3.1 Student Services and Supports

Library and Learning Services

Library Services provides students with various types of research, technology, and writing services, support, and resources.

Library Services for Students Overview

View the video introduction to Library Services for Students, which provides an overview of the following:

• Where do faculty and students sign into access to online resources?
• Where can students go for help with writing and citing?
• Where can students go for help with technology?

Teach Me Tech (Student Technology Supports)

At the Library’s Teach Me Tech unit, the Tech Tutors provide dedicated tech support, which includes technology training, assistance, and resources for using hardware and software in their courses.

Some of the most used services and supports provided by the Tech Tutors at Teach Me Tech include synchronous online drop-in consultations, live text chat support, workshops and web-based information and materials to learn more about Zoom, Office 365, laptops, and more.

Academic Integrity Services

Library Services provides resources and support to promote a culture of academic integrity at the College. Found on the Academic Integrity website, the Academic Integrity Plan is a step-by-step guide for students to avoid academic misconduct in their assignments.

The Academic Integrity Offices provides webpages that explain academic integrity, provide academic resources, and give tips for avoiding academic integrity violations.

Academic Integrity support person for guidance on the principles and practices of academic integrity at Conestoga, including how to avoid academic misconduct and predatory companies that promote cheating.

Research, Writing, and Learning Services

The Library provides by-appointment support for research and information finding for student research and projects.

In the Writing and Citing section of the website, students will find opportunities for drop-in writing consultations, workshops, and webpages to support using style guides and other aspects of academic writing. The Library also provides APA@Conestoga, a series of webpages with information and downloadable templates to help students apply the APA style guide in their assignments.

The Library provides other learning resources, such as Grammarly, to support editing and proofreading. It also provides mobile apps for students to access various fiction, non-fiction, and news reporting sources through Library Apps available through the library.

Assistive technologies and alternate formats: Students can book an appointment to explore technology supports and obtain alternate versions of their required course materials.

Bookstore and eTexts

Everything a student needs can be found within the online Bookstore, including digital and physical course materials, supplies, uniforms/kits, and Conestoga merchandise.

The Bookstore’s Personalized Booklist tool allows students to generate a customized booklist and easily add their required resources to their online shopping cart for an easy purchase/check-out experience.

Student Success Services

Student learning, wellness, and career services offer support throughout students’ College experience. Student Success Services provides various services and supports for their academic, personal, and professional success.

Students can access an interactive service map, use the Student Success Services website to learn more about services provided and meet with a Student Success Advisor by filling out an online help form.

The Faculty section of Student Success Services gives relevant information to faculty about how to support students, including how to refer students to a Student Success Advisor. Student Success Advisors provide to students:

• Supportive first point of contact
• General academic advising
• Support for academically “at-risk”
• Supports planning and decision-making

Student Learning Services

Student Learning Services provides study opportunities for courses. These include:

• Peer tutoring – learning supports from a student who has taken the course previously
• Study partners – a course-based initiative in which students in the class agree to “partner” with other students for collaborative learning time
• Tutoring and peer-assisted learning (PAL) are available for many first-year courses. These opportunities are organized by Student Learning Services, and students will be notified about them for class in the first few weeks of the term.

One-Stop Access: The Student Success Portal

The Student Success Portal provides one-stop access to self-guided resources, upcoming events and activities, and college support. Students can access most Conestoga student services using the Student Success Portal. For example, to access PAL students book an appointment through the tutoring section of the Student Success Portal (log-in required).

Students are encouraged to book an appointment with a Student Success Advisor for one-on-one support.

Accessible Learning Services

Conestoga provides support for students with permanent and temporary disabilities through Accessible Learning. If a student is interested in applying for academic accommodations or would like to learn more about the process, they will complete the intake form available on Accommodate.

After receiving an intake form, a confidential digital file will be started for the student within the Accessible Learning department, and they will be scheduled for an intake appointment. Once this process has been completed, if the Accessibility Advisor approves the student’s academic accommodations, the student’s professors will receive an electronic accommodation letter. Faculty will be asked to navigate to the Accommodate portal and acknowledge that they have read each accommodation letter.

Faculty do not need to contact Accessibility Services unless they have specific questions about a student’s accommodation(s). Below is more information on booking times and sending tests or exams to Testing Services.

Testing Services

Conestoga’s Testing Services are available for students across all Conestoga campuses:

• Accommodated tests: Students with testing-related accommodations may request to write at the Test Centre.
• Make-up tests : If a student misses an in-person test due to illness or other emergencies, faculty may approve them to write a make-up test on an alternative date.
• External testing : Testing for stakeholders outside of Conestoga (other colleges, ministries or organizations).

Here are three (3) reminders for accessibility and testing services.

1. Accommodation letters

• You will receive an email notification when a letter is generated
• Access the letter through Accommodate (via the Employee Portal)

2. Schedule test dates

• Add test dates and test or exam documents in Accommodate at the start of the semester or as soon as possible, so students with accommodations may request appointments.

3. Reach out if you have questions

• Send a message to Accessible Learning or Testing Services, including the student ID number and campus you request more information about.

Student Rights and Responsibilities Office

The Student Rights and Responsibilities Office (SRRO) provides students with opportunities to understand their rights and seek support when they feel their rights are violated while also mediating concerns that cannot be resolved informally.

Conestoga describes five (5) rights and three (3) student responsibilities.

Student Rights

• To learn
• To be safe
• To be informed
• To be heard
• To appeal

Student Responsibilities

• To respect other people
• To respect the college learning and working environment
• To respect college spaces and college reputation

When students feel one of these rights is violated, responsibility is not upheld, or a grade appeal is warranted, students should refer to the SRRO for more information and assistance.

Students should always first seek informal resolution before engaging in a formalized process with the SRRO. See the process flow chart for more information.

The SRRO provides a resolution guide that can be accessed here: Student Rights and Responsibilities (MyConestoga).

Report a concern

• Email: srr@conestogac.on.ca
• Website (submit incident form): www.conestogac.on.ca/student-rights

Indigenous Services

Be-Dah-Bin Gamik, a Place of New Beginnings, provides a range of events, such as workshops, ceremonies, and celebrations of Indigenous Peoples. They also provide programs and services for First Nations (status and non-status), Métis, and Inuit students, such as Elders in Residence, soup and bannock lunches, and support and counselling services.

While the programming focuses on and for Indigenous students, many programs and events are open to the broader Conestoga community. Non-Indigenous people are welcome to attend relevant events to learn about Indigenous peoples’ history, culture, and perspectives.

Visit the website for more information about events, programs and services, and student self-identification.

International Office and Services

The International Office provides transition, orientation, support opportunities, and VISA information for all international students. 

Transition coordinators are available to support student transition and housing. Many international student services are available to support their success, including immigration application workshops.

International Student Advisors are available for each campus and school. Contact internationaladvisor@conestogac.on.ca to help support or reach out to international students.

Student Engagement Services

Student Engagement provides many volunteer and co-curricular opportunities that enhance students’ college experience. These events and activities are recorded in each student’s co-curricular record. 

Activities include:

• Orientation programming, including an Orientation website for a customized orientation checklist and orientation day details
• Opportunities for students to develop or refine leadership skills, connect with the community, or become a peer leader in a paid Student Ambassador position
• English Conversation Programming for students to share experiences and gain cultural awareness
• Equity, diversity, and inclusion workshops, knowledge-building events, and community connection opportunities
• Transition programming such as workshops and welcome events, including 2SLGBTQ+ Welcome Night, African, Black and Caribbean (ABC) Welcome Night, Mature Student Welcome Night, and the Degree Mixer
• Conestoga 101, a mandatory course for all new full-time students, provides an overview of support, services, and opportunities
• Co-curricular learning and records program to support holistic learning

Co-Curricular Record

The Co-Curricular Record (CCR) is an official document complementary to the academic transcript, which recognizes and records learning that students have achieved through co-curricular experiences at Conestoga.

The CCR enhances student growth and development by leveraging opportunities to build skills, grow networks, and enhance career prospects through co-curricular programming.

Conestoga Students Inc. (CSI)

Conestoga Students Inc. (CSI) is the official student association since 1973. According to the website, CSI “represents the interests of over 19,000 CSI fee-paying students across all Conestoga College campuses.”