Part E: Suspension and exclusion powers

 

Definitions

i.             ‘Exclusion’ means the temporary removal of access to University Property and Services and not permanent Expulsion from the University.

 

1.            Vice-Chancellor’s powers

1.1          The Vice-Chancellor has the power to act on behalf of Senate to temporarily exclude or suspend you from some or all of:

1.1.1      the University (SSEPAS – suspension from studies and exclusion from all University Property, events, and Services)

1.1.2      some University Property (EP – exclusion from Property)

1.1.3      some or all of your class/classes or part or all of any programme of study (SS – whole or partial suspension from studies).

Guidance: It is not possible to exclude a student from all University Property as this would be an effective suspension from studies. If such exclusion is necessary, it should be SSEPAS.

1.2          The power set out in paragraph 1.1 must only be exercised if the purpose of the exclusion or suspension is

1.2.1      to enable a full and proper investigation to be carried out by the Police and/or University; and/or

1.2.2      to protect you or someone else while an allegation is being investigated by the Police and/or University pending the outcome of criminal and/or disciplinary proceedings.

and a risk assessment has undertaken by the University, the outcome of which indicates that suspension or exclusion of the kind contemplated is in the professional judgment of the Vice Chancellor on the advice of the Director of Student Services necessary to meet these purposes.

Guidance: We only use precautionary suspensions where necessary to meet the aims set out at 1.2. It is not a disciplinary outcome and is not automatic but depends on a risk assessment in each case. That is an issue of professional judgment. Without limiting the above, this power is most likely to be used where a student presents a serious risk to the safety of themselves, or the University, its staff, officers, or visitors. This may be where there is a pending criminal investigation or proceeding.

1.3         The Vice-Chancellor must specify any exceptions to the effects of suspension/exclusion that are described in sections 9 and 10 below. If the Vice-Chancellor does not do so, the provisions of the relevant paragraph shall apply in full.

1.4          The imposition of a temporary suspension and/or exclusion is a precautionary measure only. It is not a penalty or sanction and does not indicate that the university has concluded that you have committed a breach of the Regulations or a criminal offence.

1.5          Where such suspension and/or exclusion is contemplated, the Vice- Chancellor must provide you with the opportunity to make representations (whether verbal or written) about that. These representations must be limited to the need for suspension and/or exclusion and not to the substantive breach of the Regulations that have given rise to the exercise of this power.

1.6          However, where the Vice-Chancellor believes that the situation is so urgent that it cannot wait for you to have the opportunity to make representations, they can suspend and/or exclude you with immediate effect provided that you are given the opportunity to make representations within 5 working days of the suspension/expulsion.

Guidance: You have the right at any time to challenge the precautionary suspension or exclusion, such as by challenging the need for one, or if one is in place by asking us to end it or change its terms or undertake a fresh risk assessment. To challenge the suspension or exclusion, you should contact the Vice Chancellor in writing. No particular form is required. The Vice Chancellor will consider what you say and decide whether it is necessary for the suspension or exclusion to continue. Whatever decision is made by the Vice Chancellor, he or she will report on the suspension/exclusion and any challenges you make to the next meeting of Senate (see 1.8 below).

1.7          The Vice-Chancellor must, immediately following investigation or, if there are pending criminal proceedings, at the conclusion of those, refer the case to the Senate Student Discipline Committee in order that a Panel convened in accordance with Part F of these procedures can consider the alleged breach(es) of the Regulations.

1.8          The Vice-Chancellor must also report the suspension/exclusion to the next meeting of Senate, and Senate may, if it thinks fit, terminate the suspension/exclusion from the date of that Senate meeting or any future date.

1.9          Every four weeks from the date of the suspension/exclusion, the Vice- Chancellor must review the need for suspension/exclusion in light of any developments or written representations made by you or on your behalf.

1.10       The suspension or exclusion will last until either the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings or (if earlier) the termination of the suspension/exclusion by the Vice-Chancellor or Senate.

1.11       The Vice-Chancellor may authorise a Deputy-Vice-Chancellor or Pro-Vice- Chancellor to exercise the powers and duties set out in this paragraph 1 on their  behalf.

1.12       The powers set out in this paragraph 1 are in addition to the more specific powers set out below.

 

2.            SSEP for students in breach of Immigration Rules

2.1          The University is the licensed sponsor of your student visa and it has a number of duties that it must comply with. As part of those duties, the University’s Visa Policy, Operations and Compliance Manager will monitor your compliance with the Immigration Rules, to ensure that you comply with the conditions of leave of your visa, and will recommend to the Director of Academic Services (or, in the case of postgraduate research students, the Director of the Research and Innovation Division) that you be suspended if you are failing to comply.

2.2          The relevant Director is authorised by Senate to immediately suspend you if you are not, in their judgement, compliant with the conditions of leave of your visa.

2.3          The suspension will be a SSEP (see section 9 below).

2.4          If you inform the Director of Student and Academic Services (or, in the case of postgraduate research students, the Director of the Research and Innovation Division) within 5 working days of suspension that you wish to return to studies on the basis that:

2.4.1      you can demonstrate to their satisfaction that you have been compliant with the requirements and conditions of leave of your visa, and that these conditions include the necessary conditions to study; and

2.4.2      your School supports your return to study,

you may be permitted to return to studies. Where the University is your sponsor, if you do not respond within 5 working days and/or you cannot demonstrate to their satisfaction that you have been compliant with the requirements and conditions of leave of your visa then the University will withdraw sponsorship of your visa. As a result of this withdrawal of sponsorship of your visa you will no longer have a right to study at the University and you will be withdrawn from the University. As a consequence your leave to remain in the United Kingdom will be curtailed. If you wish to return to your studies you will be required to interrupt your studies and, provided that your School supports your return to study, repeat the year or semester during which you were suspended. During this period you will be a Student Interrupting Their Period of Study in accordance with General Regulation 3.

2.5          The operation of suspensions for students in breach of the conditions of leave of their visa or under immigration laws will be kept under review by the Visa Policy, Operations and Compliance Manager.

Guidance: Return to study for student visa holders is addressed at paragraph 11 below.

Guidance: You must supply documents for any evidence to support your demonstration of compliance (e.g. letter from your doctor). If the original document is not written in English you must provide a certified translation.

 

3.            SSEP due to an infectious illness

3.1          In accordance with Regulation 27.3, you must comply with the terms of any quarantine imposed by the Director of Student Services.

3.2          The Director of Student Services can immediately suspend and exclude you if you are not compliant with the terms of a quarantine imposed upon you.

3.3          Such suspension and exclusion shall come to an end upon receipt of a certificate from a medical practitioner licensed by the General Medical Council which says that you no longer present a risk of infection to other people.

3.4          The operation of infectious illness suspensions/exclusions will be kept under review by the Director of Student Services.

 

4.            SSEP pending results of tuberculosis screening

4.1          The Director of Student Services may immediately suspend and exclude you if you are required by Regulation 26 to undertake tuberculosis screening by University Medical Centre and your screening results are not available within 42 days of registration at the University.

4.2          You will be suspended and excluded from the University (and therefore from University Property including University Residences) until the screening process is completed.

4.3          In the event that your screening is positive for tuberculosis, paragraph 3 above shall apply.

4.4          The operation of tuberculosis screening suspensions/exclusions will be kept under review by the Director of Student Services.

 

5.            Placement suspensions

5.1            Your Head of School can suspend you from a placement if you are alleged to be in breach of Regulation 14 (professional misconduct and/or unsuitability/fitness to practise) and the Head of School considers that it is necessary to suspend you in the interests of safeguarding or because the placement provider does not agree to you attending placement.

5.2          Your Head of School can suspend you from a placement if you are alleged to be in breach of Regulation 28 (placements).

5.3          The imposition of a temporary suspension and/or exclusion is a precautionary measure only. It is not a penalty or sanction and does not indicate that the University has concluded that you have committed a breach of the Regulations or a criminal offence.

5.4          In each case under paragraph 5.1 or 5.2 above, the Head of School must immediately commence an investigation into the allegations.

5.5          If the Head of School believes that a Suspension from Study (SS) or a Suspension from Study and University Property and Services (SSEP) is necessary in addition to the suspension from placement, they should notify the Vice-Chancellor in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Part.

5.5          Where a student is on a placement which is not a clinical or professional placement, but is, for example an industrial placement, suspension/exclusion pending investigation and referral to SSDC may not take place under this paragraph 5 but may be appropriate under paragraph 1 (Vice-Chancellor’s powers).

5.6          The progress of placement investigations and suspensions from placement must be kept under review by the Head of School, with support from the School’s Learning and Teaching Service Manager. For students on a programme of study leading to a professional doctorate, support will be provided by the Postgraduate Research Service.

Guidance: Possible outcomes of the investigation: (a) reinstatement on the existing placement including completion of the assessment requirements (b) the offer of a new placement with an alternative provider (c) change of course/module selection (d) referral to a Fitness to Practise Panel or Professionalism Committee (e) referral to a Senate Student Disciplinary Panel under Regulation 14.

Guidance: The decision as to whether to impose a SS, EP or a (wider) SSEP will depend on the nature of the concerns relating to the student.

 

6.            Suspension or exclusion as a disciplinary penalty

6.1.        Senate Student Discipline Committee, whether as the result of a Chair’s Summary Determination or a Panel hearing, may use suspension or exclusion as a penalty for breach of a Regulation or Regulations (see Part G: Penalties).

6.2.        Suspensions or exclusions resulting from a penalty imposed by a SSDC panel will be kept under review by the  Associate Director of Academic Services (Quality) or, in the case of postgraduate research students, the Head of the Postgraduate Research Service.

 

7.            SSEP for failure to pay fees and charges (Regulation 30)

7.1.         In accordance with Regulation 30.1, if you do not pay all outstanding fees and charges to the University by the due date and you have not agreed with the University a revised payment timetable, you may be suspended and excluded by the University until such time as the fees and charges are paid in full. If the sum or any part thereof remains outstanding for more than twelve months, you will be automatically withdrawn from the University unless the University expressly agrees otherwise.

7.2.         If you have been suspended and excluded from the University for non-payment of debt and you then clear your debts, you may apply for readmission to your programme of study. Payment of the debt will be taken as your application to return to your course.

7.3.         Operation of suspensions under this paragraph will be kept under review by the Learning and Teaching Service (or, if you are a postgraduate research student, the Postgraduate Research Service), with support from the Finance Division.

 

8.            Effect of suspension from study and exclusion from University Property and Services (SSEP)

 

8.1.         If you have been suspended from study and excluded from University Property you may not attend any teaching (e.g. lecture, seminar, supervision, laboratory session etc.) or organised study event, whether online or in person. You may not enter or make use of University Property: You are excluded from all property owned, controlled or managed by the University. Your University email address may be closed and if this happens you will be required to provide an alternative email address we can use for correspondence.

8.2.         You may not submit coursework or sit examinations or course tests during the period of your suspension. Material submitted for assessment prior to the date of suspension (essays, course tests, exam scripts etc.) will be marked in accordance with usual practice, but you will not receive any award to which you may otherwise be entitled pending resolution of the reason(s) for the suspension. The mark will remain provisional and will not be confirmed by the Board of Examiners until the suspension is lifted.

8.3.         You may not access any of the central University Services (e.g. Library, IT systems, including your University email account, or, as a student, the Sportspark and car park), unless specific permission is granted by the Director of Student Services or someone acting on their behalf (for example, to give you permission to attend a meeting or an appointment at Student Services or the University Medical Centre).

8.4.         You may continue to access non-academic information, advice and guidance offered by Student Services but by telephone or email only unless prior agreement has been obtained from the Director of Student Services or someone acting on their behalf so that you can come on campus for a specific appointment.

8.5.         You will be required to vacate any University Residences for which you hold a licence and, in the case of an assured tenancy agreement, the University may take legal steps to evict you.

8.6.         Applications to Student Services for loans and/ or grants will not normally be considered during the period of suspension.

8.7.         If you break the terms of a suspension from study and exclusion from University Property and Services the University may commence immediate disciplinary proceedings under Regulation 10.1.10 as a result.

 

9.            Effect of suspension from study  (SS)

9.1.        If you have been suspended from study you may not attend any teaching (e.g. lecture, seminar, supervision, laboratory session etc.) or organised study event whether online or in person.

9.2.        You may not submit coursework or sit examinations or course tests during the period of your suspension. Material submitted for assessment prior to the date of suspension (essays, course tests, exam scripts etc.) will be marked in accordance with usual practice, but you will not receive any award to which you may otherwise be entitled pending resolution of the reason(s) for the suspension. The mark will remain provisional and will not be confirmed by the Board of Examiners until the suspension is lifted.

9.3.        You may continue to seek the advice of your Adviser or Senior Adviser (or, in the case of postgraduate research students, your Supervisor or School Postgraduate Research Director) and access all central Services as normal (Library, email and web facilities, Student Services, etc.).

9.4.        Unless we say otherwise, you can attend or take part in any activities organised by or on behalf of the University.

9.5.        If you break the terms of a suspension from study the University may commence immediate disciplinary proceedings as a result.

               

9A.          Effect of suspension from University Property only (PP) 

  1.  

9A.1 If you are excluded from some University Property only, we will let you know from which Property you are excluded. This may include your residential accommodation pursuant to the terms and conditions of your licence at 5.3 or an accommodation swap at 8.1.

9A.2 If you break the terms of this suspension, the University may commence immediate disciplinary proceedings under General Regulation 10.1.10 as a result.

 

10.          Effect of suspension/exclusion on those with student visas

In accordance with its legal obligations, the University will notify UK Visas and Immigration within 10 working days of your Suspension from Study or Suspension from Study and Exclusion from University Property and Services that it is withdrawing sponsorship of your visa. As a result of that withdrawal of sponsorship, your permission to remain in the United Kingdom will be curtailed. You will be required to return to your home country and it will be necessary to apply for a new visa should you be permitted to return to the University.

 

11.          Return from SS or SSEPAS

11.1.      The University will tell you the period of SS or SSEPAS and any conditions that must be fulfilled prior to the lifting of it. Subsequent completion of the course must be within the maximum allowable timeframe, normally the duration of the course plus two years.

11.2.      With the exception of the situations described in 7.2, 11.4 and 11.5, when the period is due to end, or the relevant conditions have been fulfilled, you must apply to return to study by making an application to the Director of Academic Services (or, in the case of postgraduate research students, the Director of the Research and Innovation Division).

Guidance: With the exception of 7.2, 11.4 and 11.5, the obligation on the part of various officers of the University to monitor operation of the SS and SSEP powers does not mean you don’t have to make an application: it is your responsibility to make an application to return.

11.3.      The Director of Academic Services (or, in the case of postgraduate research applicants, the Director of the Research and Innovation Division) will:

11.3.1.   Seek the permission of the Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor Education and Cirriculum (or, in the case of postgraduate research students, the Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor UEA Doctoral College readmit you. They will consider the length of time that you were suspended.

11.3.2.   Consult with the relevant Faculty and the Director of Student Services (and, in the case of student visa holders, the Visa Policy, Operations and Compliance Manager, on whether you have extant leave to return to study) and decide the arrangements under which any readmission should be approved.

11.4.      If you are suspended for a finite time as a result of a disciplinary proceeding, the appropriate Learning and Teaching Service Manager or Postgraduate Research Service Officer will proactively contact you to arrange return to study, following the process for return to study after an interruption.

11.5.      If you are suspended pending investigation and a referral to SSDC has been made, and the outcome of the SSDC proceedings is that you may return immediately to study, the appropriate Manager/Officer will proactively contact you to arrange return to study, following the process for return to study after interruption.

11.6.      IMPORTANT: The Regulations covering academic awards state that your studies must be completed in a specified amount of time. In some cases, the length of a suspension may mean that you run out of time to complete your studies and have to be withdrawn from the University.

 

12.          Withdrawal from the University

12.1.      If you are withdrawn from the University, you are no longer a member of the University’s student community and have none of the rights or privileges accorded to University students. You may not enter or use University Property other than in accordance with any rights given to any member of the public who is neither a student nor a member of staff.

12.2.      You may be readmitted only by going through the normal admission procedures for new applicants. Any such application for admission will be considered on its merits and will include full consideration of the circumstances that led to the withdrawal decision, and the length of time that has passed since you were withdrawn. Note: If you have been Expelled, you cannot be considered for readmission for a period of at least 7 years, and only with the express approval of the Vice-Chancellor.

Guidance: You may be required to withdraw from the University as a result of disciplinary or professional misconduct proceedings resulting in Expulsion, non-attendance or progression including academic failure, UK Visas and Immigration visa requirements, or as a result of prolonged suspension including for non-payment of fees and charges.