Two students and an RLS memebr talking outside North Residence

Forms, Policies and Conduct

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Residence Community Living Standards

Community Standards ensure that our residence communities are safe, secure, and welcoming. The staff in this area is dedicated to making sure students feel heard and understand our conduct system, along with the Residence Community Living Standards (RCLS).

Purpose of the RCLS

The RCLS are part of your Residence Contract and aim to enhance your overall experience in residence. They help:

Promote appropriate behaviors for a residence community
Restore situations by repairing harm
Rebuild trust and reconnect with your community

Your Responsibilities

As a resident, you are responsible for adhering to the behavioral standards outlined by Student Housing Services. Remember:

The RCLS support your learning and personal wellness.
Ignorance, anger, alcohol, or substance use will not be accepted as excuses for unacceptable behavior.
The RCLS encourage you to take responsibility for your actions to ensure everyone in residence has a safe and enjoyable experience.

Read the full document Plain Text version

Restorative Approach

What is a restorative approach?

The idea of a restorative approach is to “make things right.” We all make mistakes, and sometimes people are harmed by our mistakes.

When that happens, our primary goal is to help you learn from your experiences, to see how your behaviour affected others, and to look for ways to resolve the problems. We’ll talk to you about what happened, how others might have been harmed, and how things can be made right so your relationship with the community can be rebuilt.

Are all issues handled with a restorative approach?

What is a circle?

Why restorative for residences?

Research shows that these restorative practices work well in university residences; students learn from them and are much less likely to engage in negative behaviours again afterwards. The emphasis on restoring community relationships helps because students will need to go on living, working and studying in the community.

This approach also recognizes that starting at university can be a stressful and challenging time for many students, and gives more opportunities to learn.

Why restorative for residences?

This approach also recognizes that starting at university can be a stressful and challenging time for many students, and gives more opportunities to learn.

Conflict Resolution

Policies and Procedures

Tobacco and Smoke-Free Campus Policy: As of May 31, 2019, the University of Guelph is a Tobacco and Smoke-Free Campus. Link here to the University of Guelph policy.

Student Housing Services Policies and Procedures

University Policies and Procedures

RCLS Appeals

If you have been found in violation of the Residence Community Living Standards (RCLS), and you disagree with this finding, you have the right to appeal.

Your appeal must be submitted within five (5) business days of receiving the decision letter through the Housing Portal.

Requirements: Appeals must include:

An appeal statement.
The original outcome letter/agreement.

Grounds for Appeal

Review Process

Please note, if you are appealing on-notice status as an outcome and have not met with your Residence Life Manager (in Training) or Residence Area Coordinator yet, please contact them to book a meeting to review the case. Their contact information can be found at the bottom of the letter you received. A formal appeal is only required if you are still not satisfied with the Manager/Coordinator’s decision after you have met with them.

For more information regarding the appeal process, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions links below or contact the Residence Behaviour and Wellness Manager at rbwm@uoguelph.ca.

Appeal/Request to Review Form - under review

Appeal Process FAQ/Witness & Support Person FAQ

Forms & Conduct Links

If you have been assigned an outcome from a Community Assistant, or member of the Residence Life Management Team, the letter you were given should have the title of assignment(s) from the list below, including the due date to submit by. Please follow the link to see the details.

If you have questions or require an alternative format of any of the outcomes or forms below please contact the Community Standards Assistant, please connect with the Community Standards Assistant at communitystandards@uoguelph.ca.

Outcomes and Assignments

Online Seminar/Quiz:

Seminars: We also offer several seminars that focus on Alcohol, Cannabis, Decision Making, and Conflict. Each seminar is led by our Seminar Facilitator and are approximately 50 minutes in length. Seminars take place at a variety of times throughout each week. If you have been asked to sign up for a Seminar, please e-mail communitystandards@uoguelph.ca for more information.