Post-secondary institutions are committed to fostering student growth and development both inside and outside the classroom. A key part of this mission involves student conduct, which supports a safe, respectful and inclusive environment through formal policies and a Student Code of Conduct that guides the behaviour of the campus community.
According to the Association for Student Conduct Administration (ASCA) (2023), student conduct involves “the development and enforcement of standards of conduct and resolution of conflict for students [as] an educational endeavour that fosters students’ personal and social development” (p. 1).
Student conduct typically encompasses both academic and non-academic misconduct, which are generally addressed through separate processes.
ASCA is an organization with its headquarters in the United States that serves members internationally, including Canada, and provides guidance designed to support student conduct professionals across the world.
➤ What is the Student Code of Conduct?
The Student Code of Conduct is a set of principles and rules established by a post-secondary institution to outline the standards of behaviour and responsibilities expected of students. It serves to promote a respectful, safe, and inclusive learning environment by defining acceptable conduct and the consequences of misconduct. These codes can also be understood as guidelines that encourage both individual and shared responsibilities, fostering a sense of community on campus.
Note: Terminology varies across institutions, some refer to these guidelines as Codes of Conduct, others as Policies, Procedures, or Rights and Responsibilities documents. Regardless of the name, they all generally serve to outline expected student behaviour and the processes for addressing conduct matters.
Click here to view the full list of post-secondary institutions and their student Codes of Conduct. When you are done, simply return here to continue with the toolkit.
