Students are members of the University community and as such are expected to behave responsibly, to respect people and property, and to comply with the University Regulations, whether on our premises or elsewhere. The conduct of students should not interfere with the proper functioning or activities of the University, with those who work or study in the University, or otherwise damage the University.
Where there is reason to believe that a student has broken the University rules or regulations, or their behaviour does not meet the required standards, the University will take action as outlined in these regulations.
If you are subject to disciplinary procedures, you must read the Student Conduct Regulations. Students are encouraged to seek process support from the SU Advice Centre and personal support - if needed - from the Wellbeing Support team.
Minor misconduct is defined as behaviour which may be in breach of the Student Conduct Regulations, but isn’t judged to be so severe by the appropriate Authorised Officer as to require a review of the student’s registration at the University.
One example of minor misconduct which would be dealt with by an Authorised Officer is smoking in a hall of residence room. A possible sanction for this breach of Regulations would be a fine.
Minor misconduct will, in the first instance, be investigated by the Authorised Officer. Details of who the Authorised Officers are can be found in the table below.
The Authorised Officer will conduct a fair and reasonable enquiry allowing the student to hear the details of any complaint or allegation and to respond accordingly. The University Student Conduct Officer may then impose any of the sanctions as outlined in the Student Conduct Regulations. Alternatively, in the case of misconduct in halls of residence or in the local community, the Authorised Officer may impose sanctions as outlined by the relevant appendices of the Student Conduct Regulations.
If at any point the Unviersity Student Conduct Officer feels that the misconduct merits greater penalties, then the matter will be referred to a Pro-Vice-Chancellor, and the Major Misconduct procedures may be initiated at the PVC's request.
- Appendix 1 of the Student Conduct Regulations summarises the types of misconduct covered by the regulations.
| Misconduct |
Authorised Officer |
| Related to the use of cars and parking |
Head of Security (or nominee) |
| Related to behaviour in academic buildings and associated buildings |
Executive Dean / Head of Department (or nominee) |
| Related to the use of the libraries |
Director of Library Services (or nominee) |
| Related to the use of computing facilities |
Director of Information Technology (or nominee) |
|
Related to behaviour in halls of residence
(Appendix 3)
|
Head of Residences (or Halls Conduct Officer as nominee) |
|
Related to behaviour in the local community
(Appendix 4)
|
Head of Wellbeing Support (or nominee) |
| All minor misconduct |
Student Conduct Officer (or nominee) |
Major misconduct is either minor misconduct which is repeated, despite warnings or minor misconduct offence procedures, or misconduct judged on the evidence presented to be so severe by the Student Conduct Officer as to possibly require a review of the student’s registration at the University.
Examples of major misconduct which could be judged severe enough to progress straight to a review of a student’s registration at the University include being involved in a violent incident, suspicion of crime, suspected perpetrator of sexual harm. In such a case the University would also involve the Police and a student could expect to have their registration reviewed. They could face the ending of their registration but may receive a lesser penalty if there were mitigating circumstances. The University also takes a very strict line on deliberate fraud – the forging of references, doctor’s letters etc. and serious cases can lead to the closure of registration at the University.
If an incident of misconduct is considered severe enough to merit a review of the student's registration, it will be referred to a Pro-Vice-Chancellor for review. The Pro-Vice-Chancellor will then either refer the matter back, which will initiate the minor misconduct procedures, or will request a major misconduct hearing take place.
The hearing panel will consist of a PVC and another senior member of University Staff, and this will be held in accordance with Appendix 5 of the Student Conduct Regulations.
The Major Misconduct Hearing panel may then impose any of the sanctions as outlined in the Student Conduct Regulations and in accordance with their book of precedence.
- Appendix 5 of the Student Conduct Regulations covers the Hearing / Meeting procedures.
There is an appeals process for all misconduct procedures, but the process differs based on which officer or panel handled the original disciplinary issue.
To exercise the right to appeal the student will submit their appeal within 15 working days of the date of the letter notifying the penalties.
The student must clearly explain the reasons for appeal which may only be on one or more of the following grounds:
(a) the procedures were not followed properly
(b) there is bias or reasonable perception of bias in the procedure
(c) the decision maker(s) reached an unreasonable decision
(d) the student has new material evidence that they were unable, for valid reasons,to provide earlier in the process
(e) the penalty imposed was disproportionate or not permitted under the procedure
The full procedure for the handling of student conduct appeals is explained in the Student Conduct Regulations and you are asked to read these before submitting an appeal.
The route for appeals for different situations is outlined in the table below:
Appeals Process
| Sanctions imposed by... |
Appeal heard by... |
|
Head of Wellbeing Support or
Head of Hall Life
|
Student Conduct Officer
|
|
Student Conduct Officer
(Minor misconduct hearing)
|
A Pro-Vice-Chancellor
|
|
Pro-Vice-Chancellor's Panel
(Major misconduct hearing)
|
Student Misconduct Committee (Appeals)
|
In some cases the Student Conduct Officer will consider the need for a campus exclusion and restriction order (CERO) to minimise risk to students, staff or the wider campus. A risk assessment process can be completed in an emergency by the Student Conduct Officer and they may involve other relevant University staff where required for further input into decisions. The University will also involve Police teams where there is an allegation of criminal activity or offence.
A CERO may place conditions or restrictions on student that they must meet to continue attendance at the University or reside in University accommodation. Access to named venues or activities may be prohibited, for example, no access to licensed premises. CERO’s may be effective for the remainder of a student’s registration at theUniversity or for a shorter period. They may only be placed or revoked by an Authorised Officer and details of the CERO will be shared with University teams who will be supporting the CERO, for example Security, the Students' Union, Academic Schools, Directorate of Student Life teams.
If a student breaches the conditions of a CERO they will be subject to further action.
- Appendix 2 of the Student Conduct Regulations covers Temporary Suspensions,Campus Restrictions & Police Investigations.