Policies

Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy lets you know how your personal information is processed and used. We promise that we will take steps to use your personal information only in ways that are compatible with this Privacy Policy. The following policies are only in effect for the webpages, newsletters, and opt-in announcement lists owned and operated by Centre for Arts and Technology, (“Centre for Arts and Technology”). The Centre for Arts and Technology Network includes all websites and certain other Internet media properties hyperlinked from the Centre for Arts and Technology corporate website. The following discloses our Privacy Policy.

What information are you collecting and how are you collecting it?

Every computer connected to the Internet is given a domain name and a set of numbers that serve as that computer’s “Internet Protocol” or IP address. When a visitor requests a page from any website within the Centre for Arts and Technology Network, our web servers automatically recognize that visitor’s domain name and IP address. The domain name and IP address reveal nothing personal about you other than the IP address from which you have accessed our site.

Our web servers also collect information about the type of Internet browser you are using, operating system, as well as which of Centre for Arts and Technology’s Web pages you have accessed. This information is used to help our team develop websites to display properly for the majority of our visitors.

Our Web servers do not automatically record e-mail addresses of the visitors.

Does Centre for Arts and Technology use cookies?

Yes, Centre for Arts and Technology uses cookies. A cookie is a small piece of data that is sent to your Internet browser from a web server and stored on your computer’s hard drive. Cookies are often used to provide you with a customized experience. At no time is any personal information stored within one of our cookies.

Accepting cookies through your browser is a personal choice. You can still enjoy Centre for Arts and Technology’s websites if you choose not to accept cookies.

What information do you collect when I complete the “Contact Us” form?

Any information supplied through our contact forms is used to aid our business to respond to your request and provide you with the necessary information.

Your email address may be entered to receive Centre for Arts and Technology’s electronic newsletter. You can unsubscribe to this newsletter at anytime.

Will you disclose the information you collect to outside third parties?

Centre for Arts and Technology will not sell or otherwise provide the information we collect to outside third parties for the purpose of direct or indirect mass email marketing.

Centre for Arts and Technology will disclose personal information and/or an IP address, when required by law or in the good-faith belief that such action is necessary to:

  1. Cooperate with the investigations of purported unlawful activities and conform to the edicts of the law or comply with legal process served on Centre for Arts and Technology.
  2. Protect and defend the rights or property of the Centre for Arts and Technology Network of sites and related properties, or visitors to the Centre for Arts and Technology Network of sites and related properties.
  3. Identify persons who may be violating the law, the rights of third parties, or otherwise misusing the Centre for Arts and Technology Network or its related properties.

What safeguards are in place?

Centre for Arts and Technology is obligated to protect your personal information by making reasonable security arrangements against such risks as unauthorized access, use, collection, disclosure or disposal. Security measures have been integrated into the design, implementation, and day-to-day operating practices as part of Centre for Arts and Technology’s commitment to protect the personal information it holds.

What else should I know about my privacy when online?

The Centre for Arts and Technology Network contains many hyperlinks to third party websites. Centre for Arts and Technology is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such third party websites or advertisers. Centre for Arts and Technology does not share any of the individual personal information you provide to the third parties to which Centre for Arts and Technology links. Please check with those websites to determine their privacy policy.

Please keep in mind that whenever you voluntarily disclose personal information online – for example through e-mail, discussion lists, or elsewhere – that information can be collected and used by others. In short, if you post personal information online that is accessible to the public, you may receive unsolicited messages from other parties in return.

Ultimately, you are solely responsible for maintaining the secrecy of your personal information. Please be careful and responsible whenever you’re online.

Consent To This Agreement

By using the Centre for Arts and Technology Network, you consent to the collection and use of information by Centre for Arts and Technology as specified above. If we decide to change our privacy policy, we will post those changes on this page so that you are always aware of what information we collect, how we use it, and under what circumstances we disclose it.

Please send any questions about Centre for Arts and Technology’s Privacy Policy to:

email: privacy@digitalartschool.com

Informal Student Dispute Resolution Process

TEC holds the position that open honest feedback and discussion are necessary for positive growth and development, whether personal, social, cultural, corporate, or governmental. In fulfilling TEC’s mission of creating a holistic educational environment that empowers people through education, TEC colleges have a responsibility to guide and mentor students in developing successful positive communication skills, including dealing with conflict and dispute, in and out of class. Every situation and every disagreement or conflict is an opportunity to example appropriate skills and mentor students in developing positive resolution skills. Therefore, TEC colleges should strive to create a culture of consistently safe, open (e.g., non judgmental, non threatening), honest, easy, caring, and respectful communication, where issues are resolved quickly and easily through informal (casual) discussion and debate rather than aggressive conflict or resorting to formal processes and injunctions. TEC believes positive communication skills will assist students and graduates in being successful in whatever ways they define success and will certainly contribute to their attractiveness to employers.

TEC institutions are committed to listening and acting on well-presented, constructive ideas and suggestions from the student body, and students are encouraged to communicate on an ongoing basis throughout their studies. TEC institutions provide multiple ways for students to communicate their thoughts/ideas, issues, and suggestions with the management and administration on campus and TEC institutions encourage students to utilize these methods of communication to make suggestions, solve issues, answer concerns, and improve the delivery of training. While unable to facilitate every suggestion or idea, TEC institutions are still committed to ongoing discussion and providing reasonable explanations and rationale.

It is the philosophy of TEC colleges to have an open-door policy and to rely heavily on student feedback to continually improve. TEC college staff make themselves available to hear comments, suggestions and ideas through informal meetings and appointments (personal interviews). Unless otherwise noted (e.g., through Student Services departments), students may set up a meeting through Reception. Reception will identify which personnel are best able to help and arrange contact or set up a meeting.

Here are some other common communication tools at TEC institutions

Course/Instructor Evaluations

Course/Instructor Evaluations are given at regular intervals (e.g., one-third and two-thirds of each term). Students are asked to evaluate their instructors, the course content and relevance, the tools provided, the style of delivery for each course, and the facilities, administrative services, and student services. These online forms can be completed any time during the semester at a student’s request and as often as necessary. Completed forms are reviewed and averaged.

Students can identify themselves or remain anonymous. There may be follow-up directly with students who identify themselves by way of written presentation of solutions, and/or an interview for the same.

Senior management may conduct an investigation into comments, interview staff and instructors, sit in on classes and review instructors, and seek more information from students prior to making a decision on the comments. As this process may take time, there is no time restraint on the response. Many of these issues involve more than one person or subject and it is important to make this a thorough process.

Student Forums and Student Committees

Some colleges may hold a student discussion forum as required or on a regular basis. All relevant staff and any interested students attend. All topics are welcome when presented in a positive, constructive manner. The staff can openly respond to student concerns on the spot. As well, some colleges support student committees to represent the input and concerns of students to the faculty and administration.

Policy Number: S-115
Policy Name: Student Dispute Resolution Policy

Related Policies, Forms and Procedures:
Date Written or Last Modified: August 19, 2021
Date Approved By Management Team:
Date Approved By Board of Directors:

Objective of Policy:
The purpose of this policy is to establish a process for resolving student disputes that is fair, efficient, and consistent and respects the privacy of all parties involved.

Scope:
This policy applies to all students in TEC institutions and all nature of disputes, including courses/programs, faculty/staff, grading, facilities, equipment, other students, and disciplinary actions.

Policy:

  1. It is the policy of all TEC institutions to resolve any disputes in the most efficient, fair manner possible. TEC staff are always ready to hear comments, suggestions and ideas. To set up personal interviews students are asked to request a meeting at reception. Students will be contacted within 24 hours of submitting a request for a meeting by the appropriate staff. The student may request an independent observer (designated by the school) to attend.
  2. TEC colleges establish procedures for addressing student questions and concerns and students should be regularly informed of these communication avenues and encouraged to use them. The formal dispute procedure set forth below should be utilized only after the student has followed the informal dispute resolution process. TEC believes that most issues can be and are best resolved on an informal basis through the informal venues available providing students take initiative and responsibility in making reasonable efforts to address their questions and concerns. If a student pursues a formal dispute path without first following the informal dispute resolution process, college staff should explain and guide the student through the informal process first.
  3. If an issue is not resolved through informal meetings with the appropriate staff then the following dispute-resolution procedure should be followed:
  • Grievances, appeals, or complaints must be presented in writing, signed and delivered to the Director of Education in the event that such matters have not been satisfactorily resolved on an informal basis.
  • Upon receipt of the complaint, the Director of Education shall investigate as necessary and advise the student of any delays in the investigation. The investigation may include interviews with the complainant as well as other relevant parties.
  • The Director of Education shall provide, within ten (10) school days of receiving the complaint or appeal, a written response, and if possible a verbal response to the complainant setting forth the decision concerning said complaints. The failure of the complainant to cooperate with the investigation shall be deemed as a withdrawal of the complaint and no further action will be taken.
  • If the grievance has resulted in a temporary suspension of the student, the school will attempt to resolve the issue within three (3) school days.
  • A student may appeal the decision/resolution presented by the Director of Education by written notice only. The written appeal must be delivered to the school within five (5) school days of receipt of the written decision/resolution.
  • Upon receiving a written appeal the Director of Education shall review the decision/resolution and conduct further investigations as deemed necessary. The Director of Education may arrange for the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to hear and investigate the complaint.
  • The investigation may include interviewing the complainant, or other necessary parties, individually or in a group consisting of appropriate directors and staff. The decision/resolution will require agreement from a minimum of two (2) directors and/or the President of the division alone. The Director of Education shall provide the written response to the student setting forth the decision/resolution within five (5) school days of receipt of the student appeal.

4. All written communications by the complainant must be addressed to the Director of Education and delivered to the reception desk. Written communication from the Director of Education must be presented directly to the complainant or mailed to the most recent address provided.

5. A complainant shall follow the dispute resolution procedure and not discuss the matter with any other parties once the complaint has been filed with the Director of Education. The failure of the complainant to adhere to the aforementioned guidelines may result in the dismissal of the complaint and may result in the expulsion of the student from the school. All investigations by the school will be conducted in the strictest confidence and involve only those deemed necessary to fulfill due diligence.

6. Retaliatory action of any kind is prohibited. This includes retaliatory action against a person who makes a disclosure or files a complaint, against a witness, or against any other persons involved in the process. Where a member of the college community is found to have engaged in retaliatory action or to have breached the confidentiality requirements, the Centre may take appropriate action.

7. If the complainant is dissatisfied with the determination and has been misled by the institution regarding any significant aspect of their program, they may file a complaint with the Private Training Institutes Branch (www.privatetraininginstitutions.gov.bc.ca).

Sexual Violence or Misconduct Prevention

Centre for Arts and Technology is committed to supporting students who are affected by sexual violence or misconduct, making the campus safer and more responsive, and providing a fair and effective process for responding to and investigating allegations of sexual violence or misconduct.

This policy is guided by the following principles:

  • Centre for Arts and Technology does not tolerate any form of sexual violence or misconduct.
  • Centre for Arts and Technology strives to prevent sexual violence or misconduct and to respond effectively and in a timely manner when incidents occur.
  • Centre for Arts and Technology has a responsibility to create a safe and respectful campus environment.
  • Centre for Arts and Technology endeavours to ensure victims/survivors are supported and treated with compassion; have access to safety planning; academic and other accommodations; and on and off-campus confidential support services.
  • Centre for Arts and Technology respects the privacy and procedural fairness rights of the victims/survivors and alleged perpetrators.

This policy applies where:

  • An incident of sexual violence or misconduct is alleged to have occurred on the college campus, or off-campus and in connection with an event or activity sponsored, organized, led, or required by the Centre, including but not limited to off-campus activity that students are required to participate in for the successful completion of their studies (i.e., field trips, practicum placements); and
  • The alleged incident of sexual violence or misconduct involves a member of the college community or a person who was a member of the college community at the time of the incident.

Any student who has experienced sexual violence or misconduct may choose to disclose the experience by confiding in another member of the college community.

A student who has experienced sexual violence or misconduct may file a complaint under this policy by submitting the complaint in writing to the Director of Student Success.

A complainant has the right to withdraw a complaint at any stage of the process. However, the Centre may continue to act on the issue identified in the complaint where it is obligated by law or where the safety of the college community is in jeopardy.

The Director of Student Success will investigate the complaint and will submit a written report to the Director of Education within thirty (30) calendar days. Based on the findings of the report, the Director of Education will be responsible for determining what measures are appropriate.

The decision can be appealed in writing within ten (10) business days and will be reviewed by the Director of Education and possibly the Senior Leadership Team. All decisions will be provided in writing.