Filing a complaint
Any student, staff or faculty member (a Complainant) may file a complaint under the Code, alleging a breach of community standards by a student. See the Code of Student Rights & Responsibilities.
All complaints must be in writing with the Complainant's name attached to it; a residence incident report or a security report may constitute a complaint. Anonymous complaints will not be taken forward.
The complaint must be filed within thirty (30) business days of the alleged violation of the Code unless the decision-maker (e.g. local adjudicator) upon first addressing the complaint, considers it reasonable to extend that time limit.
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What happens when you file a complaint?
Staff will reach out to the Complainant for a meeting and explain how the matter will be processed.
Alternate dispute resolution is the preferred pathway for resolving dispute under The Code. This process is facilitated by OSCR staff.
Local adjudication and University Tribunal are other pathways for resolving complaints.
Local adjudication
A local adjudication is when a sole decision maker meets separately with parties to a complaint to hear their perspective and then makes their decision.
A respondent can request a review of a local adjudicator's decision. These requests are heard by a University Tribunal panel.
University Tribunal Panel
A University Tribunal Panel is comprised of three representatives of the York community: student, staff and faculty. A University Tribunal Hearing is when the panel meets with parties to a complaint to consider their perspectives and makes a decision.
The decision of a University Tribunal Panel can be appealed. Another panel will be convened to look into the basis of the appeal.
What is a Local Adjudicator?
The local adjudicator may be the person who facilitates early settlement and/or an informal resolution process; however, they may also refer the matter to an alternative person or process.
What does it mean when there's a violation of the Code?
A violation of the Code has occurred when a student has failed to uphold their responsibilities or abide by community standards of behaviour and infringed on the rights of others. Section 4 of the Code provides a list of Student Rights & Responsibilities. Section 5 sets out Community Standards for Student Conduct on Campus.
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