Student Discipline Committee

DISC12-M3

Minutes of the meeting of the Student Discipline Committee held on 30 October 2012.

Members: A M Mumford (Chair), R Bhamra, J Blackwell (ab), J B C Blood (ab), L A Brown, S A Brown, A Cole, N Cox, F T Edum-Fotwe, F Fay (ab), N Honey, B Marsh (ab), H Midgely, R Mitchell (ab), A Muir (ab), E Read (ab), M Shuker (ab), J A M Strong (ab), L Timms, A Watson (ab), L Zindovic.

By invitation: S J Christie (ab), P P Conway, J C Nutkins (ab), C N Walker, N Thomas (ab).

In attendance: C Dunbobbin.

Apologies for absence: J Blackwell, J B C Blood, S J Christie, F Fay, B Marsh, R Mitchell, A Muir, E Read, J A M Strong, J C Nutkins, N Thomas.

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12/18 Minutes
DISC12-M2

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 June 2012 were confirmed as a true record.

12/19 Matters Arising from the Minutes

19.1 Bans from LSU Facilities (minute 12/9.1 refers)

The proposal that Student Disciplinary Panels be empowered to impose bans from LSU premises in appropriate cases had been considered by Union Council, and referred to LSU’s Governance Committee, which would be meeting next on 1 November 2012.

12/20 Membership and Terms of Reference

DISC12-P10

The Membership and Terms of Reference for the Student Discipline Committee for 2012-13 were noted.

12/21 The Impact of Students on the Local Community

DISC12-P11

21.1 Review of the Impact of Students on the Local Community at the Start of the 2011-12 Academic Year: Recommendations

Good progress had been made against the recommendations contained in the report. The following points were highlighted:

i) Actions undertaken in relation to Freshers’ Week appeared to have had a positive effect; the impact on the local community had been reduced in comparison with 2011, and there had been fewer complaints relating to student behaviour. Alternative/non-alcohol-related Freshers’ events had been very well-received.

ii) No complaints had been received in relation to the Sing-Off, and it appeared that new guidelines, for example relating to practicing indoors, had been well-publicised and well-observed.

iii) Action had been taken to increase CCTV coverage, and to appoint an additional sub-warden in the Kingfisher area.

iv) The COO had produced an annual report on the University’s disciplinary processes for the local liaison group (discussed under item 21.2).

v) The Director of Student Services had visited Halls during Freshers’ Week to remind students of their responsibilities under the University’s Ordinances and Regulations.

vi) The Security Manager had made good progress with LSU on information-sharing.

vii) There had been an increase in the number of incidents on and off campus involving students who were drunk and in need of assistance. It was noted, however, that this could be attributable, at least in part, to an increase in reporting, as students had been encouraged, during Freshers’ Week, to alert Security to such incidents.

DISC12-P12

21.2 Annual Report of Loughborough University Students in the Community 2011-12

The Committee received a report from the Chief Operating Officer (COO), which would be released to the local liaison group the following week. The COO had taken into account the Committee’s views on the release of data on the number of minor and major offences (minute 12/11.2 refers), but had considered it important to include some statistical information in order to demonstrate that most incidents of student indiscipline were minor in nature and took place on campus, and that the University had robust procedures to deal with the small number of students who were found guilty of major offences. The report also highlighted the positive impact of students in the local community, and the excellent service provided by the University’s Security Office. The report ended by emphasising that the University was committed to continued activity with students, local residents, and other agencies to maximise the positive, and minimise the negative impact of students in the community.

DISC12-P13

21.3 Vice-Chancellor Observes Police Patrol in Loughborough

The Committee noted a recent press release.

12/22 Fixed Penalties

DISC12-P14

The Committee considered a proposal for the establishment of fixed penalties for minor offences relating to damage to, or the disabling of fire-safety equipment. The following points were noted in discussion:

i) The Committee recognized the importance of ensuring that students committing similar offences were dealt with in a consistent manner, and noted the concerns of the Health, Safety and Environmental Committee regarding disciplinary penalties imposed on students found guilty of tampering with fire-safety equipment. The Committee’s view, however, was that Hall Wardens should retain some discretion in this area. This was seen as important in maintaining good relationships between Wardens, Sub-Wardens and students. It was agreed, therefore, that the existing system, based on some discretion within firm guidelines was more appropriate than a system of fixed penalties.

ii) In order to help ensure the consistent application of minor offence penalties, it was agreed that the minor offence summaries produced for the Committee should routinely be circulated to Hall Wardens. ACTION: Senior Warden

iii) There was evidence of a disconnect between the procedures for the recovery of damage costs, and those relating to student discipline. In the context of fire-safety, it was apparent that sometimes costs were recovered without the matter being reported to the Warden for handling as a potential disciplinary matter. The opportunity to discipline and to reinforce the fire-safety message was therefore being lost. The Committee recommended that there be a discussion involving the Director of Student Services, COO, Hall Wardens and Fire Officer to ensure the reporting system for incidents involving the improper use of fire-safety equipment was fit-for-purpose. ACTION: Chair, COO. Concern was also expressed about the practice of unattributable damage costs being recovered by splitting the cost between students in the block or hall in which the damage occurred, and about the robustness of the associated appeal process. The Committee recommended that this issue be addressed as part of the above discussion, with input as appropriate from LSU. ACTION: Chair, COO

iv) Ensuring that students in Halls were as well-informed as possible in relation to fire-safety issues was paramount. In this context, the Committee recommended that consideration be given to whether it was possible to enhance the procedures for advising students of the purpose of fire-safety equipment in Hall, and on what they should do in case of a fire. ACTION: Secretary to inform fire-officer

12/23 Possession of Cannabis

DISC12-P15

23.1 Procedure for Dealing with Cases involving Cannabis Possession (minute 11/17.2 refers)

The Committee received an update on the procedure for dealing with cases involving cannabis possession. It was noted that considering straightforward cases as minor offences was effective in minimising the staff resource involved. Clarification was provided that cases were defined as straightforward if there was clear evidence that a student had been found in possession of cannabis, and the student involved had admitted the offence. All other cases were dealt with as major offences.

23.2 Penalties for Incidents Involving Cannabis Possession (minute 12/14(iv) refers)

The Committee noted that guidance on the consistent approach to penalties in cases involving cannabis possession, as developed by Panels in recent years, had been communicated to Hall Wardens.

12/24 Major Offences 2011-12

DISC12-P16

The Committee received a complete summary of major offences dealt with by Student Disciplinary Panels in the 2011-12 academic year. It was noted that the total number of major offences was similar to that in previous years.

12/25 Major Offence Appeals 2011-12

The Committee noted that there had been no appeals against decisions reached and/or penalties imposed by Student Disciplinary Panels in 2011-12. It was agreed that a summary of minor offence appeals should be brought to the next meeting. ACTION: Secretary

12/26 Minor Offences 2011-12

DISC12-P17

26.1 The Committee noted minor offences reported after 29 May 2012, and not therefore presented to the Committee at its meeting in June 2012.

DISC12-P18

26.2 The Committee received a complete summary of minor offences reported in the 2011-12 academic year, and listings of all non-traffic and parking related minor offences by “Offence Type” and “University Officer.”

DISC12-P19

26.3 The Committee received a comparative summary of minor offences in 2010-11 and 2011-12.

12/27 Local Community Newsletters

DISC12-P20

The Committee received the most recent editions of the LSU and LU local community newsletters.

12/28 Dates of Future Meetings in 2012-13

Tuesday 5 February 2013, 2pm

Tuesday 4 June 2013, 10am

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Author – C Dunbobbin