Student Discipline Committee

DISC06-M2

Minutes of the Meeting of the Student Discipline Committee held on 16 June 2006

Members: Dr J E Davies (Chair), J B C Blood (ab), G Chivers (ab), G Davies, R Dicks,
Dr H P Drake, D Green (ab), R M King, S A Mason (ab), R H Mayo, M Shuker (ab), J Steele (ab),
G Stone (ab), Professor J B Thomas (ab), K Whittingham

By invitation: T W Cartwright, R J Kennedy, J Mackenzie, K Roxborough, J Swaffer

In attendance: D L Wolfe

Apologies for Absence: J B C Blood, S A Mason, M Shuker, J B Thomas, J M Town

11. Membership

The Committee AGREED to record its thanks to the retiring student members for their excellent contribution to its work during the current session, and welcomed their successors.

12. Minutes
(DISC06-M1 – previously circulated)

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 9 March 2006 were confirmed.

13. Matters Arising from the Minutes

.1 Students’ Union Disciplinary Policy
(DISC06-M1, Min. 3.4 refers)

It was AGREED that the LSU Disciplinary Policy be circulated to members of the Committee.

.2 Clarification of Penalties
(DISC06-M1, Min. 3.5 refers)

It was AGREED to seek an update from the Registrar.

.3 UNITE Halls
(DISC06-M1, Min. 4 refers)

It was AGREED to seek an update from the Registrar.

.4 Statute XIV – Amendment
(DISC06-M1, Min. 6 refers)

It was noted that the Committee’s recommendations would be considered by Senate shortly.

.5 Dissemination of Information
(DISC06-M1, Min. 9 refers)

It was AGREED to seek an update from the Registrar.

14. Procedure for Expulsions and Suspensions

The Committee was advised that a Disciplinary Panel had recently recommended the expulsion of a student for two serious unprovoked assaults. The expulsion was upheld on appeal, and the student’s registration terminated. However he was not expelled from his Hall of Residence, and was allowed to remain there for several weeks, notwithstanding the possible danger to other students. It became apparent that there was no provision in the current residential contracts to permit the removal of a student from Hall for disciplinary reasons, and that whilst a student could be invited to leave, a Court Order was required for immediate eviction.

The Committee felt that the University’s primary obligation was its duty of care to other students. It was essential that Wardens were kept informed. The message sent out by the current situation was that victims were not properly supported, and that the University did not have the necessary determination to enforce discipline. It might be appropriate for University officers to use their powers of suspension more frequently than hitherto, particularly in cases in violence.

It was AGREED to bring this situation to the attention of Senate as a matter of urgency, and to take the matter up with the Registrar and/or Vice-Chancellor if necessary.

15. Student Disciplinary Appeals Committee
(DISC06-P5)

.1 The Committee received a report from a recent meeting of the Student Disciplinary Appeals Committee, and noted their view that binding over orders impacted more on first year than third year students, because of the length of their remaining time at the University. In this particular instance the students concerned had been tried in the Crown Court, leading to a lengthy delay before the University could take action.

The Committee was reminded that Ordinance XVII did not permit the University to take disciplinary action against a student until such time as police enquiries and/or court proceedings had been completed. In practice this meant that finalists committing a serious offence during their last few months at the University could effectively avoid any punishment by the University. A serious assault which had taken place recently had highlighted the issue. The Committee felt it might be appropriate for senior officers to make more sophisticated use of their powers of suspension, so that the University had at the very least the opportunity to prevent a student from graduating pending the outcome of criminal proceedings. It was also apparent that there were differing interpretations of the University’s powers and responsibilities in regard to students who had committed an offence, and the whole concept of “double jeopardy”.

It was AGREED to bring this situation to the attention of Senate as a matter of urgency, and to take the matter up with the Registrar and/or Vice-Chancellor if necessary.

.2 It was AGREED that the Committee’s officers should meet with the officers of the Appeals Committee to discuss several matters of mutual concern.

16. Minor Offences
(DISC06-P6)

The Committee received and noted a schedule of minor offences committed in 2005/2006. The Security Manager indicated that automatic number plate recognition software was being introduced, which would make the management of vehicle access and car parking much easier.

17. Major Offences
(DISC06-P7)

The Committee reviewed a schedule of major offences since its inception. It was felt that the majority were in some way alcohol-related. The introduction of the fast-track procedure had made the process much more effective.

18. Calendar of Meetings 2006-2007

28 November 2006 at 10.00 am (NB This meeting was scheduled for 21 November but due to unforeseen circumstances has had to be rescheduled for 28 November)
13 March 2007 at 10.00 am
12 June 2007 at 10.00 am