Members’ Code Of Conduct#

The College respects the right of Members to conduct their own personal lives. It intervenes only to the extent necessary to ensure the intellectual, representational, social and sporting activities of the College; the peaceful and safe enjoyment of College facilities; the freedom to participate in the programmes of the College and in activities in or on the College’s premises; and to protect the property of the College or its community.

The College expects good conduct from all Members of our community. Any conduct on the part of a Member that has, or might reasonably be seen to have, an adverse effect on the integrity or the proper functioning of the College, or the health, safety, rights or property of the College or its Members and visitors, is subject to discipline under this Code.

The following list sets out specific examples of prohibited conduct. It is intended to help Members understand the type of conduct that may be subject to discipline. It is not an exhaustive list and Members should be aware that some conduct not mentioned below may still be considered prohibited under this Code.

  • Disruption of, or improper interference with the administrative, sporting, social or other activities of Goodenough College, whether on College premises or elsewhere;
  • Obstruction of, or improper interference with, the functions, duties or activities of any Member, member of staff or contractor or other employee of the College;
  • Violent, indecent, disorderly, threatening, intimidating, discriminatory, offensive behaviour or language, abusive conduct or conduct otherwise detrimental to the wellbeing of another person; engaging in a course of vexatious conduct, harassment, or discrimination that is directed at one or more specific persons and that contravenes any of the protected grounds under the Equality Act 2010; or engaging in unwelcome or persistent conduct that the Member knows, or ought reasonably to know, would cause another person to feel demeaned, intimidated, or harassed which includes sexual misconduct or harassment;
  • Fraud, deceit, deception or dishonesty in relation to the College or its staff or in connection with holding any office in Goodenough or in relation to being a Member of the College;
  • Possession or distribution of a controlled or restricted substance or contravention of the licencing laws (sale of alcohol) or the policies of the College governing the possession, distribution and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages;
  • Action likely to cause injury or impair health and safety on the College, Hotel, Burn or Mecklenburgh Square Garden premises;
  • Breach of the provisions of the College’s ‘IT Services Acceptable Use’ policy or any use of College computing equipment, facility, network, or system for any disruptive or unauthorised purpose, or in a manner that violates any law;
  • Damage to, or defacement of, the College or other property or the property of other Members or another community, caused intentionally, negligently or recklessly, and misappropriation of such property;
  • Misuse or unauthorised use of College facilities or other premises or items of property;
  • Conduct which constitutes a criminal offence. Incidents that could, potentially, be considered a criminal offence are normally a matter for the police and the criminal justice system in the first instance. The College may invoke disciplinary procedures at the conclusion of police and criminal justice system procedures, irrespective of their outcome;
  • Behaviour which brings, or is likely to bring, the College into disrepute;
  • Failure to disclose name and other relevant details to an employee of Goodenough in circumstances when it is reasonable to require that such information be given;
  • Refusal to comply with a reasonable direction to do, or not to do, something that is made by a College representative authorised to make such a direction;
  • Failure to comply with a previously imposed penalty;
  • Any other act or omission which shall, in the opinion of the College Executive, amount to misconduct.

Any breach of the Code of Conduct may be subject to the Disciplinary Procedure of the College, regardless of the action of civil authorities. Nothing in this Code precludes the College from referring an individual matter to the appropriate law enforcement agency before, during, or after disciplinary action is taken by the College under this Code. A Member may be subject to criminal prosecution and/or civil proceedings, and in addition to, disciplinary action under this Code.

Disciplinary measures which may be imposed, singly or in combination, for breach of this Code of Conduct may include, but are not limited to:

  • Permanent expulsion of the Member from the College, with or without notice, dependent on the severity of the breach; this would include advising the Member that they are not eligible nor invited to renew their membership or re-apply to the College in the following or subsequent academic years;
  • Exclusion (for a specified period of time) of the Member from parts or all of the College premises;
  • A period of voluntary work;
  • A period of external assistance such as anger management, counselling, antidiscrimination training, mediation;
  • A formal warning to the Member with regard to their future conduct;
  • Making good, at the Member’s expense, in whole or part, of any damage they have caused, whether alone or with others;
  • Written apology to any person or persons affected by the breach of discipline;
  • Formal reprimand of the member.

Members are welcome to discuss any aspect of this Code of Conduct with the Registrar, Dean or Deputy Registrar, if they have queries. Other relevant College policies to be read in conjunction with this Code of Conduct are the Members’ Disciplinary Procedure; the Members’ Procedure on Harassment and Sexual Misconduct; and the Members’ Appeal Procedure.

It is worth noting that incidents of poor conduct are extremely rare at the College.

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