Responsible interaction in the University community

It is imperative for everyone to feel welcome in the University community just as they are. Each community member is responsible for creating a safer space for others. This is why we have outlined and follow our shared principles whenever we meet and interact with one another.

Students must behave well at the University and not subject others to inappropriate behaviour or harassment. Each student is responsible for ensuring through their own actions that all students can enjoy a safe and pleasant study environment. To progress in their studies, students must follow the study-related instructions and guidelines issued by the University, individual teachers and administrative staff. Students are also obligated to comply with the University’s regulations. If a student has subjected other students or staff to harassment or inappropriate behaviour, the unit is required to intervene.

Read Responsible Interaction in the University community -instructions and principles in Flamma.

If you notice or are told of inappropriate treatment, follow the instructions below. When addressing inappropriate behaviour, it is important to ask how the person who has experienced discrimination or harassment wishes external parties to proceed. To respect the person and their experiences, start by establishing their wishes.

If a student contacts a teacher, head of academic affairs or degree programme director and reports having been treated inappropriately, the person contacted is obliged to investigate the matter. They must clarify the situation by asking both parties for their views of the events and recording these views. They must consult the parties impartially and determine the course of events. The parties are invited to meetings where relevant information can be recorded. Measures and follow-up actions are agreed as part of these discussions. It is important to ensure that the agreed measures and follow-up actions are taken.

If a student harasses a teacher or other staff, the person subjected to harassment must first ask the student to stop the inappropriate behaviour (e.g., name-calling). If the inappropriate behaviour occurs in email messages or similar media, the recipient can notify the student that inappropriate messages will not be responded to.

If a student harasses other students or disturbs teaching, the teacher can first caution the student and ask them to stop. If the behaviour does not stop, the teacher can order the student to leave the classroom. If the student does not comply, the teacher can call a porter. Porters are not entitled to physically force students to leave a room, but usually students will either calm down or agree to leave the room if a porter is called. In extreme situations (e.g., in the case of threatening or violent behaviour), the police can be called to remove the student.

A student can be barred from attending teaching for up to three working days if the student’s behaviour could jeopardise another student’s or an employee’s safety or makes teaching or related activities unreasonably difficult. No official decision to bar a student is made, but the teacher or the traineeship supervisor notifies the student that the student has been barred, if this is justified. However, the matter must be recorded. If cautioning a student does not stop the student from harassing others or if the student has been ordered to leave the classroom, the matter must be discussed with the student. If the inappropriate behaviour continues after the discussion, disciplinary measures may be taken where necessary.

If a student disturbs teaching online (e.g., by writing inappropriate comments on the teaching platform), the matter must first be addressed according to the terms of use for the University’s data systems. The disturbance of online teaching may lead to disciplinary measures. Student use of online resources outside the University (e.g., on social media) falls outside the University’s authority. University´s social media guidelines.

If the situation cannot be resolved through informal, direct discussions and instructions or if the matter is serious enough for such instructions to be considered insufficient, the unit may hold a formal hearing. The student whose inappropriate behaviour has been reported must be invited to this hearing. The head of unit, the dean or the vice-dean in charge of teaching must attend. The student must be notified that they may request a support person (e.g., from the Student Union) to attend the hearing. The person subjected to inappropriate behaviour and the person who reported it must also be provided the opportunity to attend the hearing and be accompanied by a support person. The purpose of the hearing is to explain to the student how their behaviour is unacceptable, how it must change and what measures will be taken if it does not change. The minutes of the hearing must indicate the student’s and the University’s views of the matter as well as the University’s instructions to the student. The minutes must be sent to the student after the hearing. If the student does not attend the hearing despite being invited, the minutes must be based on the information available and be sent to the student.

If the student’s behaviour does not change despite the instructions or if the matter is serious enough for a hearing to be considered insufficient, disciplinary action will be taken. In such situations, the unit must contact the University’s legal counsel specialised in academic affairs, who would then be responsible for preparing and presenting the matter.

In a disciplinary procedure, students may be issued a written warning if they

• disturb teaching
• behave violently or threateningly, or
• act fraudulently or otherwise violate the University’s regulations.

If the student’s action or inaction is serious or the student continues to behave inappropriately after receiving the written warning, the student may be suspended from the University for a fixed period of up to one year. The decision on a written warning must be made by the rector of the University, and on a suspension, by the Board of the University.

The University’s counselling psychologists and contact persons for harassment provide staff guidance for resolving conflicts. If necessary, the University’s legal counsel specialising in academic affairs can be contacted in matters related to students.

Contact information in Flamma.