Code of conduct

By respecting the code of conduct we create a good work and study environment as well as the conditions for a transparent and inclusive institution of higher learning.

This Code of Conduct applies to all who frequent the university campus and its immediate environs as well as all activities conducted at the university.

Access to the University West campus

Some parts of the campus are open to the general public, but the university should not be seen as a public space. The university is responsible for providing a good working environment for its employees and its students.

The general public have access to the public spaces – the library, the cafeteria, the main corridor and other passageways.

There are also common areas designated for students – study areas/group rooms, computer rooms, and kitchenettes for storing, heating and eating food.

Access to lecture halls and classrooms is only open to students who are registered and taking the class that is being taught in that room. Students who have been accepted but are not registered on the course may be in the room, if there are seats available. Lecturers can make an exception for others, but the responsibility for these visitors is theirs.

Students and the general public only have access to staff areas, conference rooms, and offices for the purpose of visiting a university employee or for other errands related to the university.

A member of the general public or a student who does not have the right to be in a certain area of the campus must leave if requested to do so.

Students and staff may not give anyone access to a room that is locked without ascertaining that the person in question has the right to be in that particular room.

ID

Students and staff found on the university premises after 8 pm are obliged to show an ID when requested to do so by university staff or security guards.

The presence of children

It is not permitted to bring children into lecture halls, classrooms, examination rooms, or rooms with particularly sensitive equipment, since these spaces constitute the work/study environment for lecturers and students.

Lecturers can make an exception for children’s presence during a specific lecture for which they are responsible.

This prohibition does not apply to any student who has been accepted to a course at University West, but who happens to be a minor.

General code of conduct

For everyone’s wellbeing, and so that everyone who frequents the university campus feels safe and secure, the following are prohibited:

1. Littering or defiling, damaging or destroying the university premises or property
   
   
2. Moving or taking furnishings or other property that belongs to the university
   
   
3. Harassing or behaving in a threatening manner toward other individuals
   
   
4. Behaving in a way that is meant to aggravate others in the context referred to in Chapter 16, Section 16 of the Penal Code.
   
   
5. Using any apparatus on wheels such as skateboards, bicycles, kick-bikes, in-lines, or similar. Exception is made for apparatuses used by those who are disable, such as wheelchairs.
   
   
6. Consumption of alcoholic beverages, with the exception of those with an alcohol content of less than 2.3 per cent, unless special permission has been granted.
   
   
7. Possession, use, storing, transferring, manufacturing, purchasing, obtaining, or soliciting narcotics in the manner described in Section 1 of the Narcotic Drugs Penal Act (1968:64), with reference to the definition of narcotics according to Section 8 of the same law. Individuals who are under the influence of alcohol and or other drugs will be forcibly removed from the premises.
   
   
8. Possession, use, storing, manufacturing, purchasing for the purpose of transfer, and  soliciting doping substances in the manner described in the law (1991:1969) about prohibition of certain doping substances, with reference to the definition of doping substances according to Section 1of the same law.
   
   
9. Smoking tobacco, e-cigarettes or the equivalent on the university premises. Smoking is only permitted outside a zone that stretches eight meters beyond the entryway.
   
   
10. Using the university buildings for exclusively personal business.
    
    
11. Plugging in electric appliances such as kettles or coffee machines without a permanently  installed timer.
    
    

12. Candlesticks and decorations made of combustible material are not allowed. Candles should be placed far away from curtains and other combustible materials. Candles should not be placed under the fire detector. Be careful when extinguishing the candle to prevent the smoke from reaching the fire detector. Never leave the candle unattended. The person who lights a candle is also responsible for putting it out.

13. Bringing personal pets onto the premises with the exception of dogs such as guide dogs, police dogs, other dogs that assist humans in various ways.

14. Staying overnight on the university premises.

The university library

In addition to that which is stipulated in the university’s Code of Conduct, the library has rules for borrowing books and other resources that apply at all times. They also have their own Code of Conduct.

Recording sound, photography and filming, etc. in conjunction with teaching situations

The main principle is that sound recording, photography, filming, and similar methods of taping of lectures, seminars, and other teaching situations is not permitted.

The lecturer has the possibility of giving his or her express consent for sound recording, photography, or filming at his or her own teaching situation. The lecturer establishes the conditions under which the recording at the specific teaching situation can occur – for example, stipulating that only one recording can be made.

Students with disabilities, whose need for special aid (in the form of sound recordings, photography, and/or filming of teaching situations) has been determined by the university, have the right to make such recordings. The student must make his or her needs known in good time before the lecture, and the recording can only be made by the student him- or herself, meaning that he or she must be physically present at the lecture.

The fact that sound recording, photography, and filming on a specific occasion has been approved does not mean that the student or anyone else who is responsible for the recording can disseminate, make available, or otherwise use the recording for anything other than their personal needs.  

These rules do not affect the right to record, photograph, and film lectures and other teaching situations that the university might possess.

Consequences

When judging what consequences there should be for a breach of the university’s Code of Conduct, it is the established proportionality principle of the Administration Act (2017:900) which should be taken into account. This principle stipulates that measures never stretch beyond what is necessary and only be taken if the intended results are in logical proportion to the difficulties that it can be assumed will arise for the person at whom the measures are aimed.

A student or member of the public who does not have the right to be in a particular part of the building can be requested immediately to leave the premises. If the person in question does not comply with this request, a security guard, or if necessary, the police, can be called in.

A student or member of the public who is in breach of the university’s Code of Conduct can be requested by university staff to cease and desist with the unauthorised action and immediately leave the university’s premises. If the person in question does not comply with this request, a security guard, or if necessary, the police, can be called in.

Students have a far-reaching right to participate in classes for which they are registered. Requesting that a student leave a classroom should therefore only occur when the breach of the Code of Conduct means that the class is disrupted or teaching and learning are hindered. It is only the person responsible for the class who can request that a student leaves the classroom, which means that the student is unable to be in class on that particular occasion.

Disciplinary measures pursuant to Chapter 10 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100) can be taken against a student who is in breach of the university’s Code of Conduct.  

An employee who observes or to whom it is brought to the attention that another employee is in breach of University West’s Code of Conduct, should inform that employee’s immediate superior, who will deal with this breach pursuant to the university’s rules. A breach of the Code of Conduct can occasion disciplinary responsibility according to the Civil Service Law (1994:260).

This Code of Conduct went into effect on 16 November 2021.