The University aims to provide a safe, supportive and positive environment where all are treated with dignity, respect and courtesy. The Student Behavioural Code of Conduct sets out the University’s expectations for student conduct. Many students are also required to meet the expectations of their professional bodies including the GMC,HCPC and NMC, which set out high standards of professionalism and trust.
Scope
The Student Behavioural Code of Conduct applies to all students of the University. It applies to all university academic, administrative, sporting, social or other activities which affect the well-being, interests or reputation of the University or members of our community whether on the premise, in Halls of Residence or elsewhere. See section 20 of the General Regulations.
Interactions online and use of social media
Standards of behaviour described by the code of conduct apply equally to online activity and the use of social media. Information posted on social media endures and has implications for professionalism. The GMC, HCPC and IBMS have policies relating to the use of social media and many students not currently on clinical courses have aspirations of a clinical career. Students should ensure that interactions online are courteous and respectful.
General expectations
The following is a list of expectations of student behaviour, failure to follow these expectations may result in University action under the Student Disciplinary Procedure or the Procedure for the Consideration of Fitness to Study or Practise. The list is not exhaustive and the University may bring action due to other unacceptable behaviour.
1. Students must follow the instructions of staff.
2. Students must produce their ID card and/or disclose their identity when requested by a member of staff.
3. Students must not allow another person to use their ID card.
4. Students must not disrupt teaching and learning sessions, exams, meetings, placement activities or the function of any other service or activity of the University.
5. Students must adhere to health and safety and fire regulations and must not tamper with or misuse safety or fire equipment and alarms.
6. Students must take good care of university property and that of others and must not cause damage intentionally or recklessly to property of the University or of others.
7. Students must not steal or remove university property from its location without permission.
8. Students must not access staff only areas of the University or those to which their ID card does not give them access without the permission of a member of staff.
9. Students must not participate in any unauthorised trespass or occupation of any area of the University or obstruct the lawful access of others to any area of the University.
10. Students must not engage in activity likely to cause injury to themselves or others.
11. Students must not behave in a verbally or physically threatening, violent, bullying, indecent, abusive or anti-social manner towards others, including where this is a result of intoxication with alcohol or drugs.
12. Students must not racially or sexually harass or assault others.
13. Students must not sexually assault any individual or engage in or attempt to engage in sexual activity without consent.
14. Students must not share or pass on private or sexual materials concerning another person without consent.
15. Students must not bring onto or buy illegal drugs on University property or on placement.
16. Students must not bring weapons onto University property or to placement.
17. Students are expected to engage honestly with all members of the University community and not to employ fraud, deceit or deception.
18. Students must not make false, malicious or vexatious complaints or allegations about others.
19. Students must comply with investigation under student procedures and with any penalties imposed.
20. Students must declare to the University where they are the subject of a police investigation, receive a police conviction, caution or other police penalty.
21. Students must not behave so as to bring the University into disrepute.
22. Students who wish to bring a complaint about the behaviour of another student can do so using the Student Concerns and Complaints Procedure.
23. Some of the items in this list are criminal offences and where the student is the subject of a police investigation the University will generally pause any internal processes until police processes are complete. The University may consider a student under a University procedure following the conclusion of a criminal process.
24. Criminal processes are required to prove allegations ‘beyond reasonable doubt’, University processes require allegations to be proved ‘on the balance of probabilities’ i.e. more likely than not, a lesser standard of proof.
Other university policies
Students must adhere to all University policies and regulations; the following are of particular relevance to behaviour and conduct, most can be found here: