Regulations for acceptable behaviour

Behaviour

The behaviour of students is important not only to staff and other students, but to other residents of Reading as well. Anti-social behaviour causes stress and unhappiness for victims and their families, may cost a great deal of money, and can bring the University into disrepute. Students, staff, local residents, the media, and parents all expect the University and the Students' Union to maintain a safe, peaceful and orderly environment. The great majority of Reading students behave considerately and responsibly.

Student discipline

When you enrol or re-enrol each year, you agree to abide by the rules and regulations of the University, which apply off-campus as well as within the University environment. There is a disciplinary system for the very small number of students who break these rules and behave in an anti-social fashion; in extreme circumstances we may suspend a student from the University or even remove them altogether.

Alcohol

The majority of disciplinary offences involving students also involve alcohol. This is not considered as having any kind of 'mitigating effect' in terms of the disciplinary system or the penalties applied. If you are drunk you are more likely to be involved in an assault, which may be violent, either as the victim or the perpetrator. The more drunk you are, the more you put your personal health and safety at risk. To learn more about alcohol and its effects see: the Drink Aware website or the 'Alcohol - Know your limits' page on the Medical Practice website.

Alcohol Restriction Zone

East Reading, including parts of the Whiteknights campus, has been designated as an Alcohol Restriction Zone by Reading Borough Council. This means that it is an offence to fail to surrender any alcohol for consumption in a public place. So, if you're seen out and about with a drink in your hand a Police Officer can ask you to stop drinking it or hand it over. If you don't comply with that request you could be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice, Fine, or arrest and prosecution.

Behaviour while studying

Whilst you are a student at the University of Reading, it is your responsibility to do the following:

• Ensure that electronic devices (mobile phones, Blackberries, PDAs, MP3 players etc) are switched off during all classes¹ unless agreed beforehand with the member of staff leading the session².
• Attend all classes punctually. Lateness is considered to be disruptive behaviour.
• Give due and proper attention to the member of staff leading the session (and any ground rules that have been set) and to show respect to your fellow students; it is unacceptable to disrupt a class.
• Leave any room or building of the University when requested to do so by any member of staff.

Students who seriously or persistently flout these regulations will be reported to the School Director of Teaching and Learning and/or the School Senior Tutor who will take appropriate disciplinary action.

If you feel that your University experience is being disrupted by the unacceptable behaviour of other students, you are encouraged to report this to your Personal Tutor or to the member of staff teaching them if appropriate.

Students who wish to discuss any aspect of the above should talk to their Personal Tutor in the first instance.

¹ 'Classes' refers to any session led by a member of staff whether it is a lecture, seminar, workshop, tutorial, laboratory sessions etc.

² NB: students may make an audio recording of a lecture but may not visually record without consent. Students should refer to the Policy on the Audiovisual Recording and Capture of Teaching Sessions by Students for details on acceptable recording and use.