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Raise your concern or complaint at NSCAD

NSCAD has three primary policies that address human rights, complaints and concerns on campus.  The Respectful Workplace & Learning Environment Policy is in place to develop and support a work and learning culture that values diversity and inclusion, fosters respect, and does not tolerate prejudice, discrimination, harassment and/or bullying.   

The Charter of Student Rights and Responsibilities is intended to protect the rights of all members of the NSCAD University community by creating a policy based on accountability of, and protection for, both the student and NSCAD University. 

The Sexual Violence Prevention Policy outlines the procedures for reporting incidents of sexual violence, initial points of contact and the appropriate measures for handling complaints of sexual violence. Further, it outlines the institutional approach, resources, and campus prevention strategies 

For immediate assistance

  • In the event of crisis, emergency, or the need for immediate emotional support, please contact the Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team at 1-888-429-8167, the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8, or call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. 
  • Additional Resources for staff and faculty: Employee Assistance Program greenshield.ca (CODE: NSCAD) 
CONFIDENTIALITY

The information you provide will be treated with care. The primary receipt of the form is the Director, Equity and Community Supports.  While NSCAD strives to maintain confidentiality, some information may be shared internally on a need-to-know basis to address your concern. We do not share your information externally without your consent, unless required by law. 

 

To ensure we can respond to your concerns promptly and effectively, we ask that you complete a form as the first step.

Please fill out and submit the Intake form.

This first step of collecting information through the Intake form is essential:   

  • It helps us better understand your concern clearly and thoroughly from the beginning.   
  • It allows us to assess your concerns accurately and connect you with the appropriate support.   
  • It ensures nothing is missed and that the notable dates and individuals involved are documented properly.   

Completing this form with as much detail as possible helps us serve you more efficiently and equitably. It ensures that we understand your concerns in your own words.   

Please provide as much detail as you can. The better we can understand your situation will help us try to offer meaningful support. Once you submit the form, our Team will carefully review the details and contact you for a follow-up meeting.    

Confidentiality Notice:  Please know that we are committed to treating the information you provide with care and respect. NSCAD endeavours to maintain the confidentiality of all information shared with us; however, we cannot guarantee absolute confidentiality or anonymity.  

We know it can feel difficult or intimidating to file a formal complaint, and that’s okay. If you’d like support or guidance without starting a formal process, there are people at NSCAD who can help you: 

Students: 


Faculty: 


Staff: 

  • Connect with your union representative 

You don’t have to navigate concerns alone—these options provide a safe and confidential space to talk, ask questions, and get support. 

How to file a concern or complaint

STEP 1: SUBMIT THE INTAKE FORM

To ensure we can respond to your concerns promptly and effectively, we ask that you complete a form as the first step.

Please fill out and submit the INTAKE FORM

This first step of collecting information through the Intake form is essential:   

  • It helps us better understand your concern clearly and thoroughly from the beginning.   
  • It allows us to assess your concerns accurately and connect you with the appropriate support.   
  • It ensures nothing is missed and that the notable dates and individuals involved are documented properly.   

Completing this form with as much detail as possible helps us serve you more efficiently and equitably. It ensures that we understand your concerns in your own words.   

Please provide as much detail as you can. The better we can understand your situation will help us try to offer meaningful support. Once you submit the form, our Team will carefully review the details and contact you for a follow-up meeting.    

You may submit this form anonymously or on behalf of another individual. Please note that NSCAD will be significantly limited in its ability to assess or respond to anonymous concerns that lack sufficient identifying information. Without identification of the affected individual who is the subject of the concerns, NSCAD may be unable to follow-up to provide support or initiate a formal review of the alleged concerns. All submissions are reviewed, and the information provided, including anonymous concerns, contributes to the University’s broader efforts to monitor trends, identify systemic issues and foster a respectful and safe learning and work environment. 

  

Confidentiality Notice: Please know that we are committed to treating the information you provide with care and respect. NSCAD endeavours to maintain the confidentiality of all information shared with us; however, we cannot guarantee absolute confidentiality or anonymity.  

Once your information has been received and reviewed by a member of our Team, NSCAD endeavours to contact you within two weeks to schedule an introductory meeting. This meeting may be scheduled as an on-line (Teams) or in-person meeting. Please indicate your preference on the form.   

At this introductory meeting, the Director, Equity and Community Supports will gather any additional information regarding your concerns or questions. You may have a support person attend this meeting with you. Your support person is expected to respect the privacy of the matter.    

After this meeting, we may need your consent to share some of your details on a strictly need-to-know basis within the University to address your concern effectively, for example, we may need to reach out Student Affairs or Human Resources to obtain additional information or clarification. This limited sharing allows us to understand the issues fully, explore options and work toward a meaningful solution. We do not share your information outside of NSCAD without your consent, except where required by law.

After reviewing your completed Intake form and meeting with you to better understand the nature of your concern(s), NSCAD will determine if we can assist you with the situation. Throughout the process, we aim to listen, be respectful and remain impartial. Our goal is to ensure that your concerns are addressed appropriately and that all members of the community are treated with respect and procedural fairness.   

If your concerns do not appear to come within the scope of the policies listed above, a member of our team may refer you to other NSCAD resources or related policies.    

If your concerns come within the scope of one of our policies, the appropriate NSCAD Team member will provide you with information about the available informal or formal resolution options.    

Most of the concerns or complaints brought forward by our NSCAD community are resolved through confidential informal processes, some options include:    

  • Clarification of the issues   
  • Informal dispute resolution    
  • Mediation    

As outlined in the policies listed above, these ameliorative processes are facilitated by a member of the NSCAD team and aim to resolve your concerns through alternate dispute processes other than a formalized complaint.   

A formal process of complaint resolution is initiated when parties have not reached an agreeable resolution or wish to have their concerns addressed through a confidential investigation. 

All complaints and concerns are received and reviewed by the Office of Opportunity and Belonging and will be triaged to the appropriate department when additional support or input is needed.