Section 3 Offence
A section 3 offence is a breach of the university discipline which is reported to the Chief Operating Officer, and they consider the gravity of the breach to demand higher sanction than those issuable by the authorised office, they will launch an investigation into the matter.
How can the University support you?
Support will always be available to you:
- If you feel you need support because the matter is affecting your health, including your mental health, you can access support from Student Wellbeing. You can do so via our Online Referral form.
- If you have a disability, you should contact the Student Inclusivity for further advice and support. You can do so by emailing studentinclusion@lboro.ac.uk or phoning +44 (0)1509 222770
What happens?
As a student you will be notified of the nature of the allegation against you and will be asked to meet with the Investigating Officer to discuss your involvement in the incident or incidents.
This will include:
- That if the student requires independent advice on disciplinary matters, they should contact LSU Advice.
- That if the student has any disability that may impact them during the disciplinary process they should contact Counselling and Disability Service for advice.
- The offence(s) the student is suspected of having committed.
- That the student is entitled to be accompanied at any meeting with the Investigating Officer by an individual of their choosing.
- That the student is not obliged to answer questions put to them, though such silence will be reported in any subsequent disciplinary hearing.
- That the student may leave at any stage of any meeting with the Investigating Officer.
- That a record will be made of the meeting.
What Support can the Student’s Union offer?
The Student’s Union offers support with appealing discipline so if you want to seek independent guidance on your appeal you can go to the LSU advice. You can find details of their services on the LSU advice webpage
If you wish to contact the advice service based at the º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Campus, you can do so via telephone (01509 635072) or email.
If you wish to contact the advice service based at the London Campus, you can do so via email.
For guidance on the disciplinary process for a Section 3 Offence, take a look at LSU's Guidance and Advice about The University Disciplinary Process.
What to do next?
If you have received an allegation of a section 3 offence you must make sure to respond to the notification given and arrange a time for your hearing.
Read through the process found in Ordinance XVII
More information is available on our investigations webpage
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the sanctions?
Sanctions can vary from anything from a formal written warning to exclusion from the University.
A list of university sanctions can be found here. Please be aware that these are guidelines, and the panel may use their discretion in terms of the sanction applied
If I am found guilty will people outside of the university find out?
The disciplinary process is a private matter between you and the University. We will not normally make any disclosure to anyone not directly involved with the issue, but may do so in certain circumstances where the University feels there is a wider issue.
The University will not inform your parents unless you are under the age of 18. We do realise that you may turn to home for support. However, this is your personal choice for you to make.
The University will not normally engage with third parties over disciplinary issues but may do so at your request and with your express consent. The outcome of proceedings and the general details of sanctions imposed may be disclosed to a victim or victims at the direction of the Chief Operating Officer.
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Last Updated: 22nd July 2022