Student Rights and Responsibilities

As members of the University of Toronto community, students assume certain responsibilities and are guaranteed certain rights and freedoms.

The University has several policies that are approved by the Governing Council and which apply to all students. The University will assume that each student has become familiar with the policies. The rules and regulations of the Faculty of Arts & Science are listed in this calendar. In applying to the Faculty, the student assumes certain responsibilities to the University and the Faculty and, if admitted and registered, will be subject to all rules, regulations and policies cited in the calendar, as amended from time to time.

A directory of the policies, guidelines and resources that relate to your conduct as a student at the University of Toronto can be found on the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students website. 

All University policies can be found in the Governing Council Policies website.

Email Address

Students of the University of Toronto have access to the Information Commons, which is their passport to their University of Toronto affiliated email, libraries and Internet access while on campus. Once a student has their TCard, they must activate their University of Toronto email account. Setting up a UTmail+ account is mandatory; see the University Policy on Official Correspondence with Students.

Mailing Address

Address information (mailing and permanent) must be reviewed and updated on ACORN. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the mailing address is kept up to date on ACORN.

Sanctions on Account of Outstanding Obligations

As per the Governing Council’s policy on Academic Sanctions for Students who have Outstanding University Obligations, the following are 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.

• Official transcripts of record will not be issued.
• The University will not release the diploma nor provide confirmation of degree status to external enquirers.
• Graduands who have an outstanding balance will be allowed to walk on stage and have their names appear on the convocation program but will not receive their diploma until their account is paid.
• Registration will be refused to a continuing or returning student.
• Official letters (e.g., confirmation of graduation, QECO) will not be issued.
• Education verifications may not be issued.

Payments made by continuing or returning students will first be applied to outstanding University debts and then to current fees.

Scientific Observations

In biological and science programs, there may be occasions when scientific observations are made by students on themselves or on fellow students. These include common diagnostic or immunization procedures. Unless a valid reason exists, students are expected to participate in such exercises. If any investigative work involving student participation does not form part of the program, participation is voluntary. 

Academic Record

Students are able to check their course results, grade point averages, and academic standing by accessing their academic record online through ACORN. Final course results will be available for viewing on ACORN as soon as possible after they are received and posted by the Office of the Faculty Registrar. Note that academic status is only assessed at the end of the Fall/Winter session and the end of the Summer session.

Students not in good standing (i.e., on probation, or suspended, or refused further registration) will receive notification by email to their UTMail+ account.

The University's Policy on Access to Student Academic Records can be found on the Governing Council website.

TCard

The TCard is the official University of Toronto student ID card, bearing student information including name, student number, and image. It serves various functions, including library card, meal plan card & access card (if applicable). It is used for identification purposes within the University, such as Faculty examinations, student activities, and Athletic Association privileges. 

Detailed Information about the TCard, such as applying for a new card, reporting a loss card, and usage can be found in the TCard Office website. 

Transcripts and Course Descriptions

The transcript of a student’s record reports their complete registration history at the university including courses in progress and the standing in all courses attempted along with course average, information about the student’s academic standing including records of suspension and refusal of further registration, any current academic sanctions if relevant, completion of program(s) at the time of graduation, and conferral of the degree.

The University of Toronto issues consolidated transcripts, including a student’s total academic record at the University. However, graduate students who were previously enrolled at the University of Toronto as an undergraduate student may request that only the graduate portion of their record be issued. Students may request their transcript online on ACORN. Further information can be obtained on the University's Transcript Services website. Copies of course descriptions are issued at the student’s request.

University Rights and Responsibilities

Changes in Programs of Study and/or Courses

The programs of study and courses that are listed in our Calendar are available for the year(s) to which the Calendar applies. They may not necessarily be available in later years or offered in all years. If the University or the Faculty must change the content of programs of study or courses or withdraw them, all reasonable possible advance notice will be given. The University will not, however, be liable for any loss, damages, or other expenses that such changes might cause.

For each program of study offered by the University through the Faculty, the courses necessary to complete the minimum requirements of the program will be made available annually. The Faculty reserves the right otherwise to change the content of courses, instructors and instructional assignments, enrolment limitations, prerequisites and co-requisites, grading policies, requirements for promotion and timetables without prior notice.

Copyright in Instructional Settings

If a student wishes to tape-record, photograph, video-record or otherwise reproduce lecture presentations, course notes or other similar materials provided by instructors, they must obtain the instructor’s written consent beforehand. Otherwise all such reproduction is an infringement of copyright and is absolutely prohibited.

Note that where such permission is granted by the instructor, materials reproduced are for the student's individual private use only, not for further reproduction or publication.

In the case of private use by students with disabilities, the instructor’s consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

Enrolment Limitations

The University makes every reasonable effort to plan and control enrolment to ensure that all of our students are qualified to complete the programs to which they are admitted, and to strike a practicable balance between enrolment and available instructional resources. Sometimes such a balance cannot be struck and the number of qualified students exceeds the instructional resources that we can reasonably make available while at the same time maintaining the quality of instruction. In such cases, we must reserve the right to limit enrolment in the programs, courses, or sections listed in the Calendar, and to withdraw courses for which enrolment or resources are insufficient. The University will not be liable for any loss, damages, or other expenses that such limitations or withdrawals might cause.

Fees and Other Charges

The University reserves the right to alter the fees and other charges described in the Calendar by approval of the Governing Council.

Notice of Collection of Personal Information: Freedom of Information and Privacy Act

The University of Toronto respects your privacy.

Personal information that you provide to the University is collected pursuant to section 2(14) of the University of Toronto Act, 1971.

It is collected for the purpose of administering admissions, registration, academic programs, university-related student activities, activities of student societies, safety, financial assistance and awards, graduation and university advancement, and reporting to government. This includes advising notes created to document interactions with students in support of their academic program. These notes may be accessed by authorized departments also involved in advising, to collaboratively support student success. Notes are statements of fact. They may relate to the student’s academic record, provide documentation of issues and options discussed, as well as university service referrals.

The University is also required to report student-level enrolment-related data to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities as a condition of its receipt of operating grant funding. The Ministry collects this enrolment data, which includes limited personal information such as Ontario Education Numbers, student characteristics and educational outcomes, in order to administer government postsecondary funding, policies and programs, including planning, evaluation and monitoring activities.

At all times it will be protected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. If you have questions, please refer to www.utoronto.ca/privacy or contact the University Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Coordinator at McMurrich Building, room 104, 12 Queen's Park Crescent West, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8.

Person I.D. (Student Number)

Each student at the University is assigned a unique identification number. The number is confidential. The University strictly controls access to Person I.D. numbers. The University assumes and expects that students will protect the confidentiality of their Person I.D.’s.