies and procedures.

All Conestoga academic policies and procedures are listed on the College website.

Academic Handbook Revision Log

Created Spring 2024