Code of Conduct and Guidelines

In a group setting, one individual can shift the dynamics and have an impact on the other participants. Therefore students must make all reasonable efforts to:

• Attend all components of the program including classes and fieldwork placements.

Absences not only compromise the learning of the missing student, but may also affect classmates who cannot benefit from that student’s contributions to the learning process. Classmates, instructors and clinical supervisors should be notified as soon as possible when students will miss a class or a day of placement. Refer to the departmental MScOT Fieldwork Resource Manual for attendance requirements in fieldwork courses.

Campus assignment is permanent and students may only attend classes at their assigned campus, with the exception of special events whereby an instructor, Graduate Coordinator, Academic Coordinator, or Department Chair expressly authorizes attendance at a specific campus site.

• Arrive on time to all components of the program, and remain for the duration of the particular session.

Lateness is never acceptable, however, given that on the rare occasion lateness is unavoidable, spaces at the rear of the classroom should be considered reserved for students arriving late.

• Participate in all components of the program, as they are able, interacting with others appropriately at all times.

Students should consider “others” to be all-inclusive (i.e., to refer not only to fellow students and faculty, but also clients and their families, clinicians, guests, mentors, staff and supervising therapists).

Students should demonstrate empathy and compassion.

Students should demonstrate an effort to work harmoniously with others in a conscientious and reliable manner (i.e., with other students when working on group projects, with supervising therapists, the client and those involved in the promotion of his/her well-being).

This is an in-person program. Students must be available to attend all program elements (e.g., classes, lectures, labs) in-person.

Student participation can take many forms, including playing a part in shaping the environment around them through his/her communication. Acceptable presentation must be demonstrated by students through:

Consistency

• Communication must be professional in all situations: i.e., in class, study or mentor groups, individual meetings with Course Instructors, representing the program on clinical placements, sending individual or mass emails.
• Class email lists may be used for academic and related program and professional announcements only. Messages with commercial, disruptive or malicious purposes are in violation of this policy. Professors are encouraged to plan and communicate the timing of breaks in each class, to enable students to participate more fully in the classroom sessions without unplanned interruptions

Respect

• Should be shown for the contributions of others by listening when others are speaking, and by responding to each other in turn. In large group settings, this may require the raising of hands.
• Should be demonstrated through a sensitivity regarding differences in gender, culture, religion, sexual orientation and social background.
• Should never make fellow students or their opinions feel unwelcome or unsafe. Students are never to engage in bullying, in all its forms, eg; cyber, physical, sexual, verbal or emotional.

In the interest of decreasing disruptions for others in the classroom, and in mentor and study groups, students must be considerate of others in the use of:

Technology

Students are encouraged to keep their phones on silent and be conscientious in their use of laptops during classes. 

Other Equipment

• Volume/ringers on all computers, cell phones and other personal organizers should be muted.
• Respectful and appropriate use of the above, or any equipment supplied by the department/university is expected at all times (i.e., audio-visual equipment, OT assessment tools, lab equipment).
• Photography and filming within a classroom, Faculty office, staff office, or a study group is not permitted without consent of the instructor or staff member.

Refreshments

• Food and drinks are not allowed in classrooms, but may be permitted at the instructor’s discretion.
• Food that could trigger allergies or affect others’ learning is absolutely not permitted.
• Food and drinks are never permitted in labs, including labs in the Medical Sciences Building.

Students’ activities will be characterized by conscientious behaviour as is demanded of professional OT practice. Integrity will be demonstrated through their:

Academic Integrity

• Expected at all times and in all submissions or presentations of work, oral or written. Governed by the University’s Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters, which states that all academic dishonesty, including cheating and plagiarism are unacceptable, and subject to penalty. (See Part VI of these regulations: Guideline on Academic Offence of Plagiarism.)
• If a student is unclear of the parameters of plagiarism, especially for group work, he/she must speak with either the Course Instructor, Faculty Advisor or Graduate Coordinator prior to submission of any work.
• The University has released guidelines on the use of Artificial Intelligence in learning.

Professional Integrity

• Students’ involvement in the health care system may put them in positions of power with clients. Students must not take advantage of this to advocate for personal gain, values or beliefs.<,li>
• Conduct unbecoming to a practising OT may include such things as breach of confidentiality, failure to keep proper client records, or acting in a conflict of interest
• Whether on the premises or away from the premises of the University, students will never engage in behaviour that causes harm or endangers the safety of others. Specifically, students will never assault a person sexually, verbally or physically. Students shall never engage in vexious conduct that is considered an offense under the University of Toronto’s Policy and Procedures: Sexual Harassment.
• Students will refrain from being under the influence of alcohol or drugs inappropriately and violating the Criminal Code of Canada.
• Offenses against persons are also subject to sanctions by the University Code of Student Conduct.
• Students may be subject to the University-Mandated Leave of Absence Policy, where the Code of Student Conduct is not entirely appropriate; this may include instances where a student, for some reason, may not engage with supportive resources (e.g., academic accommodation), and the result may be an impact on the health and safety of the student or on others.
• Students must present themselves appropriately to the situation, both physically and inter-personally.

Feedback

• Within the confines of the program, feedback of any nature should be directed to the person for whom it is intended (students, staff, academic and clinical faculty) within a reasonable time-frame.
• Individual feedback should be offered individually, group feedback in a group format.
• Should be presented in professional and constructive terms, whether verbal or written, including confidential evaluations.

This applies to all forms of curriculum delivery in the MScOT program.
The unauthorised use of any form of device to audiotape, photograph, video-record or otherwise reproduce lectures, course notes or teaching materials provided by instructors is covered by the Canadian Copyright Act and is prohibited. Students must obtain prior written consent to make such a recording. In the case of private use by students with disabilities, the instructor’s consent must not be unreasonably withheld.

Source: Centre for Teaching Support and Innovation

Video and Audio Recordings Defined

The Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy supports reasonable access to recordings where available. If you require recordings due to an accessibility need, you must register with Accessibility Services at St. George or UTM. Please note that recordings are not a substitute for attending class because they do not provide a similar learning experience.

The MScOT program is accredited as an in-person on-site program, and students are expected to have Fully Engaged Participation in each course and the program in its entirety.

For the purposes of this policy, ‘recordings’ include video recordings, audio recordings, and photographs (including screen captures).

General Principles

• • You must obtain instructor permission in all cases where you wish to access, capture and/or transfer course content that has been recorded. NOTE: You are not permitted to provide a recording to a classmate without the instructor’s permission
  • If the permitted recording will capture anyone other the instructor (e.g., guests, students), you must obtain informed consent prior to recording from these individuals. Please contact CTSI for a sample consent form.
  • There may be specific cases where an instructor will rescind the authorization to record, without notice, to comply with a reasonable unforeseen circumstance.Example: guest client requesting privacy during guest lecture
  • It is strictly prohibited and considered a copyright violation to utilize any recordings or presentation materials (e.g., lecture slides) for posting to social media platforms, even within a private social media group.

Process for accessing course recordings

Students are asked to connect directly with their course instructors to access course recordings.