Student Services

The Student Misconduct Regulations in Part P of the University’s General Regulations provide a means for you to raise a complaint about alleged misconduct involving another student or students of the University to attempt to get the issue resolved. ie, bullying and harassment.

The University’s authority regarding alleged student misconduct is not limited to its own premises, nor to behaviour which occurs in the UK. The Regulations therefore apply to behaviour both on and off campus (including online); provided the alleged victim is a student or member of staff of the University, the University itself, or others visiting, working, or studying at the University; and to alleged misconduct which relates to University activities (including students taking up residence in the local community). The University cannot act in the place of a private landlord or the police.

The University’s definition of misconduct involves actions which fall into one (or more) of the categories below:

• actions that cause actual or potential distress or harm to others (regardless of intention);
• actions that disrupt the normal operations of the University and/or safe use of the University including bringing the University into disrepute;
• actions that cause actual or potential damage to property;
• actions that interfere with the work/study of others or impact on the University’s normal operations;
• failure to disclose any criminal investigation or conviction, court or legal order, in process or obtained whilst as a student, or if prior to enrolment is found would impair a student’s ability to study on the basis of safeguarding;

An allegation of misconduct against a student can be reported by another student, a member of University staff or a person external to the University.

The University will not normally investigate anonymous allegations. If a complainant has legitimate concerns about their identity being disclosed as part of a student misconduct investigation, they should advise Secretariat on submission of the allegation so that the University can consider what, if any, steps can be taken to safeguard the right of the complainant as well as the student(s) against whom the allegations are being made.

A report of alleged misconduct must be made within 3 months of the date of the alleged misconduct occurring. However, it is recognised that it can be difficult for individuals to bring reports forward within these timeframes in cases of alleged serious misconduct. If a report is received after this time period has elapsed, then the Deputy University Secretary will be asked to decide whether the report should be exceptionally accepted for consideration under the Regulations.

The Students’ Union (SU) has its own disciplinary policy for its members and, when exhausted, the SU may refer students to the University’s process.

You can find the formal Misconduct Complaint form on OneUni – Support – Student Contention.

Alternatively you can contact a Student Complaints Officer in Secretariat by emailing: secretariatemail@lincoln.ac.uk and requesting a Student Misconduct Complaint form. The form will guide you on how to set out the details of your case.

Further information can be found in the: Student Misconduct Regulations