What is misconduct?

The University wants everyone to feel safe on campus and does not tolerate any form of intimidation, bullying or harassment. Using offensive, threatening or bullying language to staff or other students, or anyone on campus is considered to be misconduct. This includes what you say on social media or in other online interactions.

If you are violent, or threaten someone with violence this is considered to be serious misconduct and you could be expelled.

Any abusive behaviour can have a serious impact on others. Incidents are handled on a case-by-case basis and potential impact will be considered. Any incident which is perceived by the victim, or any other person, as being motivated by prejudice or hate based on one of the following will normally be treated as serious misconduct:

• age
• disability
• gender or gender identity
• pregnancy or maternity
• race
• religion or belief (including islamophobia, or anti-Semitism, using the international definition of anti-Semitism
• sexual orientation

We have adopted a harm reduction approach to educate students about the risks of drug and alcohol use. You can read more about this here.

We do not condone the possession or use of illegal drugs in, or on, any premises under our control. Substance use can have a serious and lasting effect on users themselves and on other members of our community, who may be affected by the behaviour and actions of users.

If a student’s behaviour, as a result of their use of substances, causes harm to the health, safety and/ or wellbeing of others, they may be subject to action under the Student Code of Conduct. The student will however, continue to be provided with appropriate support and assistance from us for the duration of their enrolment.

If you are found selling drugs in Halls, or anywhere else on campus, it will be treated extremely seriously and you may be expelled from the University.

If you do something that could have risked the safety and wellbeing of students this is considered to be misconduct. This includes breaches of the terms and conditions of your Halls contract. Examples of this are:

• Covering up the smoke detector in your room;

• Activating fire alarms unnecessarily;

• Not evacuating when the fire alarm sounds;

• Storing flammable materials (eg. candles) in your room.

This can cover a range of behaviour which is not acceptable in the University community. If you engage in behaviour of a sexual nature without consent, it is classed as misconduct. Sexual misconduct can include but isn’t limited to:

• Engaging in a sexual act, such as penetration, with a body part or object;
• Kissing;
• Unwanted touching (whether through clothing or not);
• Showing sexual organs to another person;
• Making unwanted remarks of a sexual nature;

Any of these will normally be serious misconduct and could lead to expulsion. However, some offences will be much more serious than others. 

If you carry out  behaviour that makes others feel upset, scared, offended or humiliated, and if your behaviour creates a hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment then the University considers this to be harassment. If this behaviour is of a sexual nature then this is sexual harassment.  Harassment and sexual harassment are classed as misconduct. Sexual harassment can include but isn’t limited to:

• Sexual comments or noises – for example, catcalling or wolf-whistling.
• Sexual gestures.
• Leering, staring or suggestive looks. This can include looking someone up and down.
• Sexual ‘jokes’.
• Sexual innuendos or suggestive comments.
• Unwanted sexual advances or flirting.
• Sexual requests or asking for sexual favours.
• Sending emails or texts with sexual content – for example, unwanted ‘sexts’ or ‘dick pics’.
• Sexual posts or contact on social media.
• Intrusive questions about a person’s private or sex life.
• Someone discussing their own sex life.
• Commenting on someone’s body, appearance or what they’re wearing.
• Spreading sexual rumours.
• Displaying images of a sexual nature.
• Unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature – for example, brushing up against someone or hugging, kissing or massaging them.
• Stalking.
• Taking a photo or video under another person’s clothing – what is known as ‘upskirting’.
• Sharing private and/or sexually explicit images of someone;

The University considers each case individually, taking into account the impact of the behaviour on others. Although some incidents are much more serious than others, any sexual harassment can be regarded as “serious” by the University, which could lead to expulsion.

Behaviour that damages the University’s relationship with local residents or external groups is considered to be misconduct. Examples of this are:

• Holding large noisy parties;
• Inconsiderate parking;
• Dropping litter.

Noise and litter can have a serious impact on your neighbours, regardless of whether or not they are students. If you are causing a noise nuisance the council can issue a noise abatement notice. If you get one of these the University will also take action against you. For serious or repeated issues this could be serious misconduct. 

You also need to follow the covid-19 rules on social gatherings. Breaching these rules can seriously affect the health and wellbeing of your neighbours and the University community. The University treats reports of breaches of the covid-19 rules extremely seriously.

If you behave in any way that could seriously harm the reputation of the University you risk being expelled.

You should treat the property of other students, and University property, with respect at all times.

If you damage or misuse property this could be misconduct – regardless of whether it was intentional or not.

If you take someone’s property without their permission this is considered serious misconduct and could lead to expulsion, as well as potential police involvement.

Any kind of deception of dishonesty can be serious misconduct.

An example of this could be submitting fake evidence with an Assessment Mitigation claim, and could lead to you being expelled.

If you make false claims about another student or a member of staff this is also considered to be misconduct.

All teaching materials provided to you as part of your course are the property of the University and are only intended for students on your specific course.

You are not permitted to share any University teaching materials with external third parties or to post them online. This includes notes that you might make during lectures, lecture recordings or transcripts, and tutorial materials.

Potential punishments include a fine of up to £500.

If you breach any of the following this will be treated as misconduct:

• Terms and Conditions of Residence for halls of residence
• Library Rules and Regulations
• Student Regulations for the Use of University Computing Facilities

You also need to remember that:

• If a member of staff asks you to show your ID card you need to do this;
• You can’t record any conversations without the permission of everyone present;

Students are expected to tell the University immediately if they are charged with, or convicted of, a serious criminal offence.

You should tell the University at [email protected]

Any disclosure is treated as highly confidential.

If you commit any criminal offence that is relevant to the University this could be considered serious misconduct. Although the University won’t normally take action while a criminal process is ongoing you could be sanctioned by the University after the criminal justice process has finished.

If you are sent to prison, your registration with the University will automatically be cancelled with no right of appeal.