Disciplinaries/Code of Conduct

The Student Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines that outlines how students are expected to behave both on and off campus. It ensures a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for everyone in the university community. By enrolling at Leeds Beckett University, you agree to adhere to these standards.

Key Expectations

• Act with academic integrity
• Listen to and respect the differing perspectives of those from different cultures and backgrounds
• Work together within a positive collaborative learning and working environment, wherever and however, they engage
• Take care with our personal and professional identity, particularly in social and digital interactions and recognise the impact those interactions may have on others.

Here are some examples of what the university would consider misconduct. This list isn’t exhaustive and there are more examples in the policy itself: (inset link : https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/-/media/files/our-university/public-information/information-for-applicants-and-students/student_code_of_conduct.pdf

• Administering drugs or alcohol to an individual without their knowledge or consent (known as spiking);
• Violent behaviour;
• Sexual, racial or other harassment of any student or member of staff of the University or any visitor to the University;
• Threatening, bullying or offensive behaviour or language;
• Antisocial behaviour;
• Supply, possession, use or cultivation of any illegal drug, or any prescription drug which is not prescribed to that student;
• Relying on forged, falsified or fraudulent documentation or other form of deception or dishonesty intended to gain an unfair advantage;
• Behaviour which may compromise the safety of staff, other students or visitors;
• Damage to University property or the property of any student or member of staff of the University, or of a visitor to the University;
• Inappropriate use of social media contrary to the Social Media Policy;
• Any behaviour which may bring the University into disrepute;
• Making accusations against other students or staff which are not substantiated in whole or in part and where there are reasonable grounds to believe the accusations have been made maliciously or in bad faith;

The university will decide whether the issue can be handled at Stage 1 or Stage 2.

Issues that can be dealt with at Stage 1 have to meet the following criteria:

• in the reasonable opinion of the University, it is suitable to be dealt with in this way;
  and
  
• the student consents to the matter being dealt with in this way.
• If the above is not met, then the matter will be dealt with at Stage 2.

The outcomes available to the University under Stage One are:

• No further action to be taken;
• A warning; and/or
• A formal apology in terms to be agreed by the University to any person adversely affected by the misconduct or any damage done to the University's relations with its members or outside community; and/or
• A payment in compensation or restitution for damage or loss; and/or
• A fine not exceeding £100; and/or
• Temporary withdrawal, suspension or reduction of any benefit, facility or privilege available to the student by virtue of his/her status as a student of the University not exceeding 1 week; and/or
• Any other outcome which may be appropriate and proportionate in the circumstances taking into account the fact that the outcome is to be administered under the Stage One procedure and specifically excluding suspension, expulsion or payment of a fine exceeding £100.

• The University may request that an investigation is conducted prior to any hearing. You can ask for one of our LBSU Advice Service Caseworkers to attend an investigation meeting. This will depend on staff availability though.
• You will be informed in writing of the allegations against you and you will be invited to attend a conduct hearing. You can ask for one of our LBSU Advice Service Caseworkers to attend an investigation meeting. This will depend on staff availability though

When misconduct has been found, the outcomes available are any mix of the following:

• No further action to be taken;
• Support arrangements and/or reasonable adjustments be put in place, following any necessary University assessment;
• An action plan be drawn up setting out how the matter will be managed by the School and any requirements to be placed on the student and/or the course team;
• A no contact/no communication order;
• A warning;
• A formal apology in terms to be agreed by the University to any person adversely affected by the misconduct or any damage done to the University's relations with its members or outside community;
• A payment in compensation or restitution for damage or loss;
• A fine not exceeding £500;
• Temporary withdrawal, suspension or reduction of any benefit, facility or privilege available to the student by virtue of his/her status as a student of the University not exceeding 1 week;
• The termination of a student residency agreement in University owned or managed residential accommodation in accordance with the relevant residency agreement;
• Suspension not exceeding 1 year which may be subject to conditions imposed by the University;
• Expulsion;

Any other sanction which may be appropriate in the circumstances. You can find some examples of the types of outcomes that may be imposed at Stage 2 of the Student Code of Conduct for a range of types of misconduct in Annex A of the Code: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/-/media/files/our-university/public-information/information-for-applicants-and-students/student_code_of_conduct.pdf

Yes but only under these grounds:

• Evidence at the hearing was factually incorrect; and/or
• Fresh evidence, which was not available at the original hearing and which may have affected the outcome of the hearing, is available; and/or
• The hearing was flawed on procedural grounds; and /or
• The findings of the hearing were inconsistent with the evidence provided to the hearing; and /or
• The outcome was not reasonable in the circumstances.

AND you must submit the appeal within 10 working days of being notified of the outcome of your conduct hearing. LBSU Advice Service can offer feedback on your appeal draft.