If you have experienced any form of bullying, harassment, victimisation or discrimination by another student or a member of University staff, you may wish to report this to the University so it can be investigated under discipline procedures.
The University does not have the power to determine if criminal activity has occurred or to investigate if it has, only the Police can do this. Please visit our page on ‘Make a report direct to an external agency’ for information on how to do this. However, we can investigate possible breaches of our Code of Student Discipline, staff ordinances and Respect at Work and Study policy.
The process for submitting a complaint directly to the University for consideration of action without first speaking to an Adviser depends on whether the complaint relates to a student or member of staff. The detail of the reporting processes are set out in the sections below.
The University takes all reports of student and staff misconduct seriously. Details of the University’s disciplinary proceedings for students and staff respectively are set out in the Code of Student Discipline and the Staff Disciplinary Procedure (Ordinance 68, Part 2, Schedule 2). respectively. These exist as a framework through which appropriate action can be taken in response.
If you want to speak to an Adviser to discuss your options before submitting a formal report to the University, you can do this by submitting a report through Report and Support and speaking with one of our Advisers. You can also report an incident anonymously through Report and Support.
It is entirely your choice if you wish to name the student or staff member. If you choose to do so, however it's important to be aware what action the University will take if you name a perpetrator of bullying, harassment, victimisation or discrimination to any member of University staff.
If the Adviser considers they need to refer your case to a senior colleague or the Police, a discussion will normally first be held with you to make you aware that this action will be taken and what you should expect next. This conversation would normally take place between you and the Adviser.
The Adviser will endeavour to make sure you are happy with the information in your disclosure before it is submitted. They will confirm with you any follow up actions which were agreed between those present during the conversation.
If the alleged perpetrator is a student or member of staff and is deemed to be a risk to you, themselves or others, the Adviser will discuss your case with senior staff as part of the risk assessment process.
If it is agreed that the case should be investigated under student or staff disciplinary procedures, senior colleagues from the Student Discipline team or the HR&OD team respectively will take over the case. However, the Adviser you have been working with will normally remain your key contact in terms of organisation of support and referrals to external agencies, unless another contact is specifically requested.
Anonymous reports help us to better understand the broader picture around bullying, harassment and hate incidents amongst our community and may help to enhance our future work in this area.
You can submit an anonymous report via our secure Report and Support system.
If you choose to submit an anonymous report please be aware that no action can be taken, nor advice provided in response to an anonymous report. However, if you do choose to name a perpetrator in any of the free text areas and they are either a University student or staff member, the University will be obliged to take appropriate action to safeguard you and/or members of our community.
To make a complaint about the conduct of a student without first wishing to speak to an Adviser about your options, you can use the Complaints Handling Procedure.
When the University receives a report of bullying, harassment, victimisation or discrimination about one of its students, this will be responded to in line with the Code of Student Discipline. This sets out the detailed procedure that will be followed by the member of staff carrying out the investigation (the investigative officer).
The first step in an investigation is for a meeting to take place with the person who has made the report. This is to provide an opportunity for discussion to ensure that the investigative officer has as much detail as possible on what has happened and how the person making the report has been affected.
A meeting would then take place with the person against whom the report has been made to advise them of the report and to provide them with an opportunity to respond. An investigation may also include meetings with other individuals who witnessed what happened or who otherwise can contribute information to inform the investigation. Students are always entitled to bring someone with them for support when they attend a meeting that is part of a disciplinary process. You can see a list of who this can and can’t be in the Code of Student Discipline.
Once an investigation is concluded, the member of staff responsible for deciding on the matter will consider the investigation report and decide if any further action is required, and on any penalty to be applied.
To make a complaint about the conduct of a member of staff without first wishing to speak to an Adviser about your options, you can use the Staff Grievance procedure.
When the University receives a report of misconduct about one of its staff, this will be responded to in line with the Disciplinary Procedure (Ordinance 68, Part 2, Schedule 2). This sets out the investigatory procedure that will be followed by staff carrying out the investigation (the investigating officers).
The first step in an investigation is normally for a meeting to take place with the person who has made the report. This is to provide an opportunity for discussion to ensure that the investigating officers have as much detail as possible on what has happened and how the person making the report has been affected.
The member of staff against whom the report has been made would be advised that a report has been received, and invited to a formal investigatory meeting, during which they would have the opportunity to respond to the allegation. An investigation may also include meetings with other individuals who witnessed what happened or who otherwise can contribute information to inform the investigation. Staff are always entitled to bring a colleague or trade union representative with them for support when they attend a meeting that is part of a disciplinary process. Students attending meetings are also always entitled to bring someone with them.
Once an investigation is concluded, the manager responsible for deciding on the matter will consider the investigation report and decide if any further action is required. This may include progressing the matter to a disciplinary hearing to consider the matter, which may result in formal disciplinary action being taken.
Members of the wider community who wish to make a complaint about the conduct of a member of staff or student can submit a complaint via the Complaints Handling Procedure.
If you are able to do so, please complete the University of Stirling Complaint Form and email to complaints@stir.ac.uk. However, if that is not possible, please contact the team via email and they will be pleased to help.
The University recognises it is in everyone’s interests for investigations to be carried out as promptly as possible. Each case is different, and it is not possible to be exact about the timescales for completion. For example, if an incident is also reported to the police, criminal investigations can take some time, which means that the University may be required to pause its internal investigation for a period of time.
Where an investigation takes place, this will be completed as quickly as possible. However, this will be balanced by the need to complete an effective investigation and will be dependent on the size and complexity of the investigation.
Where a matter reported for action under the Disciplinary Procedure (Ordinance 68, Part 2, Schedule 2) or the Code of Student Discipline is the subject of police investigation or a pending legal case, the University (normally through the Deputy Principal) will consider the most appropriate course of action in the circumstances.
During the investigation process, the University’s internal risk assessment will be reviewed at regular intervals whilst any criminal investigation and/or trial is proceeding, to ensure the safety and protection of all parties. The University will also continue to provide support and guidance to those affected by the incident during the time when the disciplinary process has been paused.
At the conclusion of the external judicial process, the Code of Student Discipline or Disciplinary Procedure (Ordinance 68, Part 2, Schedule 2) sets out how the University will proceed.
However, the University may proceed with a disciplinary investigation and subsequent outcome, in advance of and regardless of the outcome of the criminal investigation process.
If you're off campus, call 999 to reach any of the emergency services.
If you're on campus, call the Security Team any time, 24/7 on extension 7999 (on an internal phone) or 01786 467999 to request the Police.
If you need an ambulance, dial 999 directly to speak to a call handler. Then call the Security Team on extension 7999 or 01786 467999 to let them know that an ambulance will be arriving.