Disciplinary Support
The University has various policies and procedures in place to deal with behaviour or misconduct issues.
The Academic Advice team can support any student going through a University of Bristol disciplinary process, including taught and research postgraduates. We have previously supportedThis page gives some basic information on this subject but if you are dealing with misconduct or a disciplinary issue, please reach out to us for further support.
Please note: If you are experiencing bullying or harassment or any kind of unacceptable behaviour, please seek advice and support from the University’s Student Wellbeing Service.
If this page doesn’t offer the advice you are looking for, please check out the complaints page for more guidance or get in touch
Where to go for support
Experiencing, witnessing, or being involved in an investigation of unacceptable behaviour can be difficult and stressful.
- The Student Wellbeing Service can talk to you about how you're feeling and offer support. They can also signpost you to other services that might be helpful.
- If the situation is affecting your studies or exacerbating an existing condition you could consider submitting Exceptional Circumstances, or by requesting an extension.
What are the University's disciplinary regulations?
The Student Disciplinary Regulations defines misconduct as any action (or lack of action) which has a negative impact on University activities, function, reputation or on anyone who works or studies at the University. You can see the listed types of misconduct in annex one of the Disciplinary Regulations (page 10). It includes things like:
- Disrupting or obstructing any academic, administrative, sporting, or social function of the University
- Indecent, violent, threatening, or offensive behaviour
- Sexual misconduct
- Bullying or harassment
- Cheating or plagiarism
- Damage or theft of University property
- Failure to respect the right to freedom of belief or freedom of speech.
If you are not sure if your situation falls under these regulations, please get in contact with us.
While plagiarism is defined as a type of misconduct, cases of alleged academic misconduct are dealt with under the Assessment Regulations. You can find out more about that and how we can support students on our academic misconduct page.
What is unacceptable behaviour?
The University defines unacceptable behaviour as words, actions, or practices that are experienced as inappropriate, unreasonable or offensive. The University's Acceptable Behaviour Policy states that:
"This can include bullying, harassment (including online bullying and harassment), sexual misconduct, demeaning initiation ceremonies, threatening behaviour and malicious posting on social media. It can also include discrimination or abuse relating to, but not exclusive to, disability, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion/beliefs and age."
The University have specific webpages for certain types of unacceptable behaviour that give examples or definitions of what they are, and in some cases additional information about what support may be available and how to access it.
If you have experienced or witnessed unacceptable behaviour, we would encourage you to read the University's guidance on how to make a report and the information below.
How to report another student's behaviour
If you want to make a report about another person's behaviour that has upset, worried, or caused you distress we strongly recommend that you speak to the Student Resolution Service (SRS). They can guide you through the process, help you understand what to expect and offer you advice without having to make an official report.
You can request advice by:
- Emailing the SRS
- Completing the Request contact from an Adviser form on Report and Support.
The University can only investigate formal complaints made via submitting anunacceptable behaviour form.
Anonymous reports through the Report and Support system are logged, but can't be taken forward.
If you are thinking about making a report about unacceptable behaviour then you should continue reading the information below.
You should try to provideWhat a happens after you submit the Unacceptable Behaviour Report?
- You will be assigned a Student Liaison Officer (SLO) who will be your point of contact in the University throughout the process.
- The Student Resolution Service will be your point of contact at the university and can help you manage the investigation that follows.
Please note: The Student Resolution Service cannot advise you on the content of your form or give you feedback on what you submit. Bristol SU and the Academic Advice Service is separate from the University so we can give you objective advice and look at draft documents before you submit them. We can also attend investigation meetings with you for support.
How to report a University of Bristol staff member’s behaviour
To report unacceptable behaviour by a member of staff you will need to complete an staff unacceptable behaviour form and submit it to the Student Complaints and Mediation Manager (SCMM).
To report a Bristol SU staff member, please consult this resource.
The Student Complaints Team will refer your report to the appropriate HR Team within the University. They will consider your situation and any applicable staff policies and procedures.
The investigation process might then involve a meeting with you and an HR representative to discuss your report. The reported staff member would not attend that meeting with you, so you will have the opportunity to fully explain the situation and events.
You would be notified when the investigation is completed, but you may not be told the fullIf you are unsure about making a report or have questions about the process, you can speak to the Student Complaints and Mediations Manager.
How to report sexual misconduct
The University defines sexual misconduct as any unwanted sexual activity - this includes physical interactions and non-physical contact. It can include sexual violence, sexual assault and sexual harassment.
If you need to report sexual misconduct the process is similar to reporting unacceptable behaviour, but there are some differences.
- There is a specific allegation of sexual misconduct form that you will need to complete
- You will then be assigned a Student Liaison Officer (SLO) who will be your point of contact throughout the process
- You will be assigned a Sexual Violence Liaison Officer (SVLO) who has specialist training in supporting students who have experienced any form of sexual violence. They can explain what support is available within the University and signpost to other services.
We would really encourage any students who have experienced sexual misconduct to read the information about what support is available through the University.
Reporting and investigation process
The reporting and investigation process follows the following steps:
- A formal report is submitted
- You will be assigned a Student Liaison Officer (SLO) from the Student Resolution Service.
- Your case will be assigned an Investigating Officer (IO) who will conduct the investigation.
- The IO will inform the responding student (the person who the allegation is against) of the allegations against them. The responding student can submit a written response or attend an interview.
- The IO will start the investigation, usually interviewing the reporting student, the responding student, and other witnesses.
- The IO will also collect any relevant evidence that is available.
- The IO writes a report on their findings which is sent to one of the University’s Disciplinary Decision Makers.
- The reporting student and the responding student are both given an outcome letter with the University’s decision.
- If the reporting student is unhappy with how their report was dealt with they can submit a complaint.
- If the responding student is unhappy with the outcome then they have a right to appeal it.
If you want to submit either a report or an appeal, please contact us as soon as possible for advice.
Appealing a disciplinary outcome
If you are a responding student (someone who has had an allegation made against them) and you are unhappy with a finding of guilt or a penalty imposed following a finding of guilt, then you may have the option to appeal it. You would need to complete the disciplinary appeal form and submit it to the University Secretary's Office within 21 days of the date you are given the decision.
If you are a reporting student and you are unhappy with the outcome, then you can submit a complaint about why you disagree with how the case was managed.
We can provide feedback and advice on draft versions of appeal or complaint forms before they are submitted.
How to write a report
It can be really difficult and upsetting to write a formal complaint about something that you have seen or that happened to you – but it’s really important to make sure you provide all the information that will help with the investigation.
Things to consider when filling in the report form:
- Dates and timesWhen did it happen? If it occurred multiple times, try to include as many as possible. If you don’t have an exact date, estimate it as best you can.
- Was anyone else involved? Were there any witnesses? Was anyone else involved in the situation, either in-person, via messages, or any other form of contact.
- How did it happen?You should provide a timeline of what happened. Try and provide a step-by-step account of the situation, being as accurate as possible.
- What was the impact on you?Where there any physical or practical consequences for you because of what happened? How did it affect your thoughts or feelings?
- Focus on factsIt’s important that you be as factual as possible in your form, as that is what the investigation will be based on. You should try to avoid including assumptions about what you think happened or what someone else’s intentions were.
Our team can offer support with filling in your forms. We can't write them for you, but we can review copies and offer feedback on them. Please send us your drafts via the Academic Advice enquiry form as soon as possible so that we have more time to discuss them with you.
Student behaviour in accommodation and the local community
The University's central location means frequent interaction with the local community. Whether living in University or private accommodation, it's important to behave respectfully towards neighbours and the community.
While most people do this naturally, as a student, you must follow the University's rules on acceptable behaviour. The University values community engagement, so it's important to ensure your actions don't negatively impact others. Here you can find University guidance on common issues like noise, waste disposal, and parking, explaining why these can cause problems and how to avoid them.
Misconduct in student accommodation and the local community
You can read about what is classed as misconduct under the Local Rules and regulations in annex 2 of the Disciplinary Regulations. It includes aggressive and anti-social behaviour, examples of which are:
- Loud parties that disturb those around you or that can be heard late into the night,
- Threatening, harassment, or offensive behaviour to others – verbally, written, or on social media,
- Inconsiderate disposal or waste or recycling that affects other
If there is a report about misconduct it will be investigated by the Community Liaison Officer or a Senior Residential Life Manager depending on whether you are in private or University accommodation. They will conduct an investigation and you will be notified of the outcome and if any penalties are being applied.
Appealing an investigation outcome
If you are unhappy with the decision that you will have the right to appeal. To do that you will need to complete a Local Stage Disciplinary Appeal Form within 21 days of the decision and send it via email.
In order for your appeal to be successful you will need to show that you have at least one of the following grounds to appeal:
- That the decision was not reasonable
- That the procedure was not correctly followed when making the decision
- That new evidence has come to light that was not available to the original decision maker which may have materially affected the decision
You will then need to explain why those grounds of appeal mean that the decision should be reviewed. Once the investigation is complete, an appeal won't lead to the re-opening of the case, so that isn't something that you can request.
You can contact us for advice with your appeal, please send us a draft version of your appeal and a copy of your outcome letter as soon as possible.
Resources, policy documents, and services on this page
- University Unacceptable Behaviour Policy
- Unacceptable Behaviour Form for Students
- Local Stage Disciplinary Appeal Form
- How to be an active bystander
Get in touch with the Bristol SU Academic Advice Team
Submit an enquiry: Using our enquiry form
