CO-OP PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
SCOPE
The Co-op Participation Agreement applies to all students actively participating in the Co-operative Education Program from the time of Co-op admission to the time of graduation. The purpose of the Co-op Participation Agreement is to balance the needs and interests of Co-op students, the Co-op Program, and Co-op employers. Questions about the terms of this agreement should be directed to Co-operative Education.
STUDENTS IN VIOLATION OF CO-OP PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
Students who violate the Co-op Participation Agreement will be subject to sanctions, up to and including removal from the Co-operative Education Program. Sanctions are determined by the Co-operative Education management team, and will be administered according to the type and severity of the violation. I understand that I will receive written confirmation of the sanction after a decision is made.
CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION IN CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION
- Eligibility
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- I must meet and maintain all academic requirements as outlined in the Undergraduate or Graduate Calendar in order to be eligible to participate in the Co-operative Education Program.
- I understand that CGPA requirements to maintain Co-op eligibility at the Undergraduate level are higher than those needed for continuation in my academic program.
- I must maintain enrolment in a Co-op eligible degree program. Any changes to my degree program must be communicated to, and approved by, the Co-operative Education Office.
- I must maintain full-time status in each academic term.
- I understand that my final term in my program must be an academic term, and not a work term.
- I must successfully complete all required work terms, as outlined in my program’s co-op option, in order to graduate with the Co-op Designation on my degree.
- I understand that the duration and timing of my work terms cannot be altered to accommodate international academic exchanges where the start/finish dates of terms differ from those at Carleton University.
- I am legally eligible to work in Canada, and acknowledge that I will require a valid co-op work permit if I am attending Carleton University on a study permit. If supplementary documentation is required (for example, a criminal record check), I will be responsible for any related costs.
- I am responsible for obtaining and/or completing any and all required documentation to undertake an international co-op work term, including (but not limited to) a work visa/permit and workplace insurance coverage. International co-op work terms are subject to review and approval by Carleton University.
- Financial Considerations
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- I am responsible for paying all Co-op fees as outlined on the Co-operative Education website.
- I understand that administration fee refunds, where applicable, are governed by the Co-operative Education Fee Policy. I understand that work term fees are non-refundable.
- Regardless of whether my work term is secured through the Co-op Job Board or through a self-directed search, I am responsible for paying the applicable work term fees. These fees also apply to optional work terms.
- I am responsible for communicating with the Awards Office, or for Graduate students, the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs, regarding the status of my scholarship, TA position, or OSAP/other provincial loan while I am participating in the Co-operative Education Program.
- I understand that work term salaries are determined by the employer.
- Disclosure of Information and Release of Identity
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- I allow Co-operative Education to review my academic record and monitor my academic performance.
- I authorize Co-operative Education to disclose my citizenship status to employers.
- I understand that it is my responsibility to make a request to my employer for any required workplace accommodations. Students may contact Co-operative Education to discuss such requests.
- Communication and Use of Technology
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- I will use my Carleton email account as the primary method of communication with the Co-operative Education Office, and it is my responsibility to check this account regularly during my co-op participation.
- It is my responsibility to check the Co-op Program tab on mySuccess regularly during the job search period for job postings, interview requests, and application updates.
- Confidentiality and Employer Contacts
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- I agree to use discretion and maintain confidentiality when discussing my co-op employers, their organizations, and their customers or clients with anyone other than Co-operative Education.
- I will not share Co-op job postings with students who are not participants of Carleton University’s Co-operative Education Program.
- COOP1000 (for undergraduate students only)
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- I understand that, upon receiving confirmation of admission into the Co-operative Education Program, I must register in the mandatory COOP1000 course.
- I am responsible for achieving a grade of SAT in COOP1000 in order to maintain eligibility for the Co-operative Education Program.
DURING THE JOB SEARCH
- Job Postings and Employment
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- I understand that the co-op job search is competitive and there is no guarantee that I will secure employment. I am responsible for my job search and for reaching out to my Co-op Student Advisor for guidance as necessary.
- I understand that co-op job postings will be based on labour market factors. Postings may not match my specific interests, expectations, and/or values.
- I understand that it is in my best interest to conduct a self-directed job search in addition to applying to positions on the Co-op job board, with the support of my Co-op Student Advisor.
- I understand that if I obtain a position through a self-directed job search, I will submit the position for approval to the Co-operative Education Office.
- Work/Study Patterns
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- I acknowledge that requests to alter my work/study pattern are not guaranteed to be approved by the Co-operative Education Office.
- I acknowledge that requests to end my work study pattern on a work term will not be approved.
- I acknowledge that, as part of any request to alter my work/study pattern, I may be asked to provide a corresponding course plan that has been reviewed and approved by my academic department.
- Job Applications
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- I will actively view and apply to job postings of interest during each job search cycle.
- I must only apply to positions that match my availability based on my work/study sequence in mySuccess.
- I will provide accurate and factual information on my application documents, including my correct availability as outlined in my pre-determined work/study pattern.
- Interviews
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- I must attend all interviews to which I am invited during the job search process. If I have a conflict, I will connect with the Co-operative Education Office immediately.
- I understand that missing an interview without contacting Co-operative Education in advance will count as my one job decline for the term (see below).
- I will provide employers with factual and accurate information during interviews.
- Acceptance of a Co-op Work Term
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- I am permitted to decline one job offer per work term.
- I am allowed up to 48 hours (2 business days) to consider job offers and will consult with my Co-op Student Advisor if I need to discuss the offer. I understand that failure to respond by the deadline provided in the offer will count as a decline.
- Once I have accepted a job either verbally or in writing to the Co-operative Education Office (or to the employer directly, if applicable), I may not continue the job search or attend additional interviews for that term.
- I will honour my commitment to the employer for the full duration of the work term (4, 8, 12, or 16 months) as outlined in the initial offer I accepted, regardless of whether the formal contracts are issued for 4 months only at a time.
- Once I have accepted an approved position, I understand that all Co-op conditions apply regardless of whether I obtained the position through the Co-operative Education Program or through a self-directed job search.
- Once I have accepted an approved position, I understand that I am unable to withdraw from the Co-operative Education Program until I have completed the work term and returned to my studies.
- Liability
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- I understand that it is ultimately my responsibility to obtain a work term and that Carleton University will not be held liable if I do not secure co-op employment.
- Carleton University is not liable for any agreements established or breached by my employer, including salary and benefits.
- Carleton University is not liable for any expense, personal injury, or loss or damage of personal property arising while seeking employment or from my employment during a work term.
WHILE ON A WORK TERM
- Work Term Course Registration
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- The Co-operative Education Office will register me in a work term course and will apply the work term fee for each approved co-op position.
- Academic Course Registration While on a Work Term
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- During a work term, I am permitted to take a 0.5 credit so long as it is offered during the evening or delivered asynchronously online. I understand that daytime courses are not permitted during work terms.
- Should I wish to enroll in 1.0 credit while on a fall or winter work term, I must submit a “Course Overload Request Form” via mySuccess and receive approval from the Co-op Office. I understand that this course (or courses) must be offered during the evening or delivered asynchronously online.
- Should I wish to enroll in 1.0 credit while on a summer work term, I must submit a “Course Overload Request Form” via mySuccess and receive approval from the Co-op Office. I understand that this course (or courses) must be offered during the evening or delivered asynchronously online. Due to the compressed nature of the summer term, I understand that only the following course overload combinations will be considered:
- One 0.5 credit course in early summer (May-June) and one 0.5 credit course in late summer (July-August);
- Two 0.5 credit courses that are scheduled May-August;
- One 1.0 credit course that is scheduled May-August
- If I am an Engineering student, I must complete my fourth-year Engineering Project course (1.0 credit) and be registered in a full-time course load following my final work term. I am not permitted to register in my fourth-year Engineering Project course while on a work term.
- Conditions of Work
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- I understand that my employer will determine the start and end dates and working hours for my work term in accordance with Co-op regulations.
If I wish to amend my start and/or end date, I must discuss this with my employer directly and notify Co-operative Education.
- Should I wish to ask for time off or schedule vacation days, I will make these requests directly to my employer. I understand that my employer is under no obligation to accommodate such requests.
- I will abide by the workplace code of conduct as set by my employer and will conduct myself in a professional manner while on a co-op work term.
- I am responsible for obtaining living accommodation should I need to relocate for a co-op position.
- Work Term Reports and Release Confirmation
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- I understand that failure to achieve a grade of SAT (Satisfactory) on my work term report will result in removal from the Co-operative Education Program.
- I understand that grades earned on a work term are part of my permanent academic record (Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory).
- I will provide my work term report to my employer for review prior to the submission deadline.
- I will submit the work term release confirmation by the submission deadline regardless of whether or not my work term report is deemed confidential.
- I will submit my report via the online course by the submission deadline, unless it has been deemed confidential by my employer. I understand that confidential reports are graded by my employer.
- Performance Evaluation
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- The Co-operative Education Office will monitor my performance on my work term through a site visit/email check-in and end-of-term performance evaluation completed by my supervisor.
- The Co-operative Education Office will not release copies of my performance evaluations to prospective employers without my consent.
- Appeals
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- A sanction imposed under the Co-op Participation Agreement may be appealed by submitting an appeal form via mySuccess. Appeals will be received and reviewed by Co-operative Education and responded to in a timely manner.
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