Policies

DISCLAIMER

Content

We reserve the right not to be responsible for the topicality, correctness, completeness or quality of the information provided. Liability claims regarding damage caused by the use of any information provided, including any kind of information which is incomplete or incorrect, will therefore be rejected. All offers are not-binding and without obligation. Parts of the pages or the complete publication including all offers and information might be extended, changed or partly or completely deleted by us without separate announcement.

Referrals & Links

We are not responsible for any contents linked or referred to from this publication. If any damage occurs by the use of information presented there, only the author of the respective pages might be liable, not the one who has linked to these pages. Furthermore, we are not liable for any postings or messages published by users of discussion boards, guest books or mailing lists provided on this page.

Legal Validity of this Disclaimer

This disclaimer is to be regarded as part of the internet publication from which you were referred. If sections or individual terms of this statement are not legal or correct, the content or validity of the other parts remains uninfluenced by this fact.

Limitation of Liability

Neither Vancouver Art Therapy Institute, nor any of its partners, employees, agents or representatives will be liable to you, or to any other party for any damages of any kind including, without limitation, special, consequential, indirect or incidental damages, lost profits, business interruption or other damages which in any way arise, either directly or indirectly, from your use of this website or the content.

Dispute Resolution

All VATI Programs

1. This policy governs complaints from students respecting the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute and any aspect of its operations.  Student will not be subject to any form of retaliation as a result of filing a complaint.
2. All student complaints must be made in writing.
3. The student must provide the written complaint to the Executive Director who is responsible for making determinations in respect of complaints.  If the Executive Director is absent or is named in a complaint, the student must provide the complaint to the Director of Art Therapy Programs.
4. The process by which the student complaint will be handled is as follows:

Art Therapy and Expressive Arts Therapy Programs

When informal discussions to resolve disagreements between a student and faculty and/or administration prove ineffective, procedures to investigate allegations of misconduct and/or unfairness will take a formal process as follows:

FIRST STEP: DISPUTE RESOLUTION REVIEW COMMITTEE
(a)   Student complaint must be made in writing.

(b)  Once a letter has been received, a Dispute Resolution Committee will be established to address either academic or administrative matters. This committee will be made up of three faculty members who are unrelated to the issue and will be appointed by the Executive Director, Tatjana Jansen (director@vati.bc.ca). If the contested matter directly involves the Executive Director, Tatjana Jansen (director@vati.bc.ca), the Director of Art Therapy Programs, Laura Worrall (laura@vati.bc.ca), will act in place of the Executive Director in the above mentioned steps. The decisions, recommendations, and/or penalties imposed will be reported to either of the Directors a week after the appointment.

(c)   The Director will send a Letter of Notification to the student advising them of the outcome as well as the procedure to appeal (no longer than 30 days from the original date of complaint). If the contested matter directly involves the Executive Director, Tatjana Jansen (director@vati.bc.ca), the Director of Art Therapy Programs, Laura Worrall (laura@vati.bc.ca), will act in place of the Executive Director in the above mentioned steps.

SECOND STEP: APPEALS COMMITTEE
(a)   If the decision in the Letter of Notification is subject to reconsideration, the student may request a reconsideration (appeal) to the Board of Directors Chair, Carla Dresser (carladresser@hotmail.com) within 30 days.

(b)  The VATI Board of Directors will serve as the Appeals Committee. The student has the right to be present, and present evidence during the discussion stage of the Appeal Committee meeting. The student making the complaint may be represented by an agent or a lawyer.

(c)   Within 30 days of the Appeals Committee meeting, a decision will be made confirming, rescinding, or modifying the penalty under appeal. This decision will be made in writing. A Letter of Notification will be sent to the student by registered mail. A copy will also be kept in the student’s file. The decision by the Appeals Committee will be final and binding upon VATI and the student. Further appeal shall be allowed only on procedural grounds, or if significant new evidence comes to light.

(d)  No fees will be imposed in relation to any complaint process.The written reasons will advise a student, that if the student is dissatisfied with the determination, and has been misled by the institution regarding any significant aspect of that program, the student may file a complaint with the PTIRU (Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit).  Complaints must be filed within one year of the date a student completes, is dismissed from, or withdraws from the program.

Privacy Policy

PRIVACY STATEMENT

We respect the privacy of every individual who visits our website. We take great measures to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of any personal information on this site.

Refund Policy

This institution is certified by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU). Certified institutions must comply with regulatory requirements relating to, among other things, student enrolment contracts, tuition refunds and instructor qualifications. For more information about PTIB, go to www.privatetraininginstitutions.gov.bc.ca

In compliance with the standards set by the PTIRU, and following their established refund policy, this policy must be posted on our website. Outlined below is the VATI refund policy in its entirety.

Sexual Misconduct Policy

1. The Vancouver Art Therapy Institute is committed to the prevention of and appropriate response to sexual misconduct.
2. Sexual misconduct refers to a spectrum of non-consensual sexual contact and behaviour including the following:

• sexual assault;
• sexual exploitation;
• sexual harassment;
• stalking;
• indecent exposure;
• voyeurism;
• the distribution of a sexually-explicit photograph or video of a person to one or more persons other than the person in the photograph or video without the consent of the person in the photograph or video and with the intent to distress the person in the photograph or video;
• the attempt to commit an act of sexual misconduct; and
• the threat to commit an act of sexual misconduct.

3. A complaint of sexual misconduct is different than a report of sexual misconduct. A person may choose to disclose or complain of sexual misconduct without making a formal report. A report is a formal notification of an incident of sexual misconduct to someone at the institution accompanied by a request for action.
4. A student making a complaint will be provided with resolution options and, if appropriate, accommodation, and will not be required or pressured to make a report.
5. The process for making a complaint about sexual misconduct involving a student is as follows. The complaint should be directed to:

• Tatjana Jansen, Executive Director (director@vati.bc.ca), unless absent and/or named in the complaint. If this is the case, then direct the complaint to:
• Laura Worrall, Director of Distance Programs (laura@vati.bc.ca)

6. The process for responding to a complaint of sexual misconduct involving a student is as follows:

• The school will acknowledge the receipt of the complaint within 14 days.

Tatjana Jansen (Executive Director) or Laura Worrall (Director of Distance Programs) will engage in a confidential discussion regarding the complainant’s options, and provide the complainant with information and guidance regarding:

• Whether the behaviour(s) in question may fall within the definition(s) of sexual misconduct under this policy.
• Possible procedures and options available to the complainant under this policy.
• Where a complainant wishes to pursue a formal complaint, what steps need to be taken next.
• Available support for the complainant through VATI and outside of the school.

7. The process for making a report of sexual misconduct involving a student is as follows:

• The complainant will be asked to provide a written statement and request for action. The report will need to include the name, title, and contact information of either Tatjana Jansen (see above – #5) . The alternate contact, Laura Worrall, will receive the report in the case where Tatjana Jansen is absent and/or named in the report.

8. The process for responding to a report of sexual misconduct involving a student is as follows:

• The institution will review the report within a two-week time period and confirm next steps in writing.

Disciplinary actions for sexual misconduct student-to-student may include, but are not limited to:

• Warning or reprimand.
• Referral to counselling services.
• Restricted/no access to certain classes or to the individual who made the report.
• Suspension/expulsion from specific classes and/or from the school.

9. It is contrary to this policy for an institution to retaliate, engage in reprisals or threaten to retaliate in relation to a complaint or a report.
10. Any processes undertaken pursuant to this policy will be based on the principles of administrative fairness. All parties involved will be treated with dignity and respect.
11. All information related to a complaint or report is confidential and will not be shared without the written consent of the parties, subject to the following exceptions:

• If an individual is at imminent risk of severe or life-threatening self-harm.
• If an individual is at imminent risk of harming another.
• There are reasonable grounds to believe that others in the institutional community may be at significant risk of harm based on the information provided.
• Where reporting is required by law.

This institution is certified by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU). Certified institutions must comply with regulatory requirements, including the requirement to have a Sexual Misconduct policy. For more information about PTIRU, go to www.privatetraininginstitutions.gov.bc.ca.

Critical Incident and Crisis Management Policy

Vancouver Art Therapy Institute is committed to responding promptly, responsibly, and compassionately to critical incidents and crisis situations affecting students, faculty, staff, supervisors, and visitors. The purpose of this policy is to support safety, communication, and appropriate follow-up in the event of a serious or urgent situation.

1. Vancouver Art Therapy Institute will take reasonable steps to respond to critical incidents and crisis situations in a timely, coordinated, and respectful manner.
2. For the purposes of this policy, a critical incident or crisis may include, but is not limited to:
• • a serious accident or injury;
  • a medical emergency;
  • a death or serious illness involving a student, faculty member, staff member, or community member connected to VATI;
  • violence, threats of violence, or other conduct creating immediate safety concerns;
  • a missing student concern;
  • an overdose event or other substance-related emergency;
  • fire, earthquake, flood, or other natural disaster;
  • any other urgent circumstance requiring an institutional response.
3. In an emergency, 911 should be called immediately.
4. Once emergency services have been contacted, where required, the incident should be reported as soon as possible to the Executive Director. If the Executive Director is absent or unavailable, the incident should be reported to the Director of Distance Programs.
5. Where appropriate, VATI will take reasonable steps to:
• • assess immediate safety concerns;
  • communicate with relevant persons;
  • coordinate an institutional response;
  • support affected students, faculty, or staff;
  • refer individuals to emergency, medical, counselling, crisis, or community supports; and
  • determine whether additional follow-up or record-keeping is required.
6. In responding to a critical incident, VATI will make reasonable efforts to act in a manner that is respectful, trauma-informed, and attentive to privacy and dignity.
7. Information relating to a critical incident will be shared only to the extent necessary to protect safety, respond appropriately, coordinate follow-up, or where disclosure is required by law.
8. Where a critical incident involves a student in a practicum, placement, internship, or other off-site learning environment, VATI may communicate and coordinate, as appropriate, with the practicum supervisor, site contact, or participating collaborator.
9. Following a critical incident, VATI may take reasonable follow-up steps, including:
• documenting the incident;
• reviewing the response taken;
• identifying whether further support or communication is needed; and
• considering whether changes to procedures or practices are required.
10. Students, faculty, staff, supervisors, and participating collaborators are expected to cooperate in good faith with institutional responses under this policy.
11. Nothing in this policy replaces the need to contact emergency services, police, fire, ambulance, or other public authorities where immediate intervention is required.

Harassment, Discrimination, and Anti-Racism Policy

1. The Vancouver Art Therapy Institute is committed to fostering a learning and working environment that is respectful, inclusive, and free from harassment, discrimination, racism, and retaliation.
2. This policy applies to students, faculty, staff, contractors, volunteers, supervisors, participating collaborators, and practicum or placement sites engaged in VATI-related activities.
3. This policy applies to conduct that occurs:

On VATI premises:

• in classrooms, workshops, and online learning spaces;
• in institutional communications, including email and other electronic communication;
• at practicum, placement, or internship settings connected to VATI; and
• at events, meetings, and activities related to VATI.
4. Harassment, discrimination, racism, and exclusionary conduct based on ethnicity, race, ancestry, place of origin, nationality, colour, citizenship, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, family status, marital status, age, disability, religion, or other protected grounds will not be tolerated.
5. VATI recognizes that harmful conduct may occur through stereotypes, assumptions, microaggressions, exclusion, dismissiveness, demeaning language, or unequal treatment, even where such conduct is not intended.
6. VATI is dedicated to the use of inclusive and respectful language. Terms and expressions matter and may convey or reinforce stereotypes, expectations, or exclusions. Students, instructors, supervisors, and staff are expected to:
• use respectful and inclusive language;
• avoid prejudiced, stereotypical, or demeaning language;
• avoid generalizations based on identity or background;
• use an individual’s self-identified or preferred terms wherever possible and appropriate; and
• contribute to a classroom and practicum culture that supports dignity, safety, and belonging.
7. All members of the VATI community have the right to:
• be treated with dignity and respect;
• participate in a learning environment free from harassment, discrimination, and racism; and
• raise concerns without fear of retaliation.
8. All members of the VATI community share responsibility for:
• contributing to a respectful and inclusive environment;
• acting in ways consistent with this policy;
• responding appropriately when concerns are raised; and
• cooperating in good faith with processes under this policy.
9. Any student, staff member, or faculty member who experiences or witnesses conduct that may fall under this policy is encouraged to report the concern as soon as reasonably possible to the Executive Director. If the Executive Director is absent or named in the complaint, the concern should be directed to the Director of Distance Programs.
10. A concern may be raised in writing or verbally. Where possible, the report should include a description of the conduct, the date or approximate date, the people involved, and any steps already taken.
11. VATI will take concerns raised under this policy seriously and will respond in a fair, timely, and appropriate manner. Depending on the nature of the concern, VATI may:
• meet with the parties involved;
• seek additional information;
• attempt an informal resolution where appropriate;
• initiate a formal review; or
• refer the matter to another applicable policy or process.
12. Where the concern involves sexual violence or sexual misconduct, the matter may also be addressed under VATI’s Sexual Misconduct Policy. Where appropriate, concerns may also be addressed alongside VATI’s Dispute Resolution Policy.
13. It is contrary to this policy for any person to retaliate, engage in reprisals, or threaten retaliation against a person who raises a concern, makes a report, seeks advice, or participates in a process under this policy.
14. VATI will make reasonable efforts to protect the privacy and confidentiality of all persons involved in a report or review under this policy. Information will be shared only to the extent necessary to assess, respond to, investigate, or resolve the concern, or where disclosure is required for safety or by law.
15. Any processes undertaken pursuant to this policy will be based on the principles of administrative fairness. All parties involved will be treated with dignity and respect.
16. Where a concern is substantiated, VATI may take appropriate corrective or disciplinary action, depending on the nature and seriousness of the conduct. This may include educational measures, written expectations, restrictions, removal from certain activities, suspension, dismissal, expulsion, or other appropriate institutional action.