Student Policies

The following is a selection of policies and regulations that pertain directly to student life at North Island College. Students are encouraged to consult the complete text of North Island College policies. These may be obtained at local campuses and online.

Academic Progress, NIC Policy #3-01

Students who are considered by the instructor to be at risk for not meeting the learning outcomes of a particular course or program may be required to undergo a performance review. At the end of the review period, the student’s ongoing status in the course/program will be determined. Each program area will establish and communicate in writing to students the learning outcomes and performance criteria required to successfully complete the course/program.

Attendance & Performance in Courses & Programs, NIC Policy #3-19

Certain courses and programs are intended to enable students to develop behaviours that meet accepted workplace practice. Others require that students work extensively in groups to meet intended learning outcomes. Students in these courses or programs are expected to attend classes regularly, be punctual and to demonstrate a satisfactory level of performance and rate of progress, individually or as a member of a team, within the time guidelines set for the course or program. Failure to meet these expectations may result in failure in the course or program.

Audit Students, NIC Policy #4-06

Provided that the needs of credit students have been met, North Island College may accept audit students in departmentally approved credit courses. Students may not audit programs. Audit students attend and participate in classes, labs and seminars and complete course readings. Audit students do not complete course work, assignments and exams. An Audit Grade (AUD) appears on student transcripts but it is not included in Grade Point Average (GPA) calculations and cannot be used as a prerequisite.

The following rules apply to students who audit credit courses:

1. Audit students pay applicable fees.
2. Audit students meet the course prerequisites.
3. Audit students register after the last day for credit registration, provided that there is available space.
4. Credit students may change their status from credit to audit only during the refund period, provided that there is available space and no credit students are waitlisted.
5. Audit students may change their status from audit to credit only during the refund period.

Clean Air, NIC Policy #7-01

North Island College provides a smoke-free environment for employees, students and visitors. Smoking is prohibited in all College buildings whether rented, leased or owned.

Examinations, NIC Policy #3-09

To properly respect the student and to maintain the integrity and reputation of the College, all instructor-developed, credit course exams are of a rigour, quality and content appropriate to the level of the course/program. Exams are clearly identified in the Authorized Course Description and developed, stored, scheduled, distributed and invigilated according to the procedures in the policy.

Fees and Refunds, NIC Policy #4-04

North Island College students must pay all fees or have a written deferral of fees approved by a Regional Administrator or Financial Aid Officer. Tuition fees for credit courses shall be as stated in Schedule "A" of the Board Bylaws. North Island College will report these fees and related charges in the annual College credit calendar. Rules for refunds shall also be published in the North Island College calendar. Tuition fees and related charges may be waived by the President or designate.

Field Trips

Some programs or courses include field trips. Students are responsible for informing all of their instructors of the time and date(s) of any field trip that will require absence from classes. Instructors will inform students of possible negative consequences that will result should they decide not to participate in field trips that are included in course curriculum.

Students may be required to sign a liability waiver. The College does not provide insurance coverage for students on field trips, and is not liable for student illness or accident during a field trip or other College-related travel. It is the students' responsibility to ensure they have valid BC medical insurance coverage. The College recommends that students traveling out of the country on College activities, purchase temporary extended hospital and medical coverage.

First Aid & Safety

Each college campus has one or more employees qualified as first aid attendants. Any and all accidents must be reported immediately to reception or front desk staff so that appropriate action may be taken.

All students, faculty and staff are responsible for learning and using proper work procedures and observing all related regulations in accordance with the requirements for Occupational Health and Safety. Any hazardous or unsafe conditions, practices or behaviour should be reported immediately. Copies of the College’s Occupational Health & Safety Manual are available for consultation at each campus/centre.

Freedom of Information/Protection of Privacy, NIC Policy #1-01

North Island College keeps information under the authority of the College and Institute Act. North Island College protects and uses student record information in compliance with the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (1992). Information will be used for the purposes of admission, registration, grade notification, issuing income tax receipts, research, sending follow-up educational information, contacting alumni, special events, advising follow-up, and other fundamental activities related to being a member of the North Island College community and attending a public post-secondary institution in BC. For further information, contact the Office of the Registrar.

The BC government requires the collection of student demographic information during application and registration to accurately assign a unique identifier for everyone accessing publicly funded education in BC. The use of the Personal Education Number (PEN) for this process has been agreed to in principle by the Freedom of Information and Privacy Commissioner. Students are required to supply this information to complete their registration in courses or programs.

Human Rights, NIC Policy #2-08

The College is committed to providing a working and learning environment that promotes a climate of understanding and mutual respect where all are equal in dignity and human rights. Discrimination and harassment undermine this commitment are serious offences that may be subject to a range of disciplinary measures, including, where appropriate, dismissal in the case of an employee and suspension in the case of a student.

The objectives of this Policy are to prevent discrimination and harassment on the grounds protected by the BC Human Rights Code, to provide procedures for handling complaints, to establish the grounds for corrective measures and/or discipline, and to ensure that all members of the College community are aware of their responsibilities under this Policy and the BC Human Rights Code. The College will ensure that this policy and its procedures are interpreted, administered and applied in a fair, reasonable, unbiased and timely manner. It is recognized that academic freedom is an important value of North Island College. This policy will be interpreted in light of our commitment to this value.

Students are encouraged to request assistance from a counsellor or campus director if they think that they are being harassed.

Insurance Coverage - Student use of Personal Vehicle

In the event that a student chooses to use their own vehicle for a work-term, practicum placement or college-related activity, it is the responsibility of the owner of the vehicle to make sure that there is sufficient insurance coverage. North Island College is not responsible to ensure that a student’s vehicle is properly insured. There is no additional coverage provided by North Island College.

If a student chooses to use their vehicle for a College related activity, they should seek advice from their insurance carrier regarding legal liability and defensive insurance.

Liability Waivers

Some North Island College courses require students to sign a waiver in order to participate in activities that could result in injury. Students must acknowledge the risk involved in the instructional activity and sign these waivers before they are allowed to participate.

Mature Student Status, NIC Policy #4-16

This policy provides a special dispensation to mature students who wish to study at the postsecondary level. Please see the complete text of North Island College policies for full details.

No Show, NIC Policy #3-05

Where non-participation in a course or program is properly and fairly determined, the College reserves the right to cancel students’ enrolment in courses and programs in order to allow other students who are wait-listed or known to be waiting to register.

Repeating a Credit Course, NIC Policy #3-14

Students may repeat a course for credit to achieve a higher grade once. All grades earned will show on transcripts, but credit will be granted only once. Students who wish to take a course for credit more than twice must obtain permission from the Department Chair. This policy does not apply to courses in Continuing Studies, English as a Second Language, Adult Special Education, and continuous entry/exit vocational programs and in courses that require re-certification.

Student Appeal, NIC Policy #4-12

This policy is maintained in order to guide the President in resolving appeals from:

• Student Complaint Resolution Policy #2-09
• Student Conduct Policy #3-06
• Student Final Grade Dispute Resolution Policy #4-03

The College will examine all student appeals in a consistent and thorough manner, ensuring that the rights of both the complainant and the respondent are respected.

Student Final Grade Dispute Resolution, NIC Policy #4-03

North Island College maintains a student dispute resolution procedure regarding the assignment of final grades. This policy requires students to pursue an informal resolution process before proceeding to a formal appeal.

Student Conduct, NIC Policy #3-06

North Island College is a place of education, training and academic inquiry. Our professional ethics require us as individuals and as an institution to adhere to principles of academic integrity and of respect for our students, staff and colleagues. North Island College undertakes to review and inquire into allegations of academic or personal misconduct in a timely, impartial and accountable manner and take appropriate action when it finds that academic or personal misconduct has occurred.

The purpose of this policy is to describe a safe working and learning environment that respects academic honesty and defines appropriate personal conduct for students. The policy describes procedures to deal with students who do not conduct themselves in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the policy.

The College reserves the right to take appropriate actions, including legal action or suspension when student behaviour conflicts with these expectations.

Student Complaint Resolution – NIC Policy #2-09

This policy is to be followed in the event of a student initiated complaint regarding instruction or services at North Island College. A student may wish to seek advice to ensure that this policy is appropriate to the concern being raised. The goal of the Student Complaint policy is timely and successful resolution of the complaint.

North Island College has a commitment to provide quality education and service to its students. However, in an organization as diverse as a college where personal growth occurs and assumptions are regularly challenged, problems may arise. We are committed to an open, collaborative approach to dealing with student concerns and we will endeavour to resolve complaints at an informal level wherever possible. Should this not be successful, students have the option of initiating a formal complaint.

Lodging a complaint will have no adverse consequences on the status of the complainant in their course or program of studies.

Workers’ Compensation Board Coverage

Provincial Workers’ Compensation Board coverage is in place for:

• All students while they are participating in a required practicum at a recognized work site; and
• Student apprentices during classroom/lab/shop instruction only.

Provincial Workers' Compensation Board coverage is not in place for any other students.