Academic Policies

Student Statement of Rights

VanArts is certified with the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) within the System Integrity Branch (SIB) of the 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 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 PTIRU and how to be an informed student, go to: http://www.privatetraininginstitutions.gov.bc.ca/students/be-an-informed-student.

Attendance 

Attendance is mandatory and VanArts instructors are required to record attendance for all students in all classes. If a student misses more than 40% of a course’s scheduled hours, that student may receive an automatic failing grade for that course and will no longer be eligible to receive their diploma.

Many VanArts programs have more specific and stringent attendance criteria to which students must adhere. Attendance expectations are outlined by the Department at the beginning of each intake.

If a student misses four consecutive weeks without contacting the school, the school may, in consultation with the Department dismiss the student. Three attempts to contact the student will be made by the school before any action is taken.

* A student’s absence may be excused in the case of contagious/serious illness or injury, death in the family or similar emergency. In the event of recurring or excessive absence due to illness, a doctor’s note may be required to avoid receiving a failing grade.

Grading 

VanArts aims to grade students in a reasonable, equitable and transparent manner. Assignment of grades are based on:

• A demonstrated achievement of meeting the course objectives.
• Criteria presented by the instructor for any specific work required throughout the course.
• An announcement of general procedures on which the grades will be awarded. This may include in various combinations such items as examinations, presentations, attendance and participation, projects, reports, etc.

In order to graduate from a VanArts diploma program, a student must achieve an overall passing grade of C- (56%), or better, having passed all courses within all terms. All subjects offered by VanArts are graded as follows:

A+  96% – 100%
A     91% – 95%
A-    86% – 90%
B+   81% – 85%
B     76% – 80%
B-    71% – 75%
C+   66% – 70%
C     61% – 65%
C-    56% – 60%
D     51% – 55%
F     0% – 50%

Honours 

VanArts seeks to recognize consistently outstanding student achievement by granting graduates with honours standing.

Students with an A average, a final mark of 88% or higher, will graduate with honours and receive a special diploma.

Graduation

Students are eligible to graduate from the program he/she is registered in when the following conditions have been met:

• Academic requirements of the program, as prescribed by VanArts, have been completed in a satisfactory and timely manner.
• Having passed all courses within all terms. A passing grade is 56% or better each course.
• Tuition fees have been paid in full.

Any student who has not successfully completed all conditions for graduation listed here is not eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony or to receive their diploma.

Employment Support

VanArts aims to foster contact between students and potential employers by arranging visits from potential employers, advising potential employers of new graduates and arranging other opportunities for interactions between students and industry. These activities are at the sole discretion of the Head of Department based on their industry connections. VanArts does not assume any authority over or responsibility for the placement of its graduates.

Dismissal

The Institution may dismiss a student if it determines that the student: engaged in behaviors inside or outside the institution and program instruction periods that are of such a serious nature that the Student’s enrolment cannot reasonably continue without it endangering the physical and emotional well-being of the student or other students. Harming the reputation or legal interests of the Institution and seriously disrupting specific programs or the Institution are grounds for dismissal.

The Institution will consider the following list of actions and behaviors as grounds for dismissal and include but are not limited to: missing four conscutive weeks of school without contacting the school; academic dishonesty such as plagiarism; human rights abuses; sexual or other harassment; hate speech or obscenities; physical abuse of the institution’s or another person’s property including intellectual property and digital works; insubordination or refusal to cooperate with instructors and schedules; possession of firearms (registered or not) or other weapons or any items that can be used as weapons (unless there is a compelling reason for possession); assault and battery; fighting, aggressive and threatening behavior; the physical or emotional abuse of another student or person; criminal or quasi criminal offences; actions of defamation or other intentional torts; smoking in non-designated areas; possession of alcohol or illegal drugs or attending class or work while under the influence; and other similar actions and behaviors.

Dispute Resolution

VanArts is committed to provide professional training in a setting where the working and teaching relationships are cooperative. VanArts administrative staff and managers are available to discuss concerns and to offer assistance. Please report any difficulties that you encounter to your Head of Department or an Administrator immediately.

The Institute aims to provide an opportunity for students and staff to resolve disputes of a serious nature in a fair and equitable manner.

This policy and procedure applies to all students/staff currently enroled/employed or students/ staff enroled/employed 30 days, or less, prior to submitting their concern.

Dispute Resolution Procedure

When you have a problem or dispute the first step is generally to address the concern with the staff member or student most directly involved. If you can’t obtain resolution through this route then your next stop is your Head of Department.

Put your problem or dispute in writing, either on paper or by email, and take it to your Head of Department. You can also verbally discuss issues with your Head of Department if you are comfortable. Your Head of Department will consider your problem and respond to you within 10 school days.

If you are not satisfied with the resolution at this point you can deliver your written problem or dispute to the student services office in person or by emailing studentservices@vanarts.com. Student services may request to meet with you in this process. They will then deliver a written answer to your concern either directly or through the appropriate representative within 10 school days.

If your problem or dispute remains unresolved after this point you can request, through Student Services, for the answer to be reviewed by VanArts Management. Within 10 school days you will receive a response from VanArts Management as to the resolution of your problem.

At this point the school’s dispute resolution process will be considered exhausted.
If the problem is of a serious nature the President of the School may, in his/her sole discretion and cost, engage the services of a third party mediator to assist in the resolution of the dispute. Students always retain the right to obtain representation by an agent or lawyer at any time.

If you are dissatisfied with the dispute resolution, and believe you have been misled by the institution regarding any significant aspect of your program, you may file a complaint with the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) (www.privatetraininginstitutions.gov.bc.ca). Complaints must be filed with PTIRU within one year of the date a student completes, is dismissed from, or withdraws from their program.

Payments

Tuition fees for full-time diploma programs are paid as follows:

1. 10% of the tuition is due to reserve a seat in one of our programs and confirms enrolment.
2. 40% of the tuition is due six weeks before the program start date. Plus $50 key card fee due – fully refundable upon return.
3. 50%, the remainder of the tuition, is due by the end of Term One – 12 weeks after the program start date.

All tutition fees are quoted and payable in Canadian dollars. Tuition payments must be made on time to reserve a program seat and ensure continuation in a program. Failure to make payment by the stated deadlines may result in the withholding of future services by the institution and in some cases may result in dismissal from the program. Payments can be made by cheque, money order, credit card or wire transfer. Contact the Admissions Department for details and instructions.

Tuition fees for part-time & intensive courses must be paid in full at the time of registration, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Refunds