Student Services

Bryan College provides a number of services to support students throughout their program of study and to support them in their search for employment upon graduation. The College is committed to making reasonable accommodations to students with special circumstances pursuant to the Ontario Human Rights Code but reserves the right to limit the provision of services to those that will allow students to achieve their goals within the confines of our contractual obligations, our commitment to academic excellence and the graduation of qualified professionals

Bryan College is an adult education facility: As such, students are expected to be proactive in addressing any circumstances that may jeopardize their ability to meet their contractual obligations or the requirements of their academic program.

Accommodation Policy

Organizational Commitment

Bryan College (“the College”) is committed to providing a learning environment free of discrimination and harassment, in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, are able to contribute fully, and have equal opportunities.

In addition, the College is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and to providing accommodation to individuals who are identified by a ground in the Ontario Human Rights Code (“the Code”) to the point of undue hardship. Accommodations that fall outside of the scope of a ground identified in the Code may be considered by the College on a case by case basis through the College’s Policy Exception Request process.

The principles of accommodation include:

• Providing equal opportunity for achievement to individuals covered by a Code-protected ground
• Ensuring employees or students requesting accommodation enjoy the same benefits and privileges as other employees or students
• Respecting the principles of dignity, inclusion, and individualization

Statement of Rights and Obligations

The principle of providing accommodation applies to all employees and students of the College. Persons requesting an accommodation on the basis of a Code-protected ground are responsible for:

• Requesting accommodation
• Explaining why accommodation is required, so that needs are known
• Making his or her needs known to the best of his or her ability, preferably in writing
• Answering questions or providing information about relevant restrictions or limitation, including information from health care professionals, where appropriate and as needed
• Taking part in discussions on possible accommodation solutions
• Co-operating with any experts whose assistance is required
• Meeting agreed-upon academic and/or job performance standards once accommodation is provided
• Working with the College on an on-going basis to manage the accommodation process
• Discussing his or her accommodation needs only with persons who need to know

The College is responsible for:

• Respectfully addressing individuals where situations arise, and the College believes specific conduct, performance, or other observable behaviours may possibly relate to the Ontario Human Rights Code protected grounds by reviewing the College’s accommodation policy with the individual to ensure they are aware of the policy and their rights to request accommodation
• Accepting accommodations requests in good faith, unless there are legitimate and compelling reasons for acting otherwise
• Getting expert advice or opinions where needed
• Taking an active role in making sure that alternative approaches and possible accommodation solutions are investigated, and researching various forms of possible accommodation and alternative solutions as part of the duty to accommodate
• Keeping records of the accommodation request and actions taken
• Maintaining confidentiality – refer to section 6.0 of this policy for further details.
• Limiting requests for additional information related to the accommodation request to those reasonably necessary to accurately assess the nature of the limitation or restriction in order to respond to the accommodation request
• Granting accommodation requests in a timely manner, to the point of undue hardship
• Paying the cost of any required medical information or documentation requested by the College in relation to the accommodation.
• Where accommodation would cause undue hardship, explaining this clearly to the employee or student and demonstrating why this is the case

Shared Responsibility

• The process of providing accommodation is a shared responsibility between the College and the individual making the accommodation request.
• It is the policy of the College that both parties will work cooperatively and in good faith in order to meet the accommodation needs of an individual, up to the point of undue hardship

Accommodations for Students Writing Tests and Exams

Purpose

This policy aims to provide guidelines and procedures for accommodating students with disabilities or other exceptionalities during tests and exams to ensure they have equal opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge and abilities.

Scope:

This policy applies to all students enrolled in courses that require tests or exams at Bryan College.

Policy Statement

Eligibility for Accommodations

Students with documented disabilities or exceptionalities that may affect their ability to take tests or exams under standard conditions are eligible for accommodations. These may include, but are not limited to, physical disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health conditions, and chronic health conditions.

Documentation

Students requesting accommodations must provide documentation from a qualified professional that verifies the nature of their disability or exceptionality and recommends specific accommodations. The documentation should not be older than 5 years and include information on the student's functional limitations and how they impact test-taking.

Types of Accommodations

Accommodations may include, but are not limited to, extended time, a distraction-free environment, the use of assistive technology, breaks during testing, and alternative formats for exams.

Request Process:

• Students must submit a request for accommodations to the Director of Education upon enrollment in the program or at least two weeks prior to starting the course in which the accommodation is required to allow time for an individual education plan to be developed for the student.
• The request should include the student's medical documentation and the specific accommodations requested.
• The Director of Education will review the request and documentation and determine appropriate accommodations based on the student's needs and the course requirements.

Notification to Instructors 

Once accommodations are approved, the Director of Education will notify the student's instructors of the approved accommodations. Instructors are expected to provide the appropriate accommodations during tests and exams.

Confidentiality 

Information regarding a student's disability or accommodations is confidential and should only be shared with individuals involved in providing the accommodations on a need-to-know basis.

Appeals

Students who disagree with the decision regarding their accommodations may appeal the decision following the established appeals process.

Responsibilities

• Students: Students are responsible for providing documentation of their disability or exceptionality and for requesting accommodations in a timely manner.
• Instructors: Instructors are responsible for providing approved accommodations during tests and exams and for maintaining the confidentiality of student information.
• Director of Education: The Director of Education is responsible for reviewing accommodation requests, determining appropriate accommodations, and facilitating their implementation.

Review 

This policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure it remains effective and in compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

Compliance

All students, faculty, and staff are expected to comply with this policy. 

Resources

Offices of:

• Director of Education
• Academic Advisors
• Career & Student Services 

Contact Information:

For questions or concerns regarding this policy, please contact the Director of Education, Lydia Giammartino or your Academic Coordinator.

Freedom from Reprisal

All requests for accommodation will be taken seriously and no employee or student will be penalized for making an accommodation request as outlined in this policy.

Interaction with Other Laws/Requirements

• It is possible that other legislation or legal requirements, such as those from the Ministry of Training, College, and Universities, may impose rules that appear to limit the College’s ability to provide accommodation.
• The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that human rights laws are not to be treated the same as other pieces of provincial legislation and that organizations must comply with the Code before any other laws or requirements.
• When an accommodation request would require the College to fall out of compliance with other pieces of legislation, the College is committed to ensuring the principles of accommodation and human rights are met, as far as is reasonable to the point of undue hardship, according to the principles set forth in the Code.

Confidentiality and Documentation

• Other than information that the person making the accommodation request has made public or general knowledge, all verbal discussions and written documentation related to accommodation requests will be kept confidential, and will only be released to appropriate parties (i.e. the person requesting accommodation, College management, or 3rd party experts) on a need to know basis in order to fulfill the College’s accommodation obligations, or as required by law.
• All documentation will be maintained for a minimum of 3 years following the date of the accommodation request, or as long as the accommodation is being provided if longer than 3 years.

Advanced Standing 

• Any course completed at another institution that a prospective student wishes to put forward for advanced standing in a Bryan College course must have taken said course within the last 5 years and achieved a grade of 70% or greater. A transcript and course syllabus must be provided.
• Any programs or courses taken more than 5 years ago and/or have a grade less than 70% will require taking the full Bryan College equivalent of that course or challenge the course (see next paragraph).
• Any courses a prospective student has taken more than 5 years ago with a grade of 70% or greater, or received a grade below 70% but above 60% within the last 5 years may be offered the opportunity to challenge the course to receive advanced standing.
• Challenging a course requires taking a cumulative multiple choice written exam on the course material at the cost of $60 per exam. If the course being challenged includes a practical component then the prospective student will also be required to perform a cumulative oral practical exam for the course at the cost of $100 per exam.
• Challenge exams must be completed prior to the first day of the official enrollment and must be passed with no less than 70.0% in order to be granted advanced standing in the challenged course. Any course requiring a challenge written and oral practical exam requires a 70.0% on both exams separately.
• A prospective student will not be granted advanced standing and will be required to take the full course if they score less than 70.0% on the challenge exam(s).
• Advanced standing will not be offered to students after official enrollment and the program has already begun.

Transfer to a Bryan College program from an equivalent program at a different institution

• If a prospective student requests to transfer from a like program into the equivalent program at Bryan College (ex. a student is looking to transfer from an esthetics program at a different institution into the Bryan College esthetics program) the prospective student must be prepared to provide detailed course outlines for each of the courses they have successfully completed at the other institution.
• The prospective student must be aware that not all information within a course between institutions will match one for one. This means that a student may be required to take a course at Bryan College which will repeat some of the information they have already learned
• A given course must have covered at least 70% of the material covered in the Bryan College course to be considered equivalent and completed. The student will be made aware of the material they must make up in their own time if they choose not to complete the Bryan College course.
• The Advanced Standing policy stands in terms of grades and the dates the courses were taken at the other institution.

Advanced Standing for Massage Therapy Program

Prospective students who have completed a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, Athletic Therapy degree, or equivalent can be granted advanced standing in the following courses provided they meet the advanced standing policy in the equivalent courses from their degree:

• PP10 - Physiology 1
• PP20 - Physiology 2
• RE10 - Research
• KR30 - Kinesiology and Remedial Exercise

Prospective students who have completed an Osteopathy degree, Chiropractic doctor degree, Masters in Physiotherapy, Physician Assistant degree, or degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine (in Canada) can be granted advanced standing in the following courses provided they meet the advanced standing policy in the equivalent courses from their degree:

• AN10 - Musculoskeletal Anatomy of the upper body
• AN20 - Musculoskeletal Anatomy of the lower body
• CL10 - Basic Client Assessment
• PP10 - Physiology 1
• PP20 - Physiology 2
• RE10 - Research
• AN30 - Neurology
• *KR30 - Kinesiology and Remedial Exercise*
• PP30 - Pathophysiology 1
• PP40 - Pathophysiology 2

*Not offered to Osteopathy, Physician Assistant, or TCM unless transcript or undergraduate degree shows equivalent

Any other degrees or programs completed will be taken on a case by case basis and will require the prospective student to provide a detailed course outline of the courses they have taken for which they are asking to have recognized for advanced standing.

Financial Aid

Bryan College has a designated Financial Aid Officer whose responsibility is to support student’s applications for third party financing, manage any financing arrangements provided directly through the college and ensure that student’s queries regarding amounts owing can be answered in a prompt and accurate manner.   In the event of a student withdrawal, the Financial Aid Officer will provide the necessary guidance regarding financing arrangements. 

With respect to third party financing, the Financial Aid Officer is responsible for timely notification to the third party regarding changes in student’s status. Any such communications will also be provided to the student.

Students are responsible for making all payments as outlined in the payment schedule in their student contract.  Any alternate payment arrangements must be made with the Financial Aid Officer.

Students who are more than 30 days in arrears will receive written notification and will have 5 business days to make alternate payment arrangements. Students who fail to bring their account up to date will be prevented from attending classes. Students should see a Financial Aid Officer the moment financial difficulties arise. 

Financial Aid - Fee Refund Policy

Students who have signed a contract without an approved payment plan must pay all fees in full at the beginning of the program.

Students who withdraw from the College may, depending on circumstance, be eligible for a full or partial refund.

The College is bound to uphold the Fee Refund Policy as dictated by section 25 to 33 of the Ontario Regulations 415/06. A copy is attached to the student contract. 

Financial Aid - OSAP Approved Programs

The following programs are approved by the Ministry of Training and Colleges: Private Institutions Branch for funding under the Ontario Student Assistance Program

• Massage Therapy Year 1
• Massage Therapy Year 2
• Advanced Professional Spa Therapist
• Advanced Medical Spa Therapist
• Professional Spa Therapist
• Health Fitness Trainer
• Medical Office Assistant

Financial Aid - Payment of Fees for Students Receiving Government Assistance  

Upon approval of a government-guaranteed student loan, outstanding tuition fees must be paid in full to the College.

In cases where the loan is not sufficient to cover total tuition costs, or is delayed, students will continue with the payment schedule as outlined in the student contract.

Students will not be allowed in the class if the scheduled payments are not adhered to. Late payment charges may be applied at the discretion of the College. For more details on payment of fees please refer to your student contract.

OSAP does not cover fees incurred for any of the items listed in the Student Services Section.

Financial Aid - Active Participation for Students Receiving Government Assistance

All students are expected to attend each scheduled class and are responsible for fulfilling course requirements that are missed during their absence.

It is the responsibility of the student to notify the College of any period of absence that is likely to last twenty-eight consecutive days or more. Students receiving government loans are required to attend a minimum of 20 hours a week in order to maintain OSAP eligibility.

In the event a student does not meet satisfactory scholastic standards (complete 60% of a full course load [40% for student with a permanent disability]) during one study period, the student will be placed on probation and will remain eligible for OSAP in the next study period.

In the event a student does not meet satisfactory scholastic achievement in two study periods, the student will lose government loan eligibility for a minimum period of 12 months.

In the event a student does not meet satisfactory scholastic standards during three study periods, the student will lose government loan eligibility for a minimum of 36 months.

Career Counselling

The Career Services Department is dedicated to empowering individuals in their professional journey by providing resources and support. Our team is committed to assisting students and alumni in exploring career paths, developing essential job search skills, and connecting with employment opportunities. Through guidance, workshops, and networking events, we strive to bridge the gap between education and the workforce, fostering successful transitions and career success.

In order to book an appointment for assistance, please contact Career Services at: careerservices@bryancollege.ca.

Conflict Resolution

Note: For any conflict arising from potential claims of harassment or discrimination, please see the College’s Anti-Harassment and Anti-Discrimination Policy. 

The College is committed to the prompt and equitable resolution of student conflict issues to the satisfaction of both the student and the College. The Conflict Resolution Policy is designed to provide students with an informal and formal process whereby a student may request the review and resolution of a concern if resolution has not been reached by way of the daily problem-solving activities between staff and students which, in most cases, result in immediate resolution.

Students are encouraged to address any concerns immediately, proactively and in a professional manner with the staff member most directly involved. If a resolution cannot be reached the student may follow the Informal Resolution Process.

The Formal Resolution Policy is to be used only for the most serious of issues that cannot be resolved through any other means. The Resolution Committee; comprised of a minimum of three people from the following areas: Academics, Administration, and Student Counsellor, is responsible for ensuring that all disputes raised at this level are fully documented and their decisions are presented to the Campus President prior to communicating with the student.

The College commits to providing each student who has filed a complaint with a written statement regarding the conclusion of each complaint and the reasons for the decision within ten working days of the filing of the complaint.  If further investigation is warranted, the student will be advised of this in writing within the ten working days timeframe and will provide a reasonable extension date for resolution of the complaint.

The College keeps a written record of each student complaint, all supporting documentation and the decision documented for a period of three years from the date of the decision.

Students are further eligible to file a complaint through the Ministry of Training College and Universities, directed to the Superintendent if they are not satisfied with the resolution.

Please refer to your Student Contract for step-by-step instructions.

Appeals

Students who have concerns about their academic progress in any course, for any reason, must first discuss the matter with their instructor and/or Academic Coordinator. Students who have concerns about administration issues must first attempt to resolve the situation with the Registrar. After doing so, if the student still feels their concerns have not been fairly addressed or the solutions proposed do not meet the expectations of the student, they may pursue an appeal.  All Communications around appeals will be appropriately documented.

All appeals must be submitted in writing to the Campus President within three business days after the option for appeal is presented. 

Appeal Grades

Final course results are carefully reviewed prior to issuance. If you believe that you have the basis for appealing an academic decision, you must first discuss the matter with your instructor and/or academic coordinator. The expectation is that the decision under dispute is to be resolved as closely as possible to the level at which it originated.

If the matter is not resolved, a written request for a review of a final grade will need to be submitted to the Campus President within 10 working days of the course end date. A $50.00 appeal will be levied. The fee will be refunded if the result of the appeal is in the student's favour.

Resolution Committee

The Resolution Committee is comprised of a minimum of three people from the following areas: Academics, Administration, and Career Counsellor.

The primary purpose of this committee is to hear student appeals and preside over Conflict Resolution hearings. 

All issues brought before the Resolution Committee must be in writing and must contain a complete and accurate account of the event and/or issues, as well as a description of the expected outcome. Submissions are not considered filed until all necessary documentation has been submitted.

Students are not entitled to be privy to the process of decision making for a matter brought before the committee but are entitled to a written response within ten working days of the conclusion of the resolution process.

Policy Exception

Policy Exception - Remediation-Attendance 

Students granted the opportunity for remediation may be permitted to participate in final examinations at the discretion of the College. In such instances, marks are not final until all remediation hours are complete and remedial fees have been paid. Upon marking the final examination, should the student fail the course, the student will be subject to the College’s supplemental examination policy.

A student who is absent from a scheduled remediation session without prior approval and/or acceptable supporting documentation will lose their opportunity for remediation immediately and will be required to retake the course. Any balance owing for remediation fees will be payable in addition to any fees associated with retaking the course. 

The Academic Coordinator and/or Lead Instructor for the faculty will review a student’s attendance records as well as any documentation that has been provided to explain the student’s attendance situation when determining whether or not remediation hours will be granted. Any decisions to grant or deny the opportunity to remediate hours will be provided to the student in writing.

If remediation is not approved, the student will be required to retake the course at the next offering and pay all associated tuition fees for the course.

Remediation-Academic Performance 

Students who are unsuccessful in achieving a passing mark in a course, but meet all attendance requirements, may be required to take part in a supplemental examination. If a student fails a supplemental examination then the student is required to retake the course. 

Decisions regarding remediation are based on academic performance and are at the discretion of the Academic Coordinator and Campus President. Fees will apply. 

Tutoring

From time to time students may experience difficulty with particular aspects of their studies, requiring that they participate in additional tutorial studies. These studies are to be conducted outside of the normal curriculum and any fees that may be charged are at the student’s expense. 

Students recognized for having a consistent GPA over 80% may receive an email from the Academic Coordinator asking if they would be interested in offering peer tutoring services. Students approved by the College may offer and advertise tutoring services at a reasonable fee that the peer tutor sets. 

Students seeking tutoring services can get the list of approved peer tutors from their Academic Coordinator.

Course/Instructor Evaluations

In the final weeks of each course you will be asked to evaluate the course and instructors in order to ensure that your learning experience is the best possible one. These evaluations are anonymous in order to facilitate your ability to be candid about your learning experience. The Campus President, Director of Education/Associate Director of Education, and Academic Coordinators will review the evaluations as they are completed and work with the students and instructors to address areas of concern when appropriate.

Miscellaneous Fees