The student disciplinary process is used when UAL feel that a student has fallen short of the standard of behaviour set out in the student conduct policy. We can support you if you are asked to a meeting to discuss your behaviour, explaining the process and potential outcomes.
What is the Disciplinary Code for Students?
All UAL students are expected to comply with UAL’s Disciplinary Code. If UAL believes that you have breached your expectations, they may decide to hold a disciplinary investigation to establish the facts and decide what outcome would best address your conduct at university.
We understand that finding yourself in this situation can be worrying, whether you have received an accusation or are thinking about making a complaint about a fellow student.
We are here to support you throughout the process. We can help to explain how the student conduct process works, why this may have happened and what the outcome might be.
What Can the Arts SU Advice Service do for Me During the UAL Disciplinary Process?
- Advise you on the process
- Help you structure what you will say during the investigation and help you prepare evidence
- Attend interviews and/or panels with you
- Guide you through the appeal if you don’t like the outcome
What Does the Student Disciplinary Process Look Like?
We have outlined the different stages of the disciplinary process for you below.
Investigatory Interview
If you are reported as breaking the student code, you will shortly be contacted by email by the Dean of Students to notify you of the allegation and invite you to an investigatory interview.
The investigatory interview is a chance for you to respond to the accusation and share any mitigating circumstances that may have contributed to your situation and behaviour. You will also be invited to admit or deny your responsibility for the alleged misconduct during this meeting.
Depending on the outcome of the interview, the Dean of Students will make one of the following recommendations:
- The allegation is dismissed and the case is dropped with no further action
- The misconduct is classed as minor and is referred to the Dean of Students to resolve
- The misconduct is classed as major and is escalated to a Disciplinary Panel to resolve
Minor Misconduct
If the Dean decides that the issue falls under minor misconduct, you should be notified of this within 5 working days. You will be informed of the extent of the misconduct found and sent a copy of the investigation report and any written evidence considered.
Students are given 10 working days to respond to the report and are welcome to provide additional evidence for consideration if desired.
After you have responded, the Dean of Students will have up to 5 working days to confirm whether minor misconduct has been proven and whether any penalties will be applied. See "outcomes of an investigation" for a list of remedies the university may suggest.
Major Misconduct
If the Dean decides that the issue falls under major misconduct, your case will be referred to a Disciplinary Panel for further investigation.
You will be contacted by email at least 10 working days before the meeting to request your attendance, and provide details of the allegations to be discussed. This timeframe may be shorter where the university feels there are extenuating circumstances which will be explained to you in writing.
You will also be provided a copy of the Dean's investigatory report, any statements and evidence for consideration, and a list of any witnesses who the university intends to call to attend the panel. This information will be shared with you at least 5 working days before your panel hearing.
You are welcome to bring witnesses to the panel to support your case.
- If your witnesses are providing written statements, you will need to share these with the panel organiser at least 5 working days before your panel meeting.
- If your witnesses are attending your panel, you will eed to notify the panel organiser of this at least 2 working days before your panel hearing.
Disciplinary Panel Hearing
Who is the Panel?
- a Chair, who will be the Academic Registrar (or senior member of University staff appointed by the University Secretary)
- one of either the Pro Vice-Chancellor, a Dean or an Associate Dean
- an officer from the Students’ Union
There will also be a Secretary to take notes and will not be involved in the decision making
What can I expect in the hearing?
The disciplinary panel hearing will follow these steps;
- The chair will open the meeting by explaining what to expect and the allegations to be discussed
- The Dean will present the universties case against you, calling witnesses to speak as necessary
- You and the panel will question the witnesses. This will be to confirm events or understanding of any written statements provided
- You will be invited to respond to the universities case, and any witnesses you have broiught in support will be invited to share
- The Dean will question you and any witnesses based on the details you have provided to the panel
- The Dean will summarise the case for the university
- You will be invited to make a final statement
- You and your supporting witnesses will be asked to leave the meeting while the panel decide an outcome
Outcomes
Once your full investigation is concluded, the university will decide whether misconduct has occured based on the balance of probabilities. If misconduct has been proven, the university may apply at least one of the following penalties;
- You are asked to provide a written apology to those affected by your behaviour
- A warning is kept on your student record for a specific amount fo time
- You are given a written warning and/or asked to agree in writing your future behavioural expectations on campus
- You are suspended from accessing certain UAL privileges such as IT, the library and spaces on campus
- You are asked to repay any financial los and damage caused by your conduct
For cases of major misconduct, the following penalties may also be considered
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Your tenancy with UAL halls is terminated with one-months notice (this can be shorter where there is an immediate risk to someone's safety)
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Your studies are suspended for up-to a maximum of 12 months with the potential to apply further conditions for your return
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You are permenantly withdrawn from the university
Unsatisfied with your Outcome?
If you’re unsatisfied with the outcome of your investigation you have the opportunity to appeal the decision in writing within 10 working days of receiving your outcome.
For cases of minor misconduct, your appeal should be sent to the university secretary and registrar
For cases of major misconduct, your appeal should be sent to the disciplinary panel secretary
In both cases, the only acceptable grounds to appeal are;
- Evidence of a procedural irregularity (i.e an error in the way the process was administered)
- Evidence of further extenuating circumstances that could not have been reasonably shared with the investigator of your case prior to their decision
- The penalty imposed was disproportionate to the misconduct
- The decision was unreasonable in all the circumstances
The University will respond to your appeal within 10 working days
If the appeal is rejected, the decision is final and you will have no further right to appeal within the universities internal procedures. You will receive a "Completion of Procedures" letter to confirm that all internal processes have been exhausted.
If you would like to further contest the outcome, you can do so by submitting a complaint to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA)