The BSU Support service is independent from the University and we can:

• Explain the Disciplinary process
• Advise you on reporting a disciplinary offence
• Advise you on responding to any allegations
• Advise on how to put together a statement 
• Accompany you to any meetings or to a Disciplinary Panel
• Provide ongoing advice throughout the process.

If you wish to raise an allegation of misconduct see below: "How can I report a Disciplinary offence?"

If you have recevied an allegation of misconduct, we advise you get in touch with us as soon as you are notified about your meeting. You can find out how to access our service on this page. Email us copies of your invitation letter and any attached documents to us at [email protected] once you have arranged an appointment. It is important you send us your invitation email and any evidence so that we can advise you more specifically about your case.

The University describes a disciplinary offence as: “Misconduct is an act or failure to act by a student which is judged to be inappropriate or unacceptable behaviour where that behaviour does or could negatively affect any member of the University community or any person or entity associated with the University or the University itself. Major misconduct is misconduct which appears in the reasonable opinion of the University to be significant due to its impact on the person or the property affected by the misconduct or the University itself." 

Some examples* of what the University might consider to be behaviours worthy of disciplinary action, are:

• Violent, indecent, disorderly, threatening, or offensive behaviour that causes harm, fear or distress to others.
• Harassment or bullying of any member of the University or any visitor to the University (whether in a physical or virtual environment).
• Misappropriation of University funds or assets.
• making an unauthorized recording of academic activities including lectures. 
• distributing or publishing information in any medium which is offensive, intimidating, threatening, indecent or illegal or is intended to make others fearful, anxious, or apprehensive.
• Fraudulent activity or claims, decit, deception or dishonesty
• Any action likely to cause injury to any person or impair the safety of the premises, including interference with health and safety access routes, equipment and/or materials.
• Use, possession, buying or selling of illegal drugs or other illegal intoxicating substances.
• Any behaviour or action of a kind which is likely to bring the name of the University into disrepute or which reflects adversely on the relationships which the University seeks to maintain with the local community.

* this list is not exhaustive. See appendix A of the Student Disciplinary Procedure for more information.

A report may be made about a single student or a group or students.

Reports can be made either in person to any Student Discipline Officer (SDO), or in writing to any member of University staff, they will make sure that this is then passed on to a SDO. Reports can also be submitted to [email protected]. Either an SDO or the Head of Student Discipline may begin an investigation based on your report, they will send you an email letting you know they have received your report, typically within 14 days.

It is likely that you will not be informed about the details of an investigation unless an outcome is relevant to you.

If you are experiencing or have witnessed harassment, discrimination, violence or abuse, then you can report this using the University's Online Disclosure Tool. You can do this either named or anonymously. If you report with your name then this will not begin the disciplinary procedure but someone will get in touch with you to offer support and discuss your options. 

Anyone can make reports to the University about possible misconducts, this will then usually be passed on to a Student Discipline Officer (SDO) to investigate.

If a report is deemed more serious then this may be passed on to the Head of Student Discipline The investigating officer, either an SDO or the Head of Student Discipline would meet the Reporting Party and the student about whom the complaint has been made separately and where possible normally within 14 days from when the report was made. If you are asked to attend a meeting like this then subject to availability a Student Advisor can attend with you.

The Investigating Officer will then write a report which will include possible sanctions depending on the case. This will usually be within 21 days. The outcome of a meeting like this might be that you are referred to the Head of Discipline if your investigating officer was a SDO, or that it be referred to a Disciplinary panel if the findings are deemed as serious.

If the report is of something illegal then the University may inform the police.

If an allegation is of major misconduct and requires further review then you may be invited to a Disciplinary panel, this is usually within 30 days of the initial report. You will be sent a Disciplinary report and any evidence they may have at least 7 days before the panel. You can also invite a witness to give evidence but you must give the panel at least 7 days’ notice.

During the panel the Investigating Officer will present the case and then you will be given the opportunity to respond. Witnesses will also be given the opportunity to speak. Once the panel has heard all statements and reviewed all evidence they will make a decision, you will get an outcome from the panel in writing within 7 days of the panel. If you have previous disciplinary history then the panel may take this into account when making a decision.

The reporting party will not be made of aware of any sanctions imposed.

Subject to availability a Student Advisor can accompany you to a Disciplinary Panel.

We advise getting in touch with our team if you receive an invitation to a meeting, you can book an appointment with one of our advisors. Send us the invitation letter, all attachments and any relevant information so that we can understand the case and offer you advice.

You can prepare a statement and/or evidence to present to the panel. In this you can explain your recollection of events, add any evidence if you have any and explain if you have any mitigating circumstances that have impacted you. If you are feeling worried or concerned about being able to speak clearly or cover everything you wish to convey in the meeting then this is a good way of making sure the panel will hear everything you wish to include. You can send your statement to us to read over if you would like some advice or guidance on what to include, and then you can email it to the person who first invited you to the meeting or read it out during the panel.

You can appeal an outcome of the Disciplinary process but only on one of the following grounds:

• There is a material irregularity or failure in the conduct of the original investigation or hearing.
• There is evidence of bias or prejudice during the original investigation or hearing.
• Relevant material or evidence has come to light since the Investigation Officer or Panel reached its original decision.
• The penalty applied is excessive or unreasonable.

You can appeal within 10 days of receiving your outcome and write to the Head of Student Discipline stating which grounds you wish to use to appeal. If your investigating officer was the Head of Student Discipline then you need to write to the Deputy University Secretary.

Your appeal will be reviewed and you will be notified whether your appeal has been upheld or not, and if it has been upheld whether any sanctions may have been removed or revised.

To appeal the outcome from a disciplinary panel you must email the Deputy University Secretary at [email protected] stating which grounds, you wish to use. If no appropriate grounds are identified, then the appeal will be dismissed. If you have suitable grounds to appeal your appeal will be referred to a member of the universities executive board, who will decide the outcome.

If the appeal is upheld (successful) then they may decide that the allegations be dismissed or that they need to be considered again at another Disciplinary Panel.