Student Handbook - The School of Language, Linguistics and Film

4.3 PERSONAL HARASSMENT
The College has a comprehensive policy on personal harassment and recognises a variety
of types of harassment which include any type of behaviour perceived as harassment on
grounds of sex, sexual orientation, ethnic or national origin, religion, political conviction,
disability or age. Harassment of students is a disciplinary offence and is always treated very
seriously by the College.
If you feel that a fellow student or a member of staff is treating you unkindly or unfairly you
should contact the Students’ Union for advice on making a complaint.
4.4 DEBT
Most students have to borrow money during their time at university, and have few difficulties
controlling their borrowing and their expenditure. Sometimes, however, students borrow
more than they can comfortably repay. Getting into debt can become a major problem and a
source of much anxiety. If you feel you are in debt to a degree which is causing you
difficulties you should discuss this with your Adviser, or the Advice and Counselling Service.
It is important to resolve this issue at an early stage.
The Advice and Counselling Service also offers preventative advice so that you can avoid
your finances becoming a problem in the first place, for example checking that you are
getting all the financial support you are eligible for, and helping you to plan a realistic
budget.
You are reminded that College regulations state that a student who is in debt to the College,
or the University, for tuition fees or for services fundamental to your studies, such as
outstanding library fines, shall not be entitled to receive examination results, to progress
from one year to the next, or to receive any award of the College or University. The College
reserves the right to charge an administration fee in respect of reinstating the record of any
student whose registration has previously been terminated under the College's Ordinances
for the non-payment of tuition fees.
4.5 SCHOOL COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
This Policy complements the College policy; our emphasis is on informality, with the object
of solving your problems quickly and simply. The majority of problems should be able to be
solved at the first stage, with relatively few progressing to the third stage.
The Policy seeks to embody the following principles:
• transparency – it spells out who is responsible for dealing with your complaint at each
stage of the process, and indicates what action you should take if you feel dissatisfied
with the outcome;
• speed – there are target timescales set for each stage of the process. If for any reason it
is not possible to meet the timescale, you will be informed of the reason for the delay;
• natural justice – the Policy follows the principles of natural justice, in that no person who
has any direct interest in a complaint will be involved in deciding the outcome, and you
will be guaranteed a fair hearing;
• confidentiality – your complaint will be dealt with confidentially, and only the person(s)
responsible for dealing with the complaint, and those who are parties to it, will be
informed;
• non-detriment – you will not be disadvantaged if you make a complaint in good faith;
• group action – if several of you have a problem, you can make a joint complaint;
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