Student Discipline
- Upon notification of a possible breach of the student disciplinary regulations the University Complaints Officer will determine which member of University staff is best placed to investigate the complaint, this may include officers of the Students' Union.
- The Investigating Officer will carry out an investigation, which will
include consultation with such individuals, as s/he considers relevant. The
Investigating Officer shall inform the student(s) in question about the
substance and the nature of the complaint against them. The Investigating
Officer will then decide one of the following, that:
- The complaint has not been substantiated and that no further action is necessary;
- The complaint has been substantiated, but that appropriate steps have already been taken to deal with it and no further action is necessary;
- Specific action is necessary that s/he will then recommend to the Vice-Chancellor, this could include referring the issue to an existing University procedure.
- The Investigating Officer will inform the complainant and the student(s), copying to the Complaints Officer, of the outcome of this stage within fifteen working days of the receipt of the written complaint by the Complaints Officer. The University may, at its discretion, extend the time period for responding. If this is necessary the complainant and student(s) will be informed of the delay and the reasons for the delay.
- If the complainant or student(s) are not satisfied with the response
from the Investigating Officer, a review panel of two senior members of
staff and the President of the Students' Union chaired by the Complaints
Officer, will be set up to deal with the complaint. It will reconsider the
complaint and the Investigating Officer's response, but only in the context
of:
- whether the Investigating Officer followed correct University procedures;
- whether the decision of the Investigating Officer was perverse.
- The Panel are likely to want to meet with the complainant and the student(s) complained against if this has not already been done by the Investigating Officer, and may call witnesses. The Complaints Officer will inform the complainant and the student(s) of the outcome of the case as soon as practicable, whilst maintaining necessary confidentiality.