1 University Accommodation Rules v1.00

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1 University Accommodation Rules The University Accommodation Rules set out the types of behaviour that would constitute misconduct in university accommodation. The definition of misconduct and further details and definitions of the types of penalties are contained within the University Accommodation Misconduct Procedure. Students should make themselves familiar with the University Accommodation Misconduct Procedure, which governs the process for dealing with a breach of these University Accommodation Rules. The University Accommodation Rules apply to all registered students living in, visiting, or using the facilities of university residential accommodation, owned or managed by the University of Hull. This includes students who have suspended their studies at the University of Hull and those who have completed their studies but are yet to graduate from the University of Hull. Students will be held responsible for the behavior of any person they permit to enter a residence. The list below is indicative (but not exhaustive) of the type of behaviour that would constitute misconduct in university accommodation, and the likely penalties associated with such behaviours. One or more sanctions may be issued for any given offence. The categories of offence outlined below are to be used by Case Officers as guidance for directing proceedings under the aforementioned procedure. The University Accommodation Misconduct Procedure contains processes for dealing with cases of minor misconduct and processes for dealing with cases of serious misconduct. Although the university will determine the level of misconduct alleged to have been committed, the table below indicates the likely classification of misconduct; with examples of misconduct likely to be regarded as more minor, being classified as a Category A offence, ranging up to the most serious acts of accommodation misconduct falling within the Category C classification. It should be noted that there will be instances when certain behaviours which would usually be considered to be minor are in fact very serious and will require a more serious penalty. There will also be instances when certain behaviours which would usually be considered to be serious are in fact more minor and will require a less serious penalty. The Case Officer, and other university staff, as outlined within the University Accommodation Misconduct Procedure, will determine the category of the offence and the level of investigation required, in accordance with the procedure. Multiple or repeated incidents of misconduct may be more serious than a single act of misconduct and previous findings may be taken into account when determining what penalty should be imposed. 1 University Accommodation Rules v1.00

2 Category of Offence University Accommodation Rules Penalties Category A: This type of misconduct would normally be resolved via the process of: Front line resolution Three Strikes. Failure to abide by the following rules would normally be investigated / resolved as a Category A offence under the University Accommodation Misconduct Procedure: 1. Keep the room and its contents clean and tidy, or leaving them in such condition at the end of the licence period*; 2. Keep the communal areas/kitchen and equipment provided by the university clean and tidy at all times*; 3. Do not bring in more equipment or luggage than can be reasonably stored within the room; 4. Do not affix pictures or posters or anything else which may cause offence anywhere in the residence; 5. Do not affix pictures or posters to walls, doors or other fixtures of the room or residence in a manner which causes damage to wallpaper, plasterwork, woodwork or furniture*; 6. Do not affix additional aerials, computer connection points, or satellite signal receiving dishes; 7. Do not remove university property from the residence; 8. To not undertake any act which would damage or litter the grounds, gardens and pathways around the residence*; 9. Take out litter on a regular basis and place in the bins provided*; 10. Do not impede university staff or any other staff performing services at the accommodation in the performance of their duties; 11. Comply with all instructions or reasonable requests issued by staff (e.g. failing to produce ID card); A strike may be issued as a penalty for Category A offences. If a student is issued three strikes in the course of their contract, then they will be referred for investigation as a Category B offence. 2 University Accommodation Rules v1.00

3 12. Behave in a respectful, considerate way toward fellow residents, neighbours, staff and guests; 13. Do not make excessive noise outside the room from pm until 7.00 am (in particular, around any examination periods); 14. Ensure that noise is kept at a level which does not cause a disturbance to others (in particular, around any examination periods); 15. Do not undertake any behaviour which may be perceived as riotous or disorderly, or be considered as causing, annoyance or nuisance to other residents on any basis (in particular, around any examination periods); 16. Do not wilfully or negligently deface or damage the property of the university*. * Students living in, visiting or using the facilities will also be expected to pay for any damages, repairs or additional cleaning needed that occur as a result of a breach of any relevant rules. Category B: This type of misconduct would normally be resolved via Misconduct Investigation. A Case Officer must first consider whether informal resolution might be appropriate and, if so, explore this Failure to abide by the following rules would normally be investigated / resolved as a Category A offence under the University Accommodation Misconduct Procedure: 17. Do not commit fraud, deceit, falsification of documents, deception or dishonesty in relation to university accommodation, or staff, students in the context of university accommodation; 18. Do not make false, frivolous, malicious or vexatious complaints or comments regarding university students or tenants/staff within university accommodation; 19. Do not damage, deface, steal or misappropriate university accommodation property or the property of any person within university accommodation, whether deliberately or recklessly; Following a Misconduct Investigation, the following penalties may be imposed by Case Officers in the event that the allegation of misconduct is proven: Accommodation Behaviour Agreement; Absolute discharge; 3 University Accommodation Rules v1.00

4 with the parties concerned. 20. Do not behave in a way likely to cause injury to any person or to impair safety; 21. Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by any act or omission. 22. Attend fire safety training and be familiar with the fire evacuation plan for the residence; 23. Be familiar with the fire escapes and fire regulations which are posted in the room and communal areas and co-operate with the university in observing such regulations, in particular by informing the Accommodation Office, Site Management Team, of any defects in fire equipment which pose a risk to health and safety; 24. Do not interfere with fire notices, doors or equipment provided to detect or fight fire, or interfere with or obstruct fire exits in the residence; 25. Do not smoke within university accommodation; 26. Observe designated no-smoking areas on the grounds outside university accommodation; 27. Do not use any unauthorised form of additional room heating or interfering with any electrical installation; 28. Do not use cooking equipment in your room; 29. Do not use more than one four-gang trailing socket from which no more than four appliances may be operated within the safe loading limit of the circuit; 30. Do not use candles, oil burners or joss sticks in the residence/room/communal areas. 31. Do not bring into the residence additional heavy or bulky furniture, bicycles or anything which in the university's opinion is or may become a hazard; Attendance on course or programme at cost to student; Charged cost of damages or cleaning; Deferred penalty; Fine; Final warning; Flat / house mate agreement; Letter of apology; University service; Written caution. 4 University Accommodation Rules v1.00

5 32. Do not keep animals of any description (seeing/hearing assistance dogs are permitted with prior notice); 33. Ensure that keys/swipe cards and/or electronic door lock codes issued for entrance/room doors of the residence are kept secure and used only by you; 34. Take appropriate steps to ensure the security of the residence and the room at all times e.g. do not leave any ground floor windows open when a room (including the kitchen) is unoccupied; 35. Report any unauthorised persons to appropriate university staff; 36. Do not misuse or making unauthorised use of university accommodation premises or items of property, including IT or safety equipment; 37. Do not use violent, indecent, disorderly, threatening or offensive behaviour or language (whether expressed orally, in writing or electronically) including harassment of any person both within university accommodation and the surrounding grounds*; 38. Do not conduct yourself in a manner which unjustifiably infringes freedom of thought or expression within university accommodation; Other instances which might constitute Category C misconduct: A Category B investigation may also be imposed for students who receive their third strike in accordance with penalties available for Category A offences. Failing to comply with a previously-imposed penalty under the University Accommodation Misconduct Procedure may also be investigated / resolved as a Category B offence. *Although the use violent, indecent, disorderly, threatening or offensive behaviour or language (whether expressed orally, in writing or electronically) including harassment of any person both within university accommodation and the surrounding grounds, has also been included within Category B, this is a very broad rule and there will be instances where it is more appropriate that such behaviour would be classified as a Category C offence. 5 University Accommodation Rules v1.00

6 Examples of behaviour which would likely be regarded as a Category C offence include, but are not limited to, discrimination and assault. Category C: This type of misconduct would normally be referred to the University s Student Disciplinary Regulations or Regulations governing Professional Unsuitability and Professional Misconduct. An Accommodation Misconduct Panel may be convened upon completion of proceedings of any investigation under the associated university procedures to determine whether a penalty should be issued under the University Accommodation Misconduct Procedure. Failure to abide by the following rules would normally be investigated / resolved as a Category A offence under the University Accommodation Misconduct Procedure: 39. Do not bring into the residence, any firearm, illegal knife, blades, club, sword or any other weapon which may be hazardous to the health and safety of university staff and students; 40. Do not undertake any activity related to the supply and or cultivation of illegal substances; 41. Do not bring, or use another person to bring, into the residence any unlawful drugs including legal highs, or hazardous substance of any kind; 42. Do not harass, victimise or discriminate against any person on any grounds, in particular; age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race, religion and belief, sex; or sexual orientation. Other instances which might constitute Category C misconduct: A Category C investigation may also be imposed should a further allegation of misconduct in university accommodation be made, if that student has already been issued with a Final Warning under the University Accommodation Misconduct Procedure in relation to previous misconduct. *Although the use violent, indecent, disorderly, threatening or offensive behaviour or language (whether expressed orally, in writing or electronically) including harassment of any person both within university accommodation and the surrounding grounds, has also been included within Category B, this is a very broad rule and there will be instances where it is more appropriate that such behaviour would be classified as a Category C offence. Examples of behaviour which would likely be regarded as a Category C offence include, but are not limited to, discrimination and assault. Penalties available to an Accommodation Misconduct Panel include all penalties available for Category A and B offences, in addition to: Suspension from accommodation, under conditions appropriate to the case; Temporary or permanent exclusion from all or part of university accommodation; Termination of Accommodation Contract. 6 University Accommodation Rules v1.00