Freedom of Information

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Freedom of Information and Privacy

The personal information that you provide to Keyano College is collected under the authority of the Post-Secondary Learning Act and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act - section 33(c). The information will be used for the purpose of the intended activity and or registration. Collected personal information is protected from unauthorized access, collection, use, and disclosure in accordance with the FOIP Act and can be reviewed upon request subject to the provisions under the Act.

 

Freedom of Speech Policy Statement 

The College is a comprehensive community college within Alberta’s public post-secondary education system. Academic freedom is a cornerstone of our institutional excellence. The College is committed to facilitating educational and scholarly inquiry, including the sharing and debating of ideas, through Freedom of Speech on its Campus and at College Events. The College recognizes that some individuals’ words may give rise to negative emotions or cause negative triggers. The College will fully support legal authorities who prosecute or adjudicate any breaches of the Canadian Criminal Code or abrogation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, or Alberta Human Rights Act, on Campus, at College Events or through the College’s social media infrastructures. To guard free speech, Keyano will be vigilant in identifying the criminal offences of advocating genocide against a group, the public incitement of hatred against a person or group, and the willful promotion of hatred on its Campus, at College Events or on the College’s social media infrastructures.

1. Guiding Principles 

  • 1.1. On July 11, 2019, the Board of Governors of the College adopted principles in relation to Freedom of Speech and the University of Chicago’s Statement on the Freedom of Expression (the “Chicago Principles”). The purpose of this Policy is to outline the College’s position on free speech and to identify the rights and responsibilities of the College and the College Community with respect to Freedom of Speech on Campus or at College Events.
  • 1.2. This Policy development included a review of existing free speech policies from Canadian colleges and universities and the Provincial Government’s commitment to protecting and promoting free speech as a fundamental tenet of the academic experience, as reflected in the Chicago Principles.

2. Rights and Responsibilities

The following sets out the rights and responsibilities of the College and the College Community with respect to Freedom of Speech on Campus or at College Events: 

  • 2.1. The College will facilitate free and open inquiry in all educational and scholarly matters on Campus and at College Events. The College will provide the College Community the broadest possible latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge, and learn with respect to educational and scholarly inquiries on Campus and at College Events;
  • 2.2. The College will not attempt to shield students enrolled in studies at the College from ideas or opinions that students disagree with or find offensive;
  • 2.3. Members of the College Community have the right to criticize and question educational or scholarly views expressed on Campus or at College Events, but cannot obstruct or interfere with other members’ Freedom of Speech on Campus or at College Events. This includes preventing or substantially impairing a member’s ability to be heard or cause the College to cancel an event because there is a credible threat to the safety or security of persons or property, in the opinion of College personnel or advisors, acting reasonably.
  • 2.4. The College and the College Community will not suppress debate or deliberation in relation to educational or scholarly matters on Campus or at College Events simply because the ideas put forward are thought by some individuals, or even most individuals, to be offensive, unwise, immoral or wrong-headed;
  • 2.5. The College may reasonably regulate the time, place, and manner of Expression of any member of the College Community to ensure such expression does not disrupt the ordinary activities of the College;
  • 2.6. The College may restrict any College Community member’s Expression that:
    • a. Violates provincial and federal laws;
    • b. Falsely defames an individual;
    • c. Constitutes a genuine threat or harassment; or
    • d. Unjustifiable invades substantial privacy and confidentiality of interests.

3. Scope

This Policy applies to all members of the College Community with respect to Freedom of Speech on Campus or at College Events. This Policy does not apply to the rights, responsibilities and obligations of the College as stated in other College policies and procedures or the collective agreement between Keyano College and the Keyano College Faculty Association, regarding the College’s commitment to academic freedom. 

Definitions

For the purpose of this Policy, the following terms have the following meanings:

  1. Campus: means all real property owned and under the operational control of the College.
  2. College: means Keyano College