Student Conduct

RGU and RGU:Union have a vast array of support and advisory services to ensure students are supported throughout their studies. We recognise that difficulties with academic studies and university life (i.e. not understanding assignments, having multiple tasks to complete, working to financially support your studies, personal circumstances impacting upon you etc...) is an unavoidable part of being at university; however, it is important students actively seek support from the University to ensure any impact on their learning is minimal.

If you are experiencing circumstances in your personal or academic life which are affecting and/or impacting on your academic studies, you should always aim to reach out to your course team or an appropriate welfare support department to ensure appropriate support can be put in place. If these circumstances are significant, you may be encouraged to complete a Coursework Extension Request Form, Deferral Request Form and/or Student Suspension of Studies Request Form.

In cases where support is not sought out, students can sometimes find themselves failing to meet student conduct expectations set out by RGU and may be at risk of committing misconduct. Where misconduct is alleged, students shall be liable to disciplinary procedures provided for in the Student Conduct Procedure.

Misconduct is treated very seriously by RGU and sanctions can be given in the instance misconduct is established. In the instance you have been asked to attend a misconduct hearing, you should read the Student Conduct Procedure to familiarise yourself with the process. If you have any questions/concerns regarding a misconduct hearing and require advice or support, contact RGU:Union Advice & Support.

Student Conduct Expectations

Student Obligations and Student Conduct are specified in the Student Conduct Procedure.

As an overview, it is the obligation of each student to meet attendance requirements, attend assessments and to submit work for assessment on time. You should notify your school of any special circumstances which may adversely affect your academic performance or your ability to undertake an assessment. All University fees, loans, and fines must be settled and, if you are a resident of University accommodation, you should comply with the ’Conditions of Lease’ throughout your tenancy and ensure your rent is paid.

Students are expected to behave courteously and are required to treat University property and equipment with respect. You should not engage in behaviour which is likely to be prejudicial to any other person or to the reputation or good order of the University. As you would expect, students must not attempt to gain unfair advantage in assessments.

Students are also required to abide by all requirements for professional conduct and behaviour defined by an associated professional, statutory and/or regulatory body and must adhere to the requirements of any applicable legislation.
Academic Misconduct

Academic misconduct is defined by the University as any attempt by a student(s) to effect an unfair advantage in an assessment. Students are expected to uphold the principles of "Academic Integrity" and RGU have produced the following video to explain what Academic Integrity means, the implications of academic misconduct and to outline what support is available to help students avoid misconduct.

As noted in the video, Plagiarism (presenting the work of another as original, without acknowledgement of the original source), Contract Cheating (submitting work which has been generated using a range of services provided by a third party), Collusion (submitting work, produced by more than the individual student without prior authorisation, as their own work), Personation (Undertaking, preparing or submitting an assessment in place of the student to whom the grade would be attributed) and Cheating (the processes of trying to gain an unfair advantage) are examples of academic misconduct.

In addition, any student who assists a fellow student commit academic misconduct, shall be deemed to have committed misconduct also!

See the Student Conduct Procedure for further examples of academic misconduct.
Non-academic Misconduct

Non-academic misconduct allegations may refer to any actions or activities engaged in, or services/facilities enjoyed, as a student of RGU, or in the vicinity of any premises owned, leased or managed by the University.

Conduct which may endanger the safety of others, assault or threatening behaviour, discrimination/harassment towards others based on a protected characteristic, harmful or inappropriate acts involving a child or vulnerable adult are a few examples of non-academic misconduct.

Attempts to subvert University processes and breaches of stated instructions/regulations issued by the University, associated professional, statutory and/or regulatory bodies may also be deemed non-academic misconduct as will conduct that brings or could bring, the reputation of the University, or associated professional, statutory and/or regulatory bodies, into disrepute.

In addition, any student who assists a fellow student commit non-academic misconduct, shall be deemed to have committed misconduct also!

See the Student Conduct Procedure for further examples of non-academic misconduct.
Student Misconduct Procedure

When there are reasonable grounds to believe misconduct has taken place, the Head of School will be notified. A misconduct hearing shall be arranged and the student alleged to have committed misconduct shall be informed of the details (date, time, location) and of their entitlement to have support present at the hearing (up to two persons), to call witnesses and of their option to contact RGU:Union for advice and support.

During the misconduct hearing, the panel shall examine the facts of the case and interview the student alleged to have committed misconduct. Where academic misconduct has been alleged, the Head of School may question the student on aspects of their work - methods, key sources, subject knowledge etc…

The student alleged to have committed misconduct shall be afforded every opportunity to explain their circumstances and present any mitigating factors.

In the instance misconduct has not been established, no further action shall be taken. In the instance misconduct has been established, an appropriate and proportionate sanction shall be imposed. Notification of the outcome, and any sanction(s) imposed, should be issued to the student within 5 working days of the misconduct hearing.
Student Misconduct Appeal

Any student wishing to appeal the decision and/or sanction imposed as a result of a misconduct hearing needs to complete the Student Appeal Form: Misconduct. Students are entitled to appeal against the decision and/or the sanction(s) if a Head of School has determined misconduct has been established; however, where a student has admitted to misconduct, they shall only be entitled to appeal against the sanction(s).

An appeal needs to be based on one of grounds listed in the Student Conduct Procedure. As an overview, these are: significant procedural irregularity/material administrative error resulting in an unfair/unreasonable decision; insufficient evidence of alleged misconduct to substantiate the allegation; substantial evidence not previously known at the time of the misconduct hearing and/or which demonstrates a sanction is disproportionate and/or that shows the criteria used to determine a sanction were not appropriately applied.

An appeal needs to be submitted within 10 working days of receiving the outcome of the misconduct hearing. Once submitted, the Head of School copies the appeal, together with a report of the circumstances, to the Assistant Chief Academic Officer and the Academic Quality Officer, who will consider the appeal and either recommended to the principal that the case be dismissed or refer it back to the Head of School or to the Student Appeal Committee. When an appeal has been referred back to the Head of School, they will liaise with staff involved in the original misconduct hearing and reconsider the case.

See the Student Conduct Procedure for further information on the misconduct appeal procedure.

If you have any questions about misconduct hearings or if you are appealing the outcome and/or sanction(s) of a a misconduct hearing and you require advice and/or support, contact RGU:Union Advice & Support.

Contact RGU:Union Advice & Support via the below links or via the chat-widget on this page. If you wish to help improve our service, provide feedback by completing our questionnaire.