Student Policies & Procedures

At Red Deer Polytechnic, we foster an educational environment committed to high standards of student conduct, academic performance and integrity.

The Academic Misconduct Procedure outlines the process of reporting, investigating and deciding the outcomes of alleged academic misconduct.

View the Academic Misconduct Procedure.

Students are responsible to conduct themselves in a way that supports a positive learning environment for themselves and others.

Examples of academic misconduct may include, but are not limited to:

• Plagiarism, which means passing off the ideas, words or work of someone else as your own
• Self-plagiarism, which means submitting any assignments or creative work for which credit was previously received in another course (without prior approval of the instructor in the most recent course)
• Improper collaboration, which means two students submitting the same assignment or paper in two different courses)
• Cheating on an assignment or exam, including copying from another individual, by using aids or by using unauthorized materials (e.g. devices, cheat sheets, ChatGPT)
• Submitting an assignment, essay or project with made-up statistics or facts, and citing made-up or misrepresented sources
• And more

See “Appendix A – Types of Academic Misconduct” in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Policy for additional examples.

If there is an alleged instance of academic misconduct, a process of communications and investigation will begin.

Complete details on the procedure are available in the Academic Misconduct Procedure.

Generally, the procedure involves informing the student about the alleged academic misconduct and providing them with an opportunity to respond. As the process unfolds, information will be gathered throughout the investigation, and additional individuals may be included (course instructor, Associate Dean or School representative, Office of the Registrar, Vice President Academic).

The exact procedure will differ for each alleged situation, depending on a variety of factors – including whether this is a first incident or subsequent incident of suspected academic misconduct. Please review the procedure noted above for complete details.

Students or other individuals with evidence of academic misconduct are encouraged to report the situation to:

• Their instructor,
• Another instructor, or
• The Dean of Students

Complete details are available in the Academic Misconduct Procedure.

You can email RDP's Dean of Students with any questions.

Yes. Student respondents may make an appeal application under the Student Appeals Policy.

This procedure outlines the steps required for reporting, responding to, and investigating student non-academic misconduct. The procedure also establishes a decision-making framework that encourages personal accountability and engages educational methods before punitive approaches.

View the Non-Academic Misconduct Procedure.

Students are responsible for acting in a way that supports the values of shared respect for the safety, dignity, rights and well-being of people and their property.

Examples of non-academic misconduct that contravene these values include, but are not limited to:

• Offences against people
• Offences relating to property
• Causing a disturbance
• Acting in a disorderly, lewd, obscene or indecent manner
• Encouraging, conspiring or aiding another person in the commission of a non-academic offence
• And more

See “Appendix B – Types of Non-Academic Misconduct” in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Policy for additional examples.

If there are questions about whether or not non-academic misconduct has occurred, or if a debriefing after an incident is required, contact the Dean of Students.

Individuals can report directly to Campus Security:

• In person
• By phone at 403.342.3445
• By email
• Through the RDP Safe App
  • Select the red “Security Emergency” option
  • Select the “Security Toolbox” option
  • Select “Chat with Campus Security”

The Security Services Manager (or designate) and the Dean of Students (or designate) will be notified of the report.

Depending on the situation and after appropriate consultation, the decision will be made on how to best support individual students in finding and using appropriate services.

View the Non-academic Misconduct Procedure for full details on reporting an incident.

The circumstances of the complaint and personal information about complainants, respondents and witnesses will be kept confidential to the extent possible – within the scope of safety and legal requirements.

Read the Non-academic Misconduct Procedure for full details on confidentiality and pathways for support.

At any time, an individual may request, or the Polytechnic may decide that it is fair and reasonable to put temporary and precautionary measures in place.

Decisions about interim measures will strive to balance the rights of both the complainant and the respondent.

View the Non-academic Misconduct Procedure for full details on interim measures.

The Dean of Students (or designate) will review the information and determine the next steps. An investigation will proceed if the allegations could result in the violation of the Student Rights and Responsibilities Policy. Additionally, there must be enough information to form the basis of an investigation.

Review the Non-academic Misconduct Procedure for full details on investigations.

At the conclusion of an investigation, a written report will be prepared based on the evidence collected.

The Vice President, Academic and Student Experience (or designate) then determines the outcome measures – or next steps – for the student who has violated the Student Rights and Responsibilities Policy.

The exact outcome measures will differ for each situation, depending on a number of factors. In addition, one or more outcome measures may be imposed for a student who has violated the policy.

View the Non-academic Misconduct Procedure for full details on reporting and outcome measures.

Yes. Student respondents may make an appeal application under the Student Appeals Policy.

This procedure outlines the steps to be followed when a student requests a reappraisal of a final grade.

View the Reappraisal of Final Grade Procedure.

It’s important to note that this procedure is not for concerns about in-term work, which are addressed in the Reappraisal of Graded Term Work Procedure.

The first step is for the student to meet with their instructor to discuss the final grade, and this has to happen on or before the tenth (10th) business day after the final grade is posted to the student’s record.

This meeting may be in-person, by phone or on a virtual platform. Both the student and the instructor may bring a support person to the meeting.

The instructor will email the student within two business days, describing the outcome of the discussion and the reasons for any decision. If there was an error in calculating the final grade, the instructor will submit a Grade Change Form to Student Records.

If the student remains dissatisfied, they may complete a Reappraisal of Final Grade or Graded Term Work form within three business days of receiving the instructor’s email.

The Associate Dean of the School will review the determine and approve if the student’s request will be approved or denied. If the request is approved, reappraisals may occur through a variety of ways, depending on the situation.

It’s important to note that the final grade may be higher, lower, or remain the same as a result of the reappraisal.

Read the Reappraisal of Final Grade Procedure for full details on reappraisals.

Yes, but the following considerations apply.

First, a student must exhaust all decision making and reappraisal processes with the School before submitting an appeal under the Student Appeals Policy.

A student has grounds to appeal only when they can establish bias or a breach of procedural fairness. An appeal is not a further reappraisal of the grade itself.

This procedure outlines the steps to be followed when a student requests a reappraisal of a grade they received for in-term work.

View the Reappraisal of Graded Term Work Procedure.

It’s important to note that this procedure is not for concerns about final grades, which are addressed in the Reappraisal of Final Grade Procedure.

The first step is for the student to meet with their instructor to discuss the graded term work, and this has to happen on or before the tenth (10th) business day after the student received notification about the grade. The student will specify why they believe it is incorrect.

This meeting may be in-person, by phone or on a virtual platform. Both the student and the instructor may bring a support person to the meeting.

The instructor will email the student within two business days, describing the outcome of the discussion and the reasons for any decision.

If the student remains dissatisfied, they may complete a Reappraisal of Final Grade or Graded Term Work form within three business days of receiving the instructor’s email.

The Associate Dean of the School will review the determine and approve if the student’s request will be approved or denied. If the request is approved, reappraisals may occur through a variety of ways, depending on the situation.

It’s important to note that the grade may be higher, lower, or remain the same as a result of the reappraisal.

View the Reappraisal of Graded Term Work Procedure for full details on reappraisals.

No. There is no appeal for a reappraisal of graded term work.

All members of RDP’s community have the right to live free from sexual and gender-based violence, which may include: 

• Sexual harassment 
• Sexual assault 
• Sexual exploitation 
• Sexual extortion 
• Stalking 
• Other forms of violence and intimidation. 

At RDP, violence is not tolerated, and it is prohibited conduct. This may include violence against someone based on their: 

• Gender identity and expression 
• Indigeneity 
• Race 
• Ethnicity 
• Ability 
• Sexual orientation 
• Health status 
• Religion 
• Age 
• Citizenship 

Learn more about sexual and gender-based violence on the Counselling Services Guides.

Disclosure is the act of informing another individual at the Polytechnic about an incident of sexual or gender-based violence, with the intention of obtaining support.   

If you choose to disclose your situation: Disclosure does not mean you are initiating a formal report or investigation. It does mean that you are looking for support. Students may choose to disclose their situation to RDP faculty, staff or another member of the Polytechnic community. 

If you make a disclosure, you have the right to access on-campus supports and safety planning, or to request accommodations.  

If someone discloses a situation to you: Your role is to listen, believe, affirm and empower the person making the disclosure by referring them to existing supports and resources. Let them decide the next steps. 

View the complete list of supports here.  

RDP recognizes the impact of trauma on a student’s physical or mental health. Students may have feelings of distress, anger, fear, sadness, lack of energy or other feelings. These feelings may impact a student’s ability to focus, complete schoolwork, study and ask for support. 

Academic supports: Students have the right to ask for accommodations such as assignment extensions, exam deferrals, course schedule changes, course delivery changes, etc.  

Such interim measures must be fair and reasonable under the circumstances, and confidentiality is essential. The Dean of Students makes decisions about interim measures for students.  

On-campus supports:  

• Accessibility Services | 403.357.3629 | Email Us
• Campus Health & Wellbeing Services | 403.342.3427 | Email Us
• Counselling Services | 403.343.4064 | Email Us 
• RDP Students’ Association My Wellness | 403.342.3200 | Email Us 

View the complete list of on-campus and community supports. 

If you choose to report an incident of sexual or gender-based violence, this may lead to interim measures, to the initiation of an investigation or to other actions.  

Red Deer Polytechnic is pleased to provide an option for students to anonymously report incidents of sexual & gender-based violence.

To access this service:

• Call 1.800.661.9675 to speak with a live agent, or
• Go to ConfidenceLine to enter a report online.

For further information access:

• ConfidenceLine Student Booklet that shares information about the third-party communication program, and
• Step-by-Step Instructions for using the online platform.

As a reminder, ConfidenceLine is a new reporting option for sexual and gender-based violence.

Students can continue to file reports using other methods, as per the applicable processes within RDP policies and procedures.

Once a report is received, the Dean of Students determines whether to impose interim measures, initiate an investigation or take other action.  

At any time throughout the process, a student may withdraw their sexual and gender-based violence report by contacting the Dean of Students.  

View complete details on reporting in the Sexual and Gender-based Violence Response Procedure.

If a student chooses to initiate an appeal, they should refer to the steps and important timeline details below and in the subsequent stages. 

Stage One: Initiating an Appeal Procedure 

Step 1: The Student must submit an Appeal Application form to the Policy and Compliance Manager on or before the tenth (10) business day after the Student receives the written decision.  

Step 2: The Policy and Compliance Manager acknowledges receipt of the Student’s appeal application within two (2) business days.  

Step 3: The Policy and Compliance Manager communicates the decision within five (5) business days of the appeal application. 

Step 3a (Dismissal): If the appeal has been dismissed, the Policy and Compliance Manager will communicate to the Student in writing the rationale in deciding to dismiss an appeal. 

• In this case, the original decision stands and the appeal proceed ends. 

Step 3b (Hearing Granted): If the appeal is granted, the Policy and Compliance Manager will communicate to the Student and the Respondent (the person whose decision is being appealed) that a hearing will take place. 

• Proceed to Stage Two: Pre-Hearing Procedure (outlined below). 

If a student has completed the steps in Stage One and is granted an appeal, then the following procedure will occur. 

Stage Two: Pre-Hearing Procedure 

Step 1: Within five (5) business days after the appeal is granted, the Policy and Compliance Manager will: 1) initiate a conflict of interest review, 2) convene an Appeal Panel and 3) notify the Student and Respondent with the names of the members of the Appeal Panel. 

Step 2: The Appeal Panel will be composed of either three (3) or five (5) members, depending on the nature of the appeal. The Appeal Panel will be composed of the Chair and an equal number of faculty members and students. 

Step 3: The Student and Respondent have two (2) business days to submit a written objection and request that an Appeal Panel member be excluded. 

Step 4: The Policy and Compliance Manager shall finalize the details of the hearing, which may proceed in writing, orally, or remotely, and will take place no later than thirty (30) business days after the application is received. 

Step 5: The Policy and Compliance Manager shall prepare the Appellant’s appeal book and the Respondent’s appeal book. Each party’s appeal book shall be provided to the other party and the Appeal Panel members with ten (10) business days in advance of the hearing. 

• Proceed to Stage Three: Appeal Procedure (outlined below). 

Once the steps in Stage Two (Pre-Hearing) are complete, then the following procedure will occur. 

Stage Three: Appeal Procedure 

Step 1: The Appeal Panel shall convene to hear the appeal as soon as practical, but not later than thirty (30) business days from the submission of the appeal application. 

Step 2a: The Student presents their case and responds to questions from the Appeal Panel members. 

Step 2b: The Respondent presents their case and responds to questions from the Appeal Panel members. 

Step 3: Both sides have an opportunity to make brief closing statements to summarize their main points. 

Step 4: The Appeal Panel deliberates and will return a decision within five (5 days). 

• Proceed to Stage Four: Panel Decision (outlined below).

Once the steps in Stage Three (Appeal) are complete, then the following procedure will occur. 

Stage Four: Panel Decision 

Step 1: The Appeal Panel determines one of the following outcomes: 

1. Dismiss the Appeal, meaning the original decision stands, or
2. Allow the Appeal and overturn the original decision, or
3. Vary the original decision by substituting a different disciplinary action or remedy. 

Step 2: The Chair will communicate the Appeal Panel’s decision within five (5) business days of deliberations. 

Step 3: The Policy and Compliance Manager shall provide a copy of the decision affecting the student’s final grade or academic standing to the Office of the Registrar for the student’s file. 

• At this point, the appeal process ends.