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 Student Policies and Procedures – Non Academic Misconduct.
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 locations (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: 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 contact the advice team by completing a contact form or contact Report + Support.
- 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 I make an allegation?
Any incidents of non- academic misconduct can be reported directly to the Student Conduct Team via the Report + Support tool available to all students, or you can email the Student Conduct Team directly at studentconduct@uel.ac.uk
If the incident has taken place on campus with security personnel present you can approach them and may be requested by them to complete an incident report.
If the incident occurred at Halls of Residence you should contact the Residential Life Manager.
If you’re unsure who you should contact you could ask the Hub, or complete a contact form for our advice service.
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Can I send an anonymous report?
Using the Report and Support tool you can make anonymous reports but the University will not be able to take action on the report.
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?
An investigation officer will be appointed to investigate your case. This is the person who will investigate the issue.
You will be invited by the Investigating Officer to attend a meeting, possibly on Teams, to give your side of events, and/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. Please complete a contact form to seek assistance.
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What happened after the investigation concludes?
After the investigation stage the Investigating Officer will send all the findings (a report) to the Student Conduct Team.
For a lower level matter, the Investigating Officer can recommend a sanction, but it will be the Student Conduct Team who apply the sanction to ensure sanctions are proportionate. The recommendation may be to progress to a Disciplinary Panel. If this happens then the Disciplinary Panel will make a decision following a meeting that you will be invited to attend.
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I received an email to attend a Disciplinary Hearing, what should I expect?
You should be sent an email at least 7 working days before the hearing, informing you about the date, time and location of the Panel - they are often on Teams. All reports, witness statements and evidence will be made available to you before the disciplinary hearing so you can understand the allegations and the evidence and be ready to explain your perspective.
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Who will attend the disciplinary Hearing?
Typically there will be at least one member of the Student Conduct Team, the Disciplinary panel, the Investigating Officer, the student and someone to support the student if the student wishes – such as a friend or a member of the SU Advice Team.
The Disciplinary Panel members will be appointed by the Student Conduct Team. The Chair of a Disciplinary Panel will usually be a senior member of staff, such as a Dean of School, Director of a Professional Service or Head of a Professional Service. Panel members will have had no prior involvement with the Student(s) and will be employed by the University of East London.
The Investigating Officer will be present to explain their report and findings. They are not a member of the panel.
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What happens at a Disciplinary Hearing?
The Investigating Officer will explain their investigation and findings. 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 Investigating Officer or seek clarifications about any information presented.
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 Investigating Officer is allowed to ask the witness questions. You are also allowed to ask the witness questions.
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 the Investigating 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 or what other circumstances you would like the panel to consider.
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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 Student Conduct Team 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 Investigating Officer or the Disciplinary Panel.
The panel could impose any of the following in gross misconduct, although this is a guide and the panel 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, and haven’t been in touch with the SU Advice team we suggest you seek advice from us by completing a contact form.
- If the penalty is expulsion, you can appeal to Board of Governors.
- For all other penalties you can appeal via the Complaints and Appeals team.
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What happens if I do not receive the outcome I think is fair, after appealing and completing all the Appeals process?
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 the student has completed UEL’s internal policies.
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