University of East London's Disciplinary Procedure
The disciplinary procedure is applicable to all students. When a student enrols at the University of East London they are bound by the Student Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct explains the rights and responsibilities of all students. More information can be found in part 12 of the Disciplinary Regulations.
Every student at the UEL has the right to study in a safe environment, they also have the right to enjoy their social lives while studying at UEL.
We have provided guidance on the disciplinary procedures below. The guidance is applicable to students who are going through the disciplinary procedures and/or students who intend to make an allegation (report) against another student.
Who does the disciplinary procedures apply to?
Disciplinary procedures are applicable to all students. It is also applicable to students who have gained admission at UEL but have not yet started their course.
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What kind of behaviour is covered by the procedure?
- Discriminatory, racist (derogatory), abusive language or comments.
- Threatening, aggressive behaviour.
- Verbal and physical harassment, Assault, threatening behaviour or bullying.
- Possession of illegal substances.
- Intentional damage to university property.
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Where can the disciplinary procedure apply?
- At Lectures, Seminars, Laboratories and Workshops.
- At all campus (USS Stratford Docklands)
- Beyond campus (for example in the community, placements, field trips)
- Online and virtual communities (Internet, Social Media)
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When doesn’t the Disciplinary Procedure apply?
- Personal Dignity Policy: this should be referred to when a student or staff member has been accused of bullying or harassment, or if you want to make a complaint about bullying and harassment. If you require advice in this area you are strongly advised to make an appointment with us.
- Academic Misconduct Regulations: this should be referred to when a student has been accused of as any type of cheating in an assessment, to achieve a personal gain. This applies to all coursework and exams. You can read more about this here.
- Fitness to Study Regulations: this applies when students have to health or disability-related concerns that affect the student's ability to study or is in breach of the code of conduct, or the student’s behaviour is a risk immediate continuing danger to others.
- Suitability Procedure: this policy is applicable to students who are studying on courses that are bound by a professional body. For example these rules may apply to courses in teaching, social work, counselling and psychology, healthcare/nursing among others.
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I have been involved in an incident, how do make an allegation?
You should first refer to the Dignity at Work and Study Policy. If you are accusing another student of bullying/harassment it is important to read this policy.
If you witnessed an incident or have been a victim of misconduct by another student you should write your allegation in an incident report.
The incident report contains a summary of what happened, whether there was any property damage or injuries and if external services were called (for instance the Police, fire services etc).
The witness statement is similar to the incident report. You should include all relevant details such as when it happened (date, time), where it happened (location), what happened (who was involved and summary of incident). You should be as detailed as possible.
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Who do I send the incident report to?
This depends on where the incident occurred.
If it is happened on campus for instance at Lectures, Seminars, Laboratories and Workshops, you should send the incident report to the Head of School.
If the incident occurred at Halls of Residence you should send the incident report to the Residential Life Manager.
If you’re unsure who these people would be you could ask the Hub, or book an appointment to see our service.
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Can I send an anonymous report?
The university will not investigate an anonymous allegation against another student. It is important to inform the university (Security, or the Hub) if you feel at risk or concerned about your safety.
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I have been accused of a misconduct, what will happen next?
Within 5 days of the allegation been made
- The incident report will be sent to the Disciplinary manager. This is the person in the School or Service responsible for overseeing disciplinary issues. You will informed of the investigation.
- An investigation officer will be appointed to investigate your case. This is the person who will investigate the issue.
The Investigation Officer will send a report on the allegation to the Disciplinary Manager within 10 days of the appointment of the Investigation Officer.
You will be invited by the Investigation Officer to attend a meeting and give your side of events, or to provide a written statement.
We would strongly advise you do not attend this meeting without advice from the Students’ Union. You can bring a Students’ Union Adviser along if we are given a suitable amount of notice. You should seek advice from us by booking an appointment.
Disciplinary cases are complex and we will not provide advice via email on these cases.
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What happened after the investigation concludes?
After the investigation stage the Investigation Manager will send all the findings (a report) to the Disciplinary Manager. The report will mention whether the allegations appears to be true or whether it is serious enough to progress to Panel Stage.
- Where no misconduct if found the case is dropped.
- Where no misconduct is found, but the allegation was frivolous or vexatious or fraudulent. The student who made the allegation may be subject to disciplinary procedures.
- If the Investigation Officer finds the allegations are true, but it is a minor offence, a lower penalty may be given. For instance an oral warning or the student will have to write an apology letter to the person affected by the misconduct.
- Where the allegations appears to be true or whether it is serious enough to progress to Disciplinary hearing.
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I received an email to attend a Disciplinary Hearing, what should I expect?
You will be sent an email 10 days before the hearing.
The university will appoint a secretary who will inform you about the date time and location of the Panel. All reports, witness statements and evidence will be made available to you before the disciplinary hearing so you can properly defend yourself.
In some less serious cases the Chair may make the decision on their own without calling a Disciplinary Hearing.
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Who will attend the disciplinary Hearing?
The Disciplinary Manager (who may be the Head of School or the Residential Life Manager) will chair the disciplinary Hearing.
The Secretary will take present to record what was discussed at the Hearing.
A student representative (a sabbatical officer from the Students' Union) will sit on the panel.
The Investigation Officer will be present to put the case against you, but is not a member of the panel.
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What happens at a Disciplinary Hearing?
The Investigation Officer will put forward their case against you. They will run through the details of the allegation against you from their report.
You will then normally be given an opportunity to question the Investigation Officer about the case.
You will be given an opportunity to respond to the allegations and give a statement about your case.
Witnesses are allowed to attend. If there is more than one witness they are called at different times. The Investigation Officer is allowed to ask the witness question about the case. You are also allowed to ask the witness questions about the case.
The Student Representative (for instance Student Union Adviser or friend/family) will be given an opportunity to speak on your behalf (with your permission).
Then both Investigation Officer and the student will be allowed to make a closing statement.
This should be a brief summary of the main points in your case. For instance the reason(s) why you did not commit the misconduct. In the closing statement you can also raise mitigating reasons that support your case.
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What happens if you don’t attend the Disciplinary Hearing?
If you are not able to attend the meeting, you should inform the Secretary as soon as possible. The Disciplinary Hearing can still go ahead in your absence.
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What penalties can be imposed?
It is important for the student to note the type of penalties the university could impose. The university cannot apply a penalty until after the allegation has been investigated and all evidence has been considered by the Investigation Officer or the Disciplinary Panel.
The Chair could impose any of the following in gross misconduct, although this is a guide and could the Chair could use their discretion:
- Oral warning
- Apology in writing
- First written warning : for first/minor offences
- Withdrawal of privileges, such as use of a facility after certain hours
- Second/final written warning for a first serious offence
- Exclusion for serious offences which caused others to feel threatened or frightened or which risked or caused danger to others
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I do not agree with the penalty, can I appeal?
If you are at this stage, please book an appointment with us, as soon as possible.
- If the penalty is expulsion, you can appeal to Board of Governors.
- For all other penalties you should appeal to the Vice Chancellors and Director’s Group.
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What happens after the appeal?
The Vice Chancellors and Director’s Group can decide to:
- Organise a new hearing (if there was procedure errors/ irregularity)
- Uphold the appeal (drop the penalties)
- Dismiss the appeal (uphold the penalty)
- Dismiss the appeal (change the penalty)
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What happens if I do not agree with decision of the VCH and Director’s Group?
If you would like to challenge the final decision, you will need to take a complaint to an external higher education complaints body called the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA).
The OIA is an independent adjudicating body which reviews the outcome of the university complaints. The OIA would look at whether UEL’s decision was acted fairly, and whether the decision made was reasonable in the circumstances.
To take a complaint to the OIA the student will first need to request a ‘completion of procedures’ letter which confirms that UEL do not wish to allow the student to appeal internally.
Please book an appointment with us and we will provide further guidance.
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