Statement on the review of student non-academic discipline system at Queen’s

September 18, 2015
KINGSTON, ON – Today, Kanivanan Chinniah, Kyle Beaudry, and Sarah Letersky, the AMS Executive, issued the following statement in response to the University’s release of the Lewis Report and subsequent review of the student non-academic discipline systems:

“Over the past century, the AMS non-academic discipline system has served the Queen’s community well. As outlined in the Lewis Report, the students involved take their responsibilities seriously and work hard at it.

“However, we strongly believe that this system cannot, and ought not, stand on the legs of tradition alone. The AMS welcomes the review of the non-academic discipline system as a necessary and important component of ensuring the system is sustainable for years to come.

“As a result of the risks identified by the Lewis Report, the University has established a Central Intake Office responsible to the Office of the University Secretariat and Legal Counsel to receive all cases of non-academic misconduct at Queen’s. We understand the importance of the formation of this office as an initial step towards improving all non-academic discipline systems at Queen’s.

“We also welcome the formation of the Interim Protocol Advisory Committee to receive regular reports on all cases received by the Central Intake Office.

“Moving forward, it is important that any new system should prioritize student well-being and involvement. It should not hinder any efforts to facilitate positive cultural shifts among the Queen’s community by continuing to utilize the principles of restorative justice.

“We look forward to the opportunity to engage meaningfully with the advisory committee tasked with the review in the coming weeks.”

QUICK FACTS

• The AMS Non-Academic Discipline system was established in 1898 and has taken pride in being complaint-driven, restorative, non-adversarial, peer-administered, and compliant with natural justice.
• An Advisory Committee overseen by the Principal will undertake a review of the student non-academic discipline systems at Queen’s and present a report to the Board of Trustees prior to May 31, 2016.
• The University has introduced an interim protocol for non-academic misconduct while a review of non-academic discipline is conducted.
• As part of the interim protocol, a Central Intake Office will be established under supervision of the University Secretariat. This Office will receive all cases of misconduct and delegate them to the appropriate disciplinary body.
• Any university-level cases of misconduct will be investigated by the Office of the Provost.
• The AMS will have representation on the Interim Protocol Advisory Committee, to receive reports from the Central Intake Office on any cases received.

The interim protocol can be found here: http://queensu.ca/principal/sites/webpublish.queensu.ca.opvcwww/files/files/Interim-Protocol_Non-academic-Misconduct_20150915.pdf

Please direct all media inquiries to Jessamine Luck, AMS Marketing & Communications Officer, at or (613) 533-6000 x75850

BACKGROUNDER

Alma Mater Society (AMS) – http://www.myams.org

The central undergraduate student government at Queen’s University, the AMS represents over 16,000 students and is the oldest student government in Canada. The constituency is represented through 10 faculty and residence societies. The AMS Council, which is made up of a three-person executive, six commissioners, and three directors, oversees all day-to-day activities within the Society, including 10 corporate services and over 50 government committees that address virtually all matters of student life at Queen’s.