Adler Student Code of Honour

Students agree to abide by the Code of Honour when they sign the Registration Agreement

1. I have read this code of conduct as well as the ADLER Discrimination and Harassment Policy and pledge not to engage in any of the prohibited conduct and to promote this code and the ADLER Discrimination and Harassment Policy.
2. I understand that the spirit of this code of conduct and the ADLER Discrimination and Harassment Policy is as important as the letter of these documents.
3. I pledge to hold myself to the ideals of this code of conduct and the highest standards of the profession I hope to enter. I also pledge that I shall not engage in or promote any of the offensive behaviours in the Definitions section of this code of conduct.
4. I pledge further that I shall not engage in or promote any offensive behaviour not specifically defined in this code of conduct and that with respect to such offensive behaviour, I shall be guided by the letter and spirit of this code of conduct. 
5. I acknowledge the importance of ongoing training on the subject matter of this code of conduct and the ADLER Discrimination and Harassment Policy and pledge to participate fully in this training.
6. When required to do a written assignment, I pledge to submit to ADLER work that is entirely mine and not work that is plagiarized or copied from another source. I accept and recognize that it is often necessary to incorporate ideas from other writers, but I pledge that, in that eventuality, I will acknowledge and cite these ideas. 
7. In spoken presentations, I will be guided by the pledge made with respect to written work.
8. In complying with my responsibilities under this code of conduct, I will also endeavour to encourage the best ethical behaviour and the highest standards of honesty among my colleagues.
9. I will be respectful to all ADLER Community members, regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, disability (mental or physical), religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, age, family, or marital status.
10. I will always uphold the values of ADLER and behave in a manner that brings honour to myself and the ADLER Community.
11. I will not misrepresent my academic credentials, academic background, or training.

Code of Conduct Statement

ADLER believes all members of its community have the right to study or work in an environment that is inclusive, nurturing, safe, secure, and supportive. ADLER, therefore, commits to treating students as responsible people capable of conducting their affairs in a way that respects the rights of employees, other students, and ADLER property.

Purpose

This Code of Conduct confirms the historical values of Adler Graduate Professional School (ADLER) and affirms the right of every member of the ADLER community to learn and work in an environment free from discrimination and harassment in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code. 

The Code of Conduct does not purport to cover all situations likely to be encountered but it does provide guiding principles in terms of the general standard of conduct expected by ADLER. Thus, every member of the ADLER community is expected to behave in ways that promote an inclusive and respectful environment.

Every student is required to acknowledge, by signing the Registration Agreement, receipt of the Code of Conduct and to read and accept it prior to admission as an ADLER student. Students are also required to read and accept the ADLER Discrimination and Harassment Policy and procedures. All students, staff, and contractors, including faculty, are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct and are subject to investigation and consequences for breaches of the Code of Conduct. Staff, Faculty and Contractors agree to AGPS Policies, including the Code of Conduct, when they sign contracts for employment with AGPS. 

Principles of the Code of Conduct

Respect in the Community

ADLER requires all ADLER community members to be respectful towards others and to be accountable for their actions. 

Professional Behaviour in the Community

Employees, faculty, and students are expected to act in a professional manner and to promote ADLER values such as civility, cooperation, integrity, and truthfulness.

Employees, faculty, and students are required to conduct themselves in a way that promotes the good order and proper functioning of ADLER operations. Employees must not use ADLER property or assets for anything other than legitimate ADLER business.

Breaches of ADLER policies, including this code of conduct, will result in disciplinary action ranging from a written warning to suspension to termination of employment.

Conduct of Employees and Faculty

Employees are entitled to be treated with respect and dignity but are also expected to treat others in a like manner and to generally promote a respectful, inclusive, and safe work environment.

Employees must always execute their duties in a transparent and impartial manner. When making decisions affecting others, employees are required to be unbiased and diligent in avoiding actual or perceived conflicts of interest. Employees must ensure that they do not allow outside interests to conflict with their position at ADLER or use ADLER assets for unauthorized personal gain.

Responsibilities and Accountability

Every member of the ADLER Community has a duty to comply with this code of conduct and promote its objectives. This responsibility includes the duty to report conduct that contravenes this code to the appropriate authority. 

Every member of the ADLER Community has a right to report conduct that contravenes this code without reprisal or threat of reprisal.

Student Conduct

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Students at Adler Graduate Professional School have the right to:

• Participate in academic, experiential, and social activities as students at ADLER without discrimination, harassment, intimidation, disruption or violence. 
• Privacy of their personal information.
• Freedom of expression and inquiry, and to engage in discussions of diverse ideas, including those which may be uncomfortable or challenging.
• Fair adjudication of disputes and complaints under ADLER policy
• Respect for their person and property.

Additionally, students have the right to be fairly evaluated for their academic performance and suitability for the profession they are pursuing.

Students at ADLER have the responsibility to:

• Have read, be familiar with, and adhere to all ADLER Policies, rules and procedures.
• Uphold all applicable public laws.
• Conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with the Code of Conduct or Ethics of the regulatory body for which they are preparing to register. For Master of Psychology and Doctor of Psychology students, this is the College of Psychologists of Ontario. For students in Professional Coaching programs, this is the ICF Code of Ethics. Other students are required to adhere to the Code of Ethics of their own regulated profession.
• Behave in a manner that does not harm, or threaten harm, to the mental or physical well-being of another person. This extends to digital spaces and social media.
• Respect the property of others, including school property.
• Not interfere with or disrupt ADLER academic or other activities at the school or off-campus  in their capacity as ADLER students.
• Engage honestly, in good faith and with civility, equity and respect for others within the ADLER community. 
• Value the diversity and complexity of both the ADLER community and the wider communities in which the school is situated.
• Be willing to consider and respect ideas, ways of being, and systems of knowing that are different from their own, even if they are uncomfortable or conflict with their own, and to engage with people who espouse them with civility.
• The responsibility to respect the privacy of personal information of others and treat the outcomes of disciplinary investigations as confidential.

While the School expects that members of the ADLER community – students, staff, faculty and visitors – will abide by the policies and requirements of the school, breaches of the terms of this policy will be investigated and may incur sanctions, including, but not limited to, suspension or dismissal.

Student Behaviour

Students are expected to always maintain a professional attitude, and to cooperate in the maintenance of a professional learning environment.

Students who enroll in ADLER Programs are embarking on a much broader journey than simply acquiring information or gaining skills. As students, they are engaged in becoming human services professionals. As representatives of a particular profession, and of human services professions in general, it is incumbent upon them to take responsibility for maintaining a professional role beyond the subject 

Dress Code

The intention of the dress code is to establish a respectful learning environment and to convey the nature of ADLER academic programs as a preparation for professional practice. The dress code applies to all students and faculty while they are at the school, or representing the school.

Clothing should:

• present as casual and informal, but professional, relative to the profession the student hopes to enter
• express individual identity within a professional context, which should be taken to mean: clean and in good repair; Intended to fully cover undergarments; not conveying confrontational messaging
• The dress code should not be applied or defined differently based on gender, culture or other protected grounds in Ontario

Any student or faculty member dressed in a manner not consistent with the dress code should be given a notification that the next time they come to the school it is expected that they will dress appropriately. If, after a notification, they continue to wear clothing that is not suitable, they will be considered to be in violation of the Code of Conduct and may be subject to consequences as outlined in the Academic Calendar.

Classroom Conduct

All students are expected to arrive on time for classes. The instructor will begin lecturing at the designated hour for the class, and students are expected to stay until the scheduled end of the class. All students are expected to maintain a professional and respectful demeanour during class time and during any interaction at the School.

All students are requested to turn off pagers and cell phones during class and are prohibited from using any audio or video recording devices. Due to the personal and sometimes confidential nature of the in-class interactions that are part of professional training at ADLER, it is not permissible to make audio or visual recordings in any class. The only exception to this is recording as part of an accommodation for disability. Students will be informed ahead of time if a class is being recorded, but accommodations for disability are a legally protected right. Please see the Recording Policy for more information. Any recording done in the rest of the school requires the written permission of the participants.

Students must conduct themselves in the classroom in a manner that does not disrupt or is not intended to disrupt teaching and learning for others. Faculty should give at least one warning but may remove a student from class to preserve the learning environment after appropriate warnings have been given.

Student Misconduct

In addition to uniquely disruptive behaviour that affects the teaching and learning process, interferes with the welfare of other students or employees, or causes damage to ADLER property, student misconduct includes any breach of this code of conduct, any published policies, and the Adler Graduate Professional School Discrimination and Harassment policy.

Students engaging in misconduct or breaching published ADLER policy, including the Code of Conduct,  will face disciplinary action. This could be in the form of a written warning, suspension from ADLER, or dismissal from programs of study or the school. 

Students are expected to always maintain a professional attitude, and to cooperate in the maintenance of a professional learning environment.

Student Professional Conduct and Ethics

ADLER is a Graduate Professional School. In the Psychology and Psychotherapy programs, students are studying in preparation for registration with professional and regulatory bodies. Students and faculty members at ADLER are required to meet the ethical obligations, as defined by the code of ethics, of the regulatory body they are or hope to be registered with. Students registered in the Master of Psychology, Clinical and Counselling Psychology stream (MPsy-PSY) and Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) degree programs are expected to be familiar with and adhere to the Standards of Professional Conduct of the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO). Students in the Master of Psychology, Psychotherapy and Clinical Counselling stream (MPsy-PTH) are expected to be familiar with and adhere to the Code of Ethics of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) .

Students are expected to refrain from engaging in clinical, coaching, or related activities that are deemed unethical or unlawful under Ontario law or that contravene the ethical, clinical and practice guidelines of relevant professional bodies.

Students may not engage in clinical, coaching, or related service activities for which they are unprepared. Any clinical service activities outside of practicum experiences must be reported to either the Director of Clinical Training for the Program or the Dean or Program Director.

Academic Ethical Conduct

Academic ethical conduct is the application of the Code of Conduct and the requirements around professional ethics as they apply to the academic and professional activities of students at the school and in placements. There are several areas in which this applies.

• Academic honesty and Plagiarism
• Professional Conduct in a Practicum Placement

Professional Conduct in a Placement

(Practicum or Internship)

Master of Psychology, Psychology stream (MPsy-PSY) and Doctor of Psychology (PayD) students will complete a Psychology Practicum Placement and doctoral students will complete an Internship, as defined by the CPO. Master of Psychology, Psychotherapy stream (MPsy-PTH)  students will complete a Psychotherapy Practicum Placement. Delivering psychological services or psychotherapy to the community is a regulated act in the Province of Ontario and students are required to conform to public law in Ontario and to the ethical standards of the appropriate ethical body.

Faculty, supervisors and the Director of Clinical training can report any alleged breaches of policy regarding placements or internships to the Dean of Students or the Dean or Director of the program in which the student is registered.

If a student is concerned about the conduct of another student at their placement or internship site, they should report this to their site supervisor and advise the Director of Clinical Training for the program in which they are registered.

Ethics in Research

Students at ADLER are required to adhere to the principles and procedures of the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans – TCPS 2 (2022). Students and supervisors are responsible for ensuring they are familiar with the TCPS 2 and that any research they conduct is compliant. 

For details, please see the Research Ethics and Research Ethics Board (REB) Policy and the MRP/Thesis or Dissertation Handbook for details.

Dual Relationships

Dual relationships include relationships between individuals outside of the context of the workplace or academic environment that are closely personal, familial, or consensually romantic or sexual, where there is an exertion of power or influence or implicit or explicit coercion of one person over the other in the workplace or academic environment.

In an academic environment, a dual relationship may include a situation where a faculty member is both currently teaching and supervising a student in a practicum placement. Examples of power or influence imbalances include those between a faculty member and a student, a practicum student and their client, or a supervisor and an employee. Such relationships (and any non-consensual interpersonal interactions, sexual interactions, harassment or assault) are viewed as unacceptable by ADLER Graduate Professional School and are forbidden by codes of ethics in most professional associations. In some cases, such as for psychologists and other Ontario health professionals, such relationships may be in violation of established law.

Conflict of Interest situations arise when an individual who is in a position of trust or authority engages in a dual relationship with a subordinate. Pre-existing or prior dual relationships may or may not be appropriate, depending on relevant ethical and/or legal standards. Although a romantic or sexual relationship may be or may at one time have been consensual, that fact alone may not prevent it from triggering a subsequent charge of sexual harassment and, in all cases, must be considered for a potential conflict of interest. Courts have stated that “common sense, reason, and good judgment should alert a professor that consensual sexual relationships between professors and students could be cause for termination.” Faculty must maintain a proper role in relating to students.

The policies of Adler Graduate Professional School preclude individuals from evaluating the work or academic performance of others with whom they have a dual or prior relationship that may in fact, or appear to, compromise their objectivity. The policies preclude such individuals from making academic decisions as well as hiring, salary, or similar financial decisions concerning such persons. 

At a minimum, appropriate arrangements must be made for objective decision-making with an immediate supervisor. The supervisor shall have the responsibility for making arrangements to eliminate or mitigate a conflict whose consequences might prove detrimental to ADLER or to either party in the relationship. This principle is at the base of determining whether a dual relationship is inappropriate. Students, faculty, and staff have a positive obligation to reveal and consult with the appropriate dean, director, or administrative supervisor in the case where there is the potential for a conflict of interest with respect to any dual relationship or the way in which they engage with another individual.

Because of the unique relationships that can exist between the students, employees, and other persons associated with the School; faculty, staff, or administration at the School shall not:

• exploit, sexually or otherwise, relationships with ADLER students, supervisees, research participants, clients, employees, or other persons over whom they have instructional, supervisory, evaluative, or other authority
• engage in a therapeutic relationship or accept monetary or non-monetary remuneration from ADLER students, clients, employees, or other persons associated with the School for psychological services, clinical supervision, or other professional services. This provision does not apply in the specific case of a student professionally engaging a mentor-coach who is also a faculty member in the context of the requirements of a practicum program
• engage in a social, financial, personal, or other such non-professional or professional relationship with persons such as ADLER students, clients, supervisees, or employees when such a relationship tends to impair objectivity, create harm, or exploit the other party. (Please see the Gift Policy in the Academic Calendar for specific restrictions.)
• knowingly participate in or condone decisions or activities that favour or advance one person’s interest at the expense of others where a conflict of interest may exist
• have a sexual relationship (consensual or otherwise) with a student who is enrolled in a program in which they teach, or whose academic or clinical work they are supervising.