University Disciplinary Procedures

For a number of reasons, you may find yourself in a situation where the University are investigating an allegation which has been brought against you.
The purpose of the Disciplinary Procedure is to manage risk and support students at the University and if there is cause for concern over a student behaving in an unacceptable way the student may be subject to the Disciplinary Procedure.

Informal Approach
An informal approach may be used by a member of University staff within the Faculty. It may be necessary for a member of staff to discuss issues with you or another student to try and resolve an issue.

Breaking the Law
It is possible that in the case of a criminal offence having taken place, the University will refer the case to the local Police. Even if a case is not referred to the Police, then the University may still wish to investigate an allegation.

Being Suspended from University
Being suspended from University is only temporary and you should receive a form detailing the reasons why you’ve been suspended 7 days within 3 days of the event. Just because you’ve been suspended, it doesn’t mean that you have already been found ‘guilty’ instead, it is so that that University can look after both yourself and any other parties involved. You are usually only suspended if:
• you are seen as a potential threat to her/himself or others,
• your suspected behaviour seriously breaches the regulations or infringes a Code of Conduct,
• your suspected behaviour compromises the reputation of the University

You will usually only be suspended until you are invited to attend a disciplinary panel. Whilst suspended from University, you are not entitled to access any formal teaching or assessment and some access to facilities may be withdrawn depending on the allegation. You are still able to contact your Students’ Union to seek advice from a Student Advisor, who will support you through the process. It is also important to note that fees are non-refundable for the period of time when you are suspended.

If you don’t think that it’s necessary to suspend you for longer than 10 days, then you can write to the Registrar stating your case; Your Students’ Union can help you with this.

Investigating the Allegation

Any staff member can voice concerns about the conduct of a students and subsequently request that they are investigated through the appropriate channels. In the case of a grievance, a student can also raise concerns about a fellow a student and raise allegations about that student.
Preliminary - this is the first stage of the investigation where someone quite senior in the Faculty is appointed to gather evidence to find out whether an allegation can be dismissed or requires further action through informal or formal procedures.
Preliminary Outcomes - Dismiss the complaint, issue a caution through informal procedures which shall not be recorded on the student’s disciplinary record or refer the matter for consideration through Formal Disciplinary Procedures

Formal Disciplinary Meetings

More details to follow.

Outcomes of Disciplinary Meetings
There are many different possible outcome of a meeting at both levels, but the main ones are:

Both Levels (Local and University):
Receive an oral or written warning;
Be required to pay compensation for damage and/or cost;
Be excluded from any of the University's premises or facilities for a defined period;
In the case of University facilities, incur a penalty determined by procedures or agreements relating to the use of those facilities

At University Level Procedures, the panel may ask you to:
• Be suspended from her/his programme of study for a defined period;
• Be expelled from the University.
Where the panel recommends that the student be suspended or expelled from the University, this will require the confirmation of the Registrar. In considering the recommendation the Registrar will be provided with the written material presented in the earlier proceedings, the record of those proceedings and the decision(s) reached. Following expulsion or suspension, the student has no right to return or annulment of tuition fees

Appealing A Decision
At all stages, you have the right to appeal a decision which has been made as a result of a disciplinary investigation. You can only appeal a decision if:
• new evidence is available that for good reason was not available at the time of the original meeting,
• can be demonstrated that the correct procedures were not followed
• the consequence is out of proportion with the offence

Your reason for appeal should be written in a letter and sent to the Academic Complaints & Appeals Manager within 14 days of receiving the outcome of your disciplinary. Once this has been done a Student Disciplinary Appeal Panel will meet with you but will not recall witnesses who came to the previous meeting or listen to any evidence which was presented previously unless they believe it is necessary.
Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA)

If you have found that you have been through all of these stages and still unhappy with the outcome/decision made, then you have the right to make your appeal heard by the OIA. For support with this you should access the advice available to you from your Students’ Union Advice Service and visit http://www.oiahe.org.uk