Behaviour guidelines
All Concordians have a right to a safe and civil environment. Understand your rights and responsibilities.
All members of the university can expect to pursue their work, studies and other university activities in a safe and civil environment. While members are free to engage in peaceful and orderly protest, this freedom must be exercised in a manner that respects all Concordians and does not disrupt university functions. Any use of campus space and any university activity must respect all applicable university policies and procedures.
The Code of Rights and Responsibilities (BD-3) sets out standards of conduct for all members of the community – staff, faculty and students, and applies to incidents that occur on campus, during an on or off campus university-sponsored activity or event, or during an activity or event that has a substantive link to the university. The Code promotes equity, respect and diversity and seeks to address behaviours such as discrimination, violence and harassment.
Understanding and paying attention to the Code is crucial because it directly impacts your experience and well-being at the university. The Code ensures that you can pursue your studies and activities in a safe, respectful and supportive environment.
We have highlighted below some of the rules that apply to all community members in relation to protests, demonstrations, and picketing. Any violation of the Code and related policies can result in a range of consequences, including investigations, tribunal hearings, sanctions, including suspension from the university.
Prohibited behaviour
The Code is grounded in values of civility, equity, respect, non-discrimination and an appreciation of diversity. As such, prohibited behaviours include the following:
- Threatening or violent conduct
- Harassment
- Discrimination
- Damage to or destruction of university property
- Unauthorized entry into university buildings and grounds
- Obstruction or disruption of teaching, research or other university activities
- Blockades, unauthorized camping or lodging in university buildings and grounds
- Use of picket signs, banners or flags containing any rigid structures supporting them, e.g. wooden handles or flag poles during indoor protests
- Any other action that is an offence under federal, provincial or municipal laws
If you are concerned about your safety or observe any prohibited behaviour, contact Campus Safety and Prevention Services.
If you have a behavioural concern, believe that you have been impacted by a Code violation or if you wish to lodge a complaint, contact the Office of Rights and Responsibilities to obtain impartial, confidential, and independent advice and support. The Office helps members by reviewing all available options and assisting in selecting the most appropriate approach, including:
- Helping informally resolve disputes by providing shuttle diplomacy, mediation, crafting settlement agreements, and/or providing strategies for resolution;
- Initiating the appropriate formal complaint process, such as forwarding cases to the Office of Student Tribunals or to the appropriate human resources authority;
- Directing complainants to another, more appropriate mechanism for addressing their complaints, for example: union grievance, police complaints, etc.
Use of university space
In addition to respecting the Code, university members must follow all applicable policies and procedures when using campus space. If your event or activity is not authorized in advance, it will not be permitted to proceed.
The Policy on the Temporary Use of University Space (VPSS-24.pdf) sets out the rules and responsibilities pertaining to the use of university space by the members of the university as well as external clients. Student groups should familiarize themselves with the terms of this policy.
Student group leaders should also consult additional guidelines on hosting an event on campus.
Chants and slogans
Chants and slogans can carry meanings that are interpreted differently by various members of our community. We also recognize that certain terms within chants and slogans can signify violence and hate towards specific groups. To prevent the creation of a climate of intimidation or harassment, the use of chants and slogans targeting identifiable groups within our community during protests is prohibited. University members are expected to familiarize themselves with the relevant policies and procedures regarding conduct.
Poster and publications policies
The university recognizes the importance of sharing information with community members. The distribution and display of materials on university premises serve as vital channels of communication for this purpose.
University members or any individual or group wishing to display or distribute materials on university grounds must adhere to the rules within the Policy on the Display of Posters (SG-1) and the Policy on the Distribution of Publications on Campus (SG-3), in addition to respecting the Code.
Student groups
Student groups must respect the Code of Rights and Responsibilities. Any group or individual member found to be violating the Code risks facing a range of serious consequences under the Policy on Student Associations and Groups (PRVPA-10), including suspension of recognition of the group, refusal to grant space requests, freezing of funds and tribunal hearings.
For any questions regarding the Policy on Student Associations and Groups, please contact the Dean of Students.
The role of Campus Safety and Prevention Services
If you have not obtained prior authorization for use of campus space, Campus Safety agents may refuse access or require you or your group to leave an area. Campus Safety can also ask you to leave if the university has reasonable grounds to consider that your behaviour or your use of campus space is creating a climate of intimidation.
Using clothing or a mask to conceal your identity is not allowed under the university's Policy on Campus Public Safety and Security (VPSS-20). If a Campus Safety agent asks you to identify yourself, you must do so.
Consequences
Concordia can pursue disciplinary and/or legal action against anyone who violates the Code of Rights and Responsibilities, related policies or the law on our campus. To be clear, it is also an offence under the Code for a member of the university to help someone else commit an offence or to otherwise facilitate the commission of an offence. In such a situation, the member who helps another person commit an offence is also guilty of that same offence.
Every member of the Concordia community (students, faculty and staff) has the right to file a complaint about behaviour they believe violates the Code, by contacting the Office of Rights and Responsibilities. Formal procedures can lead to tribunal hearings, investigations and sanctions and suspension from the university.
For more guidance
Anyone who believes they have been affected by a Code violation has a range of complaint options available at the Office of Rights and Responsibilities. Feel free to reach out to the Office for a confidential consultation. Situations of threat or danger should be reported immediately to Campus Safety and Prevention Services.
Questions relating to student groups should be directed to the Dean of Students.
You are also welcome to contact a Concordia or CSU student advocate if you need assistance in approaching any of the above offices.