Guidance on the University Disciplinary Process

Being subject to a disciplinary investigation can be confusing and worrying. Please be assured that help and support is available, and you do not need to navigate the process alone.

• The University can provide support and advice in respect of the disciplinary process, wellbeing support services and what to expect at each stage of the process. The Authorised Officer (the person conducting the investigation e.g. your Hall Warden) in the case, has a duty of care to all students to ensure all parties are fully supported and that an impartial and fair investigation is completed.
• If you would like advice and support on how best to approach the disciplinary process you can also access support from LSU Advice. The Advice team are able to talk through your situation with you and be able to support you in drafting responses and preparing for meetings. For further information and to talk to a member of staff in the Advice team, please visit LSU's Disciplinary, traffic and car parking offences page.
• If you feel you need support because the matter is affecting your mental or physical health and wellbeing, you can access support from Student Services.

• If you admit the alleged breach or do not respond, a sanction may be issued by the Authorised Officer immediately. This may be done verbally, but in all cases will be followed with written confirmation.
• If you deny the alleged breach, or if the Authorised Officer feels they need to collect more information, they may conduct an investigation which might include obtaining accounts from yourself and witnesses. You’ll be provided with any evidence collected prior to or during any meeting with the Authorised Officer, or later if you decline to meet. If you meet with the Authorised Officer you will be entitled to be accompanied; to decline to answer specific questions; and to leave at any time; any adjustments identified will be implemented
• The Authorised Officer will decide, on the balance of probability, whether you are in breach of University discipline, and if so may levy a sanction.

You will be notified in writing of the Authorised Officer’s decision on whether you are in breach of student discipline, and provided with details of any sanction.

Initially, an investigation will take place, as part of which you may be asked to meet with the Authorised Officer to talk about what has happened and your involvement. They will conduct enquiries, and may collect evidence and accounts from other witnesses.

Upon completion of the investigation, if the Chief Operating Officer decides the allegation(s) should be considered by a Student Disciplinary Panel then you will be notified in writing, provided with the related evidence, and asked to respond within 5 working days to admit or deny the allegation(s).

If you admit the alleged breach or do not respond, a Student Disciplinary Panel hearing will normally take place within a further 20 working days. You will have the opportunity to:

1. Submit a written response and any evidence.
2. Submit any mitigation you wish to be considered.
3. Attend the hearing in person.
4. Be accompanied by a person of your choosing (e.g. a friend, relative, or consultant from LSU Advice).

If you deny the alleged breach, you will be given a minimum of 15 working day’s notice of a Student Disciplinary Panel hearing. You will have the opportunity to:

1. Submit a written defence and any evidence.
2. Attend the meeting in person and present your case.
3. Be accompanied by a person of your choosing (e.g. a friend, relative, or consultant from LSU Advice).
4. Call witnesses.

The Student Disciplinary Panel will decide, on the balance of probability, whether you are in breach of University discipline, and if so will provide you with an opportunity to submit mitigation before deciding whether to levy a sanction.

You will be notified in writing of the Student Disciplinary Panel’s decision on whether you are in breach of student discipline, and provided with details of any sanction.

At the commencement of an investigation, the University may find it necessary as a precautionary measure to impose restrictions, whilst enquiries are conducted. Restrictions are not sanctions or a presumption of guilt, but are a measure required to preserve evidence and to safeguard any persons connected to the investigation. You have the right to make representations to request that any restrictions imposed be rescinded or amended. Support and advice to make representation can be provided by the Authorised Officer, LSU Advice and SWAI.

The University’s rules around appropriate behaviour in Ordinance XVII can cover different issues to those covered by criminal offences, and the rules in relation to admissible evidence and proof are different. Therefore, the University may take action in relation to incidents where the police did not take any action.

If a police investigation into an incident is ongoing, the University may decide to suspend its own investigation until the police investigation and any subsequent criminal court case has concluded.  

It is your responsibility to inform the University immediately on being arrested, released without charge, released under investigation, released on police bail, cautioned for, or convicted of any criminal offence. It is advisable to inform the Head of Security Services, or the Deputy Security Manager (Investigations) so appropriate support and safety measures can be implemented.

There are a range of sanctions from formal written warnings and fines for less serious breaches, to suspensions and termination of studies for the most serious. An Adviser from LSU Advice, the Authorised Officer and SWAI will be happy to talk the possibilities through with you.

The Ordinance includes an appeal process and you can appeal in respect of the in breach finding and/or the sanction imposed.

LSU Advice can help identify whether you have grounds for appeal, and assist you in drafting your appeal form. You can also seek information and advice in relation to the appeal process from the University Student Discipline Appeals team. Appeals must be submitted within 10 working days of you being notified of the outcome.

The outcomes of student disciplinary cases under Ordinance XVII will normally be assumed to be private and confidential, and not therefore disclosed to anyone else. However, at the discretion of the Chief Operating Officer, outcomes and general details of sanctions imposed may be disclosed to complainants, where there is a legitimate interest or safeguarding duty to share information. Any disclosure will be justified and proportionate.