academic policies

ATTENDANCE

Regular attendance at Vancouver Acting School is required by students in order to acquire all of the knowledge and skills necessary to complete the FULL TIME TRAINING successfully.

Students must attend a minimum of 80% of the program in order to be eligible to graduate.

Students are provided with access to their attendance records through our Software interface and are encouraged to monitor it regularly to ensure that there are no discrepancies. Any issues arising should be emailed to the Senior Educational Administrator within 2 weeks of the class date and the Senior Educational Administrator will consult with the relevant instructors. Students are reminded that this monitoring is their responsibility.

 

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS AND STUDENT PERFORMANCE

To receive a Vancouver Acting School Diploma, students must maintain a grade average of 65% (C-) or higher across the entire program. This requirement is in addition to the minimum attendance requirements.   Grades falling below a 64%, (D) average in any module or module grouping, will result in an Incomplete and no Diploma will be granted. Acting students who fail to complete their program will be ineligible to receive Contrasting Scenes or Voice Demos. For all programs students are given, written grades and feedback at the end of each term.

Upon the completion of the program the student will receive a final transcript detailing all term grades, a copy of which will be placed in their student file. After all evaluations, students are given the option to meet with the Senior Educational Administrator to discuss any concerns they may have.

Vancouver Acting School Grades as follows;

  • A+ = 92%-100%
  • A   = 88%-91.9%
  • A-  = 85%-87.9%
  • B+ = 82%-84.9%
  • B   = 78%-81.9%
  • B-  = 75%-77.9%
  • C+ = 72%-74.9%
  • C   = 68%-71.9%
  • C-  = 65%-67.9%
  • D   = 55%-64.9%
  • INCOMPLETE (I)
 
 

GRADE APPEAL

Vancouver Acting School provides an opportunity for students to resolve grade disputes in a fair and equitable manner. The policy applies to all Vancouver Acting School students who are currently enrolled or were enrolled 30 days prior to raising their concern with their instructor.

  • If a student is dissatisfied with the grade received on an exam, assignment or at end of term, and can provide evidence that a higher grade is warranted they should first discuss the issue with their instructor. The instructor will reconsider the grade and, if warranted, assign a different grade.
  • If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of their appeal to the instructor, the student should submit a written appeal to the Senior Educational Administrator.
  • The Senior Educational Administrator will consult with both the student and instructor.
  • If the assessment achieves a higher grade on re-evaluation, the higher grade will be assigned to the student. If the assessment achieves a lower grade, the original grade will be retained.
  • If a grade appeal is reviewed by the Senior Educational Administrator, the grade assigned following the re-evaluation and review will be final and cannot be appealed further.
 

DISMISSAL / CODE OF CONDUCT / RESPECTFUL AND FAIR TREATMENT OF STUDENTS

Vancouver Acting School is committed to ensuring that its learning environment promotes the respectful and fair treatment of all students while completing a program of study. The list below outlines the code of conduct that all students, staff and faculty are expected to follow. This list is not exhaustive and students should request clarification from the Senior Educational Administrator if they have any questions.

The Code of Conduct expected of students includes:

  • Students attend school in accordance with the Attendance Policy
  • Treat everyone with respect
  • Refrain from any disruptive or offensive classroom behaviour
  • Students must refrain from cheating or plagiarism in completing class assignments
  • Treat school property with respect
  • Refrain from bringing weapons of any kind (i.e. knives, guns) to school
  • Students must complete all assignments and examinations on the scheduled completion dates
  • Students must refrain from bringing any prohibited mood altering substances to the Institution
  • Refrain from making inappropriate remarks concerning another person’s ethnicity, race, religion or sexual orientation
  • Any other conduct which is determined to be detrimental or damaging to the other students, staff, faculty or the Institution

Students who do not meet the expected Code of Conduct may be subject to progressive discipline which may include a verbal warning, written warning, probation, suspension or expulsion from the Institution depending on the severity of the misconduct. Any of the following, if substantiated, will result in immediate dismissal without a warning letter or probationary period:

  • Sexual assault
  • Physical assault or other violent acts committed on or off campus against any student, staff or faculty member
  • Verbal abuse or threats
  • Vandalism of school property
  • Theft
  • Intoxication or being under the influence of non-prescribed drugs

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT POLICY

Policy:

Vancouver Acting School is committed to the prevention of and appropriate response to sexual misconduct. The intent of Vancouver Acting School harassment policy is to protect all its students, employees, support staff, and instructors and not to constrain the normal social interaction between people. Sexual harassment may be perpetrated by a person in authority such as a supervisor, by a co-worker, or by a non-instructor, non-administrator, or non-support worker such as a client, a student, or a contractor of Vancouver Acting School or by members of the public. Vancouver Acting School sexual harassment policy applies not only during work hours and on Vancouver Acting School premises, but also to work-related settings such as conventions, shows and business social events outside of normal working hours. It also applies to unwelcome telephone calls or visits to a person’s home, if the harasser is in some way connected to Vancouver Acting School.

Definition of Sexual Harassment:

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.
  • Any sexually-oriented conduct – verbal, physical, or by innuendo – constitutes sexual harassment when:
  1. Submission to such conduct becomes either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of students.
  2. Submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as a basis for students’ decisions.
  3. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with work performance.
  4. Such conduct creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment

A Complaint of sexual misconduct is different than a Report of sexual misconduct. A person may choose to disclose or complain of sexual misconduct without making a formal report.  A Report is a formal notification of an incident of sexual misconduct to someone at the institution accompanied by a request for action.

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.

Complaint Procedures:

The following measures and informal actions can often prevent or resolve problem situations:

  1. Set a good example. Don’t participate in or ignore discrimination or harassment.
  2. Approach employees if something is suspected. Symptoms of harassment or discrimination may include reduced productivity, changes in behavior, rumors, increased sick leave, increased resignations, or sudden change in performance evaluations.
  3. Discuss the situation with the alleged harasser. They may be unaware that their behavior is offensive. Even if the allegations are denied, the discussion should be treated as a warning that inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated.
  4. Keep confidential record in Incident Form of all discussions with the victim and alleged harasser. A copy will be placed in the school’s Incident Form File, and the original will be placed in the Student File.
  5. All students/faculty have the right to file a formal complaint as outlined below. Also, all Students/faculty have the right to contact the British Columbia Council of Human Rights and file a formal complaint of discrimination.

Formal Report Procedures:

  1. If informal attempts at resolving the problem are not appropriate or prove ineffective, a formal complaint and investigation might be required.
  2. Right to Complain: Anyone has the right to complain about a situation that they believe to be harassment; there will be no reprisals for doing so. Disciplinary action, up to and including immediate dismissal for cause, shall be taken against any student who retaliates or attempts to retaliate against a complaint.
  3. Who May Complain: Generally, in most situations, complaints will be filed by the victim who alleges harassment or discrimination. However, complaints may also be made by a group of people who may have been subjected to the same offensive treatment, by co-workers who witnessed the incident(s), or by a third party complaining on behalf of the victim.
  4. Reporting a Complaint: Any complaint regarding harassment will be made immediately in writing to the Director of Performing Arts (unless the complaint is against the Director of Performing Arts), in which case the complaint should be made in writing to the CEO. If the complainant feels uncomfortable approaching either the Director of Performing Arts or CEO, they may make their complaint to any other administrator or office staff. The complaint will be kept in strict confidence. If, after an investigation of the complaint it is determined that harassment has occurred, disciplinary action, up and to and including immediate dismissal for cause, will be taken.

Initial Review of Complaint or Report

  1. This review will occur within 14 calendar days of receiving a Report unless exceptional circumstances exist that prevent the CEO from meeting this timeline, in which case the CEO will contact the individual making the Report as soon as possible to inform them of the revised timeline

Investigator’s Responsibilities:

  1. The Investigator will be or will be appointed by the President/CEO (unless the complaint is against the President/CEO, in which case the Investigator will be appointed by the CFO). It is the role of the investigator to seek the truth and make a judgment in a discreet and impartial manner. If the complainant requests that a specific gendered member of staff be included in the investigation process, then the Investigator and the complainant shall designate a mutually agreed-upon employee of that gender to be Co-Investigator.
  2. The investigation will be carried out with strict confidentially. However, it must be stressed that confidentiality does not equate to anonymity. Anonymous complaints cannot be investigated. An alleged harasser has the right to know who has charged him/her with harassment. During the investigation, it may be necessary to confide to persons interviewed the name(s) of the alleged harasser and/or the victim.
  3. The Investigator will conduct interviews to validate or invalidate the alleged harassment, with the complainant, the alleged harassment, with the complainant, the alleged harasser, co-workers, supervisory personnel, or other persons, as he or she deems necessary.
  4. The investigator will report their findings to the President/CEO. If the investigator finds that the harassment has taken place the President/CEO will take such disciplinary action as they deem appropriate to the degree of harassment and the consequences of such harassment that have occurred; such disciplinary action may include any remedy up to and including immediate dismissal for cause.
  5. If the Investigator finds that harassment has not taken place, They shall advise the complainant, the alleged harasser, and Director of Performing Art and/or the President/CEO of Vancouver Acting School

Pursuance of Other Remedies:

  1. Once all internal avenues of complaint and investigation have been exhausted, should the complainant be dissatisfied with the outcome of the investigation, he/she has the right to file a complaint with the BC Human Rights Commission (604.660.6811).
  2. A private, non-profit group, the BC Human Rights Coalition, exists to ensure that citizens of B.C. get the protection against discrimination to which they are entitled. They may be reached at (604.689.8474). This organization can provide information and referrals, emotional assistance, accompaniment to interviews with the employer and/or the B.C. Council of Human Rights and any hearings that may follow, and decision-making assistance.
  3. A complainant may file a complaint to the B.C. Human Rights Commission while the harassment is taking place or within six months of the date, he/she has resigned or has been dismissed. This can be done by submitting a written complaint or by going in person to the B.C. Human Rights Commission.
  4. Based on the evidence and how strong the case is, a human rights investigator will try to negotiate a settlement with the employer. This could involve reinstatement, a formal apology, or a cash settlement to cover lost wages and/or emotional costs. If the Employer denies the accusation and the case is strong, it will proceed to a formal hearing. The Commission may provide the complainant with legal assistance.

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.

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.

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.

 

STUDENT STATEMENT OF RIGHTS

Vancouver Acting School is certified with the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training.

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 PTIB 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 PTIB 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 PTIB and how to be an informed student, go to: http://www.privatetraininginstitutions.gov.bc.ca/students/be-an-informed-student.

 

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Vancouver Acting School provides an opportunity for students to resolve disputes of a serious nature in a fair and equitable manner. This policy governs complaints from students with respect to Vancouver Acting School and any aspect of its operations.  Students will not be subject to any form of retaliation as a result of filing a complaint.

All student complaints must be made in writing. The student must provide the written complaint to the President/CEO, who is responsible for making determinations in respect of complaints.  If the President/CEO is absent or is named in a complaint, the student must provide the complaint to ownership. The process by which the student complaint will be handled is as follows:

The President/CEO will arrange to meet with the student to discuss the concern and desired resolution within 10 school days of receiving the student’s written concern. The President/CEO will document the conversation in writing. A copy shall be given to the student and placed in the student’s file.

The necessary enquiries and / or investigations shall be completed and documented by the President/CEO and written reasons for the determination will be provided to the student within 30 days after the date on which the complaint was made.  If it has been determined that the student’s concerns are substantiated, in whole or in part, the President/CEO shall include a proposed resolution of the substantiated concern(s). If the student is not satisfied with the determination of the President/CEO, the student may request the services of a third party mediator to assist in the resolution of the dispute.  The fees associated with the third party mediator will be borne by Vancouver Acting School. The student making the complaint may be represented by an agent or a lawyer.

If the student is or was enrolled in an approved program, is dissatisfied with the determination, and has been misled by the institution regarding any significant aspect of that program, he or she may file a complaint with the Private Training Institutions Branch (www.privatetraininginstitutions.gov.bc.ca).

 

TUITION REFUND – Full Time Programs

The table below shows the circumstances in which tuition must be refunded.
Note: The effective contract date for a student enrolment contract is the later of:

  • The date the student or representative of the student signed, or
  • The date the institution signed.

Circumstance

Tuition Refund Enrolment

  • A student is enrolled in an approved program:
  • Without having met the admission requirements, and
  • Without having misrepresented their knowledge or skills when applying


100% tuition refund and a 100% refund of all fees

  • A student (other than a distance education student) does not attend the first 30% of the program


Institution may retain up to 50% of the tuition due under the student enrolment contract



  • The institution does not provide all the work experience hours of a program within 30 days of the contract end date and
  • The student does not attend the work experience

100% tuition refund and a

100% refund of all fees

Institution receives a refusal of a study permit from an international student:

Circumstance

Tuition Refund Enrolment

  • 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 refund and a 100% refund of all fees, other than application fee

Institution receives a notice of withdrawal:

Circumstance

Tuition Refund Enrolment

  • No later than seven days after the effective contract date, and before the program start date
  • Between the date the contract was signed and the start date of the program, where that period is seven days or less

100% tuition refund



100% tuition refund

  • More than seven days after the effective contract date, and at least 30 days before the program start date


Institution may retain up to 10% of the tuition due under the student enrolment contract, to a maximum of $1,000

  • More than seven days after the effective contract date, and
  • less than 30 days before the program start date


Institution may retain up to 20% of tuition due under the student enrolment contract, to a maximum of $1,300

  • After the start date and up to and including the date of which 10% of the hours of instruction have been provided


Institution may retain up to 30% of tuition due under the student enrolment contract



  • After the start date on which more than 10% but before the date on which 30% of the hours of instruction have been provided


Institution may retain up to 50% of tuition

Institution delivers a notice of dismissal to a student:

Circumstance

Tuition Refund Enrolment

  • If on the date the institution delivers the notice of dismissal to the student, the institution has provided 10% or less of the hours of instruction

Institution may retain up to 30% of tuition

  • If on the date the institution delivers the notice of dismissal to the student, the institution has provided more than 10% but less than 30% of the hours of instruction

Institution may retain up to 50% of tuition

When a refund is due, an institution must provide it within 30 days of:
  • Receiving a notice of withdrawal from a student
  • Providing a student with a notice of dismissal
  • Receiving notice from the registrar to issue a refund because the institution did not provide work experience, or because a student was admitted without meeting the admission requirements

 

TUITION REFUND – Part Time Programs

  • Withdrawals can be made without penalty up to 72 hours prior to your first class.
  • Withdrawals made with less than 72 hours prior to your first class will result in a credit for a future term.
  • Once your class has commenced, no refunds or credits will be offered.
  • Make-up classes are not offered.
  • There are no refunds or credits given for missed classes.

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