Offences
All our residents have a right to feel safe and comfortable in University accommodation. We will treat seriously any behaviour which risks this. Any action taken will be carried out under the General University Disciplinary Regulations and University Residences Disciplinary Regulations.
There are three levels of offence: minor, serious and major. Residents who commit serious or major offences could be asked to leave their accommodation either temporarily or permanently.
Minor offences
A minor offence is usually something like making excessive noise, being disorderly or causing minor damage to property. Repeat offences may be classified as “serious”.
Residence Life Wardens can give a warning or a fine and in some cases you may be required to attend any appropriate training. You will also be charged for any damage caused.
You may appeal to the Director of Residential Services. If you need any independent advice, or think you've been treated unfairly, you should talk to staff in the Student Advice Centre in the Students’ Union.
Examples of “minor” offences
|
Inconsiderate or inappropriate behaviour |
Min £ (per person) |
Max £ (per person) |
| Behaving in a way that may put the health, safety or welfare of others at risk | 50 | 100 |
|
Inappropriate driving or use of vehicle (in addition to a fine you may have your parking permit revoked) |
20 |
50 |
|
Littering or throwing objects from windows |
20 |
100 |
|
Causing unacceptable levels of noise |
20 |
100 |
|
Verbally abusive or offensive conduct |
20 |
50 |
|
Minor damage to property |
20 |
50 |
|
Fire risks |
Min £ (per person) |
Max £ (per person) |
|
Propping open a fire door, obstructing fire exits or interfering with any self-closing device |
20 |
50 |
|
Interfering with smoke/heat detectors or fire alarm sounders |
50 |
100 |
|
Activating a smoke/heat detector without due care e.g. by cooking |
20 |
100 |
|
Discharging a fire extinguisher without due cause |
Fixed £100 |
|
|
Activating a fire alarm call point negligently or deliberately without due cause |
50 |
100 |
|
Obstructing fire crews, residence staff, residence life wardens, residence life assistants and security staff or refusing to co-operate with them |
Fixed £100 |
|
|
Failure to evacuate the building if there is an alarm |
20 |
50 |
Serious offences
Serious offences can include repeated minor offences, behaviour likely to put the health, safety or welfare of others at risk, causing damage to property, anti-social behaviour – particularly involving other residents – and possession (without intention to supply) of illegal drugs (Class B or lower) or other banned substances.
The Warden reports serious offences to the Director of Residential Services. The Director, or his nominee, will investigate the matter and forward the case to the University Residences Disciplinary Committee for further action.
The residents involved are informed of all the proceedings and paperwork, are given the opportunity to respond to the allegations made and are told the date of any disciplinary hearing which they are required to attend at least 7 days’ prior to the hearing.
Major offences
Major offences are things like: repeated serious offences, causing injury or making serious threats, harassment, abusive or dangerous behaviour, sexual assault, grievous or actual bodily harm, extreme nuisance, damage to or theft of property (usually where the amount is £500 or more), arson or attempted arson, repeated tampering with and/or disabling of security or safety systems, supplying illegal drugs and class A drug activity.
In these cases the chair of the University Residences Disciplinary Committee will send a report to the University Secretary, who will address the issue under the University's General Regulations and notify the police if appropriate. Residents who commit major offences like these could be asked to leave their accommodation either temporarily or for good.
