If you are contacted by the University regarding a complaint:

• Don’t ignore it! It won’t go away, and you might end up creating worries or difficulties for yourself that are completely avoidable.
• The University has to investigate complaints about students that it receives, but it does not assume that you are guilty – it needs to hear your side of the story.
• If you have any questions, phone the office - contact details will be in the letter.
• If the time of the appointment doesn’t suit you, contact the office to reschedule.
• If you want independent advice or support prior to the meeting, contact the Students’ Union’s independent advice service,  SU Advice on su.advice@qub.ac.uk. An adviser can also accompany you to any meetings during the process if you feel it would be helpful. Alternatively, you may be accompanied by another student (including a Students’ Union elected Officer), a member of staff or a University Chaplain.
• Most importantly, don’t ignore it! It won’t go away and you could ultimately face a new charge for failing to co-operate.

 What happens at the meeting?

• You will meet with a Neighbourhood Engagement Officer who normally will be accompanied by a note-taker.
• They will confirm your name and contact details.
• You will discuss the report with them and be asked to give your side of the story.
• They will provide you with advice that may help you avoid future complaints.

What happens after the meeting?

• Email a statement to community@qub.ac.uk – this will be part of the evidence for the case, so it is in your best interests to:
  • Use your address or the case number as the subject of the email.
  • Address the email appropriately (Dear Mr/Ms etc.)
  • Don’t write it the way you text your friends! Write it as a formal letter, having thought about what you want to say. Remember to check your spelling and punctuation!
  • Be careful with humour or sarcasm – misconduct allegations are no laughing matter.
  • Sign off the message with your full name and student number.
• The email statement is an important opportunity for you to set out your view of the case for a Conduct Officer.
• The Neighbourhood Engagement team will forward a report, including your email statement to a Conduct Officer. The Conduct Officer will decide whether to dismiss the case, judge the case summarily, or convene a hearing.
• Serious cases are referred to the Conduct Committee. Remember – students can make complaints about antisocial behaviour too!

Alcohol Education Initiative

Alcohol has been consumed by the vast majority of students who are investigated under Queen’s Conduct Regulations.

In recognition of this, we run a programme to increase awareness of alcohol and its effects for students who have committed a minor offence where alcohol was involved. Successful completion of the initiative is offset against all or part of a disciplinary penalty. You will have to pay an administration fee for the course.

The Alcohol Education Initiative is a programme that consists of two elements: the Alcohol Education Workshop and a follow-up questionnaire to be completed online. Failure to complete BOTH elements successfully will mean that you have failed the programme. Failing the programme will lead to any penalty, or part of a penalty, that was set aside subject to successful completion of the Alcohol Education Initiative being imposed.

Please note that the fee for the Alcohol Education Initiative must be paid in advance of the workshop, in accordance with the terms set out in the invitation to join the programme.

Failure to respond to the invitation, or to pay the fee by the deadlines set out in the invitation, will mean that you will have lost the opportunity to take part in the programme. As a consequence, any penalty, or part of a penalty, that was set aside subject to successful completion of the Alcohol Education Initiative will be imposed.

Email: community@qub.ac.uk