Grievance Procedure
Academic Regulations, Policies and Procedures for Students on Taught Programmes Academic Year 2019-20
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Grievance Procedure: Grievances against Students
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Scope of Grievance Procedures
1.1 The following procedures apply in respect of grievances a student or member of
University staff has against another student.
1.2 The aim of these procedures is to settle or address individual grievances promptly
and fairly by methods acceptable to the parties.
1.3 There are separate University procedures relating to grievances which students may
have against members of staff and which members of staff may have against their
colleagues. (For further information contact the Human Resources Department)
1.4 There are also procedures, published by and available from the Union of Students,
available to students with grievances against employees of the Union of Students.
1.5
These procedures relate to matters affecting the personal dealings or relationships of
a student or member of staff with other students of the University and may relate to:
(i)
Sexual, racial or religious harassment;
(ii) Any other behaviour of a bullying, intimidatory or threatening nature;
(iii) Creating or maintaining a hostile studying, working or social environment.
1.6 If it becomes apparent that a grievance cannot be resolved by informal means the
matter will be referred to an appropriate formal procedure (normally the Disciplinary
Procedure).
1.7
These procedures will not normally be used if a period of more than three months
has elapsed since the behaviour complained of occurred.
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Informal Approach
2.1
Where a student or a member of staff (called "the complainant") has a grievance
against another student (called "the harasser"), the complainant (or a friend or
representative) should, wherever possible, request the harasser to stop, making it
clear that the behaviour is unwelcome and unacceptable.
2.2 It is recognised that circumstances may not permit this direct approach, or that the
complainant may prefer to seek the support of a third party, such as an officer of the
Union of Students or a member of staff.
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Grievance Procedure
Academic Regulations, Policies and Procedures for Students on Taught Programmes Academic Year 2019-20
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Reporting a Grievance
3.1 When it is not possible to resolve a grievance directly with the harasser, or when an
informal approach has proved unsuccessful, the matter should be reported to a Dean
of College or Director of Department.
3.2 The Dean of College or Director of Department or their nominee, who shall be
experienced in matters of student conduct and University policies, will take such
steps as they think appropriate to resolve the issue informally.
3.3 A member of staff with a grievance against a student may if they wish (being
reluctant, for example, to engage in any informal negotiation or discussion) disregard
any intermediaries and make a direct approach to the Dean of College or Director of
Department.
3.4
If it appears to the Dean of College or Director of Department or their nominee that
the grievance is trivial, vexatious or invalid, they may dismiss it summarily or take no
action upon it.
3.5
If the Dean of College or Director of Department or their nominee believes that the
grievance may be substantiated, and cannot be resolved by informal means, they
may decide that it should be considered within the University's student disciplinary
procedures.
3.6
The complainant shall have a right of appeal against the decision of the Dean of
College or Director of Department or their nominee to the Academic Registrar, who
will consult with a Deputy Vice-Chancellor before reaching a final decision.
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Grievances against Staff
4.1
If there is a grievance from a student against a member of staff, the student should
contact the Academic Registrar or their representative.
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