UHI Orkney Charter

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First enquiry

Staff at UHI Orkney will offer you:

  • a prompt, efficient and courteous response
  • clear and comprehensive information on courses, fees, sources of financial help, services and facilities
  • details of additional support if you have a disability or special need
  • impartial academic, career or vocational guidance
  • a fair and speedy decision on your application

On course

We undertake to provide you with:

  • relevant information at the start of your studies, on course content and timing of assessments
  • education of a consistently high standard
  • opportunities to study using flexible learning methods as appropriate and if possible an efficient, standardised assessment process
  • advice on matters relating to finance
  • regular information on academic progress and results
  • additional learning or personal support as appropriate
  • a prompt and thorough investigation of any complaint and a solution within a reasonable time
  • an opportunity to express your opinion on the services and facilities of the College
  • fair and equal treatment at all stages of your association with us
  • information on opportunities for progression to education or employment

Student entitlements

During your time as a student at UHI Orkney we will offer:

  • a comprehensive induction to the College
  • an opportunity, if appropriate, to negotiate some elements of your programme of study
  • the provision of learning support to meet your specific needs
  • the opportunity to gain credit for learning you have achieved prior to attending the College
  • resources for private study
  • regular information on your academic progress and achievement
  • the opportunity to improve or acquire job-seeking skills before you finish your studies

You are also entitled to expect:

  • access to impartial information, advice and guidance service covering education, careers, finance or personal matters
  • the provision of an appropriate range of student services information on:
  • the operation of the student disciplinary process
  • Health and Safety procedures
  • how the complaints procedure is managed
  • the implementation of the student Equal Opportunities Policy
  • the operation of the Academic Appeals process
  • an opportunity to participate in Student Association activities and join the National Union of Students
  • opportunities to give your opinion on College courses, services and facilities

Our requirements

For its part UHI Orkney has certain requirements it makes of students.

  • As a college we expect you to:
  • attend all classes regularly and arrive on time
  • give reasons for all absences
  • meet set deadlines for the submission of assignments
  • pay fees and charges as agreed
  • follow the College Disciplinary Code
  • comply with codes of conduct relating to specific areas of the College
  • gain maximum benefit from your studies at Orkney College
  • value the time spent in College
  • protect the College environment
  • demonstrate respect for the work and needs of others
  • comply with all relevant safety rules and arrangements issued by the College and with all statutory requirements
  • switch off all mobile phones and other electronic equipment whilst in class
  • refrain from eating or drinking (other than water) at any time in classrooms and the study room

Student disciplinary code

Students are asked to read the Disciplinary Code and sign the Student Contract to indicate understanding and acceptance of the Code at enrolment. A copy of the Student Disciplinary Procedure will be available in every department and students are advised to read this also.

  1. It is a breach of College discipline for any student intentionally to:
  2. Obstruct or hinder teaching, study, administration or recreational activities. This includes obstructing or hindering any member of staff or any officer of the Students’ Association in carrying out his/her duties.
  3. Cause minor damage to any property belonging to the College, the Students’ Association, College staff, students or visitors to the College campus.
  4. Make use of any unfair means or practice deceit, or assist another student to behave in this way, during any College test, examination or in the carrying out of any assignment.
  5. Use illegal drugs or consume alcohol on any part of the College campus.
  6. Take part in any class or make use of any College facility whilst under the influence of alcohol or any other substance, to the extent that it is believed to be to the detriment of his/her appropriate response or behaviour.
  7. Abuse, threaten, assault or seriously endanger the health and safety of any College employee, officer of the Students’ Association, student or visitor to the College campus.
  8. Cause wilful serious damage, steal any property belonging to the College, the Students’ Association, College staff, students or visitors to the College campus or attempt to defraud the College of any monies.

Please note: The above list is NOT exhaustive and includes any other breach of UHIO discipline.

Items 3, 6 and 7 will normally be seen as a gross breach of UHIO discipline and even though a student has not previously been given a disciplinary warning, may result in a student losing the privilege of studying at UHIO and having access to the premises.

A criminal conviction or other unacceptable conduct which in the opinion of the Principal or their representative causes the student to be unsuitable to continue his/her studies at UHIO, whether or not the conduct occurred on UHIO premises, will be seen as a gross breach of UHIO discipline and will be treated as such.