Referring non-academic misconduct cases to the UDP
This page contains guidance on the Regulatory framework, resources, information for staff on dealing with serious cases of non-academic misconduct, how to make a referral to the University Disciplinary Panel, links to useful information, and links to guidance for students.
University Disciplinary Panels (UDPs) are organised and facilitated by the Advice and Response team within the Division of Campus Life. UDPs are generally booked in advance and run at one or two UDPs per week (dependent on resource and caseload). Referrals to the UDP are slotted into the next available UDP date once accepted. It is important that the paperwork provided is correct and fully completed; referrals cannot be acted upon until this is received (see 'Referring to the UDP' below).
UDPs are Chaired by an academic member of staff nominated by the Student Conduct and Discipline Committee (SCDC) which is a sub-committee of Senate. UDP members (both academic and PS) are also nominated by SCDC. Most UDPs run with a Chair and four panel members, though a panel can be quorate with four members. The Secretary to the UDP will also be present, along with a note-taker.
UDPs are normally arranged within 20 working days of the referral being made, and convened within 30 working days of the referral being made.
Regulatory framework
The following documents/resources may be of use when managing cases of non-academic misconduct:
Regulation
Procedures
- Procedure for Summary Disciplinary Panels
- Procedure for the University Disciplinary Panel
- Procedure for Suspending a Student (note: see also this page)
- Procedure for handling allegations of sexual misconduct
Guidance
- Flowchart for addressing behavioural concerns
- Guidance on conducting assessment meetings/the assessment stage
- Guidance on Applying Student Discipline Penalties
- Guidance on Covid-19 Student Misconduct
- Guidance for Staff on Student Disciplinary Hearings during Covid-19
- Guidance for Students on Discipline during Covid-19
The central Division of Teaching, Learning and Student Development (TLSD) owns the Student Complaints Procedure (Regulation XVIII), which can lead to disciplinary action under Regulation XVII. More information on the TLSD webpages.
Sexual misconduct, harassment, or hate
Note that disciplinary cases involving allegations of sexual harassment/misconduct must be referred to the University's trained and resourced Advice and Response team. Impacted students can be signposted to Report and Support.
You can find full advice on responding to disclosures of sexual misconduct, harassment, or hate here.
Assessing cases
The Authorised University Officer (AUO) is as defined in Regulation XVII (section 7), or a nominee thereof. AUOs are members of University staff (e.g. Heads of School, Teaching and Learning Managers, Heads of ResLife/Sports) who have the authority to investigate and/or arrange for disciplinary action against students. Serious behavioural concerns should be reported to the local non-academic AUO who will assess the situation and determine whether one or more of the following is appropriate:
- Informal resolution
- Assessment meeting or investigation (see this page for guidance on conducting assessments)
- Referral to a Summary Disciplinary Panel at School or Faculty level (you should contact your own Faculty appeals, complaints, and discipline team)
- Referral to the University Disciplinary Panel (see below)
- Immediate (precautionary) suspension
The appendices to the Procedures for Summary and University Disciplinary Panels (linked above) contain guidance on how cases should be assessed, with examples of types of misconduct and the appropriate level (SDP/UDP) for case-handling.
The AUO may also wish to seek advice or guidance from the central Conduct and Discipline team via conductanddiscipline@manchester.ac.uk
Referring to the UDP
The University Disciplinary Panel considers the most serious cases of academic and non-academic misconduct. The Panel can only consider the evidence and paperwork before it on the day, and so it is very important that any case material is full, and puts the case forward clearly and in a sensible format.
Bear in mind that the responding student will have access to all the case material submitted with a UDP referral; new material and/or evidence cannot be added after the student has been invited to the hearing and provided with the paperwork.
If you would like any guidance on the format of the case material and/or referral paperwork, please contact conductanddiscipline@manchester.ac.uk
UDP referral paperwork should be sent to conductanddiscipline@manchester.ac.uk. The following should be included:
- Student Discipline Referral Form –including the name of the case-presenter (guidance for the case-presenter is available here) and a fully completed penalty consequences form.
- The material under consideration: this is likely to be either a full investigation report, or the paperwork produced by an assessment.
- All evidence that supplements either the investigation report or assessment stage paperwork. (Remember that evidence cannot be added later.)
- Copy of the letter sent to the student informing them of the referral to the UDP.
- Copy of any previous outcome letter if a second allegation/offence.
Fitness to Practise
For students of professional programmes, some misconduct issues may be dealt with directly via the Fitness to Practise procedure. Where a case is referred, outside of the FtP procedure, to a University Disciplinary Panel, the case will be heard by the UDP in the first instance, and then may subsequently be referred under FtP.