If you are accused of a disciplinary offence, you are strongly advised to do the following:

• Respond promptly, when asked, to all correspondence from the University regarding the investigation into the alleged offence.
• Seek advice. The Students' Union will be able to explain the disciplinary procedures and may be able to attend the meetings with you.
• Seek support. Student Wellbeing can provide advice and support. You may also seek support from your Safe and Healthy Relationship Advocate.
• Attend all meetings you are invited to. If you are unable to attend for a genuie reason (scheduled medical procedure, examination, funeral etc.), please let the meeting organiser know as they may be able to reschedule the meeting. If you fail to attend without a valid reason, your case may be considered on the paperwork alone and you may face an additional allegation of 'Contempt of the University's discipline procedures' or 'Failure to co-operate with the University's discipline authorities'.
• Be honest. If you are found to have been untruthful, you may face an additional allegation of misconduct. A Disciplinary Officer or University committee will appreciate your honesty and may consider it in mitigation when considering an appropriate penalty.

Some of the most common examples of misconduct and guidance on standard penalties for those offences are listed in Conduct Regs Annex 1 - Standard penalties for offences.

Definitions of sexual misconduct and bullying and harassment are provided in section 3.1.1 and 3.1.2 of the Conduct Regulations.

It is a disciplinary offence to share learning materials which have been provided to you by a member of academic staff with any person outside the student cohort studying the particular module for which the materials were provided, whether or not you benefit financially from doing so.  Academic staff invest a lot of time in developing learning materials to enhance the learning of their students and the materials belong to them.  If you wish to share any learning materials, you MUST obtain the explicit consent from the member of academic staff first.  

Examples of learning materials, including online and recorded materials, are:

• Forwarding a recording to a student at another university,
• Selling or attempting to sell recordings online
• Uploading recorded learning materials (e.g. a recording of a lecture) to a website or social media (e.g. Facebook).

You will normally be invited to meet with an Investigating Officer. This is your opportunity to answer any allegations of misconduct, provide an explanation of your behaviour and submit any evidence that you wish to be considered in your defence or in mitigation.

Where it is considered appropriate, the Investigating Officer may ask you to provide a written response to the allegations raised against you, instead of asking you to attend an interview. The decision on whether you are required to attend a meeting or to provide a written statement shall rest with the Investigating Officer.

If the alleged disciplinary offence is of a serious nature and/or the alleged behaviour is deemed to put other students or staff at risk, the University may impose a precautionary suspension (or emergency precautionary suspension) or exclusion from University premises (including University accommodation) pending a disciplinary hearing –see Regulation 7 of the Conduct Regulations.

If the allegations against you are considered to be serious or the case is complex, the Serious Misconduct Protocol may be invoked.

You have the right to be accompanied by a registered student of the University, a member of staff, or University Chaplaincy, or a staff member (i.e. Advice SU staff), your Safe and Healthy Relationship Advocate or officer from the Students’ Union.

The role of the person accompanying you to a meeting is one of support, not representation, and you will be expected to answer questions yourself.

If you consider that you have a disability or ongoing condition, you should advise the Investigating Officer as soon as possible so that the appropriate reasonable adjustments can be put in place to help you engage as fully as possible with the disciplinary process. This may entail a consultation with Disability Services.

Once the Investigating Officer is satisfied that they have sufficient information about the alleged misconduct, they will send a report, including a recommendation on how the case should be dealt with, to a Disciplinary Officer. The Disciplinary Officer will read the report and make one of the following decisions:

• Take no further action;
• Consider your case on the paperwork alone (summarily) and make a decision;
• Invite you to a Disciplinary Officer's Hearing; or
• Refer your case to a Committee of Discipline (if the allegations are deemed to be serious in nature and/or you already have a disciplinary record).

Having considered the Investigating Officer Report, the Disciplinary Officer may decide to invite you to a Disciplinary Officer Hearing.

You will be given at least 5 working days’ notice of the date, time and location of this meeting. The invitation will also set out the purpose of the Hearing and possible outcomes.

The Disciplinary Officer Hearing will allow you an additional opportunity to present your side of the story and will also allow the Disciplinary Officer to seek clarification on elements of your case.

You must attend the Disciplinary Hearing, unless you have a good reason (e.g. scheduled medical procedure, examination, funeral etc.); work commitments or holiday arrangements will not be considered good cause.  If you do not attend, the Disciplinary Officer may consider your case on the paperwork alone and you may face an additional allegation of misconduct if it is considered that you have demonstrated contempt for the University’s discipline procedures or have failed to co-operate with the University’s disciplinary authorities.

Following the Disciplinary Officer’s Hearing, the Disciplinary Officer will make a decision and may:

• Dismiss the case against you.
• Give advice and warning.
• Impose a conditional discharge – that no further action be taken provided you fulfil the conditions laid down by the Disciplinary Officer
• Impose a written warning which will stay on your Student Record until graduation. (For a first offence involving excess consumption alcohol, a Disciplinary Officer may offer the option of attending the Alcohol Education Initiative to offset a penalty of a written warning and/or a fine).
• Impose a fine, up to a maximum of £250.
• Require the payment for any loss or damage that resulted directly or indirectly from your misconduct.
• Refer your case to the Committee of Discipline, in consultation with Academic Affairs.*
• Refer your case to Academic Affairs for the Fitness to Practise Procedure to be invoked.*
• Impose an exclusion (involving a selective restriction on, or access to, the University, or prohibition on exercising the functions and/or duties of any office or committee membership in the University or Students’ Union, the exact details to be specified in writing. This does not include exclusion from your course).
• Impose an exclusion for a specified period from University accommodation.

* There is no right of appeal against a referral to a Committee of Discipline, where a finding of guilt has not been made, nor is there an right of appeal against a referral for consideration under the University Fitness to Practise Procedure.

If you withdraw from your degree course during the course of an investigation or proceedings under the Conduct Regulations, the University may either:

• continue with the investigation and hear the allegation of misconduct in your absence without further notice; or
• suspend the investigation and recommence it if you apply for re-admission to the University. Any recommencement of the investigation will (as far as reasonably practical) take place prior to the start of the academic year. Your admission will (in addition to any other conditions e.g. academic conditions) be conditional upon the conclusion of the investigation into the alleged disciplinary offence and your compliance with any penalty or Future Conduct Agreement imposed.

If you are unable to participate because of medical reasons, medical evidence will be required to confirm that this is the case.  Normally, any investigation or proceedings will be postponed until you are deemed fit to participate by a medical professional, or you confirm that you wish to proceed.  If you are unable to participate for medical reasons, you may be required to take a period of temporary withdrawal from the University.

It means that you have been found to have committed a disciplinary offence.  No further action will be taken against you but, if you commit a further disciplinary offence, the Disciplinary Officer or the disciplinary committee may take into account that you were given advice and warning on a previous occasion when deciding the penalty for the subsequent disciplinary offence. 

The standard penalties for each disciplinary offence are detailed in the Conduct Regs Annex 1 - Standard penalties for offences.

It means that you should avoid being involved in any further incidents of misconduct during the remainder of your time at Queen’s.  If you do become involved in any further misconduct during your time at the University, the original offence may be reconsidered and a penalty imposed for it in addition to any penalty imposed for the further offence(s).

The standard penalties for each disciplinary offence are detailed in the Conduct Regs Annex 1 - Standard penalties for offences.

The AEI provides an opportunity for students, who accept that alcohol played a part in the disciplinary offence they committed, to learn about and consider the risks of excessive alcohol consumption. 

You may be offered the opportunity of attending an AEI as an alternative to a written warning and/or a fine.  You must complete all elements of the AEI; if you do not complete all elements, the original fine and/or written warning will be imposed.

Your School will be informed that you have been involved in an incident of misconduct and have received a written warning.  This will remain on your Student Record until you graduate from your programme of study.  A written warning is like a ‘yellow card’; there will be more serious consequences if you are involved in another incident of misconduct.

If you are studying on an accredited programme (such as Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing and Midwifery, Social Work, professional legal training and some Psychology and Education programmes), your School may also consider invoking the Fitness to Practise Procedure.

The letter that you receive informing you that you have received a fine will also give you details on how to pay it. If you require further clarification please email the University’s Community Engagement Office (community@qub.ac.uk or call 02890 973758).

The University recognises that students may have difficulty paying a fine.  Should you receive a fine for misconduct, you are advised to contact the University’s Community Engagement Office (community@qub.ac.uk or call 02890 973758) who can advise you on paying a fine, by instalments if necessary.

If you are unhappy with the decision of a Disciplinary Officer you may appeal the decision to a Committee of Discipline.  You cannot appeal the decision to refer your case to a Committee of Discipline or a decision to refer your case for consideration under the Fitness to Practise Procedure.

See "I wish to appeal the decision of the Disciplinary Officer" for further information.

Why is the University concerned about off-campus behaviour?

The Conduct Regulations are in place to protect the well-being of the students, staff, the wider community and the reputation of the University.  As a Queen’s student, you have a responsibility to ensure that your behaviour does not have an adverse impact on the University’s environment, its reputation, your neighbours, the local community or those who work or study at the University.  At registration and enrolment, you agreed to abide by the terms of the Student Charter and the University’s Regulations, including the Conduct Re.

In order to prevent students being brought before the courts for incidents of minor anti-social disturbance, the Belfast City Council and the Police have agreed that they will report allegations of off-campus student misconduct to the local universities who will deal with it under their respective conduct regulations.  This may prevent you from being convicted of a criminal offence and acquiring a criminal record. 

The main role of the statutory agencies is to record the details of the incident of misconduct and forward to the universities.  However, action may also be taken by Belfast City Council or the Police if those agencies consider it necessary or appropriate.

Engaging in misconduct could result in you receiving a criminal record, may prevent you from obtaining your degree and could jeopardise your career.  For more information please see Students in the Community. 

I live in a student area so why can’t I have a big party in my rental accommodation?

Despite being home to large groups of students, the area around the University is not solely occupied by students. You share the area with long-term residents both from Northern Ireland and abroad, families and young professionals as well as other students. Everyone, including you, is entitled to live without being disturbed by excessive noise or other annoyance. 

You should also make sure that you follow any Government guidance in relation to social distancing and wearing of masks etc. or any advice and guidance issued by the Public Health Authority or the University in relation to the current Covid-19 pandemic.

My neighbours are causing excessive noise, what can I do?

The Belfast City Council Noise Team and the Police will deal with complaints about excessive noise. They will attempt to resolve the situation but will also report the property address to the local universities who will then investigate the incident further. You, as a resident of the local area, may make a complaint about excessive noise.

You may also wish to speak to the Community Engagement Team if you are experiencing difficulties with your neighbours.

If you are appealing against the decision of a Disciplinary Officer, you should complete the Form for Appeal to a Committee of Discipline.

If you are appealing against the decision of a Committee of Discipline, you should complete the Form for Appeal to a Student Discipline Appeals Committee and you should refer to the guidance set out in the "I have been referred to a Committee of Discipline" section below.

If you are unhappy with the decision of a Disciplinary Officer, you may appeal the decision to a Committee of Discipline. You cannot appeal the decision to refer your case to a Committee of Discipline or a decision to refer your case for consideration under the Fitness to Practise Procedure.

You have 10 working days from the notification of the Disciplinary Officer's decision to submit an appeal. The Disciplinary Officer's decision letter will usually outline the date by which you must submit your appeal on the Form for Appeal to a Committee of Discipline, and you must set out clearly the ground(s) of appeal and how you consider that you meet the ground(s) of appeal. It is recommended that, with your appeal form, you also submit any supporting evidence you may have to demonstrate how you meet the grounds of appeal.

The grounds of appeal are:

i. New evidence has become available which could not have been provided to the Disciplinary Officer.

ii. There has been a procedural irregularity in the conduct of the investigation or Disciplinary Officer Hearing which had a demonstrable impact on the decision.

iii. The decision of the Disciplinary Officer was too severe or inappropriate.

It is strongly recommended that you seek advice on preparing your appeal from Advice SU.

Late appeals

Appeals received after the specified deadline will not be considered unless you can evidence circumstances beyond your control which caused the appeal to be late, e.g. hospitalisation. You must be able to demonstrate that something unforeseen occurred at the time of the appeal deadline or that, due to the state of your health at the time of the appeal deadline, you were unable to engage with the University process and to submit an appeal on time. 

What should I do if I think I have sufficient cause and wish to submit a late appeal?

If you wish to submit a late appeal, along with your Form for Appeal to a Committee of Discipline and supporting evidence, you must also submit a written statement (with supporting evidence) detailing the reasons for your late appeal.

The members of a Committee of Discipline are:

• A Dean, Professional Support Director or senior member of academic / academic support staff (who will normally act as Chair).
• A Head of School or Director of Education.*
• A Disciplinary Officer.
• A Students’ Union Sabbatical Officer.

*A Disciplinary Officer may attend in the place of a Head of School or Director of Education.

If you are studying at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies, membership of the Committee of Discipline will also include:

• A member of the Inn of Court of Northern Ireland; and
• A member of the Law Society of Northern Ireland nominated by the Council of Legal Education.

You will be invited to attend the Committee of Discipline to present your appeal. You will be given at least five working days’ written notice of the date, time and location of your Committee meeting. You will also receive copies of all the paperwork and supporting evidence. 

The Disciplinary Officer or Investigating Officer (or nominee), will also be invited to the Committee of Discipline explain the reasons for the decision. 

You must attend the meeting of the Committee of Discipline, unless you have a good reason (e.g. scheduled medical procedure, examination, funeral etc.); work commitments or holiday arrangements will not be considered good cause.  If you do not attend, the Committee may consider your case on the paperwork alone.

Given the current uncertainty caused by the global coronavirus pandemic, you may be asked to attend your Committee of Discipline meeting virtually using the Microsoft Teams software (free to download for all QUB staff and students), rather than in person. The University will continue to adhere to guidance issued by the Public Health Agency and details of safety precautions in place for your Committee of Discipline meeting will be provided in your invitation letter.

If you are invited to an ‘in person’ Committee of Discipline meeting but wish to attend virtually instead, it may be possible to arrange your attendance by Microsoft Teams. You should discuss arrangements for your Committee of Discipliine with the Appeals and Complaints team (appeals@qub.ac.uk).

The meeting will run as follows:

• The Chair will:
• Introduce the Committee, and other persons present;
• Explain the purpose of the hearing and the possible outcomes;
• Explain that students are expected to be truthful and honest; and
• Explain that you are not permitted to record the meeting.
• You will then be invited to outline your case and explain how you meet the grounds of appeal.
• The Investigating Officer or Disciplinary Officer will then be asked to summarise the case, explain the decision to issue the penalty imposed and respond to any other points of your appeal.
• Committee members may then ask you and the Investigating Officer/Disciplinary Officer questions for clarification.   You may also ask questions of the Investigating Officer/Disciplinary Officer.
• You will then be invited to provide any final comments.
• The Investigating Officer/Disciplinary Officer will be invited to provide any final comments.
• Once the Committee is satisfied that all relevant information has been submitted, everyone, except the members of the Committee making the decision and the Secretariat, will leave the meeting.

The Committee will consider your case and the decision will be sent to your QUB email address normally within eight working days of the decision being made. Please note that you may be invited to attend a meeting with a member of Advice SU and/or a member of the Appeals and Complaints team to receive your outcome in person.

If the Committee of Discipline was considering your appeal against the decision of a Disciplinary Officer, it will either:

• Uphold the appeal in full or in part and rescind the original penalty imposed by the Disciplinary Officer in full or in part; or
• Dismiss the appeal and confirm the original penalty imposed by the Disciplinary Officer.

If you appealed the decision of a Disciplinary Officer to the Committee of Discipline, there is no further internal right of appeal.  However, you may submit a complaint about maladministration to the Officer of the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman within six months of the decision of the Committee of Discipline.

A Committee of Discipline considers allegations of more serious misconduct or misconduct by students who already have a disciplinary record (see Conduct Regulation 3.1.12).  It also considers appeals against the decision of a Disciplinary Officer.

The members of a Committee of Discipline are:

• A Dean, Professional Support Director or senior member of academic / academic support staff (who will normally act as Chair).
• A Head of School or Director of Education.*
• A Disciplinary Officer.
• A Students’ Union Sabbatical Officer.

*A Disciplinary Officer may attend in the place of a Head of School or Director of Education.

If you are studying at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies, membership of the Committee of Discipline will also include:

• A member of the Inn of Court of Northern Ireland; and
• A member of the Law Society of Northern Ireland nominated by the Council of Legal Education.

You will be invited to attend the Committee of Discipline to answer questions about your alleged misconduct.  You will be given at least five working days’ written notice of the date, time and location of your Committee meeting.  You will also receive copies of all the paperwork and supporting evidence. 

The Disciplinary Officer or Investigating Officer (or nominee), will also be invited to the Committee of Discipline to set out the case against you.  You will be given the opportunity to respond and to give your side of the story. 

You must attend the meeting of the Committee of Discipline, unless you have a good reason (e.g. scheduled medical procedure, examination, funeral etc.); work commitments or holiday arrangements will not be considered good cause.  If you do not attend, the Committee may consider your case on the paperwork alone and you may face an additional allegation of misconduct if it is considered that you have demonstrated contempt for the University’s discipline procedures or have failed to co-operate with the University’s disciplinary authorities.

Given the current uncertainty caused by the global coronavirus pandemic, you may be asked to attend your Committee of Discipline meeting virtually using the Microsoft Teams software (free to download for all QUB staff and students), rather than in person. The University will continue to adhere to guidance issued by the Public Health Agency and details of safety precautions in place for your Committee of Discipline meeting will be provided in your invitation letter.

If you are invited to an ‘in person’ Committee of Discipline meeting but wish to attend virtually instead, it may be possible to arrange your attendance by Microsoft Teams. You should discuss arrangements for your Committee of Discipline with the Appeals and Complaints team (appeals@qub.ac.uk).

The meeting will run as follows:

• The Chair will:
• Introduce the Committee, and other persons present;
• Explain the purpose of the hearing and the possible outcomes;
• Explain that students are expected to be truthful and honest;
• Explain that you are not permitted to record the meeting; and
• Detail the allegation(s) of misconduct raised against you.
• The Investigating Officer/Disciplinary Officer will present the case against you.
• You will then be invited to respond to the allegations.
• Committee members may then ask you and the Investigating Officer/Disciplinary Officer questions for clarification. You may also ask the Investigating Officer/Disciplinary Officer questions.
• You will then be invited to provide any final comments.
• The Investigating Officer/Disciplinary Officer will be invited to provide any final comments.
• Once the Committee is satisfied that all relevant information has been submitted, everyone, except the members of the Committee making the decision and the Secretariat, will leave the meeting.

The Committee will consider your case and the decision will be sent to your QUB email address normally within eight working days of the decision being made. Please note that you may be invited to attend a meeting with a member of Advice SU and/or a member of the Appeals and Complaints team to receive your outcome in person.

If your case has been referred to a Committee of Discipline by a Disciplinary Officer, the Committee of Discipline may:

• Dismiss the case against you.
• Give advice and warning.
• Impose a conditional discharge – that no further action be taken provided you fulfil the conditions laid down by the Disciplinary Officer
• Impose a written warning which will stay on your Student Record until graduation.
• Impose a fine, up to a maximum of £250.
• Require the payment for any loss or damage that resulted directly or indirectly from your misconduct.
• Refer your case to Academic Affairs for the Fitness to Practise Procedure to be invoked.*
• Impose an exclusion (involving a selective restriction on, or access to, the University, or prohibition on exercising the functions and/or duties of any office or committee membership in the University or Students’ Union, the exact details to be specified in writing. This does not include exclusion from your course).
• Impose an exclusion for a specified period from University accommodation.
• Impose a fine, not exceeding £500 per offence.
• Impose a suspension involving the total prohibition on attendance at or access to University facilities and on any participation in University activities; but it may be subject to qualification, such as permission to attend for the purpose of an examination. Students under suspension will not be eligible to enrol or graduate.
• Impose a permanent exclusion from University accommodation.
• Impose an expulsion from the University.

* There is no right of appeal against a referral for consideration under the University Fitness to Practise Procedure.

If your case was referred directly to a Committee of Discipline and you are unhappy with the outcome, you may appeal to a Student Discipline Appeals Committee.  You have 10 working days from the notification of the Committee of Discipline’s decision to submit an appeal.  The Committee of Discipline decision letter will outline the date by which you must submit your appeal as well as the grounds of appeal.  You must submit your appeal on the Form for Appeal to a Student Discipline Appeals Committee, and you must set out clearly the ground/s of appeal and how you consider that you meet the ground/s of appeal.  It is recommended that, with your appeal form, you also submit any supporting evidence you may have to demonstrate how you meet the grounds of appeal.

The grounds of appeal are:

i. New evidence has become available which could not have been provided to the Committee of Discipline

ii. There has been a procedural irregularity in the conduct of the investigation or the Committee of Discipline proceedings which had a demonstrable impact on the decision.

iii. The decision of the Committee of Discipline was too severe or inappropriate.

It is strongly recommended that you seek advice on preparing your appeal from Advice SU.

Appeals received after the specified deadline will not be considered unless you can evidence circumstances beyond your control which caused the appeal to be late, e.g. hospitalisation. See the Late Appeals section within "I don’t agree with the decision of the Disciplinary Officer, what should I do?" for further information.

If you were suspended, excluded or expelled from the University by a Committee of Discipline (and you are not subject to a Precautionary Suspension or Exclusion, or Emergency Precautionary Suspension or Exclusion), you may normally attend class, participate in practical sessions and complete assessments pending the outcome of your appeal to the Student Discipline Appeals Committee. You must notify your Head of School that you wish to attend class and/or complete assessments, and in certain circumstances, the Head of School may refuse to grant you permission. Please note that you will not be permitted to graduate or to attend any external or clinical placements pending the outcome of an appeal to the Student Discipline Appeals Committee.

If you appealed the decision of a Disciplinary Officer to the Committee of Discipline, there is no further internal right of appeal.  However, you may submit a complaint of maladministration to the Office of the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman within six months of the date of notification of the decision of the Committee of Discipline.

A Student Discipline Appeals Committee considers appeals against the decision of a Committee of Discipline. The members of a Student Discipline Appeals Committee are:

i. A Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Dean or Professional Support Director or nominee (Chair).

ii. The Registrar and Chief Operating Officer or nominee.

iii. Two Heads of School or Directors of Education.

iv. The President of the Students’ Union or nominee.

If you are studying at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies, membership of the Student Discipline Appeals Committee will also include:

• A member of the Inn of Court of Northern Ireland; and
• A member of the Law Society of Northern Ireland nominated by the Council of Legal Education.

The meeting will run as follows:

• The Chair will:
• Introduce the Committee, and other persons present;
• Explain the purpose of the hearing and the possible outcomes;
• Explain that students are expected to be truthful and honest; and
• Explain that you are not permitted to record the meeting.
• You will then be invited to outline your case and explain how you meet the grounds of appeal.
• The Chair of the Committee of Discipline (or nominee) will then be asked to summarise the case, explain the decision to issue the penalty imposed and respond to any points of your appeal.
• Committee members may then ask you and the Chair of the Committee of Discipline (or nominee) questions for clarification.  You may also ask the Chair of the Committee of Discipline (or nominee) questions.
• You will then be invited to provide any final comments.
• The Chair of the Committee of Discipline (or nominee) will be invited to provide any final comments.
• Once the Committee is satisfied that all relevant information has been submitted, everyone, except the members of the Committee making the decision and the Secretariat, will leave the meeting.

The Committee will consider your case and the decision will be sent to your QUB email address normally within eight working days of the decision being made. Please note that you may be invited to attend a meeting with a member of Advice SU and/or a member of the Appeals and Complaints team to receive your outcome in person.

The Committee will consider your appeal in relation to the ground/s of your appeal and will make one of the following decisions:

i. Uphold the appeal in full or in part and rescind the original penalty imposed by the Committee of Discipline in full or in part as appropriate. The Student Discipline Appeals Committee may impose a different penalty, less severe than that imposed by the Committee of Discipline.

ii.Dismiss the appeal and confirm the original penalty imposed by the Committee of Discipline.

The decision of the Student Discipline Appeals Committee is final, and there is no further internal right of appeal.

However, you may submit a complaint about maladministration to the Office of the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman.  Complaints to the Ombudsman must be made within 6 months of notification of the decision of the Student Discipline Appeals Committee.