Student Rights and
Responsibilities

University of Niagara Falls Canada (UNF) is committed to transforming lives through education by creating a safe and inclusive environment that protects and upholds the rights, responsibilities, well-being, social and moral development of its community.

Students can expect to be a part of a diverse, collaborative, international environment. UNF’s culture is based on innovation, cooperation, comprehensive student support, and respect. The policies and procedures at UNF ensure that all members of the community benefit from a learning environment that is safe as well as free from discrimination and harassment. The University will take reasonable steps and preventive actions to ensure that students are aware of their rights and responsibilities, as follow.

Student Rights:

a. The right to pursue academic studies and participate in student activities as students at UNF in a healthy, secure, conducive, and safe learning environment.

b. Be treated fairly and not to be subjected to harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, indignity, injury, bullying, verbal abuse, or any act of physical violence.

c. Enjoy all rights and freedoms recognized by law including, but not limited to the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the Ontario’s Freedom of Information Protection of Privacy Act.

d. The right to engage and participate in dialogue and examine diverse views and ideas. Students have the right to freedom of enquiry, expression and to assemble, without disruption, while maintaining an environment characterized by equality and mutual respect, provided they do not interfere with the rights of others, with the effective operation of the University or violate other University policies and procedures.

e. An environment that ensures administrative decisions are made in observance of due process and procedural fairness, and in regard for the interests of students. This includes but is not limited to, timely notification of all academic and administrative decisions that affect their studies or academic life.

f. An environment where adequate measures are taken to protect the personal property and security of students on the University grounds.

g. The confidentiality of information regarding all student records and grades unless students consent in writing to its disclosure. Students also have a right to ethical behaviour from University personnel who have access to their student records.

h. The right to seek clarification on all decisions under the University’s policies and procedures without fear of reprisal, including but not limited to, appeals of final grade and/or academic standing.

i. Reasonable and legitimate access to appropriate services and facilities to support students’ well-being as well as access to your academic transcripts and credentials, upon payment of any required fees.

j. Seek redress for any potential infringement of the student’s rights, according to the policies and procedures in effect at the University.

k. The right to be protected from retaliation by members of the University community when the person reports, discusses, provides evidence, or otherwise participates in a student rights and responsibilities process.

l. Reasonable access to information on program and graduation requirements, academic regulations, and university admission.

m. Be informed in advance of the basic content and general procedures of a course and be sure that the course will not change substantially after registration. Students also have the right to receive at the beginning of a course a written outline and to receive written notification of changes in the course outline. The course outline normally will include course objectives, teaching methods, evaluation system, due dates and late penalties for major assignments.

n. Be notified of class cancellations as soon as possible and expect that classes will start and end on time.

o. Be informed of their performance on occasions spaced throughout the term.

p. Have their instructors keep designated office hours.

q. Review any of their examinations and major course assignments up to the beginning of the following term.

r.  Retain intellectual property concerning their assignments, essay, theses, and other written work.

s. Be educated about this Statement, and the University has a responsibility to provide education to students about the contents of this Statement.

Student Responsibilities:

a. Conduct themselves in a manner that does not harm or threaten to harm another person’s dignity, physical or mental well-being.

b. Contribute to and sustain an inclusive environment that values civility, honesty, fairness, integrity, equality and respect for others, including faculty, staff and fellow students.

c. Act consistently with the values of the University and in accordance with University policies and procedures, and follow federal, provincial and municipal laws.

d. Respect the ideas and perspectives of others even when not in agreement with those ideas and perspectives.

e. Respect the privacy and confidentiality of personal information of others and treat disciplinary actions as confidential.

f. Report acts of rights violations where there is a reasonable and/or expected threat to the community, or where harm (emotional or physical) has been witnessed.

g. Become fully aware of, and comply with, UNF policies, procedures, rules, or regulations as well as ensure that guests are aware of and abide by all conduct expectations set out by the University.

h. Become familiar with course outlines, content, evaluation methods, timelines, fee collection and refund policy, and all institutional academic deadlines.

i. Not disrupt or interfere with teaching, learning, evaluation, administration, co-curricular activities, or other UNF endeavors.

j.  Respect the property of UNF and of others and treat all University facilities and equipment with respect.