Terms and Conditions

These terms and conditions have been designed to help both students and employers get the most out of the Algonquin College Cooperative Education program.

Upon acceptance, and throughout my entire participation in the co-op program, I agree:

• To adhere to all “Cooperative Education TERMS and CONDITIONS of Participation”. Failure to adhere to these TERMS and CONDITIONS may result in my removal from co-op.
• To follow the academic/work term schedule as required by my co-op program and to seek approval if changes are required.
• To the payment of all Cooperative Education fees (non-refundable), as outlined on the Cooperative Education website.
• To maintain the minimum academic standards required to be eligible for co-op as set by the program, which typically includes a minimum GPA and course completion requirement. Achievement of these minimums does not guarantee admission into co-op.
• To conduct myself professionally and ethically throughout the preparation, job search, and work term periods, in alignment with all Algonquin College Policies, including policy SA07: Student Conduct and AA48: Academic Integrity.
• That my college-issued AlgonquinLive email is the primary form of communication used by the Co-op Department to contact students regarding interviews, job offers, and other important information. I will check my AlgonquinLive email regularly and ensure my latest phone number and local address is updated on the Algonquin College Student Information System, ACSIS.
• That the Co-op Department may contact me through personal email and/or cell phone if required.
• That I will not be permitted to withdraw from the co-op program:
  • after I have accepted an employment offer, for a position secured through HireAC or my own endeavours
  • while on a work term
  • and/or after employment has been confirmed for subsequent work terms with the same employer.

During my Cooperative Education Preparation Term, I agree to:

• Successfully complete GEP1001 – Cooperative Education & Job Readiness 2 academic terms before the first scheduled work term.
• Be enrolled as a full-time student in a Co-op Program.
• Complete all required courses for all terms preceding scheduled work term(s)
• Maintain the minimum cumulative GPA and course requirements as established by the academic department, and outlined on the Co-op Programs page. Achievement of the minimum requirements does not guarantee participation in co-op.
• Remain on cycle in the program of study and follow the program-specific Co-op Work/Study Schedule.
• Attend a co-op orientation session to further understand the preparation, job search, and work term periods.
• Create a co-op-specific resume and cover letter, as per modules outlined in GEP1001 – Cooperative Education & Job Readiness and guidance from the Co-op Department.

During my Cooperative Education Job Search Term, I agree:

• That there is NO GUARANTEE of co-op employment from the Co-op Department or the College.
• Where feasible, I will be prepared to relocate or commute at my own expense to maximize co-op opportunities.
• As co-op work terms cannot be guaranteed, the likelihood that I secure a work term is directly related to the effort I apply to my preparation and job search terms. I understand the necessity to apply to all jobs I am interested in interviewing for and working with through HireAC and proactively search for employment outside of the HireAC environment.
• If I self-develop my co-op job, I will advise the Co-op Department before accepting any position and not less than 5 business days before starting employment and submit all supporting documentation (job description, letter of offer, supervisor contact details) for approval of the co-op work term.
• The College is under no obligation to approve work terms that are deemed to be unsuitable.
• To respond to all job interviews, meeting requests, and emails sent by members of the Co-op Department or their employers within 24 hours of the request.
• To attend all interviews and meetings for which I am invited until I have secured a work term. Failure to do so may result in my removal from the co-op program.
• That the Co-op staff may, if necessary, select interview times on my behalf.
• That I will only submit applications to positions that I intend to accept if offered.
• If I have completed an interview, and I no longer feel the opportunity is suitable for me, I will contact the Co-op Department within 24 hours to outline my reason. If appropriate, following consultation with my Co-op Student Advisor, I will withdraw from the competition.
• If offered a co-op position, I understand that I have 24 hours to confirm, on HireAC, that I will accept the position. If I don’t respond within this time frame, the position will be offered to the next candidate selected by the employer with other possible consequences for my inaction including removal from the co-op program. If I am considering declining an offer, I will contact the Co-op Department immediately to discuss my reasons before declining. If the Co-op Department and student agree that declining is the best decision, declining additional job opportunities will not be permitted. Declining any further offers will result in my withdrawal from the co-op program.
• Once I have accepted a co-op position (verbally or in writing), I will not apply to any other postings, interview with other employers, or accept a different job with another employer. Students who are undertaking security screening are considered to be hired by that employer, concluding their co-op job search.
• Work terms are paid employment and reflect the employer’s salary scale and the student’s level of training and experience. By accepting a work term offer, I am agreeing to the salary as stated by the employer.
• Once I have accepted a co-op position (either verbally or in writing) or a self-developed work term has been approved, I am committing to undertake and complete that work term, as agreed, in its entirety.
• If requested, meet one-on-one with a Co-op Student Advisor (scheduled at the request of the student or Co-op Student Advisor.)
• To digitally submit required employment documents expediently, including the letter of offer and job description (if the job description is not already on HireAC).

During my Cooperative Education Work Term, I agree to:

• Honour the acceptance of a job offer or contractual agreement with the employer.
• Immediately advise the employer and the Co-op Department of any concerns or problems with work tasks or environmental issues.
• Exercise ethical workplace conduct and maintain employer confidentiality.
• Not take vacations or unauthorized time off during the work term.
• Acknowledge that students who are fired from their co-op placement will not be given credit for their work term, and must notify the Co-op Department immediately upon termination.
• Leaving the work term early (quitting, or being asked to leave the position by the employer or Co-op Department) will result in an unsuccessful work term and be reflected on my transcript.
• Co-op students are not permitted to take courses during a co-op work term. In exceptional situations where course registration is essential, the course must be scheduled outside of the employer’s business hours, and be approved by the Faculty Co-op Coordinator, Program Chair, and Co-op Department.
• Advise the Co-op Department of any work term concerns/issues which cannot be resolved successfully by both the student and the employer.
• Successfully complete all work term requirements and activities as specified by the Co-op Department in Brightspace or HireAC, such as assignments, evaluations and Work Term Reports, etc. All assignments must be submitted on or before the deadline specified by the Co-op Department to earn academic credit for the work term.
• Obtain approval from my employer to release my Work Term Report or other relevant assignments, to the College for evaluation.
• Abide by all company policies and procedures, including policies regarding the use of social media, cell phones, company vehicles, and confidential/proprietary information, both during and after a work term, and follow health and safety rules explicitly.
• Notify the Co-op Department to become registered in a co-op work term and pay the co-op fee if I return to a co-op employer for any subsequent co-op work term.
• Ensure that employment during each co-op work term is full-time, supervised, and remunerated.
• Inform the Co-op Department if there are any decisions or requested changes to my work term.

Legal and Safety Issues:

• The Co-op Department must know my status in Canada to ensure that I am working legally and for advising potential employers who may have hiring restrictions. If my status in Canada changes (examples of this could include becoming a Canadian Citizen, or becoming a Permanent Resident) I will notify the Co-op office immediately as this may affect my employment eligibility. Additionally, I will notify the Registrar’s Office, of any change to my status in Canada. If located or planning to relocate outside of Canada during the work term, I must make the Co-op Department and employer aware of my intentions and location.
• For International Students:
  • I must apply for a co-op work permit from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) during my co-op preparation term and confirm my application to the Co-op Department by the deadline specified in the GEP1001 – Cooperative Education & Job Readiness. Failure to provide this confirmation may result in my removal from the co-op program.
  • I must obtain a co-op work permit from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) before commencing my first co-op work term and ensure my co-op work permit and study permits are valid for each subsequent work term.
  • I must apply for a Social Insurance Number (S.I.N) from a Service Canada Centre and provide my valid S.I.N to the employer each work term.
  • If my immigration status changes during my participation in the Co-op program, I will notify the Co-op office immediately as this may affect my employment eligibility.

Plagiarism:

I hereby declare that the work I submit throughout this course/program will be my work. I understand that plagiarism, whether done deliberately or accidentally, is defined as presenting someone else’s work, in whole or in part, as one’s own, and includes the verbal or written submission of another work (for example, ideas, wording, code, graphics, music, and inventions) without crediting that source. This includes all electronic sources (for example, the Internet, television, video, film, and recordings), all print and written sources (for example, books, periodicals, lyrics, government publications, promotional materials, and academic assignments), and all verbal sources (for example, conversations and interviews).

I understand that the facilitation of plagiarism, that is, one student sharing his or her work with other students, is also considered an act of plagiarism.

I agree to read and familiarize myself with the Algonquin College Academic Integrity policy, AA48.

Freedom of Information and Privacy:

Algonquin College is committed to respecting your privacy and protecting your personal information. In accordance with Section 39 (2) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990,c.F.31, this is to advise you that your personal information is collected under the legal authority of the Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 8, Schedule F, and may be used and/or disclosed for administrative, statistical and/or research purposes of the College and/or ministries and agencies of the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada.

By participating in co-op, I understand that personal information of co-op students may be exchanged with employers, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, social services agencies, or other government agencies as required for assisting students in obtaining work experience. This includes but is not limited to; academic records, academic eligibility, resumes, work permit (if required), work term reports, employer evaluations, interview postings, and/or interview results.

*Algonquin College will only exchange the minimum amount of information necessary to assist the student in obtaining co-op work experience or graduate jobs.

I have read the above terms and conditions of participation in the Algonquin College Cooperative Education Program and I agree to adhere to them during my participation in the program. I understand that the College reserves the right to take appropriate action, such as withdrawal from the co-op program if I do not adhere to the above terms and conditions, as well as all Algonquin College Policies, including policy SA07: Student Conduct and AA48: Academic Integrity. If I have any questions about this agreement, I will discuss them with the Co-op Department.