Discipline Regulations
1 Discipline
2 Misconduct
3 Composition of the Discipline Committee
4 Meetings of the Discipline Committee
5 Powers of the Discipline Committee
6 Appeal
7 General
1.1 In accordance with the objects of the Association, as narrated within the constitution, members are expected to conduct themselves in a manner befitting the dignity of the Association.
1.2 There shall be “The Robert Gordon University Student Association Discipline Committee” (the “Discipline Committee”) to implement the discipline regulations.
1.3 A Discipline Committee shall have jurisdiction over all members of the Association and all persons within all premises of the Association and shall deal with all allegations of misconduct made against Association members.
2.1 The following, inter alia, shall constitute misconduct:
2.1.1 Breaches of stated instruction or Association regulations;
2.1.2 Actions that bring or could bring the reputation of the Association or its members into disrepute;
2.1.3 Harassment of members or staff of the Association;
2.1.4 Damage to or misappropriation of Association property or funds;
2.1.5 Interference with legitimate activities of other members or processes or procedures of the Association; or
2.1.6 Action which endangers the safety of others.
3 Composition of the Discipline Committee
3.1 The composition of the Discipline Committee shall be as follows:
3.1.1 Vice President Union and Societies (Chair); and
3.1.2 2 members of the Executive Board.
3.2 In the event of a conflict of interest of any member of the discipline committee, the Executive Board shall nominate an Executive Board replacement.
3.3 The Discipline Committee shall have a quorum of three.
3.4 No member of the Discipline Committee who has any involvement in a case of discipline shall serve on the Discipline Committee during the case, which at all times shall be independent and impartial.
4 Meetings of the Discipline Committee
4.1 The Discipline Committee shall hold meetings as and when disciplinary matters are referred to it by the Executive Board or General Manager. Its function shall be to decide, on the evidence before it, whether the member or person has committed misconduct.
4.2 The Discipline Committee shall :
4.2.1 Ensure the member or person receives full intimation of the alleged misconduct within 7 days of referral of the matter to it;
4.2.2 Call a meeting within 14 days of referral of the matter to it;
4.2.3 Give at least 7 days written notice of a meeting and the cases being heard at the meeting to all those affected;
4.2.4 Ensure the member or person is fully advised of his or her right to attend the meeting of the Discipline Committee in person, be accompanied, if they wish, at that meeting by a person of his or her choosing and be given the opportunity to address that meeting and call witnesses.
4.2.5 The Discipline Committee shall be entitled to call witnesses and undertake investigations.
4.2.6 The decision of the Discipline Committee shall be communicated to the member or person within 7 days of the meeting at which that member’s case is heard.
4.3 Should a person fail to attend the schedules Discipline committee meeting then a further date shall be scheduled. Failure to attend at a second scheduled committee meeting shall proceed without the member or person’s attendance.
4.4 At the Discipline Committee’s discretion, it may allow members to present their case in writing in the event of a satisfactory reason being given for their non-attendance.
5 Powers of the Discipline Committee
5.1 Should a member or person be found to have committed misconduct, the Discipline Committee shall be entitled to impose one or more of the following penalties;
5.1.1 A reprimand or written warning;
5.1.2 Charges to cover the cost of any damage or loss to the Association as a consequence of the misconduct;
5.1.3 A fine not exceeding Five-Hundred pounds;
5.1.4 Permanent or temporary exclusion from the Association ;
5.2 Failure by the member to adhere to the penalty may permit the Discipline Committee to issue a further penalty.
6.1 Any member or person against whom an allegation is established shall have the right of appeal against the decision of the Discipline Committee in relation to the decision reached, the penalty or both. Appeal on any disciplinary matter must be made in writing to the President within ten days of the original decision. The written submission must state clearly the points on which the appeal is grounded. The appeal must be heard within fourteen days of the President’s receipt of a written submission.
6.2 The appeal shall be heard by an appeals committee (the “Appeals Committee”) which shall comprise:
6.2.1 The President
6.2.2 2 members of the Executive Board
6.2.3 A representative of the University
6.3 None of the members of the Appeals Committee shall be a member of the Discipline Committee which dealt with the original case.
6.4 In the event of a conflict of interest of any member of the Appeal Committee, the Executive Board shall nominate an Executive Board replacement.
6.5 The quorum of the Appeals Committee shall be four.
6.6 The Appeals Committee may :
6.6.1 uphold the decision of the Discipline Committee; or
6.6.2 uphold and modify the penalty; or
6.6.3 conclude that a breach of discipline has not been committed and cancel the penalty.
6.7 The decision of the Appeals Committee shall be final.
7.1 No expelled member, no member who has resigned, and who has not subsequently been re-instated as a member, and no member during a period of suspension may be introduced to the Association/Union as a guest or in any other capacity.
7.2 The General Manager of the Association may suspend any person from Association premises pending the outcome of a Disciplinary Committee hearing.
7.3 The Code of Discipline shall be applicable to any function held by the Association or the buildings of a Union or Association with which the Association/Union has a reciprocal agreement, or while a member is representing the Union, or while using property belonging to, loaned to, or hired by the Association whether inside or outside of the Association/Union building.
7.4 It shall be the responsibility of the members of the Association to acquaint themselves with the Constitution and to carry their membership card at all times.