Non-Academic Misconduct
As with any community, the University has established standards of conduct for its members. The University has a responsibility to investigate all types of misconduct both on and off campus. The types of non-academic misconduct are described below:
- Physical misconduct
- Sexual misconduct
- Abusive behaviour
- Damage to property or interference with health and safety
- Fraud and Dishonesty
- Operational University obstruction and reputational damage
The University categorises non-academic misconduct offences by considering both the severity of the offence and the appropriateness of certain sanctions to certain types of offence. To establish an appropriate sanction, the University has developed the categories outlined below.
Category 1 Offence
Category 1 offences are likely to be dealt with under summary jurisdiction procedures and may merit one of the following sanctions:
- A formal reprimand
- A formal warning or a final warning (for a repeated offence)
- A requirement to make a written apology to any party concerned
- A fine, not exceeding £200
- A requirement, in the event of non-accidental or wilful damage to or loss of property, that such damage or loss be made good, either in whole or in part, limited to a total value of £1500
- Withdrawal of privileges (particularly any privileges abused by the offender) for a period not exceeding one month
- Requirement to remove material published either in hard copy or electronically that is deemed to be inappropriate
- Such other penalty as may be deemed appropriate provided that the penalty is both proportionate and relevant to the offence.
It is recommended that multiple occurrences of Category 1 offences, or a repeated Category 1 offence after a Category 1 sanction has already been imposed, be considered as a Category 2 offence.
Category 2 Offences
Category 2 offences are likely to be considered by the Board of Discipline and may warrant the imposition of one or more of the following sanctions:
- Appropriate Category 1 sanctions; and in addition:
- Mandatory attendance at a workshop or course within a specified time period, at the student’s expense
- Restorative action such as a reflective statement or project*
- Restricted ability to contact the complainant, where the complainant is a student or member of staff at this University
- Requiring that the student does not represent the University in a paid or unpaid capacity for a specified period of time. This could include employment by the University on a contractual or casual basis**, holding positions in University sports clubs, representing the University in sporting or other events, or voluntary roles such as student ambassador or similar.
- Recommending that the Guild of Students consider whether the student should continue to hold a role in Guild clubs or societies.
- Such other penalty as may be deemed appropriate, provided that the penalty is both proportionate and relevant to the offence.
It is recommended that multiple occurrences of Category 2 offences, or a repeated Category 2 offence after a Category 2 sanction has already been imposed, be considered as a Category 3 offence.
Category 3 Offences
Category 3 offences will be considered by the Board of Discipline and may warrant the imposition of one or more of the following sanctions:
- Appropriate Category 2 sanctions
- Suspension or permanent debarment from facilities or services provided by the University or from specific University premises
- Suspension from studies
- A delay to graduation
- Termination of studies, with or without the right to an exit award and with or without the right to re-register for any further award of the University of Liverpool Policy on Student Conduct and Discipline – Appendix I Page 3 of 9
- Such other penalty as may be deemed appropriate, provided that the penalty is both proportionate and relevant to the offence.
It is recommended that multiple Category 3 offences, or a repeated Category 3 offence after a Category 3 sanction has already been imposed, will result in more severe sanctions being imposed.
