Introduction
The University is committed to creating a safe, responsible and respectful environment for all members of its community, including students, alumni, colleagues and external partners.
This document outlines the University’s expectations in relation to alumni behaviour during participation in programmes and events organised by the University, on and off campus. This policy also applies to alumni conduct on our campuses and in public spaces, including social media, and the actions which may be taken following reports of any concerns.
In addition, the University’s Student Code of Conduct, which applies to current and former students, sets out the University’s expectations in relation to behaviour. Any breach of the Student Code of Conduct may be treated as a disciplinary matter, under the University’s Disciplinary Procedure.
The Alumni Relations Office reserves the right to immediately terminate alumni services and benefits, including any engagement in our events or programmes, depending on the severity of the behaviour reported.
See our full list of alumni services and benefits.
Examples of contravening the Alumni Behavioural Policy
Aggressive or offensive behaviour
This includes, although is not limited to, reports of threats, physical violence, bullying (including online bullying), victimisation, discrimination, and rudeness, whether made to a member of our community directly on University premises, or elsewhere, including on social media and/or via email. Statements and opinions voiced in-person or online that conflict with the University’s policy on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion will also amount to offensive behaviour.
Harassment
This includes unwanted conduct which has the purpose of violating an individual’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for an individual.
Sexual misconduct
This includes unacceptable conduct of a sexual nature, whether or not unwanted, through any medium, including physical, verbal or online.
Misuse of Alumni Card or misconduct on University campuses
This includes breaches covered within the Alumni Card Terms and Conditions. All alumni confirm to uphold these terms when applying for an Alumni Card.
Actions which might be taken if alumni contravene the Alumni Behaviour Policy
Upon notification of an incident and the receipt of any related evidence concerning the alleged misconduct, the Head of Alumni Relations, or appropriate nominee, and other relevant University colleagues who may have been involved with the incident, will decide whether the case can be managed locally within the relevant department or service provider. If so, then the relevant department or service provider may enact their own procedures.
If not, then the Head of Alumni Relations or appropriate nominee will take one of the following actions:
- If the case is a minor and/or first event, the alum will receive a written warning which outlines that, if a further incident occurs, withdrawal of alumni services and benefits may automatically take place
- If the case is sufficiently serious and/or is a second offence, the alum will receive written confirmation of the termination of their alumni services and benefits
- Depending on the nature of the misconduct, the matter may be referred to the Student Disciplinary Regulations
Notification of the withdrawal of alumni services and benefits
If a decision has been made to terminate alumni services and benefits, the Head of Alumni Relations, or appropriate nominee, will:
- Write to the alum concerned to acknowledge the incident and the immediate termination of alumni services and benefits. If the alum has an alumni card, the alumni card will be deactivated and entry to University sites will not be possible
- Record all relevant information related to the withdrawal of alumni services on the individual’s alumni record
- Notify relevant stakeholders of the decision
- Terminate the alum’s involvement with all University engagements
Additional steps which will be taken if necessary, might include:
- Ensuring all contact with the alum is directed via an assigned member of staff. Incoming contact from the individual might be blocked if concerns are sufficiently serious
- Removal of the individual’s record from the alumni database. Requests for certificates and transcripts will still be possible
Appeals procedure
If the alum wishes to appeal against the withdrawal of their alumni services and benefits:
- Any appeal must be made in writing to the Director of Business Engagement, [email protected] within five working days of the notification of the decision. Appeals may be made only on one or more of the following grounds:
- A challenge to the findings of fact
- A claim that the penalty was excessively severe in relation to the nature of the offence
- A claim that the procedure outlined in section 3 has been implemented improperly
- New evidence which was not available at the previous stage
- The Director of Business Engagement will consider the appeal request against the grounds submitted and may request the alum and (any other party) to provide further information or clarification
- Where the Director of Business Engagement determines that the alum has disclosed one or more valid grounds for appeal, the Director of Business Engagement will accept the appeal request and consider the appeal. They will inform you in writing of the outcome
- Where the Director of Business Engagement determines that the alum has not disclosed any valid ground for appeal, the Director of Business Engagement will reject the appeal request and will inform the alum in writing of this. In this case, there will be no further opportunity for the alum to appeal
- The Director of Business Engagement will notify the alum in writing of the decision and the reasons for it, normally within 15 working days of receipt of the appeal request. Where it is not possible for the Director of Business Engagement to meet this deadline, you will be informed and will be advised of the reasons for the delay, and of the revised timescale
- The Director of Business Engagement’s decision will be final