University of Strathclyde Calendar 009-10 Part General Regulations

4.4 Conduct - Practical Examinations

4.4.1 The examiners on behalf of the Head of Department shall indicate clearly to candidates, normally in writing, what candidates are required to do and on what basis they will be assessed.

4.4.2 For the avoidance of doubt, it shall be proper for examiners to require that assessment be made on the basis of a group submission.

4.4.3 Unless instructions have been issued to the contrary, communication between candidates, or between a candidate and anyone other than an examiner or invigilator, is forbidden during an examination.

4.4.4 Candidates must act in accordance with any instruction issued by an examiner or invigilator.

4.4.5 A candidate found using unfair means during an examination may be required by an invigilator to withdraw from the examination. In that event the invigilator shall report forthwith to the Director of Corporate Services giving full details of the circumstances.

4.4.6 A candidate whose conduct is in the view of an invigilator in breach of the relevant area safefy regulations and who persists in this conduct after receiving a warning from an invigilator shall be required to withdraw from the examination room. In that event the invigilator shall report forthwith to the Director of Corporate Services giving full details of the circumstances.

4.4.7 A candidate whose conduct is in the view of an invigilator disturbing to other candidates shall be treated by the invigilator as if the candidate were considered to be in breach of the area safety regulations.

4.5 Conduct - Projects and Examinations based on Continuous Assessment

4.5.1 The examiners on behalf of the Head of Department shall indicate clearly to candidates, normally in writing, what candidates are required to do and on what basis they will be assessed.

4.5.2 For the avoidance of doubt, it shall be proper for examiners to require that assessment be made on the basis of a group submission.

4.5.3 For the avoidance of doubt, it shall be proper for examiners to indicate that a reduced award will be made for submissions which are made by candidates after some specified date.

4.5.4 Candidates shall not commit plagiarism, that is, shall not engage in unacknowledged or unauthorised copying or replication of the work of others.

4.5.5 Candidates must act in accordance with any instruction issued by an examiner.

4.6 Conduct - Oral Examinations and Other Forms of Assessment

4.6.1 The examiners on behalf of the Head of Department shall indicate clearly to candidates, normally in writing, what candidates are required to do and on what basis they will be assessed.

2. 
   Candidates must act in accordance with any instruction issued by an examiner.
   

5 Regulations for Student Discipline

[Note: These regulations are to be read in conjunction with Ordinance 12, Regulation 4 and the University’s Procedures and Guidelines: Dealing with Instances of Academic Dishonesty]

5.1 Jurisdiction

General

5.1.1 In terms of the Charter and Statutes, the University has general disciplinary authority over all student members of the University.

5.1.2 Students are required at all times during their period of study to be of good behaviour and to observe all regulations affecting them which may be made from time to time by the University or other approved body which they attend as part of a University course.

5.1.3 Students shall be held responsible for making themselves acquainted with all Ordinances, Regulations and official notices and any amendments thereto which affect them.

5.1.4 In addition to the provisions contained herein the University may from time to time

(i) approve regulations governing the conduct of students in or in connection with the University such as the Library, the Halls of Residence, the Students Association, the Centre for Sport and Recreation and other similar areas of activity;

(ii) make provision for the appointment of individuals or committees to conduct disciplinary investigations into alleged breaches of these regulations, making and issuing decisions thereon.

5.1.5 Failure to meet the regulations for all ICT equipment, including those for Faculties, Departments and the University, and regulations for Health and Safety may result in disciplinary action.

5.1.6 The Deans, the Director of Library Services, the Director of IT Services, the Accommodation Services Manager, the Head of the Centre for Sport and Recreation and the Security Manager, as appropriate officers of the University, shall be entitled to deal with disciplinary matters of a minor nature. These officers are referred to in these regulations as Disciplinary Officers.
5.2 Minor Offences

5.2.1 Disciplinary matters of a minor nature shall be held to mean and include any offence of a general nature which is prejudicial to good conduct and good order within the University and will normally be dealt with by a Disciplinary Officer.

5.2.2 Where the relevant Disciplinary Officer considers that the offence in question is of a more serious nature than at first appeared, the matter shall forthwith be reported to the Chief Operating Officer, whereupon the Chief Operating Officer shall instruct an investigation into the alleged offence and, if required, arrange for a formal hearing before the Senate Discipline Committee.

5.2.3 Proceedings for handling minor offences are given in Regulation 5.5. Any committee, sub-committee or other group established in accordance with Regulation 5.1.4 may deal with minor offences.

5.3 Offences Relating to Academic Dishonesty

5.3.1 The University’s degrees and other academic awards are granted in recognition of a candidate’s personal achievement.

5.3.2 Any action that circumvents the established academic practice regarding assessments may be deemed to be academically dishonest.

5.3.3 Any action on the part of a candidate that involves academic dishonesty (such as plagiarism or cheating in examinations that are assessed as part of the requirements for an academic award) shall be regarded as a serious offence pending investigation.

5.3.4 Potential acts of academic dishonesty are subject to both academic and disciplinary procedures. Both forms of procedure may be appropriate and relevant in that an allegation of academic dishonesty may be dismissed but the student may still incur an academic penalty for poor scholarship.

5.3.5 Where an apparent case of academic dishonesty is detected by an examiner or assessor either directly or, for example, through a report from an invigilator or an external examiner, this shall be formally reported by the examiner or the Course Supervisor or the Head of Department to the relevant undergraduate or postgraduate Board of Examiners, stating the course of action taken, be it:

(i) that the examiner was satisfied that the matter required no further formal action but should be noted by the Head of Department; or

(ii) that the nature and/or extent of the academic dishonesty was such that, in the opinion of the examiner and/or the Course Supervisor or the Head of Department or nominee, the matter required further formal action. In such a case, the examiner, upon agreement with the Head of Department or nominee has the discretion to adjust the marks and results to the point where the academic rating for the piece of work in question is reduced to zero with whatever consequences would normally follow from such performance. Alternatively, a candidate may be asked to resubmit an assignment or repeat a practical examination; or

(iii) that the nature of the academic dishonesty, and/or its extent, was so significant that it was the opinion of the examiner and the Course Supervisor and/or the Head of Department or nominee, that sanction over and above the disallowance of work is appropriate and that the case should be referred to the Chief Operating Officer, whom failing the Director of Corporate Services, who shall decide whether the matter should be referred to the Senate Discipline Committee. The student shall be allowed to continue with their studies (or take any outstanding resit examinations) pending this decision or the hearing of the Senate Discipline Committee. Where a meeting of the Senate Discipline Committee is involved the relevant Board of Examiners shall be informed and shall defer any decision concerning that particular student.

5.3.6 If a matter has been referred to the Senate Discipline Committee, the relevant Course Supervisor and/or Head of Department or nominee shall inform the student concerned in writing that such action has been taken and that they will be contacted in due course by the Chief Operating Officer, whom failing the Director of Corporate Services, with information on the procedure to be followed.

5.4 Other Disciplinary Offences

5.4.1 The following list (or examples) of breaches of discipline is illustrative only and in no way prevents the University or any disciplinary committee thereof from considering and adjudicating upon any other conduct or action which appears to constitute a breach of discipline.

5.4.2 A student may be deemed to be in breach of discipline who:

(i) wilfully or negligently defaces, injures or harms the property of the University or of an institution attended as part of a University course;

(ii) is convicted by a court of an offence of a scandalous, immoral, disgraceful or criminal nature;

(iii) disregards any regulation for the conduct of students or disobeys any member of the University authorised to check disorderly conduct;

(iv) persistently fails to attend the classes, tutorials or laboratories in the curriculum;

(v) uses offensive or improper language or behaves in an offensive or improper way;

(vi) falsifies or seriously misuses University records including degrees, diplomas or certificates;

(vii) engages in riotous or disorderly conduct in a manner contrary to the best interests of the University or seriously affects good order in or outwith the University;

(viii) disregards any regulation governing the conduct or obligations of students within the jurisdiction of a Disciplinary Officer (see Regulation 5.1.6) or of the Students Association;

(ix) brings the University into disrepute.