Student conduct
University regulations
Students at Oxford are subject to two separate (but complementary) sets of regulations: the regulations of college provided in the College Handbook, or equivalent document, and the University statutes and regulations.
The Proctors ensure that the statutes and regulations of the University are observed, that disciplinary regulations are enforced, oversee the conduct of University examinations and investige complaints about matters outside colleges’ jurisdiction. This duty is laid down in Officers of the University Statute IX and is reinforced in University Discipline Statute XI: Regulations for Disciplinary Investigations by the Proctors.
University Regulations
View the A-Z list for guidance on University regulations, codes of conduct and policies.
- Activities and Conduct of Student Members / Proctors: Student Conduct
- Academic Dress (Regulations)
- Academic Integrity in Research
- Appeal Panel / Appeals to the Appeal Court
- Confidentiality
- Complaints Procedure / Investigation by the Proctors of Complaints
- Conflict of Interest
- Data Protection
- Disciplinary procedures (Proctors) / Student Disciplinary Panel/ Fines imposed under Statute XI
- Equality Policy
- Examinations: Conduct of University Examinations
- Examinations: Disciplinary Regulations for Candidates in Examinations (Proctors)
- Examinations: Behaviour after Examinations (Proctors)
- Examinations: Candidates in Examinations (Disciplinary Regulations)
- Examinations: Candidates in Examinations (Administrative Regulations)
- Examinations: Acute Illness (Examination Regulations)
- Freedom of Speech
- Harassment Advice
- Intellectual Property
- Use of IT facilities (ICT Services) / Use of Information Technology Facilities (Regulations)
- Use of the Facilities of the Bodleian Libraries
- Medical Incapacity (Proctors)
- Plagiarism (Proctors) / Plagiarism (Education Policy)
- Residence (Proctors) / Residence in the University (Examination Regulations)
- Setting up a Club or Society
- Student Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave Policy
University discipline
The Proctors' role includes investigating alleged offences of misconduct and to bring charges against students found to be infringing University regulations. The Proctors may also take action in cases where students have been charged with or convicted of serious criminal offences, and where students are being banned from access to University premises or services. Disciplinary Procedures are detailed on the Proctors' website, as well as a report on disciplinary cases handled.
Proctors' Investigation
Where an offence of misconduct is alleged, the Proctors’ investigations are carried out to decide whether there is a case for the student(s) concerned to answer.
The Proctors may summon members of the University to assist with their enquiries. A student who is the subject of an investigation will be informed of the suspected offence committed and may be accompanied by a member of Congregation during interview. If the Proctors decide that there is no case to answer the student will be informed in writing and that is the end of the matter. If they come to the view that an offence has been committed the Proctors will summon the student(s) concerned to a disciplinary hearing dealt with by the Proctors themselves, or by the Student Disciplinary Panel.
The Proctors may take action when students are involved in criminal proceedings. If a student acquires a criminal conviction the Proctors may refer him or her to the Student Disciplinary Panel. The Proctors may suspend the student while criminal proceedings are taking place or may ban him or her from access to specified University land, buildings, facilities, or services. This would be an interim step while a complaint against the student was being referred to the Student Disciplinary Panel. There is a right of appeal against such interim action.
A student who becomes involved in the disciplinary procedures of the Proctors' Office should contact a senior member of their college (e.g. their Tutor) for assistance or support. Should that not be possible or be deemed inappropriate, the OUSU VP (Access and Academic Affairs) is available for confidential advice.
Proctors' Disciplinary Hearing
Unless an alleged offence involves harassment, serious injury to a person, serious damage to property, or a significant element of dishonesty, the Proctors can offer the student(s) concerned the option to have the charges dealt with by the Proctors themselves.
The student will be formally charged with the offence and summoned to attend a Proctors’ Disciplinary Hearing at which they may choose to be accompanied by a member of Congregation. At this hearing, the evidence will be presented and the student has the right to make a defense against the charges or else to admit the offence(s) and to present evidence in mitigation. Witnesses may be called to attend, either by the Proctors or the student defendant. If the student admits the alleged offence, or is found guilty, the penalties which the Proctors may impose are a fine (or fine plus compensation) of up to £300 or a written warning about future conduct.
There is a right of appeal against the Proctors’ decision and/or penalty to the Student Disciplinary Panel.
Student Disciplinary Panel
The Student Disciplinary Panel deals with the cases of a more serious nature referred to it by the Proctors and appeals against decisions made in a Proctors’ Disciplinary Hearing.
Questions in relation to the Student Disciplinary Panel hearing and administrative arrangements should be directed to the Secretary, Mr Chris Thompson, on 01865 280659. Mr Thompson is entirely independent of the Proctors, undertaking a neutral role in the process.
The Secretary will forward to the student the Proctors’ Notice of Hearing and submitted document evidence, together with copies of relevant legislation, a letter providing details of the nature of the alleged offences, the date and time of the hearing, the name of the Chair/Vice-Chair appointed to conduct the hearing, the names of the other two Panel members and the name of any Panel member appointed as a reserve. A date and time by which the student should make any submissions that they wish to make to the Panel, through the Secretary, will also be given. These documents will also be supplied to the members of the Panel.
If the student wishes to ask for an adjournment or deferment of the hearing he/she may do so through the Secretary, giving reasons for the application, for the Chair/Vice-Chair to consider. Panel Chairs, Vice-Chairs and members for each hearing are appointed from those members of the SDP Panel who have confirmed, through the Secretary, that they have no conflict of interest in the matter to be considered by way of College, Department/Faculty, or personal knowledge of the student concerned. However, if the student objects to an appointment he/she should advise the Secretary without delay.
There is no need to wear subfusc or gown and cap when appearing before the Panel. However, the hearing is relatively formal and an appropriate standard of dress should be worn. The student may be accompanied during the hearing by any person of his or her choice. Witnesses may be called.
The Panel will announce its decision at the conclusion of the hearing and will provide a written statement of the reasons for its decision, forwarded by the Secretary, within two weeks. The steps that the Student Disciplinary Panel may take if satisfied that the student defendant is guilty of the offences charged, are listed in the Disciplinary Procedures. If the student is unhappy with the decision of the Panel, or any penalty that might have been imposed by it, then they may apply for permission to appeal to the Student Appeal Panel. The deadline for an application is 14 days from the date of the written decision having been forwarded.
Student Appeal Panel
An application for permission to appeal will be considered by a member of the Student Appeal Panel. If permission to appeal is not granted, that is the end of the internal University process.
The Student Appeal Panel consists of three people appointed from outside the University, and who may be assisted by two members of Congregation who have knowledge and experience of the practice of the University relevant to the issues raised in the appeal. If permission to appeal is granted a hearing of the Student Appeal Panel will be arranged, with procedures similar in nature to the Student Disciplinary Panel. The Appeal Panel will decide whether or not to confirm the decisions of the Student Disciplinary Panel, or to substitute a different penalty of the kind that the Disciplinary Panel itself could have imposed.
College discipline
Students who wish to appeal against a disciplinary decision of their college should refer to the College Handbook or equivalent document, or to the College website for details of relevant contacts and procedures in their college, and if available, to the College Student Contract, for the procedures for disciplinary measures. After which, and if appropriate, appeals may be made to the Conference of Colleges Appeal Tribunal (CCAT). This is a body of the Conference of Colleges, which considers appeals on disciplinary procedures and is NOT a University appeal body.