RGUSU understands that students of RGU may face difficulties and challenges during their studies and at the university, however all matriculated students at Robert Gordon University are still expected to comply with the expectations of the Student Conduct Procedure.
In summary, it is the obligation of each student to:
- Meet attendance requirements, attend assessments and to submit work for assessment on time. You should notify your school of any special circumstances which may adversely affect your academic performance or your ability to undertake an assessment.
- All University fees, loans, and fines must be settled and, if you are a resident of university accommodation, you should comply with the ’Conditions of Lease’ throughout your tenancy and ensure your rent is paid.
- Behave courteously and treat university property and equipment with respect. You should not engage in behaviour which is likely to be prejudicial to any other person or to the reputation or good order of the University
- Abide by all requirements for professional conduct and behaviour defined by an associated professional, statutory and/or regulatory body and must adhere to the requirements of any applicable legislation.
- Not attempt to gain an unfair advantage in assessments and examinations
For a full overview of student expectations, see academic regulation A2 Student Conduct Procedure, section 4 (Academic Regulations | Academic Governance | RGU)
Where a student has failed to meet the student conduct expectations of the university, under the student conduct procedure the school reserves the right to initiate disciplinary proceedings.
Academic Misconduct
The university defines academic misconduct as: “any attempt by a student(s) to affect an unfair advantage in any assessment” (Academic Regulation A3-2 Student Conduct Procedure, section 6, Academic Regulations | Academic Governance | RGU)
Categories of academic misconduct are summarised below:
- False Authorship: presenting work where the student is not the author *
- Plagiarism: Presenting ideas and information as original without acknowledging the source
- Falsification/Fabrication of Data: misrepresenting or falsification of experimental results
- Collusion: two students working together without being authorised to produce the same work
- Bribery: Offering payment or exchange of inducement for information to gain an unfair advantage
- Personation: Replacing a student for an exam or preparing work for a student that the grade will be awarded to
- Cheating: bringing unauthorised material and technology in an exam, attempting to contact another student during an exam, or attempting to copy from another student during an exam
*This includes the use of unauthorised Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students concerned they may be in breach of AI use should consult the AI guide for students on Moodle and reach out to their module coordinator.
In addition, any student who assists a fellow student commit academic misconduct, shall be deemed to have committed misconduct also!
In a case of suspected academic misconduct, an academic misconduct referral will be made to the Dean of the school with a recommendation for either 1) Poor Academic Practice or 2) Academic Misconduct.
Where there is suspected Poor Academic Practice, a preliminary officer will be appointed to investigate and present any decisions to the Dean. The dean will communicate this to the student with any sanctions and the student can either accept the decision or not, which will refer the case to a misconduct hearing.
Where there is suspected Academic Misconduct, a hearing will be arranged following the procedure detailed in the Student Conduct Procedure. In order to help you prepare for your hearing, our handy guide below talks you through the process from how to prepare to what to expect from the day itself.
Please refer to this guide here.
Once you have received your hearing outcome it may not be what you expected or you are unhappy with the reasoning given. If you do feel that the outcome is unrepresentative of your hearing and the misconduct allegation, you can submit a misconduct appeal.
Below is a guide where we have included tips to help support you in your misconduct appeal.
Misconduct Appeal Guide
Non-Academic Misconduct
Non-academic misconduct allegations may refer to any actions or activities engaged in, or services/facilities enjoyed, as a student of RGU, or in the vicinity of any premises owned, leased or managed by the University.
Non-Academic Misconduct covers a range of categories and the below list is not exhaustive:
- Breaches of stated instructions or regulations issued by the University, associated professional, statutory and/or regulatory bodies, or by authorised members of the University, that prejudice the orderly working of the University and/or contravene the requirements of associated professional, statutory and/or regulatory bodies.
- Threatening behaviour/conduct
- Harassment
- Harm towards a vulnerable group
- Conduct that could bring the university into disrepute
- Damage to university property
- Fraud
A full list of non-academic misconduct categories can be found in Academic Regulation A2 Student Conduct Procedure, section 6.2., Academic Regulations | Academic Governance | RGU
In order to help you prepare for your hearing, our handy guide below talks you through the process from how to prepare to what to expect from the day itself.
Please refer to this guide here.
Once you have received your hearing outcome it may not be what you expected or you are unhappy with the reasoning given. If you do feel that the outcome is unrepresentative of your hearing and the misconduct allegation, you can submit a misconduct appeal.
Below is a guide where we have included tips to help support you in your misconduct appeal.
Misconduct Appeal Guide
Fitness to Practice
The Student Fitness to Practice Procedure applied to all enrolled students studying a health or social care course at RGU which ends in registration as a health or social care professional with the relevant regulatory body. This procedure is followed where there are concerns around a student’s suitability to the course (whether a student is “fit to practise”).
Fitness to Study
The Fitness to Study Procedure applies to all students enrolled at RGU and is applied where there are significant concerns around a student’s ability to continue with study (whether a student is “fit to study”). The union and the university both recognise students can go through significant changes in circumstance during their time at university, and it is where these circumstances detrimentally impact on engagement that a Fitness to Study Intervention Meeting may be called.
Please Note: This procedure is usually reserved for severe situations and you or anyone you know is experiencing circumstances in their personal or academic life which are affecting and/or impacting on academic studies, you should always aim to reach out to the course team or an appropriate welfare support department to ensure appropriate support can be put in place.
If you have any questions regarding Student Conduct, or are looking to appeal your outcome and/or sanction(s) of a misconduct hearing, get in touch with the RGU SU Advice Service at: (advice@rguunion.co.uk) or book an appointment with us.