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Student Conduct and Appeals Office

Non academic misconduct

The university takes non-academic disciplinary offences very seriously, and sets out the procedures for dealing with any such allegations in the G27 Misconduct Regulation.

As members of the King’s community, students are expected to adhere to our regulations, procedures and policies, to show respect for the persons within and for the property of the King’s community, and to behave in a way that does not interfere with the proper functioning or activities of the university.

Further information about our expected standards of behaviour can be found in the King's Community Charter. The Charter was developed jointly by King's College London and King's College London Students Union (KCLSU). It lays out the shared foundations of our community as a place where everyone feels a sense of belonging and safety and is able to contribute to all aspects of university life.

Where there is reason to believe that the behaviour of a student falls below the expected standards and/or where regulations, procedures, and/or policies have been broken the Misconduct Regulation will be instigated. The Regulation extends to alleged misconduct by a student occurring on or off King's premises (including via electronic means, such as email and social media) where the alleged victim is King’s itself, a member of the King’s community, or a visitor to King’s.

Any criminal offence committed whilst on university premises or whilst engaged in university activities also falls within the university's definition of misconduct.

In all cases, a student will be presumed to be innocent, unless and until proven otherwise, on the balance of probabilities.

 
 COVID-19 Conduct & Behaviours

 We’re confident that all members of the King’s community want to do the right thing to protect their own and each other’s health. 

It is ok to politely remind people of the guidelines if they are not following them. If you do want to report a concern, please see the information on Student Services Online.

Repeated non-compliance with the safety guidance or serious allegations relating to health and safety on our campuses and in King's Residences will be treated as misconduct. 

Criminal Convictions

A student who is imprisoned for a period of 21 days or more will be automatically withdrawn from the university. Any such students may submit written representations against this withdrawal, within 21 days of the date of notification of the decision to withdraw, or the date of their conviction being overturned.  Representations should be submitted to Student Conduct & Appeals. The decision of the Principal will normally be communicated within 7 days of receipt.

Suspected Misconduct

Any instances of suspected misconduct should be reported as soon as possible to Student Conduct & Appeals. 

Instances of suspected 'non-academic offences' will be considered and investigated by Student Conduct & Appeals, who will conduct a preliminary enquiry into the allegation. 

As part of the enquiry, it may be deemed necessary to interview the student against whom the allegation has been made.

The Head of Student Conduct & Appeals (or nominee) will determine, normally within 10 working days, whether: -

(a) There is insufficient evidence to form a charge of misconduct;

(b) There is sufficient evidence to form a charge of misconduct which constitutes a minor infringement of the regulations; or

(c) There is sufficient evidence to form a charge of misconduct which constitutes a major infringement of the regulations.

If the case is deemed to fall under (a) above, the decision will be communicated in writing to the student, and any other persons involved in the case, where appropriate. If the case is deemed to fall under (b) above, a penalty may be issued to the student. If the case is deemed to fall under (c) above, the matter will be referred to a Misconduct Committee.

Where the alleged misconduct could also constitute an offence under the criminal law, the College's procedures may be delayed until the police and/or courts have completed their investigations and proceedings.

Misconduct Committee

Where a Misconduct Committee is convened, the student shall normally receive at least 10 working days' notice, and will be invited to present their case to the Committee. An appropriate staff member will present the case against the student on behalf of the university. The Committee will determine whether the charge(s) of misconduct have been substantiated; where it concludes that the charge(s) is/are upheld, it may order one or more of the measures available to it under the G27 Misconduct Regulation 'any misconduct' penalties. 

Following the Committee's findings, the university may refer the case to the Faculty, or to a professional, statutory or regulatory body, in accordance with Regulation G29 Fitness for registration and fitness to practise Regulation.

The decision of the Committee will normally be communicated to the student and examiners within 7 days of the decision.

Further guidance about Committee procedures can be found here.

Appeal

A student may appeal against the findings or order(s) of a Misconduct Committee.  An appeal must be submitted on a Misconduct Appeal Form to Student Conduct & Appeals within 14 days of the written notification of the Misconduct Committee's decision.

In accordance with the G27 Regulation, the Principal will allow an appeal to be heard, if s/he is satisfied that one or both of the following grounds are met:

(a) That there is new evidence that could not have been, or for good reason was not, made available at the time of the hearing, and sufficient evidence remains that the appeal warrants further consideration;

(b) That evidence can be produced of significant procedural error on the part of the College before or during the hearing, and sufficient evidence remains that the appeal warrants further consideration.

(c) Any other grounds, including grounds of compassion

The Principal will determine whether the criteria for an appeal have been met.  Where they have, an Appeal Committee will be convened; otherwise the appeal will be dismissed.  This decision will normally be communicated within 42 days of receipt of the appeal.

Where an Appeal Committee is convened, the student shall normally receive at least 14 days' notice of the hearing, and will be invited to present their case to the Panel.  The Committee will determine whether there is sufficient reason to challenge the decision of the original Misconduct Committee; where it concludes such reason is present, they can modify or reverse the findings or order(s) of the Misconduct Committee.  The decision of the Committee will normally be communicated to the student and relevant staff within 7 days of the decision.

Further guidance about Committee procedures can be found here.

Office of the Independent Adjudicator

When all internal procedures are complete, students may request an independent review of their case by the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education ('OIA'), if they remain dissatisfied with the College’s final outcome.

Guidance and Support Documents

Information for all students and staff can be found in the Misconduct Guidance document.

Misconduct Policy & procedure
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