(Co-op) – #0722C
Doon Campus
School of Business & Hospitality
Conestoga College Institute of Technology and
Advanced Learning
Program Handbook
2015-2016 Academic Year
This is a companion document to the current Conestoga College
Student Guide
Table of Contents
1. Program Handbook Introduction ... 5
Executive Dean Welcome ... 6
2. Program Staff Contact Information ... 7
3. Insurance – Property & Casualty Program Information ... 8
Program Overview ... 8
Current Program Design ... 8
Program Learning Outcomes ... 8
Program Expectations ... 9
General Education Electives ... 10
Employment Opportunities ... 10
Professional Associations ... 10
PAC – Program Advisory Committee ... 10
Co-op Program Standards ... 11
Required Supplies and Textbooks ... 11
Awards, Scholarships and Bursaries ... 11
4. Pathways and Articulation Agreements Opportunities ... 12
Pathways ... 12
Articulation Agreements ... 12
5. School of Business & Hospitality Attendance Responsibilities ... 13
Attendance Rules ... 13
Reporting of Absences ... 13
Student Absence for Assessed Material ... 13
How to Report Absences on the Student Portal ... 14
Absence for Other Reasons ... 14
Class Cancellations due to Faculty Absence ... 15
6. School of Business & Hospitality Classroom Information... 16
Practices within the Classroom ... 17
Electronic Devices ... 17
Recording Devices ... 18
Electronic Translator Use ... 18
Research ... 18
Assignments ... 18
Grading ... 18
Plagiarism ... 19
College Email Communication Requirements ... 20
Academic Concerns during a Course ... 20
Student Representation – Conestoga Students Inc. (CSI)... 21
7. School of Business & Hospitality Exam Information ... 22
Examination Procedures ... 22
Students without College Identification for Final Examinations ... 23
Missed Examinations ... 23
Examination Conflicts/Alternative Exam Dates ... 24
Bad Weather Conditions and Testing ... 24
Supplemental Exams ... 24
Supplemental Exam Rules ... 25
Mandatory Conditions for Supplemental Exams ... 25
8. School of Business & Hospitality Academic Information ... 27
Academic/Student Services ... 27
Academic Dates... 27
Academic Standing Decision and Promotion ... 27
Clearance of Failed Courses ... 28
Academic Probation ... 28
Discontinuance... 28
Timetable Changes ... 29
9. College wide Academic Policies and Procedures ... 31
College Policies and Procedures ... 31
Credit Transfer ... 31
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) ... 32
Program Transfer ... 32
Adding Courses ... 32
Dropping Courses ... 32
Withdrawal from Program ... 33
Graduation ... 33
10. Student feedback ... 34
Key Performance Indicators ... 34
Student Appraisal of Teaching (SAT) ... 34
11. Safety Information ... 35
Services Offered ... 35
Basic Safety ... 35
Emergency Telephone Messages ... 35
After Hours Access Policy ... 36
Parking ... 36
12. Program Handbook Revision Log ... 37
1. PROGRAM HANDBOOK INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this handbook is to provide students with program-specific information. The material in this handbook is accurate at the date of posting and is applicable for the current academic year. Students will be informed of handbook changes that occur, if any, through college email. Program handbooks are updated yearly and students must check their program handbook for the current edition.
This handbook must be read in conjunction with general information about Conestoga College found on the website and in the Student Guide. The information in the Student Guide and on the college website applies to all students, regardless of program.
It is the responsibility of each student to review and comply with the content in this document. The School of Business & Hospitality is here to educate students on how to manage their
college experience, navigate the college systems, make informed decisions and assume responsibility for their academic success. If there are any questions or concerns regarding the content in this handbook, please contact the Academic Advisor for the School of Business & Hospitality, Gillian Oldfield, Doon campus - room 1B47, 519-748-5220, ext. 3634, or at
goldfield@conestogac.on.ca.
Executive Dean Welcome
The School of Business and Hospitality is one of Ontario’s premier business schools. We offer many options, opportunities and pathways to complete, specialize or expand your education, full-time or part-full-time. Students have a choice of programs to fit most areas of business or hospitality today, comprised of
apprenticeships, one-year certificates, two-year and three-year advanced diplomas, as well as graduate certificates and several degree opportunities with specializations available. The School offers bachelor’s degree programs in International Business Management and Accounting, Audit and Information Technology. Our graduates have the ability to apply what they have learned in the classroom and labs to the real world immediately. We know this is of paramount importance in the rapidly changing world of business of today. The School of Business and Hospitality teaches more than just business skills, culinary competencies and management theories. Here at Conestoga, you will learn the critical thinking skills required to solve problems at a fast pace and the ability to shape your career in a positive way. Each faculty member has significant industry experience that will help you acquire the valuable hands-on experience you need. Whether your passion is
marketing, culinary skills, accounting, supply chain or hospitality, businesses value employees who can be productive on the first day they arrive in their new role. At Conestoga you will learn to be that person.
We encourage you to contact us for more information about how the School of Business and Hospitality can provide you with the skills and abilities that will give you the competitive advantage required to make you a success.
I look forward to seeing you on campus soon. Sincerely,
Gary Hallam, Executive Dean School of Business & Hospitality
2. PROGRAM STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION
For a list of all full-time staff, faculty, Coordinators, and Chairs, please check the School of Business & Hospitality website contact list. In addition to the full-time faculty, other faculty will teach students in their program. This may include faculty from other schools and/or general education courses. Contact information for these faculty members will typically be provided on the first day of the course.
Coordinator
Glenn Planert
519-748-5220, ext. 3868
gplanert@conestogac.on.ca
Doon Campus, Room 1B48
Academic Advisor
Gillian Oldfield
519-748-5220, ext. 3634
goldfield@conestogac.on.ca
Doon Campus, Room 1B47
Chair’s Assistant
Iulia Vajda
519-748-5220, ext. 2327
ivajda@conestogac.on.ca
Doon Campus, Room 1B52
Executive Dean’s Assistant
Jen Graci
519-748-5220, ext. 3402
jgraci@conestogac.on.ca
Doon Campus, Room 1B53-3
Academic Support (front reception)
Katrina Nielsen
519-748-5220, ext. 2517
knielsen@conestogac.on.ca
Doon Campus, Room 1B47
Chair
Dave Smiderle
519-748-5220, ext. 3871
dsmiderle@conestogac.on.ca
Doon Campus, Room 1B52
Executive Dean
Gary Hallam
519-748-5220, ext. 3245
ghallam@conestogac.on.ca
3. INSURANCE – PROPERTY & CASUALTY PROGRAM INFORMATION
Program OverviewThe two-year Insurance - Property and Casualty program prepares the student for a rewarding career in property and casualty insurance. The program provides students with broad exposure to business with a specialization in insurance and is designed for graduates who wish to be employed by the insurance industry. The Insurance - Property and Casualty Co-op program includes studies of all areas of property and casualty coverage considering agency claims, underwriting, marketing, and management. Students will have the opportunity to gain nine of the ten credits required for the Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation from the Insurance Institute of Canada and may choose to register for the CIP national exams at an additional cost in order to receive credentials awarded by the Institute. Please check the website for a complete Insurance - Property & Casualty program overview.
Current Program Design
Full-time students are registered in a specific program design based on the year that a student begins in a program. Program designs contain all the required courses necessary to graduate from the program. Designs are evolving documents and may change from one academic year to the next. These changes are to reflect the industry standards and requirements for a graduate of this program. If a student does not graduate at the end of the designated semester for the original program design, the student is responsible for meeting any new program design changes in order to graduate.
Students can find their program design on the Student Portal by following the steps below: 1. Log in to Student Portal
2. Click on ‘My Courses’ tab
3. Select ‘View Progress Report’ button
Courses are listed by level/semester. Students can also view courses for the most current program design for the 2015-2016 academic year on the Conestoga College website. To find these courses, students need to scroll down the page to the ‘Program Courses’.
Program Learning Outcomes
The following program learning outcomes identify what students will know and learn by the end of their program:
• Determine the function and role of property and casualty insurance in business and society.
• Discuss the organization, structure, and roles and responsibilities associated with property and casualty insurance companies.
• Analyze the coverage and policies currently available through companies providing property and casualty insurance.
• Adhere to principles, processes and procedures used in adjusting losses, settling claims and explaining and completing documentation specific to property and casualty
insurance.
• Evaluate the factors affecting the acceptance and underwriting of property and casualty insurance risks.
• Use computer skills towards completion of business and other associated tasks. • Apply accounting, economics, and mathematics and marketing principles to business
situations.
• Develop appropriate working relationships using knowledge of property and casualty insurance, customer service skills, and interpersonal communications.
• Apply basic economic principles to business.
• Discuss the legal system and legislation affecting business in general and the property and casualty insurance business specifically.
• Apply marketing and sales techniques to property and casualty insurance situations. • Discuss the issues and concerns regarding business corporate responsibility in an
insurance environment.
• Determine the uses, endorsements, coverage, contracts, policies and legislation associated with property and casualty insurance.
Program Expectations Expectation 1
Regular attendance is encouraged. Students are encouraged to challenge the CIP national exams and all lecturers are focused on that fact. Therefore, the classroom approach is geared to assisting students to be successful in the CIPs.
Expectation 2
There are numerous guest speakers from the insurance industry and networking events that take place during both years of the program. Students are encouraged to participate in these events.
Expectation 3
Activities may take place during class time that the student will not be permitted to complete due to absence from class.
General Education Electives
In this program, students are required to complete a General Education (Gen Ed) course. Gen Ed requirements are listed at the bottom of the progress report, which is found on the Student Portal. The progress report indicates the level/semester and the minimum hours that are required for the program. Students are responsible for adding the Gen Ed courses into their schedule, in the designated semester. Eligible courses are approved and posted each semester by the Liberal Studies department on the college website under ‘Current Students’, under ‘Announcements’. For more information regarding Gen Ed courses, please contact the Liberal Studies department, room 2A139.
Employment Opportunities
A wide variety of employment opportunities are available within insurance companies,
insurance brokers and agencies, independent adjusting firms, restoration companies, and other business organizations related to the insurance industry. Typical jobs are: underwriters,
telephone adjusters, customer service representatives, marketing, loss control, and sales.
Professional Associations
Students will have the opportunity to gain nine of the ten credits required for the Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation from the Insurance Institute of Canada and may choose to register for the CIP national exams at an additional cost in order to receive credentials awarded by the Institute.
PAC – Program Advisory Committee
Each program at Conestoga has a Program Advisory Committee (PAC), which is made up of industry and academic representatives, as well as current students. The committee meets several times a year to discuss the direction that industry is heading in and any improvements that can be made to keep the program current. This helps to ensure that what students are learning is relevant to their industry.
At the beginning of each year, the Coordinator of the program will ask for student volunteers. The Coordinator will decide which students will represent year one and two. The student representatives are expected to attend the meetings. Students must prepare and submit a report based on guidelines provided by the Chair/Coordinator, which will be presented at the meeting. Students are expected to be professional, dress in business attire and engage in discussions.
Co-op Program Standards
Students must successfully complete all courses in the level 1 design, with a minimum 65% average, (this includes CDEV). Students enrolled in this program are not permitted to defer a co-op work term.
Note: A significant decrease in academic performance in the semester prior to any co-op work
term may impact co-op eligibility. Students who are discontinued are not eligible for co-op work terms.
Required Supplies and Textbooks
Any required materials for a course are listed on the course outline. Failure to obtain required materials may result in unsuccessful grades in the course. It is strongly recommended that students purchase their supplies, textbooks, etc., which are above and beyond the cost of their tuition, to increase their success within their program.
Awards, Scholarships and Bursaries
Conestoga has more than 400 awards, bursaries, scholarships and academic grants available to Conestoga students. These funds are made available to students through the partnerships that Conestoga has established with local businesses and industry leaders. To be considered for an award, students must complete the General Application that is available through the Student Portal under the ‘Financial’ tab under ‘My Award Applications’. Notifications and instructions to complete the application are sent to all full-time students email accounts in the fall semester (deadline: first Friday of October) and winter semester (deadline: first Friday in February). For further details about what awards, scholarships and/or bursaries that are available, please check with Student Financial Services.
In addition, the School of Business & Hospitality hosts an annual award ceremony in April of each year. This event recognizes the award winners from various Business & Hospitality
programs. The awards ceremony gives students an opportunity to network with various donors and to celebrate their accomplishments. Further details regarding this annual event will be provided to students by their college email.
4. PATHWAYS AND ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS OPPORTUNITIES
PathwaysThe School of Business & Hospitality has a large number of pathways between programs. Program Coordinators and/or the Academic Advisor are able to discuss pathway options that may be available to students. In addition, students are able to access Career Services and meet with a Career Advisor to help them with their career goals and pathway decisions.
Articulation Agreements
Conestoga College has articulation agreements with many domestic and international
institutions. These agreements allow students to transfer into a specific program with advanced standing. Students must meet the academic requirements stated in the agreement.
5. SCHOOL OF BUSINESS & HOSPITALITY ATTENDANCE
RESPONSIBILITIES
Attendance Rules
Attendance in all classes is strongly recommended and is required for completion of any in-class assessments. Courses that are delivered in a classroom or lab setting, as opposed to online, will discuss theories and concepts that students will be responsible for, regardless of the student’s attendance.
Reporting of Absences
The Student Portal contains a mechanism for recording student absence(s) from class. This method of recording absence(s) must be used if the student is not present for an assessed item or does not meet the submission deadline. Assessed items that contribute to final grades are defined as the following:
• Assignments • Tests/exams • Labs/quizzes
• Practical skill evaluations • Presentations
• Portfolios
• Other, as defined by faculty
Students are encouraged to also record their absence when there is no evaluation. The Student Portal will provide a list of all absences from scheduled classes.
Student Absence for Assessed Material
Students are given an instructional plan at the beginning of each semester for each course. This will include all important assessment and submission due dates in the course. Students are expected to attend all assessments set by faculty for their courses. A student who is absent from an assessment must:
1. Contact faculty before the assessment is due, via college email. Students must include in the email their name, student number and reason for absence.
2. Report their absence on their Student Portal prior to when the assessment is due. 3. Provide valid documentation (i.e. Doctor’s note, death certificate, court/legal
documentation, etc.) immediately following their return to the college, before
alternative arrangements can be made. Please note that valid documentation must be applicable to the assessment date.
If the student has met the above criteria, it is their responsibility to then discuss with faculty the arrangements for a make-up test or alternate assignment immediately upon return to the college. Failure to report an absence and provide valid documentation when an assessed item
is scheduled/due will result in a mark of zero for that assessment. How to Report Absences on the Student Portal
1. Log into the Student Portal and click on the ‘Absence tab’.
2. Indicate whether or not there is an assessment scheduled on that day by clicking ‘Yes or No’, as well as the reason for the absence (Illness or other).
3. Click ‘Continue’ to report the absence. 4. Click ‘I agree’ to confirm the absence.
5. Students will receive a confirmation email that they have recorded the absence for that day.
The Absence Recording System shows the student as being absent for the day, starting from the time that the absence is recorded. For example, if an absence is recorded for a specific day at 11:00 a.m. the system will show the student as being absent for all classes starting after 11:00 a.m. that day. The earliest that an absence may be recorded for a particular day, is after 8:00 p.m. the day prior to the assessment.
Absence for Other Reasons Compassionate Leave
Request for leaves of absence to attend to family illness, death or family problems are usually granted. These requests will be submitted to faculty who will consult with the Program Coordinator/Chair if necessary.
Jury Duty
Any student who receives a summons for jury duty must bring the document to their respective faculty as soon as possible. The faculty will consult with the Chair to determine what arrangements can be made to have the student excused from submission of
assignments, if such duty interferes with the progress in the program. Students may also be required to engage in activities in the evening or weekends using eConestoga.
Absences during co-op
Students must meet the requirements of the Conestoga Co-op department and the host organization.
Other Absence(s)
Class Cancellations due to Faculty Absence
All class cancellations due to faculty absences will be posted in the Student Portal on the left hand side of the main page. These notices in the Student Portal will be the only notifications of class cancellations due to faculty absences.
Faculty, who are absent, may or may not be informing students of class cancellations through college email and/or eConestoga in addition to the Student Portal. Students should check their college email and eConestoga for possible assigned work.
Students have the option of receiving emails to their cell phones, notifying them of class
cancellations due to faculty absences. To receive personal notifications students must subscribe to this service.
To subscribe:
• Log into the Student Portal
• Select ‘Notifications’ under the ‘Profile tab’
• Select the preferred notification method desired (email) • Click ‘Update’
To change the email address where notifications will be sent, select ‘My Addresses’ under the ‘Profile Tab’, and change the default email address.
6. SCHOOL OF BUSINESS & HOSPITALITY CLASSROOM INFORMATION
Successful students will: • Attend classes on time.
• Wear appropriate business attire when required.
• Log into the Student Portal to report an absence before class begins.
• Obtain from classmates and/or eConestoga any assignments or notes that were missed. • Be prepared for class, ready to ask/answer questions and participate in classroom
discussions.
• Submit assignments on time that are business professional.
• Engage in academic integrity on all assigned work and tests/examinations.
• Behave in a polite, ethical, professional and respectful manner to all faculty, students, employers and colleagues both on and off the campus.
• Communicate effectively in English: reading, writing, listening and speaking. • Ensure all emails sent to other students, faculty, or staff are written in professional
business language. Abusive/inappropriate language will not be tolerated. • Be a positive ambassador for the program and the college.
Course Outlines
Course outlines state the learning outcomes that will be covered during the course. Details about the evaluation method, the weighting of assessments, and any other specific criteria required to successfully complete the course are also listed on the course outline. Students are responsible for reviewing the outline and the requirements to pass each individual course. Evaluation requirements vary from course to course. The passing grade and specific course stipulations are listed under the evaluation section of the course outline.
Course outlines can be found in the Student Portal under the ‘My Courses’ tab and posted on eConestoga. Students are required to review the course outline to acquire the correct
resources/textbooks (i.e. edition, volume, etc.).
Instructional Plans (formally known as Course Requirement Sheet)
Instructional plans will be provided to students on eConestoga. All assessment dates and deadlines will be posted on the instructional plan, including assignments, tests/quizzes, midterms, presentations, etc. This information acts as a guide to the course and will include a course schedule, which may be subject to change by faculty.
Practices within the Classroom
Faculty responsibilities:
• Provide to students at the start of each course an instructional plan, which indicates the due dates for all assessed items (assignments, tests, exams, case studies, presentations etc.) and the respective weighting of each item toward the student’s final mark. • Return assessed items promptly and review with students – generally, students are not
able to retain their tests/examinations/assignments and should review thoroughly at this time. It is the responsibility of the student to ask any questions regarding the assignment with the faculty member outside class time if required.
• Respond to student requests for consultations to discuss performance or questions in respect to their coursework and assessed items.
• Respond to student emails/voicemails within a 48-hour period during business hours. • Ensure course outcomes are covered in the assessment method.
Student responsibilities:
• Attend and participate in lectures, presentations, group work, field trips or other activities related to the course/program.
• Adhere to all deadlines for assessed items, and write final exams as indicated on the schedule posted on the college webpage under ‘Current Students’. Please note that the final exam schedule in the fall and winter semester runs from Monday to Saturday of the exam week.
• Submit coursework in the requested format, described by the faculty member in the rubrics or guidelines, by the specified deadline.
• Fully disclose and completely reference all sources used in submitted course assessments and not engage in plagiarism.
• Advise faculty of circumstances that would prevent the completion of student work,
prior to the deadline, as outlined in the instructional plan and provide required
documentation.
• Use Conestoga email to communicate with faculty, not personal email or eConestoga, unless directed otherwise by faculty.
• Check Conestoga email on a regular basis.
Electronic Devices
Students can use laptops and other electronic devices during class, only if faculty agree with this practice. The use of electronic equipment during class time is strictly for academic
Recording Devices
Students are not permitted to record lectures or take pictures without the consent of faculty and/or students. Content from the course is not to be posted on any external websites unless done so by faculty.
Students who are registered with Accessibility Services and have accommodations approved for recording lectures are permitted to do so with the faculty’s knowledge.
Electronic Translator Use
The use of an electronic translator is prohibited. Courses are taught in English and students must be able to communicate in English.
Research
Some courses have a research component, which may be college-based and/or in a host organization. Research must adhere to the highest level of ethical standards and is a reflection on Conestoga College. Faculty will provide more information relevant to the research
requirements in the course. For further details regarding correct referencing, please visit the Library Resource Centre.
Assignments
Each faculty member will inform students of their guidelines for submitting assignments. For example, a case study format may not be the same for all faculty. Each faculty member will inform students of their late submission policies. It is the responsibility of the student to be aware of the course requirements for each of their courses. If an extension of time is required, the student must make the request to the appropriate faculty member well in advance of the due date - 24 hours minimum. Approval of the request is at the discretion of the faculty member.
Grading
Students can access interim grades throughout the semester on eConestoga. Final grades are submitted by faculty, approved by the Chair and posted on the Student Portal within 3-5 business days after the final examination.
The following grading system will be employed by faculty in reporting student achievement to the registrar's office. Specific programs/courses may require different minimum standards of achievement.
The following applies to School of Business & Hospitality course grading:
• The minimum passing grade for diploma/certificate courses is 55%, unless otherwise indicated on the course outline.
• If a course has additional certification requirements outside of the college then the student must adhere to the passing grade for that certification.
• If a course is repeated, the most recent grade will be used to compute the program GPA. However, both grades will show on the student’s academic transcript.
• If the first course taken is a failure and the same course is repeated and it is also a failure, only the most recent failure will be used in the calculation of their GPA.
• Students who are permitted to write a supplemental in a diploma/certificate course will receive a maximum grade of 55%, if the supplemental is passed. If the supplemental is not passed, the failing grade will be retained.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Please review Conestoga’s Academic Integrity Policy on
plagiarism. Academic Integrity is expected and required of all Conestoga students. Students are responsible for personally maintaining control of their own work at all times, so that breaches of this policy are less likely to occur. Failure to maintain academic honesty will not be tolerated, and students found guilty in any way will be disciplined in accordance with the policy. The penalty levied for an academic offence is listed under the academic integrity procedure link above. Examples of plagiarism may include but are not limited to:
• The work submitted or presented was done, in whole or in part, by an individual other than the one submitting or presenting the work.
• Parts of the work are taken from another source without reference to the original author (i.e. copying a paragraph, a page, a sentence, and/or someone’s ideas). • The whole work (i.e. case study, essay, business plan, etc.) is copied from another
source or person.
• A student submits or presents work in one course, which has also been submitted in another course, (even though it is the students original work) without the knowledge of/or prior agreement of the faculty involved.
While it is recognized that scholarly work often involves reference to the ideas, data and conclusions of other scholars, intellectual honesty requires that such references be explicitly and clearly noted.
Cheating harms the student’s reputation and learning. Grades obtained in the completion of the student’s program must reflect their achievement and demonstrate ethical behaviour. Any student who helps another student to cheat is just as guilty of cheating as the student they assisted. Unacceptable behaviours in these circumstances include, but are not limited to:
• Using materials or electronic devices not authorized by the person giving the test. • Collaborating with another student during a test without permission.
• Falsifications of an exam record or report.
• Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing or soliciting contents of an exam or any assignment.
• Taking a test for another student or permitting another student to take a test for one's self.
• Attempting to bribe a faculty member to obtain a passing grade, or better grade on an exam or course.
The penalties for all forms of plagiarism will be enforced as per the Conestoga College Academic Integrity Policy. Faculty may require assessments to be submitted to drop boxes which scan for plagiarism.
College Email Communication Requirements
College email must be used to contact faculty, Chair, academic support, etc. The information within the email must be kept professional. Students are required and expected to check their college email regularly. All students are assigned a college email during their active time at Conestoga College.
Please note that eConestoga email is course specific only, and may not be available for all courses. Therefore, college email must be used to contact faculty or other students. If there are any issues accessing college email, please contact the IT department at:
itsdesk@conestogac.on.ca or by telephone at519-748-5220, ext. 3444. For further assistance, access the help desk located outside of door 3, or the IT department in room 1E12.
Academic Concerns during a Course
If a student has a concern regarding an assignment, lab, midterm, final exam, etc., the student must first meet with the faculty to discuss the situation. In cases where a satisfactory outcome is not achieved by the student, the student can contact the Academic Advisor. If further action is recommended by the Academic Advisor, a meeting will be arranged with the Chair.
Student Representation – Conestoga Students Inc. (CSI)
Conestoga Students Inc. (CSI) and Conestoga agree that a student has the right to invite a member of CSI to a student and/or faculty meeting provided that 24 hours advance notice is given to faculty. This advance notice will ensure that all parties will have an opportunity to adequately prepare for the meeting.
7. SCHOOL OF BUSINESS & HOSPITALITY EXAM INFORMATION
Examination ProceduresFinal examinations are held in the last week (Monday-Saturday) of the fall and winter semesters. However, spring semester exams will be held in the final week of class, during scheduled class time.
The final exam schedule for the fall and winter semesters will be posted in the final month of the semester, on the college website under ‘Current Students’. Students are responsible to check the School of Business & Hospitality exam schedule for dates, times, and room locations of their exams. Students must be available during the entire examination schedule. Failure to
attend an exam, without prior notification and valid documentation, will result in a mark of zero, (0%).
The following rules apply to all testing situations:
• Students are required to bring their student ID cards to all exams and are required to display it during the exam.
• For exams, faculty must send all full-time students without student ID cards to the School of Business & Hospitality office, room 1B47, to obtain an identity verification form. Part-time students are not issued a student ID and can use government photo ID. • Backpacks, purses, wallets, pencil cases, etc., will be placed in a location designated by
the faculty. Only permitted items are allowed on the desk.
• Students must wait until the proctor directs them to commence, before turning over and starting their exams.
• Students are not permitted to talk after the exam has started, except to the proctor. • Students are not permitted to leave in the first 30 minutes of an exam.
• Students will not be permitted to enter the exam room after 30 minutes or after any student has exited the exam room.
• The proctor has the authority to assign seats.
• No unauthorized software/internet usage is permitted in computer exams.
• All personal electronic devices must be turned off and placed away from the student. • Students will be responsible for errors when completing a Par Score Sheet.
• Mathematical calculators are permitted as designated by faculty.
• The use of an electronic translator is prohibited. Courses are taught in English and students must be able to communicate in English.
• If a student needs to leave the room during the exam for a washroom break, they may be accompanied. The proctor will ensure that the elapsed time is reasonable. No other student will be permitted to leave the class until the previous student returns.
• Students are required to sign out when leaving the examination room and sign in when returning. Washrooms may be monitored during exams.
Accommodations are made for students with disabilities, as determined by Accessibility
Services. Faculty reserve the right to request special accommodations for students, if required. For further information regarding Accessibility Services, please visit their office, room 1A107.
Students without College Identification for Final Examinations
1. Students must obtain an identification verification form from the School of Business & Hospitality administration office in room 1B47.
2. A separate ID form is needed for every single exam written.
3. The first ID form is free of charge. There is a $5 fee for any subsequent forms required. 4. Students will be required to produce photo ID to verify their identity when obtaining the
form.
5. Students must deliver the ID form to the proctor who will permit the student to begin the exam.
Please note that any time missed while obtaining the ID form will not be added to the exam. Part-time students are not issued a student ID card and can present a valid government photo ID, such as a driver’s license, for their exams. They do not need an identification verification form. However, should a part-time student wish to obtain the ID form, they can do so at no cost.
Missed Examinations
All tests and examinations must be written on the dates and at the times scheduled. Students who miss tests or examinations will automatically be given a grade of zero, unless they have provided prior notification and valid documentation for their absence. Faculty will identify students who have provided appropriate documentation and communicate alternative exam information to the student.
Students who schedule trips or have other personal conflicts with scheduled tests or
examinations will not be provided with the opportunity to write at another time. Scheduling of
employment, childcare or vacations are not valid reasons to permit a student to write at an alternate time.
Examination Conflicts/Alternative Exam Dates
An examination conflict is when two exams are scheduled at the same time on the same day or with less than one hour in between two different exams.
The School of Business & Hospitality alternative exam date rules are as follows:
• It is up to the student to review their exam schedule and identify any conflicts prior to the start of exam week.
• It is the student’s responsibility to contact their faculty to arrange an alternate time
for one of the two exams.
• The alternative exam must be arranged prior to the start of the exam week. • A decision as to whose exam will be administered on the alternative exam day is
decided between faculty members. If a decision cannot be reached between faculty, the Chair will make the final decision.
• One of the faculty members will notify the student of the above decision and advise them of the day/time/room for their alternative exam.
• If the alternative date does not work, the student will need to work it out directly with their faculty members immediately.
Bad Weather Conditions and Testing
If all school buses have been cancelled for the public and separate school boards in Waterloo Region and Wellington County, a test scheduled to be administered during a regularly
scheduled class will automatically be postponed until the next scheduled class. Classes will not be cancelled (unless the college is closed); lectures for the next unit will start. If the college has to be closed in an examination week, the examinations scheduled for that day will be added to the end of the examination schedule, which will be extended by an additional business day. Students living outside Waterloo Region and Wellington County who cannot travel to the college due to bad weather and have bus cancellations in their area, are responsible for notifying their faculty. This notification must be made by email or telephone, prior to the test, to indicate their inability to write on the day of the test. Students must arrange to write their test immediately upon their return to the college. Students who fail to contact their faculty will receive a grade of zero on the test.
Supplemental Exams
A supplemental exam is an opportunity for a student to clear a failing grade. Not all courses are eligible for a supplemental exam. Supplemental exams are comprehensive and students are expected to cover all the material as listed in the course outline. Students must meet the mandatory conditions listed below to write the exam and they must register for the exam
within the posted deadlines. A student who completes a supplemental exam and receives a passing grade (55-100%) will have their final grade changed to a passing grade of 55%. Those students who do not pass the supplemental exam will retain their original grade. Students will have to pay to retake the course to achieve a passing grade.
Information relating to the time and date of the supplemental exam will be emailed to all students through their Conestoga College email accounts each semester. It is the student’s
responsibility to verify with their faculty to determine their eligibility for a supplemental exam. The student must follow the supplemental exam registration process and exam rules. Supplemental Exam Rules
Fifteen days after the final grade for a course is posted, supplemental exams are administered. This may vary for the fall semester due to the Christmas break. Students must check their college email for scheduled dates and times. This information is also posted on the School of Business & Hospitality information board, outside room 1B47.
Exams are pre-assigned to students and no extra copies are available at the time of writing. No alternate dates for supplemental exams are permitted. The maximum grade for a supplemental in a diploma/certificate course is 55%.
Mandatory Conditions for Supplemental Exams
The student must be currently registered in the course and meet the following conditions: • A failing grade of not less than 50%, as indicated by the course evaluation section of the
course outline.
• Limit of one supplemental opportunity per semester. • Limit of one supplemental opportunity per course.
• Passed at least one major test or exam. Passing group work is not sufficient. • No registered academic or student code of conduct offence in that semester. • Complete the process by the required deadline.
Failure to complete the registration process correctly will result in not being allowed to write the supplemental exam.
The process is as follows:
1. If the student’s final grade is between 50- 54% (for diplomas/certificates), the student must complete the supplemental form (RO479). This form can be obtained from the registrar’s office or the School of Business & Hospitality administration office, room 1B47.
3. The student must obtain the authorized signature required, from the 1B47 office, on the supplemental form prior to payment.
4. The student must take the completed and authorized supplemental form to the registrar’s office to pay the required fee.
5. The student must return with proof of payment and the supplemental form to the School of Business & Hospitality office by the set registration deadline, before their supplemental exam will be scheduled.
6. The student will retain a copy of the supplemental form for their records.
7. The students must attend and write the supplemental exam on the scheduled date assigned, as no alternative arrangements will be made.
8. SCHOOL OF BUSINESS & HOSPITALITY ACADEMIC INFORMATION
Academic/Student ServicesStudents are advised to seek academic assistance directly from their faculty, Coordinator or the Academic Advisor if concerns arise. Students are also encouraged to access the various support services available that will enhance their learning experience at Conestoga College. For further academic and student assistance please review the links below:
Aboriginal Services Accessibility Services Conestoga Students Inc. Co-op & Career Services Counselling Services Health Services Learning Commons
Library Resource Center (LRC) Student Life
Student Financial Services Academic Dates
It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of various important academic dates throughout the year. These academic dates are posted on the college website. Students also have access to review their start/end date and the drop/refund deadlines through their Student Portal under the ‘My Courses’ tab. Students must hover their mouse over the calendar icon beside the course to see the dates.
Academic Standing Decision and Promotion
A student’s academic achievement is based on the promotion guidelines established by the program. An academic standing decision is assigned by the Program Coordinator to the student record indicating progress, promotion, or graduation. These decisions are made at the end of each academic year, depending on the semester in which students start their program. The Program Coordinator and/or Academic Advisor are available to discuss academic standing, progress planning and eligibility to graduate.
A student who has previously withdrawn from the program (de-registered), upon re-application to the program will be placed in the appropriate level for the current program design. This can result in additional courses required for completion in the new program design.
Clearance of Failed Courses
There are a number of ways a student can work towards correcting failed course(s). It is recommended that students register in their failed courses as soon as possible. Students may be able to sign up and take one or more failed courses through Continuing Education; either online, or in a traditional classroom setting. Please consult with the Coordinator and/or the Academic Advisor for an academic plan to clear failed courses.
Academic Probation
When a student is carrying three to four failed courses in the program in which they are registered, the student will be placed on academic probation at the end of an academic year. Students on academic probation will be monitored by the School of Business & Hospitality’s Academic Advisor.
Students will remain on academic probation until all but two outstanding failures in their program have been cleared. While on academic probation, the student must meet with their
Coordinator or Academic Advisor prior to the beginning of each semester to establish an academic plan. This will provide better opportunities for the student to be successful. The student’s timetable will be released once this meeting has occurred.
Students will continue to be on academic probation as long as they have more than two
outstanding failed courses. If a student has five or more outstanding failed courses, they will be discontinued from full-time studies in their program.
Discontinuance
A student may be discontinued from the School of Business & Hospitality on either academic or behavioural grounds, as set out in the Student Guide. Discontinuance decisions on academic grounds are made at the end of each academic year. This will occur when a student has five or more outstanding failed courses in the program in which they are currently registered.
Re-admission to a Program
A student who has been discontinued on academic grounds, from the School of Business & Hospitality, will only be considered for re-admission into their program if:
• The student has cleared all but two of the outstanding failures, or • The student has sat out for one academic year, or
• The student is within one academic year of completing their program.
Once the student has met at least one of the above criteria, then the student must re-apply to the program. If the student is re-applying to year one, level one, they must apply through
office and pay the application fee. However, in the event the student has two or more outstanding failures and returns after sitting out for a minimum of one academic year, the student will return to their program on academic probation. Students are strongly encouraged
to clear their failed courses first.
Students do not need to clear failed courses that are not part of the designated program design. Those courses are not counted towards the maximum number of failures that the student is allowed to carry.
Re-admission to a program is not automatic. In all cases, re-admission to programs in the School of Business & Hospitality will be at the discretion of the Chair/Dean of the School and the Program Coordinator.
Students who have been discontinued from the School of Business & Hospitality must meet with the Coordinator and/or Academic Advisor to discuss the student’s plan to return to full-time studies. An academic plan will be prepared and a learning contract will be completed before the student’s application for re-admission will be considered.
Special Timetabling
Program Coordinators will be available during special timetabling to meet with students to review their course and program options. Special timetabling room locations and times will be posted on the college website under ‘Current Students’ in the ‘Announcements’ section. A student may require assistance planning and selecting courses for their next semester. Listed below are examples of some circumstances where a student needs to attend special
timetabling:
• Courses were completed out of order from their program design • Students transferred from another program or school
• Dropped, failed or completed a course load less or more than the recommended program design
Timetable Changes
Students within the School of Business & Hospitality have the ability to access their timetable through the Student Portal. Students are able to add or drop courses, provided the course fits into their timetable, and there is space in the section they wish to join. Students who attempt to alter their original timetable on their own incur the responsibility of losing their seat in a required course.
course is full, the student will no longer be able to access space in that course. If there are no other sections available in that course and the student cannot get back into the dropped section, they will be unable to take that course in that semester. It is always best to consult with the Program Coordinator and/or Academic Advisor before dropping any courses. Students who wish to adjust their timetables for personal reasons (employment, family obligations, etc.) can do so themselves, if the courses/sections are available. Special
timetabling is for adjusting timetables for academic requirements only. Full-time day courses
can be scheduled between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday and students are expected to be available for class during those times.
Program block changes are also available in some programs, if there is space within the block the student wishes to join. Course sections and blocks that are full will not allow students to access them. If a student is able to make the required changes on their own, they may not need to attend special timetabling.
Students on probation must plan on attending special timetabling, as they cannot access their timetable until they have met with their Program Coordinator and/or Academic Advisor to review their progress in the program.
Full-time day students have access to all courses scheduled during the day that are part of their program design. Students do not have access to evening, weekend, Ontario Learn courses, or courses outside of their program design. If a student wants to take one of these courses, they will be required to pay the fee for those courses, which is over and above their regular daytime tuition costs.
9. COLLEGE WIDE ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
College Policies and ProceduresA Student Protection Acknowledgement confirmation pop-up will appear when a student logs into the Student Portal on a yearly basis. This will direct students to policies and procedures relevant to their academic responsibilities. All Conestoga College wide academic policies and procedures are listed on the college website under “About Conestoga”, “Policies and
Procedures”. Students are advised to review and comply with all policies and procedures, including the following:
• Academic Disputes, Resolution and Appeal Policy & Procedure
• Academic Integrity Policy & Violation of Academic Integrity Procedure • Academic Recognition Policy
• Academic Credential Procedure
• Clearance of Academic Deficiency Policy & Procedure • Co-operative Education Policy
• Discontinuance Policy & Procedure
• Eligibility to Participate in Co-op Work Terms Policy & Procedure • Evaluation of Student Learning Policy & Procedure
• Grading Procedure
• Graduation Requirements and Convocation Procedure • Honours Policy & Procedure
• Program/Course Withdrawal (Cohort) Procedure • Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Concerns Policy & Procedure • Student Fees Policy
• Student Feedback Policy
Students must follow all of the policies and procedures for Conestoga College and it is expected that faculty will accept, fulfill and enforce these standards.
Credit Transfer
Conestoga recognizes that students may have a variety of previous experiences and formal education that may allow them to enter a program at an advanced level or provide for an exemption. Credit Transfers can be achieved through Advanced Standing, and Individual Course Exemptions. A student who believes they have already earned academic credit from a
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
Conestoga recognizes prior learning of skills, knowledge or competencies that have been acquired through employment, education (informal/formal), non-formal learning or other life experiences. Prior learning must be measured to meet the required course outcomes and grading standards. PLAR cannot be used by registered Conestoga students to clear academic deficiencies, to improve grades or to obtain admission into a program. Questions regarding PLAR may be sent to CreditTransfer@conestogac.on.ca. The Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition Policy and Procedure are posted on the college website.
Program Transfer
Students who would like to change programs within the School of Business & Hospitality may do so by completing and submitting a program application form to the registrar’s office. Prior to completing the program application form, it is recommended that the student meet with the Program Coordinator or Academic Advisor. If considering transferring to a program outside the School of Business & Hospitality, students may want to discuss options with a Career Advisor. When a student moves from one Conestoga program to another and where courses
numbers/codes are identical or equivalent, automatic credit is given if passing grades are met.
Adding Courses
Students can add courses to their daytime schedule under the ‘My Courses’ tab in their Student Portal. Continuing Education and Ontario Learn courses are not included in student full-time fees. Students wishing to take these part-time courses are required to pay the full fee for the individual course(s). Students can add a course under the ‘Browse Continuing Education’ tab in their Student Portal.
Under special circumstances, (i.e. dropped/failed courses, missing pre-requisites, etc.) students can fill out a course add/drop form and have their Coordinator/Chair sign off on the form.
Dropping Courses
Students should consult their faculty/Coordinator/Academic Advisor prior to dropping a course on the Student Portal. Dropped courses will appear as “W” (withdrawal) on transcripts if the student withdraws before the deadline date. If the course is dropped after the deadline, the student will receive an “F” (fail) on their transcript.
Students can drop a course on their own from the Student Portal, under the ‘My Courses’ tab.
Students are able to drop all courses but the last one on their own, as that would be considered withdrawing from the program.
Withdrawal from Program
Withdrawal from a program can be completed by filling out a withdrawal form and submitting it to the registrar’s office. It is advised that a student meet with their Coordinator and/or
Academic Advisor prior to submitting the form. Deadlines for withdrawing from a program, with/without an academic penalty or with/without a refund, are posted on the Student Portal, under the ‘My Courses’ tab. Students must hover their mouse over the calendar icon beside the course to see the start/end date and the drop/refund deadlines.
Graduation
Students are eligible to graduate upon completion of all academic requirements in their program of study, including co-op placements if applicable. Students need to inform the registrar’s office if they are attending graduation through their Student Portal. Convocation ceremonies are held in June and November of each academic year. Students, who take longer than the advertised program length, are responsible for completing any new or additional courses due to a program design change. Students who complete their program after the regular scheduled completion date are required to fill out an application to graduate form and submit it with payment to the registrar’s office. Students who are discontinued or have
withdrawn and then return to the college will be placed in the current program design and must meet all requirements to graduate.
10.
STUDENT FEEDBACK
Key Performance IndicatorsAll college programs in the province are evaluated using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) through the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. This survey is conducted each academic year. Strategic goals to improve the programs are developed from these results. This data and other data specific to the campus and the program/school are collected so that Conestoga College can continually improve quality.
Student Appraisal of Teaching (SAT)
The Student Appraisal of Teaching (SAT) is an online questionnaire that is administered in the latter portion of a semester. Students are asked to provide feedback regarding specific faculty members and courses by completing the SAT using their electronic device if they are not in a computer lab. This is completed for each full-time faculty member on two-year rotation and for part-time faculty as requested by the Chair. Not all faculty members are provided with
feedback during the same academic year. One-quarter of faculty are appraised each term and each faculty member has two courses selected by the Chair for appraisal. After final grades have been submitted to the registrar’s office, the Chair meets with the faculty member to discuss the results of the SAT. SATs are confidential and students are therefore encouraged to provide honest constructive feedback. Completion of this process gives faculty and Chairs valuable information that is used for improving teaching at Conestoga.
In addition to SATs, faculty may also invite their Chair or another experienced faculty member to sit in on a class or to discuss questions or problems at any time. They may also wish to seek informal feedback from their students throughout the semester. Students are welcome to discuss course progress, concerns, situations or questions with their faculty, Coordinator, Academic Advisor and/or Chair at any time.
11.
SAFETY INFORMATION
Services OfferedSecurity Services provides 24-hour security at the Doon and Cambridge (South) campuses and day, evening and 24-hour weekend security at the Guelph and Waterloo campuses. Assistance is also available to students and staff at the Stratford and Cambridge Campuses by calling the Doon Campus. The following are a list of services that are offered through the Security Services at Conestoga:
• First Aid: for any major or minor physical or medical needs • Lost and Found
• Parking: sales, assistance and enforcement
• Information/Education: for home security audits, self-defense, anti-theft precautions and basic personal safety
• Personal and college Safety concerns • Any issues to do with Lockers
• Walk Safe: provides escorts for faculty, staff, and students to any areas on campus, residence, and homes in the near vicinity
• Emergency Phones: located in strategic areas around the college providing a direct link to Security Services
• Security: at events on campus including any CSI pub night and Convocation Ceremonies
Basic Safety
Theft, tampering, loss and/or destruction of college equipment is a serious offence. Theft of personal or college equipment should be reported to security services immediately. Students found stealing or tampering with college property will be dealt with under the student code of conduct and may also face criminal charges. Please review the list of all emergency guides, and the full list of all policies and procedures relating to Security.
Emergency Telephone Messages
It may be necessary for family members to contact a student in an emergency situation. Family members need to know the student number, program name, school, and campus to which the student is registered in, to aid Security in locating the student. This information will be required when the family member calls. Please have family members contact Security directly at
After Hours Access Policy
Conestoga College recognizes that in some programs of study students may require after-hours access to classrooms, shops, labs and studios. The college maintains this after-hours access in accordance with the academic needs of individual programs. This privilege requires that students follow established guidelines, rules and regulations to ensure safety and security of person and property. The regular hours of operation of the Doon Campus are from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Monday-Sunday. Please contact Security Services for further details regarding the
After-Hours Access policy.
Parking
Paid parking is in effect at all Conestoga Campus locations. Pay and Display machines are available to purchase daily parking passes in Lots 11, 10, 9, 6 and 1. Enforcement by Kitchener By-law is conducted daily, please ensure to have the proper parking permit/pass displayed to avoid a parking ticket infraction. Parking is free all day on Saturday and Sunday and after 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday. If additional information is required please contact Parking or Security Services.
12.
PROGRAM HANDBOOK REVISION LOG
Revision Date• June 2015 • June 2014
