Investigative Procedures for Student Matters

1. Introduction

A case for investigatory action shall exist if a student is alleged to have:

• engaged in conduct, which disrupts teaching, learning or administration in Albion;
• interfered or attempted to interfere with an employee of Albion in the performance of their duties;
• wilfully damaged or defaced Albion property or treated as their own the property of Albion or of an employee and/or student of Albion;
• broken the Code of Conduct which applies both on and off Campus in such a way as to bring discredit upon Albion;
• broken a published rule of Albion.

2. Investigative Procedure

2.1 Allegations of misconduct as described above should be made to the appropriate Investigative Officer responsible:

• On Campus:     Dean or nominee;
• Off Campus:     Director of Operations or nominee;

2.2  If the Investigative Officer believes that there is a need for investigation they will formally invite the student(s) to an investigatory interview. The Investigative Officer should be accompanied by an appropriate staff member for the purpose of taking notes.  At this interview the student may be accompanied by a friend or representative, and should have been invited to do so by the investigative officer. 

2.3 At the conclusion of the investigation, the Investigative Officer can:

• Declare that there is insufficient evidence to proceed
• Find that there is no case to answer,
• Find that there is a case to answer, and then take one of the following 4 options:

• Issue a written warning.
  • Refer the matter to the Director of Operations the invoking of Albion Fitness to Study Procedures
  • Refer the matter to the Senior Executive requesting the invoking of Albion Disciplinary procedures.

2.4 Once the investigation has been concluded the Investigative Officer will submit a report to the relevant interested parties (i.e. the student(s) involved, the complainant, Director of Operations, Dean etc). The report will set out the misconduct alleged, a brief summary of evidence received and the grounds for the finding of the verdict reached. 

2.5 Albion reserves the right to receive formal reports from the police and to utilise such reports as the ‘formal investigation’, and as such not appoint an Investigative Officer to investigate. As such, the Senior Executive may receive such reports and invoke the Disciplinary Procedures directly.

3. Rights of Appeal

3.1 If a student wishes to appeal against the verdict issued under these procedures they must write within 5 working days, to the Senior Executive.

3.2 Upon receipt of the letter the Senior Executive will respond to the student within 10 working days. The decision of the Senior Executive will be final.