Behaviour management in accommodation

As a resident of University accommodation, you are expected to behave in ways that reflect our values, inside and outside the institution. This includes treating others in a respectful and considerate manner.

Poor behaviour can trigger a variety of penalties. This includes breaches of terms and conditions of residence, committing criminal offences or having a negative impact on others. We assess each incident individually, depending on how severe the situation is.

The University’s disciplinary rules and procedures are available through the Student conduct policy (PDF).

There are set procedures we must follow if you break your terms and conditions. These are divided into four categories: anti-social behaviour, housekeeping and noise, illegal substances (drugs) and fire. If you breach the terms and conditions more than once in that category you will proceed to the next level of discipline.

Example

You are given a Level 2 formal warning for fire because you tampered with a smoke detector. We then find that you have propped open a fire door. We would have to serve you with a Level 3 final written warning. Any further breaches of your terms and conditions could lead to a termination of your accommodation license.

Rules

• If no one takes responsibility for misconduct with a flat/house, we will have to penalise every resident.
• Where a flat/house is damaged, the cost of repair will be split equally between all residents in that flat/house unless the person(s) responsible is identified.
• Towards the end of your contract, if a relevant awareness course is not available you will have to pay the full penalty charge. More information on awareness courses below.
• We may conduct spot inspections on your room or flat/house if necessary.

Depending on the severity of the situation, Student Casework Team may also be made aware. This is in respect to the University disciplinary procedures.

In all disciplinary cases, we will provide information about getting help, advice and support.

Referral

Depending on how the licence is breached, we reserve the right to escalate to Student Casework Team. It could be that the breach also affects the University disciplinary procedures.

If you need to make serious allegations about the behaviour of other UWE Bristol students, you must contact the Student Casework Team. 

In all cases of disciplinary action, we recommend you contact The Students’ Union at UWE Advice Centre. Their representatives are welcome at any disciplinary meeting.

Contact them via +44 (0)117 32 82676 or advice@uwe.ac.uk.

You have the right to appeal disciplinary action by Accommodation Services.

• If you are issued a Level 2, appeals should be addressed to the Senior Accommodation Managers.
• Level 3 appeals are addressed to the Deputy Head of Accommodation.
• Notice to Quits are addressed to the Heads of Accommodation.

Appeals should be received within seven working days of the date of the written notification. You should clearly state the grounds in which you are appealing and provide details supporting your appeal.

UWE Bristol does not tolerate the possession, use or supply of drugs at any of our premises. However, we recognise that some of our students may choose to engage in drug use, so we use a harm reduction policy.

We assess each case individually, and discipline as appropriate.

Class A, Class B, Class C and Psychoactive substances (including nitrous oxide)

• Level 2 written warning with a mandatory place on a Drugs Awareness Session. Plus, a possible referral to the police, referral to student conduct panel and/or professional suitability.
• Level 3 final written warning plus sanctions mentioned in first point and possible expulsion from the University.
• Notice to quit UWE Bristol accommodation.

Supply or production of any class or any substance

• Notice to quit UWE Bristol Accommodation, referral to the police and referral to student conduct panel and/or professional suitability. This could lead to possible expulsion from UWE Bristol.

Possession of drugs paraphernalia 

• Used drugs paraphernalia results in confiscation or disposal with a Level 2 formal written warning.

Drugs disciplinary flow chart

We take a strong stance against anti-social behaviour or actions that make members of the UWE community uncomfortable. This includes breaches of visitor policy, vehicles on campus and aggressive behaviour (verbal and physical).

We assess each case individually, just like our other disciplinary processes. Outcomes will depend on the severity of the situation.

The most severe, such as physical aggression, can result in having to leave UWE Bristol accommodation and possible expulsion from the University. We discipline and manage other anti-social behaviours as appropriate. If we see repeat behaviour, we can put in place firmer disciplinary measures, up to notice to quits.

Anti-social behaviour disciplinary flow chart

Fire is serious risk to your safety. UWE Bristol accommodation is fitted with both smoke and heat detectors. Alarms are frequently tested, and full fire drills are run to ensure all residents understand what to do in an emergency.

If you do not follow safety measures or cause a fire hazard, we must put disciplinary measures into place. Severe (such as tampering with a detector) could result in Level 2 written warnings. Repeated breaches could lead to us asking you to leave your accommodation.

Fire and safety precautions include:

• Not smoking inside any of our buildings, including all accommodation.
• Not having candles or incense. Open flames are not allowed in accommodation. This includes candles (lit or ornamental), incense, oil burners and shisha pipes.
• Residents must evacuate in four minutes when hearing a fire alarm. Late evacuation will result in disciplinary action.
• Keeping cookers, ovens and pans clean.
• Only keeping cooking equipment in kitchens, not in bedrooms.

Fire disciplinary flow chat

Living together comes with a personal responsibility of being a good housemate. This includes keeping to our housekeeping and noise policy.

Housekeeping includes cleaning your home, washing up your dishes and correct rubbish disposal. Together you and your housemates will be responsible for cleaning and disposing of rubbish in your accommodation. Bins will need to be taken out frequently. This can cause issues if individuals do not pull their weight.

Living in a community can be noisy sometimes. As part of a big community it's important to respect your neighbours and be mindful of the noise you're making.

Quiet time is between 23:30 and 08:00. If you make any excessive noise inside of these hours, Campus Support will issue you with a noise warning on the first occasion. If this becomes a repeated issue, formal disciplinary action may be taken. Excessive noise is not permitted at any time of day or night.

Housekeeping and noise disciplinary flow chart

Awareness sessions

Level 2 written warnings for drugs and fire breaches come with mandatory attendance to a relevant awareness session.

Awareness sessions are subject to availability at the time of booking. You will only have one opportunity to attend an awareness session.

If you do not attend your awareness session you will be charged for your place:

• Fire awareness session charge is £37.50.
• Drugs awareness session charge is £50.

Notice to Quit

If your behaviour is of significant or repeated level, and the University feels we can no longer allow you to live in our accommodation, you will be issued with a Notice to Quit. Notice to Quit means that you will be required to vacate your accommodation within 28-days whilst remaining liable for the rent until the end of your contract.

You are responsible for your visitors’ behaviour. They must always be accompanied when on site and comply with the Accommodation terms and conditions. Any breaches will be treated as your own, and you will be disciplined in line with previously mentioned sanctions.