The University Residences Disciplinary Regulations (URDR) form part of the General University Disciplinary Regulations (GUDR) and apply to students living in University accommodation. This is any accommodation allocated to you by the University, even if your building is owned by someone like Unite or Unipol.

It covers the same type of offences as the GUDR (things like harassment, property damage and disorderly behaviour) and these can be classed as minor, serious, or major offences.

Minor Offences

These can be dealt with by the Residence Life Warden. The Warden will invite you to meet with them to discuss the allegation(s) and hear your side of the story. If you don’t attend without ‘good cause’ then you forfeit your right to appeal.

It’s likely that you will be reprimanded and you may also have a fine to pay. On top of any fine, you could also be charged the relevant costs to repair any damage you have caused.

Repeated minor offences can become a serious offence, so it’s important to take on board any warnings or advice you are given that could help you avoid multiple offences.

Serious Offences

When a more serious offence occurs, the Residence Life Warden will send a report to the Director of Residential Services.That report will then be sent to you, and you will be asked to respond to the allegation(s) within 7 days. You have to explain if you accept or deny the accusations (in full or in part), as well as include any evidence that shows your side of the story.

If the Director of Residential Services believes there is a case to answer, this will usually go to the Residences Disciplinary Committee for a hearing. A hearing can be avoided if the allegation is accepted in full, but this also has to be requested by the student and agreed by the Director.

Major Offences

This is the highest level of offence under URDR and includes things like harassment, extreme nuisance, abusive or dangerous behaviour, tampering with security or safety systems, and more. Major offences can put your place at the University under question.

Major offences will follow the process under GUDR, which you can read about in our related articles.

Talk to LUU Advice if you have an allegation brought against you and we can advise you on your next steps.

FAQs

Can I be temporarily removed from the residence before they have investigated?

Yes, if you have been accused of a major offence the University has the right to dismiss you from its residences. As soon as the Director of Residential Services has made their decision on this, you will need to comply with their instructions and leave.

Unless you have also been temporarily suspended from the University as a whole, you will usually be given alternative accommodation while the investigation takes place.

This is often to keep either yourself or other students safe and/or comfortable while the investigations take place.

If I’m instructed to leave halls, do I still need to pay rent?

Yes, you should still pay your rent unless you are released from the contract, for example by being withdrawn/excluded from the University. Otherwise, you risk being in rent arrears and could build up late payment fees.

If you are temporarily dismissed from your residence but are later found not guilty, or guilty of a lesser offence, you can apply for compensation via the University Committee on Student Discipline.

LUU Advice can support you with a complaint to try and gain compensation.

What happens if the Police are involved in an incident in University residences?

A report will be sent to the nominee of the University Secretary and the Director of Residential Services within 48 hours. They will make a decision on how the case should be handled.

Disciplinary action (aside from immediate temporary dismissal) will usually be paused until any police investigation is complete.

You can read our article on Criminal Offences here.