Coquitlam College is committed to maintaining a comfortable and friendly environment that is conducive to learning. It is assumed that all students enrolled at Coquitlam College are interested in and serious about their studies, and that they are prepared to conduct themselves in a manner which enables them to pursue their individual goals. In addition, each student at Coquitlam College is expected to respect the rights, property, health and safety of others at all times.
Academic Honesty
Any and all forms of cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated by the College. Students found guilty of cheating or plagiarism will receive no credit for work submitted which is not their own. Further consequences may include expulsion from a course or the College.
Appeal Procedures
Procedures have been established for dealing with the following types of appeals:
A. Appeals Against Grades on Individual Items of Work
If a student has caused to believe that a grade assigned on any single item of work is unjust, he/she should normally first discuss the matter with the instructor within seven days after the instructor has notified the student of the grade. Grades on final items of term work and final examinations graded after the end of classes may be appealed up to thirty (30) days following the last day of the evaluation period for the semester in which the course is offered.
If, after discussion with the instructor, a student still believes an injustice has been done, he/she may within thirty (30) days, submit an appeal in writing to the Registrar. The appeal should include a copy of the work, which is the subject of the appeal, reasons for the appeal and a summary of the conversation with the instructor involved. The student will be notified of the result by the Registrar.
In launching an appeal, students have a right to expect that the disputed grade will be reviewed in a context other than the one which generated the original grade. The Registrar has the responsibility to rule on appeals in the concerned Department. Normally, the Department will be the highest body of appeal. However, if the student has reason to believe his/her appeal was not given a fair hearing by the Department, a further appeal may be made in writing to the Registrar, with provision to add members from the appropriate disciplines, if necessary.
The petition must contain reason why reassessment is requested, and must be accompanied by an administrative appeal fee, as outlined below. If the appeal is upheld, such fee will be refunded.
B. Appeals Against Final Grades
Since the grade on any individual piece of work, including the final examinations, is appealable, there are three grounds of appealing against a final grade:
a) that the assessment of the final grade must have been made without taking into consideration all pieces of completed work, because no work was missing or incomplete;
b) that there must have been some error in calculation in developing the final grade because it does not appear to correspond to the grades awarded to all the individual pieces of work;
c) that the overall assessment of the grade is unjust.
Students are reminded, however, that final grades in all courses are reviewed by the department concerned prior to submission to the Registrar, and that all failing grades are scrutinized by a special committee prior to release of the Statement of Grades.
C. Appeals to Complete Work After the Evaluation Period
If circumstances beyond the student's control create situations in which it is impossible, or cause undue hardship, to complete a piece of required work by the end of the evaluation period, or to write an examination at the scheduled time, he/she may appeal to write the examination late, or to have additional time to complete the work.
D. Appeal Fees
All appeals for reconsideration of a term paper, or for final examination grades, must be accompanied by an administrative fee of $25.00, refundable upon sucess of the appeal.
No fee will be assessed for appeals dealing with extended deadlines for completion of work or for appeals for retroactive withdrawal.
Important Notice - All appeals must be accompanied by adequate documentation pertaining to reasons why an appeal is warranted, and should be submitted on behalf of the student by a person or persons in a position to be aware of the student's particular circumstances. This is especially important concerning appeals under items C and D above.
Attendance
Regular attendance in all courses is mandatory and monitored by the College. In the case of illness or personal crisis, students may be excused from classes upon approval by the College. Confirmation of illness must be made to the College with a doctor’s certificate.
It is the responsibility of the student to inform his/her instructors and the College of the reason for his/her absence or lateness.
For students 18 years of age or younger, the College will inform parents or guardians by letter of excessive absenteeism. Excessive absenteeism may result in failure and expulsion from the College. Absence from classes does not constitute withdrawal from a course. Courses must be formally dropped, or a failing grade will be given. To formally drop a course, students must complete a withdrawal form and have it approved by a College counsellor.
Examinations & Schedules
Formal examinations are written at the end of each semester. Students are required to write the examination for each course at the time set by the College.
International students who plan to return home at the end of a semester must reserve flights that do not interfere with their examination schedule. It is the responsibility of the student to check deadlines on the College Academic Schedule with regard to course registration, withdrawal, examinations and other related matters.
Medical Insurance
In order to register at Coquitlam College, it is mandatory that all students have approved and current medical insurance.
Recycling
For several years the College has recycled paper and drink containers, with the monies earned from the sale of these items donated to charity. All students are required to cooperate with the recycling program by depositing paper and drink containers in appropriate receptacles.
Smoking Policy
Coquitlam College maintains a smoke-free atmosphere. Students who are nineteen years of age or older may smoke in a designated area outside the school building.