Filing a complaint

If something has happened that feels wrong, unfair, or harmful, you’re not alone.

The Office of Student Community Relations (OSCR) helps students address concerns related to student behaviour under the Code of Student Rights & Responsibilities. We support you in understanding your options and guide you through the complaint process.

Any student, staff, or faculty member can file a complaint if they believe a York student has not followed the Code and their actions have negatively affected others.

All complaints must be in writing with the Complainant's name attached to it; a residence incident report or a security report may constitute a complaint. Anonymous complaints will not be taken forward.

The complaint must be filed within thirty (30) business days of the alleged violation of the Code unless the decision-maker (e.g. local adjudicator) upon first addressing the complaint, considers it reasonable to extend that time limit.

If you’re not sure whether your situation applies, you can contact OSCR to talk through your options before deciding what to do next.

Quick Links

What does it mean when there's a violation of the Code?

A violation of the Code has occurred when a student has failed to uphold their responsibilities or abide by community standards of behaviour and infringed on the rights of others. Section 4 of the Code provides a list of Student Rights & Responsibilities. Section 5 sets out Community Standards for Student Conduct on Campus.

What happens when you file a complaint?

Going through a complaint process can feel stressful and overwhelming. We want you to know that you are not alone. Our team is here to support you, answer your questions, and guide you through every step of the process with clarity and care.

Here is what you can expect, from start to finish.

Step 1: Submit Your Complaint

  • What you do: Submit your written complaint to OSCR within 30 business days of the incident. Please make sure to include your name.
  • What happens next: An OSCR team member will reach out to welcome you and schedule your first meeting.
  • Timeline Note: If your case goes directly to a formal University Tribunal, we aim to hold a hearing within 20 business days after determining that informal options won't work.

Step 2: Meet with OSCR Team
We’ll sit down together (in person or online) to:

  • Listen to your story and understand your situation.
  • Answer any questions or concerns you have.
  • Explain your choices and outline what the path ahead looks like.

Step 3: Try Informal Resolution (ADR)
Whenever possible, we always try to resolve issues informally first. This is a collaborative, less stressful way to find a solution. It may include:

  •  Facilitated conversations
  •  Mediation
  •  Restorative processes
  •  If it works: The issue is resolved, and the matter is successfully closed.
  •  If it doesn't work: We move forward to a formal resolution path.

Step 4: Choose a Formal Path
If informal options aren't successful, OSCR will assign your case to one of two formal tracks depending on what fits the situation best:

  •  Track A: Local Adjudication Path (For standard procedural review)
  •  Track B: University Tribunal Path (For more complex hearings)

Track A: Local Adjudication Path

  • Meet the Decision-Maker: A Local Adjudicator will meet separately with everyone involved to review the situation fairly.
  • Notice: You will receive at least 5 business days of notice before this meeting so you can prepare.
  • Get the Decision: The Adjudicator issues a written decision with reasons within 10 business days of the respondent being notified.
  • Review Option: The respondent has the option to request a review of the decision by the University Tribunal.

Track B: University Tribunal Path

  • Panel Convened: A panel made up of students, staff, and faculty members is formed to review the case.
  • Notice: You will receive at least 7 business days of notice before the hearing (or 3 days if a Peer Review Board is used).
  • The Hearing: The panel meets with all parties, listens to perspectives, and reviews the information presented.
  • Get the Decision: Based on a majority agreement, the Tribunal provides a written decision within 10 business days of the hearing.
  • Appeal Option: Any party can request an appeal, which will be reviewed by a brand-new Tribunal panel within 20 business days.

Final Outcomes & What to Expect
Once all steps are complete, a final outcome is issued. Depending on the case, outcomes may include:

  •  No further action
  •  Informal resolution agreements
  •  Educational outcomes (such as reflective workshops or learning modules)
  •  Findings of responsibility under the Code
  •  Sanctions, where appropriate. These can range from a formal reprimand, fines (up to $1,000), and community service, to behavior restrictions, residence suspension, campus restrictions, suspension, or expulsion.

Your Complaint Journey

Here's what to expect, from submitting your complaint to a final outcome.

Step 1: Submit Your Complaint
Send your written complaint to OSCR within 30 business days of the incident, including your name. An OSCR team member will reach out to schedule your first meeting.
Step 2: Meet with the OSCR Team
We'll sit down together, in person or online, to hear your story, answer your questions, and walk through what the path ahead looks like.
Step 3: Try Informal Resolution (ADR)

Wherever possible, we try facilitated conversations, mediation, or restorative processes first.

What Happens next depends on the outcome

Resolved: The matter is successfully closed. No further action needed.

Not Resolved: The case moves forward to a formal resolution path.

Step 4: Choose a Formal Path
OSCR assigns your case to one of two formal tracks, depending on what fits the situation best.
Track A

Local Adjudication Path

  1. Meet the Decision-Maker. A Local Adjudicator meets separately with everyone involved to review the situation fairly.
  2. Notice. You'll get at least 5 business days' notice before this meeting so you can prepare.
  3. Get the Decision. The Adjudicator issues a written decision with reasons within 10 business days of the respondent being notified.
  4. Review Option. The respondent can request a review of the decision by the University Tribunal.
Track B

University Tribunal Path

  1. Panel Convened. A panel of students, staff, and faculty is formed to review the case.
  2. Notice. You'll get at least 7 business days' notice before the hearing (or 3 days if a Peer Review Board is used).
  3. The Hearing. The panel meets with all parties, listens to perspectives, and reviews the information presented.
  4. Get the Decision. Based on a majority agreement, the Tribunal provides a written decision within 10 business days of the hearing.
  5. Appeal Option. Any party can request an appeal, reviewed by a brand-new Tribunal panel within 20 business days.
Final Outcome
Once all steps are complete, an outcome is issued: no further action, an informal resolution agreement, an educational outcome, a finding of responsibility, or a sanction where appropriate.
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What is University Tribunal?

The University Tribunal may hear complex cases that cannot be resolved through informal means. It is a panel made up of students, staff, and faculty members that reviews the matter, conducts a hearing, and provides a written decision based on the information presented by the parties involved.

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What is a Local Adjudicator?

The local adjudicator may be the person who facilitates early settlement and/or an informal resolution process; however, they may also refer the matter to an alternative person or process. 

You should file a complaint if you believe a York University student has not followed the Code of Student Rights & Responsibilities, and their actions have negatively affected you or others.

This could include situations where someone’s behaviour:

  • Disrupts the learning or campus environment
  • Harms or disrespects others
  • Violates community standards

OSCR handles complaints about student behaviour under the Code of Student Rights & Responsibilities. If your concern falls outside that scope, we can refer you to the right office. A few examples:

  • Your Faculty or academic department
  • The Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion (CHREI)
  • York Security Services

If you're not sure where your situation fits, contact OSCR and we'll point you in the right direction.

You can file a complaint for issues involving:

  • Disruptive or harmful behaviour
  • Harassment or misconduct
  • Violations of student rights and responsibilities
  • Conflicts between students that cannot be resolved informally

A full list of expectations is outlined in the Code of Student Rights & Responsibilities.

  • Complaints must be submitted in writing
  • You must include your name (anonymous complaints are not accepted)
  • Complaints should be filed within 30 business days of the incident
  •  You can make changes or updates to your complaint within 10 business days of submitting it, unless a decision-maker approves an extension.

You may still be able to file a complaint.

If more than 30 days have passed:

  • A decision-maker will review your situation
  • They may allow more time if there is a reasonable explanation

We understand this can feel difficult. Complaints cannot be anonymous because:

  • The process must be fair to everyone involved
  • The person responding to the complaint has the right to know the concern
  • OSCR needs to follow up and gather accurate information

You still have options:

  • Speak with OSCR confidentially about your situation
  • Ask questions before deciding to file
  • Explore informal or restorative options
  • Bring a support person to meetings

We'd love to hear from you

Keele campus: N204 Bennett Centre for Student Services
Markham campus: Rm 2010, 2nd floor, Student Success Centre

Regular Hours:
Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Note: Keele office is closed daily from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.