Student Policies
ATTENDANCE POLICY
A. Punctual and regular attendance in class/online is required since the effective learning approach at ABM College of Health and Technology is through interaction and participation.
B. If there are any extenuating circumstances (it is at the college's discretion to qualify a student's extenuating circumstance) concerning a student’s absence, the instructor should be notified as soon as possible. It is the student’s own responsibility to stay current with the course material and course curriculum, and to catch up on any missed classes regardless of the reason for absence. By way of example, skipping or missing the class where a test or an in-class assignment was announced will not excuse students from that test or assignment.
C. Students are expected to complete assigned work in the allowed time. Late assignments are not acceptable.
D. Regular attendance is taken for each student and absenteeism as well as lateness will be recorded on the attendance sheet and forwarded to the administration office. Students are required to inform the school prior to or during their absence.
E. Students who are absent for five (5) consecutive days without contact and valid excuse will be dismissed.
F. Students unable to attend for (5) or more consecutive days while maintaining contact, providing valid reason(s), and supporting documentation must speak with a school designee in order to resume their studies.
G. If a student informs the College that their absence will be for more than 28 consecutive days, they will be required to withdraw from the program.
H. Where a test is missed for reasons other than illness or other permissible circumstances, make-up tests may be offered at the discretion of the instructor. Students who are unable to write a test at the scheduled time must inform their instructor before the scheduled test time and follow up as quickly as possible.
In addition to the College’s Attendance Policy, the following Attendance Guidelines apply to programs with mandatory practicum(s):
1. All students are required to attend and successfully complete100% of the placement hours.
2. If a student misses any hours in the placement portion of the program for any reason, the student is required to make up all these missed hours.
3. If the student does not make up the missed placement hours, they will be considered unsuccessful in completing the placement and cannot graduate until 100 % has been successfully completed.
STUDENT COMPLAINT POLICY
ABM College of Health and Technology is committed to the fair treatment of its students and its employees, and to an open and collaborative approach when dealing with student concerns. We will try to resolve complaints informally wherever possible, while keeping in mind that formal resolution processes may be required to resolve the issue satisfactorily.
· All complaints must be in writing either by mail, email or submitted to an online complaint form on D2L. Anonymous complaints will not be considered.
· Lodging a complaint will have no adverse consequences on the complainant's status in their course or program of study.
· Student complaint policies and procedures apply to individual or group complaints.
· All complaints should be addressed to:
Student Services Department– ABM College of Health and Technology
555 Ellesmere Rd,
Scarborough, ON, M1R 4E8
Email: Toronto.complaints@abmcollege.com
D2L Complaint form link: https://d2lt.abmcollege.com/d2l/home
· Complaints must be initiated within 30 days of the event/s that led to the complaint.
· The student should first approach the Instructor or other individual involved to discuss verbally the area of concern. If the concern/s cannot be resolved verbally, the student will be required to submit the complaint in writing to the Student Services Department of ABM College of Health and Technology (see contact information above).
· Within 5 to 7 business days, a meeting will be arranged between the student and a representative(s) of the Student Services Department of ABM College of Health and Technology. The student may be accompanied by an advocate of their choice at all stages of the complaint process and this person may make oral submissions on behalf of the student.
· Upon review of the complaint and any other relevant information, the Student Services representative(s) will make a decision. The decision will be communicated to the student in writing within 21 business days following the meeting and will contain the reasons for the decision.
· Should the student not be satisfied with the decision rendered by the Student Services Department, the student may appeal the decision and refer the complaint to the management committee of ABM College of Health and Technology College for review.
· The results of the appeal will be communicated to the student in writing within 5 to 7 business days and the management committee's decision is final.
· ABM College of Health and Technology will maintain a record of all student complaints logged at their campus for a period of 3 years from the date of the decision. This record will include a copy of the written or digital student complaint, any submissions filed, and the written decisions.
· Should the student not be satisfied with the decision rendered by ABM College of Health and Technology, the student may refer the complaint to the Superintendent of Private Career Colleges at the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.
· If you request the Superintendent of Private Career Colleges to review your concern or complaint, submit it using the ministry's Program Approval and Registration Information System (PARIS.) At your first visit, you will be asked to create a student account. Your complaint or concern can be tracked easily and addressed directly through your account.
You may also request a review of your complaint by emailing: pcc@ontario.ca. Once you submit your complaint and any supporting documents, the superintendent or a delegate will review the documents and advise you on the next steps. You can log in to your PARIS
account at any time.
2. Outstanding Fees - Failure to pay tuition or other fees owing to the College is considered theft. Students may be expelled if fees are not paid after the College has provided a written warning.
· Any changes to this Student Complaint Policy will be filed with the Superintendent of Private Career Colleges for approval.
STUDENT EXPULSION POLICY
ABM College of Health and Technology is committed to taking all reasonable steps to ensure students have the opportunity to successfully complete their studies. The College upholds a professional environment with all students and staff treated fairly and equally. Students who do not adhere the academic and ethical conducts of the College may be suspended or expelled for inadequate performance and unacceptable actions.
The College will attempt to resolve situations amicably. However, ABM College of Health and Technology will not tolerate actions that risk the integrity, safety, or well-being of students, staff, visitors, or guests of the College. Verbal and written warnings will be issued when deemed necessary. Further actions including suspension and expulsion, will be applied at the College’s discretion.
The following outlines the conditions under which a student may be expelled.
1. Academic Dishonesty - Students may be subject to immediate expulsion for academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty is any word, action, or deed performed alone, or with others for the direct or indirect intention of providing an unfair advantage or benefit to self or other student(s), including but not limited to:
a) Cheating
b) Plagiarism
c) Unapproved collaboration
b) Students unable to attend for (5) or more consecutive days while maintaining contact, providing valid reason(s), and supporting documentation must speak with a school designee in order to resume their studies.
d) Alteration of records
e) Bribery
f) Lying
g) Misrepresentations
h) Use of aids which have not been expressly permitted
i) Theft or solicitation of another student’s assignments or papers
j) Theft of un administered tests or other academic work and/or material
k) Intentionally helping or attempting to help another student to commit any act of academic dishonesty
3. Misconduct - The College expects mature and professional behavior from the students enrolled in all modes of delivery (i.e. in person and online).Students who are involved in malicious actions towards the staff members, students or property, and in any action that is disruptive, unethical, unlawful or contrary to the best interest of the College. The following acts of misconduct will not be tolerated:
A) Acts of dishonesty, including but not limited to:
a. Giving false information to any official, Instructor, or staff member
b. Forgery, alteration, or misuse of any College document, record, or instrument of identification
c. Computer piracies: copying software, copyright infringement, and unauthorized computer entry
B) Disruption of teaching, administration, disciplinary proceedings, and other College activities.
C) Physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, including but not limited to, sexual harassment, coercion and/or other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person.
D) Attempted or actual theft of and/or damage to property of the College, a staff member, other students, or public property.
E) Unauthorized possession, duplication, or use of keys to any College premises; unauthorized entry to or use of College property.
F) Use, possession, or distribution of controlled substances (e.g. drugs and alcohol),except as permitted by law.
G) Illegal or unauthorized possession of any weapon(s) on College premises or College-sponsored activities.
H) Conduct which is disorderly, lewd, or indecent; breach of peace; or aiding, abetting, encouraging, or inducing another person to violate the Student Code of Conduct.
I) The use of profane language, rowdiness, fighting, or other disturbances on College property or at College- sponsored activities.
4. Significant Omissions or Errors in Admissions Documentation - Students who knowingly or in error misrepresent their applications are subject to immediate expulsion.
5. Academic Failure - Students who fail to achieve the required academic standing in their programs may be expelled from the program. The College may at its discretion offer alternatives to a student depending on their program of study.
6. Attendance - Regular attendance is taken for each student. Absenteeism and lateness will be recorded on the attendance sheet and forwarded to the administration office. Students are required to inform the school prior to or during their absence.
a) Students who are absent for five(5) consecutive days without contact and valid excuse will be dismissed.
(b) any violence, physical or psychological, carried out through sexual means or by targeting sexuality, including sexual abuse;
c) If a student informs the College that their absence will be for more than 28 consecutive days, they will be required to withdraw from the program.
7. Harassment or Discrimination - Students participating in harassing or discriminatory activities are subject to suspension pending investigation. Expulsion is mandatory for any student who is deemed by the investigation to have engaged in harassing or discriminatory activities.
8. Misuse of College Property - Students who damage, misuse, steal or otherwise use the property in a way that is prohibited may be expelled and will be required to make restitution.
9. Endangerment of Staff or Students - Students who by action or neglect in any way endanger the safety of themselves or others may be expelled.
Notification
Students who are expelled for any reason will be notified inwriting. The College is not responsible for non-delivery by mail if the student has not provided valid contact information. The notification will contain a description of the basis for expulsion and the effective date.
(j) sexual solicitation or advance made by a person in a position to confer, grant or deny a benefit or advancement to the person where the person making the solicitation or advance knows or ought reasonably to know that it is unwelcome.
Appeal Procedure
Expelled students who dispute the facts of the expulsion must appeal the decision inwriting within five days of the notification. Students must provide sufficient proof to support the dispute. A decision will be made within five business days of receipt of the appeal paper work and the student will be notified accordingly. Students who file an appeal and are unsuccessful are considered withdrawn from the College.
Fees
A student who is expelled by the College will be considered withdrawn from their program on the effective date of the expulsion. The College will officially withdraw the student and the student’s account will be resolved as per the refund policy outlined in the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005 and its regulations.
STUDENT SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY
1.Policy Application
The Policy applies to all students of the ABM College. ABM College will appropriately accommodate the needs of students who are affected by sexual violence and sexual harassment, by providing support and services such as schedule and class modifications and providing references for community based support. ABM College Campus Administrator will be in contact with the affected student to ensure that such accommodations or supports and services are obtained and if additional support is needed to assist students with such. Students affected by sexual violence will also have supports and services available from the community. Please refer to page 9 of the Student Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment policy.
2. The Scope
The Policy applies to complaints of sexual violence or sexual harassment that have occurred on ABM College campus or at an ABM College event and involve students of the career college community as defined in paragraph one, the Policy Application.
3. Purpose and Intent
All students of the ABM College community have a right to study in an environment free of sexual violence and sexual harassment. This document sets out our policy on sexual violence and sexual harassment, defines the prohibited behaviours, and outlines our investigative processes for sexual violence and sexual harassment.
4. Policy Objectives
ABM College is committed to providing students of our career college, an educational environment free from sexual violence and sexual harassment and treating those individuals who report incidents of sexual violence or sexual harassment with dignity and respect.
ABM College will educate and train faculty, staff and students about this Policy and how to identify situations that involve, or could progress into sexual violence or sexual harassment and how to reduce these forms of prohibited behaviours.
Where a complaint has been made, under this Policy, of sexual violence or sexual harassment ABM College will take all reasonable steps to investigate it, including as follows:
(a) responding promptly to any complaint and providing reasonable updates to the complainant and the respondent about the status of the investigation;
(b) assisting those who have experienced sexual violence or sexual harassment in obtaining counselling and medical care;
(c) providing those who have experienced sexual violence or sexual harassment with appropriate academic and other accommodation;
(d) providing those who have experienced sexual violence or sexual harassment with information about reporting options;
(e) providing on-campus investigation procedures for sexual violence and sexual harassment complaints.
5. Definition of Sexual Misconduct
Sexual Violence, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes:
(a) sexual assault which is any type of an unwanted sex act done by one person to another, without that person’s consent, that violates the sexual integrity of an individual ranging from unwanted touching to penetration;
(c) criminal harassment (including stalking and cyber bullying).
Sexual Harassment, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes:
(a) Any course of vexatious comment or conduct of a sexual nature that is known or ought reasonably to have been known to be unwelcome, including:
(b) offensive jokes or comments of a sexual nature;
(c) displaying of pornographic or sexist pictures or materials, including online;
(d) suggestive or offensive remarks;
(e) unwelcome language related to gender;
(f) remarks, jokes, innuendoes, propositions, or taunting about a person’s body, attire, sex or sexual orientation;
(g) leering or inappropriate staring;
(h) bragging about sexual prowess;
(i) physical contact such as touching, patting, or pinching, with an underlying sexual connotation;
6. Reporting and Responding to Sexual Violence
A student must report to the Campus Administrator in order to file a complaint on sexual violence.
All members of our career college community will take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual violence on our career college campus or events and report immediately to the ABM College if they are subject to, witness or have knowledge of sexual violence, or have reason to believe that sexual violence has occurred or may occur.
To a possible extent, ABM College will attempt to keep all information disclosed confidential except in those circumstances it believes an individual is at imminent risk of self-harm, or of harming another, or there are reasonable grounds to believe that others in the our career community are at risk.
ABM College recognizes the right of the Complainant to determine whether their complaint will be dealt with by the police and/or ABM College. However, in certain circumstances, ABMCollege may be required by law or its internal policies to initiate an internal investigation and/or inform police without the complainant’s consent, if it believes the safety of members of its career college community is at risk.
If students, in good faith, report an incident of, or make a complaint about, sexual violence, they will not be subject to discipline or sanctions for violations of the career college’s policies relating to drug or alcohol use at the time the alleged sexual violence occurred.
Students are not required to report an incident of, or make a complaint about, sexual violence under the process to obtain (as stated in section 1), such supports and services or accommodation.
Students also have a right to refuse an official investigation upon complaint or to participate in any investigation conducted by ABM College that might occur.
Students who disclose their experience of sexual violence through reporting an incident of, making a complaint about, or accessing supports and services for sexual violence, will not be asked irrelevant questions during the investigation process by the private career college’s staff or investigators, including irrelevant questions relating to the student’s sexual expression or past sexual history.
The complaint and any official investigations held by the College will be conducted by the campus administrator and student service department at every stage of the process of investigation.
7. Investigating Reports of Sexual Violence
A complaint of sexual violence may be filed under this Policy, by any student of our career college community, to the ABM College in writing.
Upon a complaint of alleged sexual violence being made the ABM College will initiate an investigation, including as follows:
(a) determining whether the incident should be referred immediately to police;
(b) meeting with the complainant to determine the date and time of the incident, the persons involved, the names of any person who witnessed the incident and complete description of what occurred;
(c) interviewing the complainant, any person involved in the incident and any identified witnesses;
(d) interviewing any other person who may have knowledge of incidents related to the complaint or any other similar incidents;
(e) informing the respondent of the complaint, providing details of the allegations and giving the respondent an opportunity to respond to those allegations;
(f) providing reasonable updates to the complainant and the respondent about the status of the investigation;
(g) determining what disciplinary action, if any, should be taken.
A party to an investigation or decision-making process has the right to have a person present with them at every stage of the process.
Procedural Fairness
ABM will ensure procedural fairness is ensued at every step in the investigation to the decision-making process for all parties involved before and after a decision or responding to an appeal made. This includes the right of notice, the right to be judged by an impartial decision maker and the right to a decision and the rationale behind the decision made.
8. Reporting Sexual Harassment
All members of our career college community will take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment on our career college campus or events and report immediately to the ABM College if they are subject to, witness or have knowledge of sexual harassment, or have reason to believe that sexual harassment has occurred or may occur.
To a possible extent, ABM College will attempt to keep all information disclosed confidential, except in those circumstances it believes an individual is at imminent risk of self-harm, or of harming another, or there are reasonable grounds to believe that others in our career community are at risk.
If the complainant decides not to lay a formal complaint, ABM College may in certain circumstances, be required by law or its internal policies to initiate an internal investigation if it believes the safety of members of its career college community is at risk.
9. Investigating Reports of Sexual Harassment
If a student of our career college community believes they have been sexually harassed by member of our career college community, they may confront the harasser personally or inwriting pointing out the unwelcome behaviour and requesting that it stop;
Report the complaint to ABM College in writing.
Upon receiving a complaint of alleged sexual harassment being made to any of ABM College Designates, ABM College designates will initiate an investigation, including as follows:
(a) meeting with the complainant to determine the date and time of the incident, the persons involved, the names of any person who witnessed the incident and a complete description of what occurred;
(b) interviewing the complainant, any person involved in the incident and any identified witnesses;
(c) interviewing any other person who may have knowledge of incidents related to the complaint or any other similar incidents;
(d) informing the respondent of the complaint, providing details of the allegations and giving the individual an opportunity to respond to those allegations;
(e) providing reasonable updates to the complainant and the respondent about the status of the investigation;
(f) determining what disciplinary action, if any, should be taken.
Campus Administrator– ABM College of Health and Technology, 555 Ellesmere Rd, Scarborough, ON, M1R 4E8
Email: Toronto.complaints@abmcollege.com
10. Disciplinary Measures
If it is determined by ABM College that a student of our career college community has been involved in sexual violence or sexual harassment of a fellow student or member of our career college community, immediate disciplinary or corrective action will be taken up to and including suspension and/or expulsion of a student and or placement of restriction on the respondent's ability certain premises or facilities.
In cases where criminal proceedings are initiated, ABM College will assist police agencies, lawyers, insurance companies, and courts to the fullest extent.
Where criminal and/or civil proceedings are commenced in respect of allegations of sexual violence or sexual harassment, ABM College may conduct its own independent investigation and make its own determination in accordance with its own policies and procedures.
ABM College will take measures in place to ensure individuals involved in the investigation or complaint and their personal information is kept confidential and protected.
Interim Measures
ABM College many impose interim measures while an investigation is underway. These measures are not disciplinary but precautionary and will be assessed on a weekly basis while a decision is impending. All parties will be immediately be notified of any changes made to these measures.
Appeal
Should the Complainants and/or Respondents, not agree with the decision resulting from the investigation process they will be able to make an appeal within 14 business days to the Campus Administrator by submitting a letter. The Campus Administrator will have the right to deny or grant the appeal based on the grounds of appeal. In a case if an appeal is granted, the Complainant and/or Respondent must provide evidence and information to support their reasons of unfair or biased manner of investigation and decision making.
Making False Statements
It is a violation of this Policy for anyone to knowingly make a false complaint of sexual violence or sexual harassment or to provide false information about a complaint. Individuals who violate this Policy are subject to disciplinary and / or corrective action, up to and including termination of employment or expulsion.
11. Review
ABM College of Health and Technology shall ensure that student input is considered in the development of its Sexual Violence Policy and every time it is reviewed or amended.
ABM College of Health and Technology shall review its Sexual Violence Policy every 3 years after it is first implemented and amend it where appropriate. The next date for review date is December 1, 2026.
11. Collection of Student Data
ABM College of Health and Technology shall collect and be prepared to provide upon request by the Superintendent of Private Career Colleges such data and information as required according to Subsections 32.1 (8), (9), (10) and (11) of Schedule 5 of the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005 as amended.
12. Reprisal
It is a violation of this Policy to retaliate or threaten to retaliate against a complainant, acting in good faith, which has brought forward a complaint of sexual violence or sexual harassment, provided information related to a complaint, or otherwise been involved in the complaint investigation process. I,________________________________ have read and I fully understand the above policy and I acknowledge that I am aware that failure to abide by the policy and/or if I am found guilty of being involved in sexual violence or sexual harassment of another student or member of ABMCollege community, I will face disciplinary or corrective action which may include suspension and/ or expulsion.
Signed on _________________________Signature of Student_______________________
Witness______________________________
Appendix 1
Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres
Ontario, Provincial,
English
Assaulted Women’s Helpline
Toll Free: 1-866-863-0511
#SAFE (#7233) on Bell, Rogers, Fido or Telus mobile
TTY: 416-364-8762
Français, Fem’aide
Telephone toll-free: 1-877-336-2433
ATS: 1 866 860-7082
Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres
35 hospital-based centres that provide 24/7 emergency care to women. To locate the Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centre nearest you, follow this link.
Local
Peel Region
Hope 24/7 (formerly the Sexual Assault/Rape Crisis Centre of Peel)
Crisis:1-800-810-0180
Office: (905) 792-0821
Newmarket
Women’s Support Network of York Region
Crisis: 1-800-263-6734 or 905-895-6734
Office: (905) 895-3646
Oakville
Sexual Assault & Violence Intervention Services of Halton
Crisis: 905-875-1555 or 1-877-268-8416
Office: 905-825-3622
Toronto Rape Crisis Centre: Multicultural Women Against Rape
Crisis: 416-597-8808
Office: 416-597-1171
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SURVEY FOR GRADUATES
As an ABM College of Health and Technology graduate, your opinion is important to us.
You will be receiving a call after your graduation from FORUM RESEARCH CANADA, a research firm contracted by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development regarding your participation in the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) Graduate Satisfaction Survey.
This firm will be collecting information for the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) Graduate Satisfaction Survey, to be followed by the KPI Employer Satisfaction Survey. The purpose of these provincial surveys is to measure ABM College’s effectiveness in preparing you for the workplace. The results have an impact on both the college’s level of provincial funding as well as determining future curriculum and program direction. Forum Research Canada requires your consent to contact your employer for their input to the employer survey.
Measuring Success after Graduation
How many students successfully graduate from private career colleges? Do graduates find jobs and are these jobs related to their training? How many students pay back their student loans? Since 2013, Ontario’s private career colleges – or PCCs – have worked with the ministry and its partners to gather data to answer these questions. The data is used to develop measurable values called key performance indicators – or KPIs. KPIs show how graduates have fared after graduating from PCC vocational programs. They help future students make more informed decisions about their postsecondary education and help institutions identify areas of strength and weakness and opportunities for improvement.
The KPI Process
Under the authority of the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005, the Superintendent of Private Career Colleges issued a policy directive setting out five PCC KPIs:
(1) Graduation Rate
(2) Graduate Employment Rate
(3) Graduate Employment Rate in Field of Study
(4) Graduate Satisfaction Rate
(5) Employer Satisfaction Rate.
Graduation rate is calculated from audited data submitted by PCCs three times per year. The other four KPIs are calculated from surveys taken by graduates and their employers. The ministry also calculates Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) loan default rates for PCCs approved to accept OSAP-assisted students, which are also considered a performance indicator for the sector.
Student Loan Default Rate
The OSAP Default rate is percentage of number of loan recipients in default as a percentage of the number of total loan recipients.
Small Sample and No Sample : In the event that you will see “SS” or “ND” in place of KPI rates, “SS” means “Small Sample” and is used to indicate when the sample size is less than five. These numbers are still included in the cumulative program category and institution results. “ND” means “No Data” and is used to indicate that there were no enrolled students or graduates that met the necessary criteria to be included in that calculation.
Source: https://www.tcu.gov.on.ca
Student Recommendations of ABM College
I loved every minute of going to ABM College, I felt they prepared me so well for my course and for what's to come after graduation. I could not be happier with my education and now my successful career as a Health Care Aide.Kelly Reis, Alberta- ABM College helped me to pursue my dream job. At first, I was hesitant because I thought doing classes online is not so easy. But they have flexible hours to attend so working students can choose a time to work with your schedule. All instructors are very approachable and staff are very accommodating. A great school that I will not forget.Bhing Sayson-Cuadra, Saskatchewan
- I studied the Diploma program in Business Administration and graduated May 2022. The teachers I had were all amazing! They are very good at what they do and help us as much as they can. They share their knowledge and experiences and help the students in every way.Emma Rose Lontoc, Alberta
- I studied Medical Office Assistant & Unit Clerk at ABM College. The decision was difficult for me in my 40’s with kids and work, but I had great experience with online lessons. Thanks to my Instructors for always supporting and helping me. A good decision to study at ABM College.Rafaela Goyena, Alberta
Ian Morales- Being a student of theMedical Office Assistant and Unit Clerkprogram was a great platform to change my career in the medical field. As I finished my studies, a lot of opportunities opened up to me to work as a unit clerk in the Saskatchewan Health Region.Cheryle Pascua, Saskatchewan
- Highly recommend it for professionals who need to upgrade their skills. I took the Digital Marketing Diploma and really liked it. It helped me increase my skills and build up my confidence. Teachers and staff were all very kind and helpful.Marlene Rados, Alberta
