/Institutions/University-of-Dubai/json/2025-2026/UD-Code-of-Conduct-local.json

/Institutions/University-of-Dubai/json/2025-2026/UD-Code-of-Conduct.json

UD Code of Conduct > Student Code of Conduct Policies > Student Disciplinary Policy

Student Disciplinary Policy

Policy

1. Student Academic and Non-Academic Misconduct

1.1 Student Behavior

The UD Code of Conduct lays forward those acts and violations that constitute unacceptable conduct for students of UD. The University expects its students to be self- disciplined in both their approach to studying and in their general conduct and behavior. Allegations that students have failed to comply with the principles of conduct in this policy may result in the University taking action under the Student Disciplinary Actions and/or such other University disciplinary actions, as listed below, as it considers reasonable and appropriate.

1.2 Non-academic Misconduct

Non-academic misconduct refers to any student behavior that violates university rules, policies, or codes of conduct outside of academic activities. This includes actions that disrupt the campus environment, threaten the safety or well-being of the university community, or breach institutional standards of respect, integrity, and responsibility. 

A. Classroom Misconduct

Class Disturbance: For any act of class disturbance (use of phone, frequent use of bathroom, internet browsing, playing with electronic devices, talking, laughing, …), the instructor may, if he/she sees it appropriate, to mark the “Class Disturbance” check box in CAMS and the system will automatically flag it as a warning. The second disturbance marked will cause a 5% deduction from the student’s total grade. The third disturbance marked will lead to the dismissal of the student from the class with an “F” grade. 

For any violent or highly irritating forms of disturbance, the instructor may expel the student from the class but not mark him absent. An immediate investigation of the case should be conducted unless the matter is resolved with the instructor prior to the start of investigation. Cases referred to the SIC will receive the appropriate  disciplinary action as specified by the UD Code of Conduct.

 Table 1: Class  Violations & Disciplinary Actions

B. Lab & IT Misconduct

The scope of the UD Code of Conduct includes misuse of any computing facility (including computers, workstations and microcomputers, communication networks or peripheral units of any of these and any associated software and data), for any purpose.

C. Library Misconduct

UD Library serves its community by providing high quality services, and a pleasant environment that is conducive to study and research. In order to accomplish this, all Library visitors are requested to refrain from the following activities:

Visitors committing any IT related misconduct when using the Open Learning Resources of the library, will receive the appropriate disciplinary action as specified in the table above.

D. SIC Hearing Misconduct

E. Exam Hall Misconduct

F. Other Types of Misconduct

1.2 Student Academic Integrity

Academic integrity violations, including but not limited to plagiarism, exam misconduct, misrepresentation, and facilitation are governed by the Student Academic Integrity Policy (S6.18). This Student Disciplinary Policy applies only to non-academic misconduct.

2. Violation Handling Process

1. Violation Report Submission: Violations are reported using the Student Campus Violation Report Form and submitted to the DSS Manager.

2. The DSS Manager reviews the report and determines if there is a violation

3. If applicable, when a violation is identified with correlating disciplinary action A, an informal resolution may be pursued. If successfully resolved, the case will be closed..

4. If the violation is not resolved, or if the violation has a disciplinary action other than A, the severity of the violation is then assessed.

5. DSS Manager Authority:

   1. The DSS Manager may issue Category A or M disciplinary sanctions and fines only. This includes the “Student Campus Violations”.

   2. A written warning and applicable fine are issued to the student and shared with relevant parties.

   3. Decisions must be based on available evidence (e.g., CCTV footage, witness accounts). If a report is submitted without sufficient evidence or witness support, the student will be contacted to verify the incident. If the student acknowledges the violation, the disciplinary process will proceed. However, if the student denies the incident and no supporting evidence is available, the case will be dismissed.

6. If the disciplinary sanction falls under Categories B through L, the DSS Manager forwards the report to the VPAA, who initiates the formation of a SIC.

7. Appeals: A student may appeal a  sanction only once after it is imposed by the review committee and only if s/he can provide additional information/new evidence to support his/her case by filling out the “General Petition Form” (Appendix I). The student should submit the form with supporting documents to the Manager of DSS. who will forward them to the UD President. Grounds for appeal include:

• Misapplication or misinterpretation of the rule alleged to have been violated.

• Discovery of substantial new facts which were not available at the time of the hearing. 

• Disciplinary sanction imposed is grossly disproportionate to the violation committed; this is applicable only when there is no current policy for the violation.

• Procedural errors which are prejudicial and which were committed during the disciplinary meeting or hearing.

• If deemed appropriate, the UD President will then form a new committee to review the case and submit its findings/recommendations. 

• The student may not appeal the second decision.

1. The student is formally notified of all outcomes.

False Appeals:

If, during the appeal process, it is determined that a student has deliberately submitted false information or misrepresented facts, particularly when contradicted by verified evidence such as CCTV footage, the original sanction will remain in place. Additionally, the student may be subject to further disciplinary action in accordance with the Code of Conduct, for attempting to mislead the disciplinary process.

3. Disciplinary Actions & Repeat Offenses

Disciplinary actions should be proportionate to the nature, severity and regularity of the violation(s). These disciplinary actions may fall into one or more categories.
**Violations can receive more than one disciplinary action by the DSS manager or the SIC team, depending on the severity of the case and can include additional disciplinary actions than are cited here. Students with repeat offenses receive higher penalties.

3.1 Disciplinary Actions

1. Warning Letter 

In the event UD  finds that the violation is not of a kind likely to cause harm to another person in the UD community, a confidential warning letter is sent to the respondent concerned declaring him/her to be in breach of the Code of Student Conduct and demanding that he/she cease the prohibited behavior forthwith. The complainant shall be notified by the UD faculty/staff that the respondent has been warned, but that no public disclosure shall be made. The complainant shall be advised that the initial decision is strictly confidential. But a copy of the warning letter must be kept with the DSS  for records. 

1. Failing Assessment including Exam, Project or Assignment
   The respondent will receive a zero as his/her mark on the assessment which may subsequently also cause failure in the course. 

2. Failing a Course

The respondent receives an “F” in a certain course and may not be allowed to attend classes for this course for the rest of the semester. This disciplinary action is appropriate when the respondent repeatedly violates the classroom code of conduct (table 1). It is also appropriate when the student objects to the invigilator’s instructions during an exam. Re-offence leads to ‘Suspension.’

1. Failing a Semester

The SIC committee may choose to fail the respondent in all courses currently registered in the semester/term.  This is also the penalty for ‘Repeating Courses.’  

1. Registration Hold

The respondent may not register in any courses, or receive any transcripts or access any of his/her records until s/he clears up the reasons for which s/he received this disciplinary action. This is applicable when the student has outstanding payments for damage and unauthorized possession of UD property and UD community belongings, or the respondent failed to attend the SIC hearings. Other penalties are applicable in these cases as well.

1. Suspension 

The respondent is prevented from attending or registering in any courses at UD for one or more regular terms as deemed appropriate by the SIC committee after approval by the UD President. This is appropriate when verbal /physical aggressiveness or similar offenses were committed against any member of the UD community, theft and embezzlement on campus, and intentional damage was done to UD property or where defamation of the university has occurred.  

1. Expulsion

The respondent is permanently barred from attending any courses or events at UD. This disciplinary action by the SIC (after approval by the UD President) is appropriate if:

• The violation is committed with malice, and is of a kind likely to cause harm to another person in the UD community. 

• The respondent has been suspended before. 

1. Removal of Graduate Degree
   The disciplinary action is applied to graduate students when the Masters thesis or PhD dissertation is found to be plagiarized. In such a case, the master or doctoral degree will be removed from the student.
   
   

2. Disciplinary Probation

Disciplinary probation can be given to a respondent who previously received a disciplinary warning letter or committed any violation that led to any of the above disciplinary actions, except “Registration Hold.” The SIC committee may also recommend disciplinary probation for any other cases that it considers grave enough to deserve this disciplinary action. When a respondent is on disciplinary probation, s/he shall not represent the university in any capacity (sports teams, competitions, etc.). This includes events taking place both on and off of the University campus. Furthermore, s/he shall not hold office in the UD Student Union or any other student organization. 

1. Restitution

A payment for financial injury to an innocent party in cases involving theft, misappropriating, destruction of property or fraud. The evaluated costs to be paid may be in addition to receipt of any of the above disciplinary actions . The fees will be applied by the SIC or a designated office.

1. Withholding Degree

The university may withhold awarding a degree otherwise earned until the completion of the process set forth in this Student Disciplinary policy, including the completion of all disciplinary actions imposed, if any. 

1. Deactivation

Loss of all university privileges for Students Groups or Organizations including recognition and funding for related projects. In severe cases such as fraud, drug distribution or engagement in political activities, Student Group will be dissolved.   

1. Other Disciplinary Actions

When deemed appropriate, other “educational disciplinary actions ” may be imposed by the DSS manager or the SIC in combination with any of the above-listed disciplinary actions. The respondent may be requested to participate in a community service project ranging from 1 day to 3 weeks period, attend a seminar, meet with the student counselor or undertake a research assignment, for example. 

3.2 Repeat Offenses

1. If a student repeats the same violation within 12 months, the case must be referred to the SIC, which will determine an appropriate escalated disciplinary action.

2. If a student commits a different violation, it will be treated as a first-time offense, but a Category M disciplinary action will also be applied. This applies only to Category A disciplinary actions; all other cases must be referred to the SIC.

1. Failing a semester: The second time a student receives this disciplinary action, she/he will get suspension for one semester. Any courses taken outside during suspension will not be transferred at UD. The third time will lead to expulsion.

2. Suspension: The second suspension will be for two semesters while the third will lead to expulsion.

3. Disciplinary Probation: The first offense during the disciplinary probation period will lead to a suspension for one semester. A second offense during the disciplinary probation leads to a second suspension for two semesters while any further violation will lead to expulsion.

4. Reporting of Student Violation

1. Every UD employee is obliged to report any of the violations by completing the Student Campus Violation Report Form Appendix I. This form will be available on the UD website and with security officers. The form should be submitted to the DSS or the UD security officers. 

2. It is the responsibility of the security officers to monitor the students’ behavior inside UD campus and report any student violations by completing the Student Campus Violation Report Form Appendix I and submitting it to DSS.

3. All student’s campus violations will be documented through email..

5. Fees for Students Campus Violations

The fine amount will be determined by the offense but within the ranges described in the S 6.10 Student Finance Policy.