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Sexual Misconduct Policy

  1. GEOS is committed to the prevention of and appropriate response to sexual misconduct.
  2. Sexual misconduct refers to a spectrum of non-consensual sexual contact and behavior including the following:
    • sexual assault;
    • sexual exploitation;
    • sexual harassment;
    • stalking;
    • indecent exposure;
    • voyeurism;
    • the distribution of a sexually explicit photograph or video of a person to one or more persons other than the person in the photograph or video without the consent of the person in the photograph or video and with the intent to distress the person in the photograph or video;
    • the attempt to commit an act of sexual misconduct; and
    • the threat to commit an act of sexual misconduct.

  3. A Complaint of sexual misconduct is different than a Report of sexual misconduct. A Complaint is when the victim/survivor discloses or chooses to tell someone at the institution of an incident of sexual misconduct in order to seek support but may not want to make a formal report to police or the institution. A Report is a formal notification of an incident of sexual misconduct to someone at the institution accompanied by a request for action. A Report does not have to be made by the victim/survivor.

  4. A student making a Complaint will be provided with resolution options and, if appropriate, accommodation, and will not be required or pressured to make a Report.
  5. The process for making a Complaint about sexual misconduct involving a student is as follows:
  1. The process for responding to a Complaint of sexual misconduct involving a student is as follows:
  • The appropriate member of staff will conduct an investigation and a meeting with all the people involved will be held within 24 hours upon written notification.
  • The appropriate member of staff will provide all parties with his or her written decision within 48 hours.
  1. The process for making a Report of sexual misconduct involving a student is as follows:
  1. The process for responding to a Report of sexual misconduct involving a student is as follows:
  • The appropriate member of staff will conduct an investigation and a meeting with all the people involved will be held within 24 hours upon written notification.
  • The appropriate member of staff will provide all parties with his or her written decision within 48 hours.

9. In In all instances the institution will:

  • Ensure the safety of the victim/survivor.
  • As appropriate, provide emergency numbers for on and off campus security (if applicable), law enforcement, medical assistance, mental health services, and other services.
  • Respect the right of the individual to choose the services they consider most appropriate.

10. It is contrary to this policy for an institution to retaliate, engage in reprisals or threaten to retaliate in relation to a Complaint or a Report.

11. Any processes undertaken pursuant to this policy will be based on the principles of administrative fairness. All parties involved will be treated with dignity and respect.

12. All information related to a Complaint or Report is confidential and will not be shared without the written consent of the parties, subject to the following exceptions:

  • If an individual is at imminent risk of severe or life-threatening self-harm.
  • If an individual is at imminent risk of harming another.
  • There are reasonable grounds to believe that others in the institutional community may be at significant risk of harm based on the information provided.
  • Where reporting is required by law.

  • Where it is necessary to ensure procedural fairness in an investigation or other response to a Complaint or Report.

This institution is certified by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB). Certified institutions must comply with regulatory requirements, including the requirement to have a Sexual Misconduct policy. For more information about PTIB, go to www.privatetraininginstitutions.gov.bc.ca

Dispute Resolution Policy and Procedure

GEOS Languages Plus will attempt to resolve disputes informally. If this policy is unable to provide a resolution, a formal procedure will be applied to ensure a fair outcome. If such is the case, GEOS Languages Plus has established a set of procedures based upon a flexible set of actions aimed at ensuring that ultimate negotiation/arbitration will be undertaken by appropriate persons

Procedure

Step One: Internal Procedure

A student must put his or her complaint into writing and submit it to the appropriate member of staff. In the case of pedagogical matters, students should address their concerns in writing to the school's Academic Coordinator, or to the Program Coordinator if no Academic Coordinator is available. In the case of a discrepancy in monetary matters, the student should address the issue(s) to the school manager.

The appropriate member of staff will conduct an investigation and a meeting with all parties will be held within 24 hours upon written notification

The appropriate member of staff will provide all parties with his or her written decision within 48 hours

In the event that the student has exhausted this process and still maintains an honest belief that the grievance has not been resolved an external grievance procedure is available to attempt to provide a final opportunity for a settlement to be implemented

Step Two: External Procedure

The Director of Operations for GEOS Corporation for may be called in to resolve these external disputes. Students also have the right to contact Languages Canada if the student feels a resolution is not possible. Students should visit the website: www.langaugescanada.ca

Both internal and external procedures are intended to ensure that both parties to a dispute have every opportunity to state their own terms under relatively informal and confidential conditions. It is hoped that very few grievances will carry onto the external procedure stage, but since GEOS Languages Plus' reputation is involved, our institution has a right to demonstrate the equity and fairness of our process, and students have every right to be assured that they will be heard.

This process is not intended to be adversarial or to adhere to an evidentiary code. It is intended to be non-threatening and facilitative. However, parties in such a process will be reminded that the process does not preclude future legal action. Grievances involving matters of transfers between institutions or related to the perceived value of courses would not be considered in this context.

The arbitrator in both internal and external disputes shall interview the appropriate parties separately before and after making any resolutions. The arbitrator shall not take an unreasonable amount of time in settling a grievance. Once a decision has been settled, the arbitrator shall provide all parties with a written summation of the conclusion of the dispute.

Student Statement of Rights

The Student Statement of Rights must be posted in a prominent place and provided in every language in which instruction of an approved program will be provided under the student enrolment contract.

Student Statement of Rights

­GEOS LANGUAGES PLUS VANCOUVER is certified by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the British Columbia Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.

Before you enrol at a certified private training institution, you should be aware of your rights and responsibilities.

You have the right to be treated fairly and respectfully by the institution.

You have the right to a student enrolment contract that includes the following information:

  • amount of tuition and any additional fee for your program
  • refund policy
  • if your program includes a work experience, the requirements to participate in the work experience and the geographic area where it will be provided
  • whether the program was approved by PTIRU or does not require approval.

Make sure you read the contract before signing. The institution must provide you with a signed copy.

You have the right to access the institution's dispute resolution process and to be protected against retaliation for making a complaint.

You have the right to make a claim to the PTIRU for a tuition refund if:

  • your institution ceased to hold a certificate before you completed an approved program
  • you were misled about a significant aspect of your approved program.

You must file the claim within one year of completing, being dismissed or withdrawing from your program.

For more information about the PTIRU and how to be an informed student, go to: http://www.privatetraininginstitutions.gov.bc.ca/students/be-an-informed-student.

Tuition Refund Policy

Approved Programs - In-class, Combined Delivery, or Synchronous Distance Delivery Refund Due
Before program start date, institution receives a notice of withdrawal or provides a notice of dismissal:
• No later than seven days after student signed the enrolment contract, and
• Before the program start date. 100% of tuition and all related fees, other than application fee. Related fees include: administrative fees, application fees, assessment fees, and fees charged for textbooks or other course materials, and unused aircraft utilization fees.
• More than seven days after student signed the enrolment contract, and
• Before the program start date. Institution may retain up to 10% of tuition, to a maximum of $1,000 paid or payable under a contract.
After the program start date, the institution provides a notice of dismissal or receive a notice of withdrawal (applies to all programs):
• No later than seven days after the program start date, the institution provides a notice of dismissal or receives a notice of withdrawal

Institution may retain up to 10% of tuition, to a maximum of $1,000 paid or payable under a contract.
After program start date, institution provides a notice of dismissal or receives a notice of withdrawal (applies to all approved programs, other than solely-asynchronous distance-education-only programs):
• After the program start date, and up to and including 10% of instruction hours have been provided. Institution may retain up to 10% of tuition paid or payable under a contract.
• After the program start date, and after more than 10% but before 30% of instruction hours have been provided. Institution may retain up to 30% of tuition paid or payable under a contract.
• After the program start date, and after more than 30% but before 50% of instruction hours have been provided. Institution may retain up to 50% of tuition paid or payable under a contract.
• After the program start date, and after more than 50% of instruction hours have been provided. No refund due
Student does not attend - "no-show" (applies to all students except those enrolled in a program delivered solely by asynchronous distance education):
• A student does not attend the first 30% of the program. Institution may retain up to 50% of the tuition paid under a contract.

Approved Programs - In-class, Combined Delivery, or Synchronous Distance Delivery Refund Due
Institution receives a refusal of study permit (applies to international students requiring a study permit):
• Before 30% of instruction hours would have been provided, had the student started the program on the later of the following:
a) The program start date in the most recent Letter of Acceptance
b) The program start date in the enrolment contract
• Student has not requested additional Letter(s) of Acceptance. 100% tuition and all related fees, other than application fee.

Approved Programs - Solely Asynchronous Distance Delivery Refund Due
Before program start date, institution receives a notice of withdrawal:
• No later than seven days after student signed the enrolment contract, and
• Before the program start date. 100% of tuition and all related fees, other than application fee. Related fees include: administrative fees, application fees, assessment fees, and fees charged for textbooks or other course materials, and aircraft utilization fees.
• More than seven days after student signed the enrolment contract, and
• Before the program start date. Institution may retain up to 10% of tuition, to a maximum of $1,000 paid or payable under a contract.
After program start date, institution provides a notice of dismissal or receives a notice of withdrawal (applies to only approved solely-asynchronous distance-education-only programs):
• No later than seven days after the program start date Institution may retain up to 10% of tuition, to a maximum of $1,000 paid or payable under a contract.
• Student has completed no more than 10% of the program Institution may retain up to 10% of tuition paid or payable under a contract.
• Student has completed no more than 10% but less than 30% of the program Institution may retain up to 30% of the tuition paid or payable under a contract.
• Student has completed more than 30% but less than 50% of the program Institution may retain up to 50% of tuition paid or payable under a contract.
• Student has completed 50% or more of the program No refund due

Approved Programs - All Delivery Methods Refund Due
Student enrolled in a program without having met the admission requirements for the program
• If the student did not misrepresent the student's knowledge or skills when applying for admission and the registrar orders the institution to refund tuition and fees. 100% tuition and all related fees, including application fees

Institution does not provide a work experience
• The institution fails to provide the work experience within 30 days of the contract end date, unless the registrar determines the institution was prevented from doing so by circumstances beyond its control. 100% tuition and all related fees, other than application fees


Refund of Aircraft Utilization Fees
The institution must refund unused aircraft utilization fees paid by or on behalf of a student if any of the following apply:
• Student provides notice of withdrawal
• Institution provides notice of dismissal
• Student completes the program
• Student does not attend any of the first 30% of the hours of instruction of the program


The institution must pay the tuition or fee refund within 30 days after receiving notice of withdrawal or refusal of study permit; providing a notice of dismissal, or the date on which the first 30% of the hours of instruction are provided (no-show).