COVID-19:

Information and Updates
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COVID-19

We are temporarily moving in-person/face-to-face campus services for students and the public to online/phone call only options.

See the full list of affected services and contact information.

 

BLACK LIVES MATTER

The ARBITER OF STUDENT ISSUES OFFICE condemns racism, oppression and colonialism and understands that words without action are meaningless.  As an Office concerned with fairness & natural justice, the ASI:

  • Acknowledges its white privilege 
  • Has a responsibility to educate itself about racism in general and it’s own racist practices in particular and to address these elements in the Office’s service to the VCC Community 
  • Is not a subject matter expert and is tasked first and foremost with listening to VCC Community Members’ lived experience and experts on anti-racism, anti-oppression and anti-colonialism 
  • Will seek admittance to VCC’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Working Group to share lived experience discrimination, advocate for fairness and systemic change around racism at VCC discovered through the Office, and learn about reflective, responsive and substantive action to take 
  • Will collaborate with other Institutional Ombuds to develop an understanding of substantive action to take

 

The ASI is collaborating with College stakeholders on the drafting and recommendation to College Leadership of an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion policy.

Dispute Resolution

Ready to help you resolve disputes or complaints along the way.

At VCC, we know that returning to school can be exciting, but also stressful and fraught with hurdles where disputes may arise. Our Arbiter of Student Issues (ASI)  is committed to working with both students and prospective students around their rights, obligations, and options when it comes to appeals and complaints.

 

Dispute Resolution counselling services and conflict resolution

 

The Arbiter of Student Issues (ASI) recognizes the need to provide support to VCC students around disputes and complaints arising at VCC and relative to VCC policies.

As part of VCC Student Services, the ASI is a dedicated resource available to guide a student who finds him/herself either at the centre of a complaint or lodging a complaint. The ASI is a neutral party in all complaint processes, with the ability to hear complaints, investigate them with all parties concerned, and offer informal and formal dispute resolution mechanisms to resolve the dispute.

 

Annual Report:

 

Principles of the ASI:

  • Neutrality and impartiality: The ASI does not represent one party's interests over another's.
  • Fairness: The ASI looks to enforce fairness in process and procedure surrounding disputes.
  • Equity: The ASI strives to arrive at equitable outcomes that improve the quality of student life at VCC.
  • Objectivity: The ASI looks at the complaint from all angles in trying to arrive at a resolution.

 

Services

  • Information
  • Investigation
  • Intervention
  • Complaint navigation
  • Meeting facilitation
  • Formal and informal dispute resolution options
  • Referrals
  • Mapping of systemic issues and recommendations for change

 

Remember:

  • The ASI does not advocate on either the student or the college's behalf.
  • The ASI does not have the power to impose a resolution. Rather, the ASI uses its influence to effect change and arrive at mutually agreed upon solutions.

 

Book an appointment

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions being imposed by government and local authorities, the Office alongside all departments at VCC will be providing remote appointments only using phone and video/web conferencing applications. 

Students who wish to meet remotely with the Arbiter of Student Issues, Tanny Marks, must first book the appointment by phone or email. No instant appointments available.

 

Locations and contact information

Broadway campus, building A, Student Services area, room 4017

Tuesday to Friday

Phone: 604.871.7000, ext. 7040
Email: tmarks@vcc.ca