Learner Discipline
This policy defines the process to be followed when a learner, domestic or international, has breached the rules and regulations of Otago Polytechnic Limited as detailed in the institution’s policies and outlined in the Learner Rights and Responsibilities information as published online.
This policy also sets out the rights of the learner whose case is being dealt with and the appeal processes they can access.
In all disciplinary investigations and decision-making. Otago Polytechnic Limited will not discriminate on the grounds of gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, religious or ethical beliefs, or political opinions.
Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021.
Ombudsmen Act 1975 and all subsequent amendments.
Privacy Act 2020 and all subsequent amendments.
Human Rights Act 1993 and all subsequent amendments.
- The Chief Executive delegates the investigation of all learner disciplinary matters directly to the Te Kaihāpai.
- The Te Kaihāpai has the authority to action a range of disciplinary measures, including but not limited to, suspension or exclusion, cancelling academic results, issuing fines, and seeking damages or reparation.
2.1 In making decisions and imposing disciplinary measures the Te Kaihāpai will apply the principles of natural justice and procedural fairness to ensure impartiality, balanced and considered assessment of information and decisions based on evidence.
- Every learner has the right to representation, advice, advocacy, and support at all stages of the investigation of allegation(s) and/or appeal process, by a support person, whanau, representative or nominee of the Otago Polytechnic Limited Students Association (OPSA).
- Any matter of concern that might lead to actions under this policy, will be raised with the learner as early as possible with the intention of resolution as directly and informally as possible.
- With reference to the Smokefree/Auahi Kore Policy, any learner who is found smoking in any part of the Otago Polytechnic Limited premises will be asked to move off the premises. If the same learner is found smoking again on Otago Polytechnic Limited premises an instant fine of twenty dollars ($20) may be imposed by the Te Kaihāpai. Any money collected from these fines will be donated to the Otago Polytechnic Limited Education Foundation.
Allegation and Investigation
6. A learner who allegedly breaches Otago Polytechnic Limited rules and/or exhibits unacceptable behaviour, such as but not limited to:
- cheating,
- the use of offensive language, imagery, or gestures,
- stealing,
- vandalism,
- threatening or intimidating behaviour, including having any kind of weapon(s)
- acts of aggression,
- or other behaviour that interferes with the rights of other people refer to Learner Rights and Responsibilities; unacceptable behaviours; will be reported to their Head of College in the first instance who will carry out a preliminary investigation then discuss the allegation with the learner concerned.
6.1 The Head of College may refer the matter directly to the Te Kaihāpai for investigation, support or decision-making if the Head of College feels that such action is appropriate for any reason.
- If found that there is no case to answer no further action will be taken.
- If there is a case to answer, the learner will be provided with a written decision, warning, and/or any resulting actions within five (5) working days of the discussion of the allegation.
8.1 All dates, details, (using the learner number rather than name), copy of letter(s) and evidence will be forwarded to the Te Kaihāpai by way of notification to be entered in the Notification, Complaints, Discipline, and Appeals Register.
- If the learner believes this decision is unfair, they may write to the Te Kaihāpai within seven (7) working days of receiving notice of the decision to request reconsideration of the decision by indicating which part of the decision and the grounds for the reconsideration.
- If necessary, the Te Kaihāpai may ask the learner to attend an additional hearing to further investigate the allegation. If the learner does not attend without notification and good reason the Te Kaihāpai may consider the allegation in the learner's absence.
- The learner will be provided with a written decision by the Te Kaihāpai within five (5) working days of the hearing.
- The Te Kaihāpai will also notify the Head of College of the decision who in turn may inform their staff as they see fit. The Notifications, Complaints, Discipline, and Appeals Register will also be updated.
- The University of Otago’s Proctor (Proctor), who manages Campus Watch, has delegated authority from Otago Polytechnic Limited to deal with Otago Polytechnic Limited learners found behaving inappropriately, or illegally, by way of actions that are unreasonably disruptive to other members of the local community, in the same way as for a University of Otago learner.
13.1 If, after reasonable enquiry and after meeting with the learner concerned, the Proctor is satisfied that a learner is guilty of an offence, they may deal with that learner in one or more of the following ways:
a: Discharge the learner conditionally or absolutely.
b: Advise or reprimand the learner.
c: Impose a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500).
d: Direct the return of any property acquired through misconduct.
e: Direct the payment of compensation of up to five thousand dollars ($5,000) in respect of any damage incurred through the misconduct.
f: Direct the learner to carry out work of value to Otago Polytechnic Limited or the local community for up to forty (40) hours.
g: Direct the learner not to attend a specific social function or functions, or not to visit some specific part of Otago Polytechnic Limited (or University), including Halls of Residence for a period of up to 31 December in the year in which the penalty is imposed.
13.2 A learner may appeal the decision of the Proctor by writing to the Te Kaihāpai, Otago Polytechnic Limited within seven (7) days outlining the grounds for the appeal. The Te Kaihāpai may uphold the appeal, investigate the matter further, or reject the appeal.
- In any case, where the Proctor considers that the circumstances of a learner’s offending or alleged offending requires formal consideration or that the circumstances of a learner’s offending or alleged offending may warrant penalties beyond those which the Proctor is empowered to impose, the Proctor may refer the learner to the Te Kaihāpai who may deal with a complaint in one (1) or more of the following ways:
a: Discharge the learner conditionally or absolutely.
b: Advise or reprimand the learner.
c: Impose a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000).
d: Direct the return of any property acquired through misconduct.
e: Direct the payment of compensation up to five thousand dollars ($5,000) in respect of damage to property.
f: Direct the learner to carry out work of value to Otago Polytechnic Limited or the local community for up to sixty (60) hours.
g: Direct the learner not to attend a specific social function or functions, or not to visit some specific part of Otago Polytechnic Limited, including Halls of Residence for a period of up to 31 December in the year in which the penalty is imposed.
Suspension
- If the Te Kaihāpai considers an allegation to be sufficiently serious (i.e., threaten the safety of the learner or others), the Te Kaihāpai may suspend the learner while the allegation is investigated.
- Suspension is a short-term exclusion and is the formal process by which the learner is temporarily prohibited from attending classes or refused access to services provided by Otago Polytechnic Limited.
- If a learner's performance or participation in any off-site excursion, practical, or work experience is, at the absolute discretion of Otago Polytechnic Limited, unsatisfactory for whatever reason, Otago Polytechnic Limited may temporarily remove that learner's attendance at the off-site excursion, practical, or work experience, and Otago Polytechnic Limited’s relevant procedures will be instigated.
Exclusion
18. In the case of serious misconduct or breach of discipline a learner may be excluded from Otago Polytechnic Limited. All exclusions must be authorised by the Te Kaihāpai following consultation with the Chief Executive or by the Chief Executive directly.
Appeals
19. If the learner is dissatisfied with the Te Kaihāpai’s decision, they can request that the Te Kaihāpai review the decision. If the learner remains dissatisfied following this review they may make a complaint to the Commerce Commission, or the Privacy Commission, or New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), or under section 13(1) of the Ombudsman Act 1975, or take legal action.
19.1 An international learner who is dissatisfied with the Te Kaihāpai’s decision can contact NZQA via their website https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/make-a-complaint/make-a-complaint- about-a-provider/ or emailing risk@nzqa.govt.nz
Reporting
20. The Te Kaihāpai will sign off the actions in the Register once the matter is concluded.
- Using the information in the Notifications, Complaints, Discipline, and Appeals Register, the Te Kaihāpai shall prepare in February of each year, a summary report of the previous year’s investigations and notifications. Copies are to be sent to the Chief Executive and Otago Polytechnic Limited Board.
Approved by:
Dr. Megan Gibbons
Chief Executive
2/4/2022
Policy Version V6: Previously Coded: MP0602
