Exclusion from University

If the worst should happen and you are excluded, you have the right to appeal to the Governors against the appeal panel's decision to permanently exclude you from the University.

There are several ways in which a student can be excluded from the University; the following procedure deals with the exclusion which is based on the result of a disciplinary hearing.

How to appeal

Write to the Clerk to the Board of Governors:

Sally Hartley
Clerk to the Board of Governors,
University House,
Winston Churchill Avenue,
Portsmouth PO1 2UP

The statement you write must meet the following criteria:

• It must be headed 'Statement of appeal against permanent exclusion'.
• It must be dated.
• It must be signed by you, but also print your name.
• It must get to the Clerk within 14 days from when it was decided that you would be excluded.
• It must say if there is any reason why you shouldn't be excluded (kicked out), i.e. a medical reason for your behaviour/actions.
• If there is a reason, you need to provide evidence to support what you are saying, i.e. a doctors note.

What happens next?

• If you meet the necessary criteria in your statement of appeal, the appeal will be valid.
• A committee of 3 or more governors, who don't have a direct interest in your case, is formed.
• The committee will then consider all of the evidence.
• If they need any additional information, they will arrange for an inquiry to be set up where they can question you and the Chair of the original appeal panel.
• They will then communicate their findings to the Clerk of the Govenors.
• The Clerk will then issue an 'Appeal Decision Notice' which will outline the findings of the investigation, the penalty decided on and action that will need to be taken.
• The notice will be given direct to you from the Clerk and you will have to sign for it, and give a contact address for any further correspondence. If you cannot collect the notice in person it will be sent to you by recorded delivery. (To your home and local address)
• The decision of the Appeal Committee is final!
  

Please note...

There is no time limit applicable to this process by which the University has to deal with your appeal, but it will be dealt with in the correct manner as quickly as possible.

If you decide to drop the appeal, it is recorded within the University records as a failed attempt, and the exclusion will stand.

We cannot help you if...

• You were excluded from the University because you have submitted false information on your application form as you do not have a right to appeal in this case.
• You have failed to pay your tuition fees. The University finance department will negotiate with you to try and achieve a compromise before it results in exclusion.

Help is at hand!

If you need any help or advice at any stage, please contact the Education & Representation Officer, here, or call into the Sabbatical Office at the Union and speak to Lynsey Hayward.

Regulations concerning complaints are given by the University in more detail. This is available in the relevant section of the Handbook of Student Regulations. This information is available here from the University's web site, or from your department.