Non-Academic Misconduct (DVCA & Student Living)
As a student at the University of Newcastle, you are expected to follow the Student Code of Conduct and the Student Conduct Rule. This means keeping yourself and others safe, treating people with respect, and looking after university property.
Non-academic misconduct refers to behaviour that goes against these expectations.
There are two levels:
- Student Living – This applies to lower-level issues that happen on in the student accommodation environment including organised events on/off campus and usually first or second offences.
- Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic (SDVCA) – This applies to more serious issues or repeated misconduct, both on campus and across the general student community.
Possibly breaking the Student Conduct Rule
If you’ve heard any of these statements, it means the university believes you may have broken the Student Conduct Rule, and you are now entering the misconduct process.
- "I’ve been told my behaviour has been referred"
- "I received a Notice of Alleged Misconduct"
- "I’ve been invited to a meeting. What does this mean?"
Notice of Alleged Misconduct
You will receive a formal letter from Student Living or the Student Conduct team. This may be sent by email, given in person, or delivered through a scheduled Zoom meeting.
This letter will explain:
- What university alleges happened
- Why this behaviour may be a classed as misconduct
- What you need to do next, including giving your response or your side of the story
Use this guidelines template to help you respond to the allegations.
It is very important that you respond. This is your chance to explain what happened, give context, and share your perspective.
If the allegation is correct, you should take responsibility for your actions. While the situation can feel stressful, it is not something to panic about. It is an opportunity to:
- Show honesty
- Reflect on your actions
- Demonstrate awareness of how your behaviour affects the university community
You Are Not Alone
Even though the process is confidential, you can still get support. You can:
- Bring a support person to meetings
- Contact the Student Advocates team for free, confidential advice
- Speak with the Student Conduct Team if you require clarification on the process
- Engage with the Universities free and confidential Counselling service.
The time frame can vary depending on the complexity of the case, team capacity and if there are any other students involved. From receiving allegations to receiving an outcome should take around 8 weeks, however this is not always possible.
Outcomes depend on level (SL or SDVCA), severity of the alleged behaviour, and/or if this is a first or subsequent misconduct case. The spectrum of outcomes includes being given a warning right through to suspension or expulsion from the University. Between these two extremes can be Community Service, Behavioural Support Plans, termination of Occupancy License and more.
You can provide support docs if you believe they will strengthen your response and/or prove you did not do what was alleged.
Gather them as soon as possible. If you cannot get them within the 10-day response time, you can let the decision maker know you will add them later.
Yes! Use the response guidelines linked above to put together your statement. Then send it to the Student Advocates who will then help you refine it.
To ensure the safety of students, staff and the wider University community.
You can find more information in the Student Conduct Rule.
A confirmed finding of misconduct that leads to suspension/exclusion/expulsion from the university will be noted on your academic transcript but will not include details of the conduct.
Outcomes that sit below these outcomes do not appear on your official transcript but will be noted on an internal, confidential register that can only be accessed by a select group of staff.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.