Cestar Collège – Syn Studio: School Policies & Codes of Conduct

School Academic Policies (Registration, Refunds, Absences)

 

Class registrations and payment terms

 

Spots in our classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. In order to reserve a spot in a class, the registration fee must be paid in full. Partial payments are not accepted, nor are payment plans offered for individual classes. Students are officially registered once payment is received.

 

Payments may be completed either with a credit card or a Visa debit card directly on our website, or via a PayPal payment request. In the latter case, the student or payee must send an email requesting a PayPal payment request to [email protected]. An additional fee of $15 CAD is applied to all PayPal payment transactions.

 

Class sizes, durations, and age requirements

 

Maximum class size varies by instructor preference and can go up to 24 seats. With the exception of Intro to Digital Painting, our class durations are set to 2 hours by default. Should the number of enrolled students exceed a certain number, classes will be extended to 3 hours to accommodate feedback for all participants.

 

The minimum age required to participate in our courses is 14 years old. Note that each class is categorized into levels and has specific prerequisites. Students should ensure they meet the requirements for each class before registering or consult our team at [email protected] for advice.

 

Course changes, postponements, and cancellations

 

Cestar Collège - Syn Studio reserves the right to postpone any class or workshop by a week or two, cancel any course, limit course size, or substitute instructors should it be necessary.

If your course or workshop is canceled before it begins, you will receive a full refund.

 

If a course must be canceled after it has begun (e.g., an instructor falls ill and a suitable replacement is not available), students will be refunded a prorated amount based on the number of courses that were actually held.

 

The school also reserves the right to cancel your registration if your behavior is inappropriate. Regular refund policies will apply.

 

Refund policy for workshops and events

 

For all workshops and events, it is not possible to request a refund within 7 days of the start of the workshop or any time after.

 

Refund policy for individual courses

 

All individual course prices include a non-refundable $50 deposit. All refund requests must be sent via email to [email protected] (please allow up to 2 weeks for processing). Individual course refunds are issued as follows:

 

• Cancellation more than 1 week before the course start date: 100% refund (minus the non-refundable $50 deposit).

 

• Cancellation within 7 days before the course start date: 80% refund (minus the non-refundable $50 deposit).

 

• Cancellation on the course start date AND before the 2nd course date: 50% refund (minus the non-refundable $50 deposit).

 

• Cancellation on or after the 2nd course date: No refund will be issued.

 

Refund policy for Intensive Modules bundles

 

Refunds for Intensive Modules bundles (3, 4, or 5 classes purchased together) are issued as follows:

 

• Cancellation more than 1 week before the term start date: 100% refund (minus the non-refundable $50 deposit).

 

• Cancellation within 7 days before the course start date and before the end of the first week of the term: 80% refund (minus the non-refundable $50 deposit).

 

• Cancellation on the Monday of the second week of the term or later: No refund will be issued.

 

Course transfers

 

• Individual course transfers:

 

All students must email a transfer request to [email protected] to transfer from one course to another within the same term. There is a $25 fee for all transfers (provided your request is approved and there is room in the requested class) if the request is made in the week prior to the start of the class date and before the second course date. All course transfer requests must be sent before the second course date. No transfers will be permitted after the second course has taken place.

 

• Pricing Adjustments:

 

If the cost of the new course transferred into is less than the initial course, the difference will be refunded. If the cost of the new course is higher than the original course price, the difference must be paid.

 

• Intensive modules term transfers:

 

Should an Intensive Modules student no longer be able to attend a term due to changes in circumstances, or a personal/medical emergency, they must email a term transfer request to [email protected] before the start of the term which they wish to transfer out of.

 

Missing classes

 

Due to the nature of these courses, it is not possible to retake missed classes at a later date. Missed classes cannot be refunded. However, since classes are recorded live, video recordings are uploaded roughly 48 hours after the class has taken place. This allows students to review previous lessons, or to participate even if their time zone or schedule does not allow them to attend live. Students who submit questions and homework assignments without attending live classes can still receive correspondence from their teacher(s).

 

Class materials and computer hardware

 

Cestar Collège - Syn Studio does not provide traditional art materials, computer hardware, or software for any classes. Material lists are published on our website on their respective class pages. These lists often mention recommended brands, but you are not required to purchase those exact brands if they are not available to you.

 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage Policy

 

Syn Studio's core philosophy on generative AI

 

At Cestar College - Syn Studio, we firmly believe that becoming a skilled and well-rounded artist requires an in-depth understanding of art fundamentals. To truly excel, you must learn not only how to apply theory to practice, but how to exercise your creativity and critical thinking throughout every step of the creation process.

 

While Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being utilized at varying degrees within the entertainment and design industries, our role as an educational institution remains clear: teaching students to make art that was envisioned in their own minds and created with their own hands. This approach allows students to develop a genuine understanding of art fundamentals and techniques, which is crucial for a sustainable and innovative career.

 

That is why Syn Studio does not teach or encourage the use of generative AI in any of our courses or programs. When you study here, you are here to learn how to draw, paint, and design without relying on artificial intelligence.

 

When you are ready to build your portfolio and share your work on social media, remember that the industry values authentic skills. Many major studios and recruiters now have strict policies against hiring artists who use AI, and some will completely reject portfolios if they suspect AI assistance. Also, important competitions, such as The Rookies Awards, prohibit the use of AI entirely. By learning to rely solely on your own skills today, you are protecting your future career and ensuring that your portfolio stands out for its genuine artistry, unique creative vision, and craftsmanship.

 

AI policy for Individual Courses

 

For students taking individual courses at Syn Studio, while the use of generative AI is not strictly banned, it is strongly discouraged. Students are free to choose their own workflow outside of class, however, for the sake of their own progress and development we highly recommend that they refrain from using generative AI tools when completing assignments. Deliberate, manual practice, and trial and error are the only ways to truly master the visual arts. By using AI even at the sketching or thumbnailing stage, students deprive themselves of making key creative design and composition decisions.

 

AI policy for the AEC Concept Art Program

 

For students enrolled in our AEC Concept Art program, the rules are strict: the use of generative AI is completely prohibited. As a rigorous, professional program designed to prepare you for the industry, every piece of work you submit must be entirely your own creation. Any use of AI-generated imagery or assistance in your coursework will be considered a violation of academic integrity.

 

Student Code of Conduct

 

Expectations for respect and professionalism

 

Students must conduct themselves respectfully towards peers, teachers, and staff at all times, in all environments, and in all means of communication.

 

• Professionalism in class: In both online and in-person classes, students are expected to be punctual, meet deadlines, and engage in constructive, professional classroom discourse.

 

• Classroom & equipment: Students are expected to respect the school's physical spaces, computer labs, and digital equipment. Keeping workspaces clean and respecting safety guidelines is mandatory.

 

Harassment policy

 

Cestar Collège - Syn Studio is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and welcoming learning environment. We hold a zero-tolerance policy for any form of harassment, discrimination, or abuse. No physical, verbal, or written harassment, threats, bullying, intimidation, or foul/abusive language will be tolerated under any circumstances. The school reserves the right to refuse service, suspend, or permanently expel any student who violates these safety standards.

 

Note: For a detailed breakdown of our policies and procedures specifically regarding sexual harassment, cyber-harassment, or misconduct, please consult our official, ministry-approved Policy to Prevent and Counter Sexual Violence (PDF).

 

Smoking and vaping policy

 

In accordance with Quebec's provincial regulations and our commitment to creating a healthy work and study environment, smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited on all school premises, including classroom areas and common spaces.

 

For our official, ministry-approved regulations regarding smoke-free environments and smoking cessation support resources, please read our full Anti-Smoking Policy PDF.

 

3.4 Recording, privacy, and online etiquette

 

To protect the privacy and intellectual property of our community, strict rules apply to recording and online communication:

 

• No recording without consent: It is strictly prohibited to record (audio or video), take screenshots, photograph, or film instructors, staff, or other students during lectures, critiques, or private communications without prior explicit written consent.

 

• Distribution ban: Sharing, modifying, or publishing course recordings, instructor demonstrations, or peer feedback on social media or public platforms without authorization is a violation of privacy and may lead to disciplinary action.

 

• Acceptable use of communication channels: Official school platforms (such as Discord, Moodle, Miro or other forums) must remain professional. The sharing of offensive, explicit (NSFW), or hateful content is strictly forbidden.

 

Privacy Policy

 

Cestar Collège - Syn Studio is dedicated to protecting the personal information and privacy of our students and staff. To read our complete web guidelines, cookies usage, and data protection terms, please visit our official Privacy Policy Page.