All members of the college community are subject to legislative restrictions arising from the pandemic, and to the community statement adopted by the Governing Body.
Breaches of coronavirus protocols may give rise to both public health and disciplinary issues. The public health issues are a matter for the Senior Tutor and the Tutor with special responsibility for covid matters (Dr Steve Sawiak). The disciplinary issues, in relation to student behaviour, are a matter for the Dean.
The following list represents a non-exhaustive indication of possible disciplinary breaches emerging from the coronavirus situation:
- Breach of the rule of six where none of the statutory exceptions apply;
- Breach of visitor policy;
- Breach of face coverings policy;
- Breach of social distancing rules;
- Failure to isolate or quarantine when required;
- Behaviour deliberately designed to endanger others or threatening to do so;
- Failure to disclose relevant public health information.
Criminal Offences
As with other disciplinary incidents, breaches of the coronavirus regulations and policies may constitute behaviour amounting to a criminal offence. In such cases, where a reporting student prefers to report the matter to the Police, or the Police become involved directly, the College would not usually take action until the Police matter was resolved. Where reports are not made to the Police, the matter shall be dealt with under the normal disciplinary processes, taking account in particular of the definition of misconduct in the College Regulations (which makes reference to criminal offences).
Reporting a Concern
An incident can be reported by completing a concern form. If preferred, a student may in the first instance report their concern by sending an email to the Dean (if the concern relates to the conduct of a student) to the Senior Tutor (if the concern relates to the conduct of a member of academic staff) or to the Bursar (if the concern relates to the conduct of a member of non-academic staff).
Summary of Procedure
On receiving a report of concern about the conduct of a student, the Dean will:
- Perform an investigation to establish whether the facts disclose a relevant offence;
- Make a determination as to whether any offence is a ‘minor’ or a ‘major’ offence under the College Regulations;
- Where the offence constitutes a major offence, refer the matter to the Convenor of the Disciplinary Committee for the formation of a Disciplinary Tribunal. The operation of the Tribunal is explained in the Ordinance on Discipline (Appendix 1 in the College Regulations).
- Where the offence constitutes a minor offence, impose an appropriate sanction.
On receiving a report of concern about the conduct of a member of staff, the Bursar or Senior Tutor (as appropriate) will
- Perform an initial investigation to establish whether the facts disclose a relevant offence;
- Refer the matter, if appropriate, to the relevant disciplinary procedure.