Misconduct and Complaints

We define misconduct as behaving in an unacceptable manner. 

This is established through the York SU Code of Conduct, which outlines what behaviours are not accepted within our Union; the University's Regulation 7: Student Discipline; and more generally common sense.

While conflict generally involves a disagreement or a difference of opinion, misconduct applies when there is a clear use of unacceptable behaviours.

Raising a Complaint to York SU

At York SU, we expect the highest standards of service and conduct from our members, student groups, officers, employees and volunteers. 

We can only respond to complaints that concern one of the following:

• Conduct of a Society, University Sports Club, Media Group & Volunteering Project

• Conduct of an individual within a Society, University Sports Club, Media Group or Volunteering Project (this can include members, coaches and anyone else associated with a group)

• Individual member conduct at a York SU-hosted activity, such as Summer Ball

• York SU services, activities or on-campus venues

• The conduct of York SU employees

• The conduct of York SU elected officers

• An issue or incident that has taken place during one of our student club nights during term-time

If you have a complaint you wish to raise, please fill in the Complaint Submission Form.

A York SU staff member will then review the submission form and contact the member or student group in question to obtain further information, as needed, to ascertain the most appropriate process for the issue being raised, considering the nature of the issue, the complainant’s preferred course of action (where appropriate) and any scope for informal resolution.

If in the first instance you would like some advice on how to manage a situation, please email complaints@yorksu.org where a member of the York SU staff team will be able to help and advise on the next steps. 

Raising a Complaint to the University

Misconduct incidents occasionally should be raised at the University. This should happen in the following instances:

• The quality and standards of a service provided by the University, including learning and teaching provision, advice, resources and facilities.

• Failure to apply an administrative or academic process.

• Unfair treatment or inappropriate behaviour by a member of staff. 

• Concerns about the impact of a University policy, even if it has been correctly applied.

• The University applications/admissions process or its outcome.

• Misconduct relating to an individual student or one or more students

• Conduct related to College Sport Clubs.

To report an incident to the University, you can use the Report + Support Form on the Student Misconduct page. Students can report on behalf of others, and you can provide your contact details or report anonymously. However, if you choose to report anonymously the University will not be able to offer you any direct support or initiate an investigation or other formal process. 

If you provide your details, you’ll be contacted by a member of University staff within two working days. They will consider the case, investigate it, and then, if appropriate, put measures in place to safeguard the reporting person or anyone else involved. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, disciplinary procedures may be instigated.