Hello, Christina --
Worth thinking about! I'll try to answer in a general way for the diverse
writing centres at U of T.
I believe that all of the 13 or so writing centres here offer their individual
consultations according to the principle of confidentiality with respect to
students' course instructors. That is, even when a student has been "sent" to a
writing centre we don't report back to the instructor. Occasionally instructors
send students with sheets to be signed saying they've been to a writing centre:
we sign for the student's sake, but not too happily. In our graduate writing
centre, however, we offer to write a letter to supervisors if students want us
to -- and some do, to show they they're seeking instruction as advised, whether
through courses or individual consultation.
When analysing and reporting on usage data we use aggregate figures, and also
replace student names with initials or codes in giving sample case histories.
For research reported beyond the local level we are quite scrupulous about going
through the standard ethics review procedures, meaning that we seek informed
consent from students, maintain confidentiality of records throughout, and
report only anonymously.
One document we give students is online at
www.utoronto.ca/writing/learning.html. I note (now that you've asked) that it
doesn't explicitly promise confidentiality. And I'm also realizing that we don't
have a policy that could protect us from demands to share information or from
charges of misuse of student data. ** Has anyone else faced that type of problem?
I look forward to hearing from other universities, and to seeing the policy
statement you work out at OCAD.
Margaret
Halliday, Christina wrote:
> Hi there,
>
>
>
> The Writing & Learning Centre at the Ontario College of Art & Design is
> looking at instituting a confidentiality policy specific to our Centre.
>
>
>
> We are hoping that our confidentiality policy will address the following
> concerns:
>
>
>
> --student confidentiality with respect to the records we keep on the content
> of one-on-one appointments with students during writing/learning skills
> tutoring. These records are solely for the tutors as a way for them to keep
> track of the progress of the student (and tutor) in the one-on-one sessions.
> The records also include information on when the student came for tutoring,
> name, student ID, etc.
>
>
>
> --student confidentiality with respect to the personal information that
> tutors gather through conversing with students in a one-on-one context.
>
>
>
> MY QUESTION FOR WRITING & LEARNING CENTRE ADMINISTRATORS: Does your writing
> centre have a confidentiality policy? Is it different from your
> institution's policy on student records and therefore specially tailored to
> the needs of your centre? Can I have a look at your policy and where can I
> find it?
>
>
>
> Many, many thanks for helping me out! Best, C.
>
>
>
> Christina Halliday, PhD
>
> Coordinator, Writing & Learning Centre
>
> Faculty of Liberal Studies
>
>
>
> T 416.977.6000 x239
>
> F 416.977.6006
>
> E [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>
>
>
> ONTARIO COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN
>
> 100 McCaul Street, Toronto, Canada M5T 1W1
>
> www.ocad.ca <http://www.ocad.ca/>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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