University of Toronto
Governing Council
Policy on
Academic Sanctions for Students Who
Have Outstanding University Obligations
January 7, 1993
To request an official copy of this policy, contact:
The Office of the Governing Council
Room 106, Simcoe Hall
27 King’s College Circle University of Toronto Toronto, Ontario
M5S 1A1
Phone: 416-978-6576
Fax: 416-978-8182
E-mail: governing.council@utoronto.ca
Website: http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/
Policy on Academic Sanctions for Students Who Have Outstanding University Obligations
1. Introduction
This Policy is founded on two fundamental principles:
- the application of academic sanctions to students who have outstanding financial obligations to the University or one of its divisions should be made on a single equitable basis, regardless of a student's division of registration
- an obligation to pay a legitimate debt exists regardless of the size of the debt.
The Policy is further founded on a recognition that because the size, composition and internal procedures of divisions can and do vary widely there should be an allowance for a selection of equivalent sanctions at the divisional level. Such an allowance permits an effective application of sanctions and a suitable application of sanctions in terms oflocal conditions and concerns.
2. Recognized University Obligations
The following is a list of recognized University obligations:
- tuition fees
- academic and other incidental fees
- residence fees and other residence charges
- library fines
- Bookstore accounts
- loans made by colleges, faculties or the University
- Health Service accounts
- unreturned or damaged instruments, materials and equipment
- orders for the restitution, rectification or the payment of damages, fines, bonds for good behaviour, and requirement of public service work imposed under the authority of the Code of Student Conduct.
3. Academic Sanctions
The following academic sanctions will be imposed on students who have outstanding recognized University obligations:
3.1 Statements of results or official transcripts of record, or both, will not be issued.
3.2 The University will not release either the official document (normally called diploma) which declares the degree, diploma or certificate earned nor provide oral confirmations or written certification of degree status to external enquirers.
Indebted graduands will be allowed to walk on stage and have their names appear on the convocation program.
3.3 Registration will be refused to a continuing or returning student.
4. Application of Academic Sanctions
4.1 Academic sanctions are applicable to any student who has an outstanding obligation. Students shall be warned as early as possible of the consequences of not paying debts. This Policy or a summary of it shall appear in divisional calendars.
4.2 Divisions shall state in their calendars which document(s) they will withhold in applying Sanction 3.1.
4.3 Payments made by continuing or returning students shall be applied, first to outstanding University debts and second, to current fees.
5. Review Process
A list of debt levels by division will be sent annually to the University Registrar for information. Divisions whose students have comparatively high debt levels with respect to the total fee chargeable or who have a comparatively large number of students with outstanding debts will be approached on an individual basis to determine the causes of the higher than usual levels and to seek means of eliminating the causes.
RELATED DOCUMENTS
Section 2 revised by the Academic Affairs Committee, February 4th, 1988. Section 2, point 9, revised by the Academic Board, January 7th, 1993.