Rules of Conduct
CDU University Residence is committed to providing an environment that contributes to the academic and social development of residents while they are attending Charles Darwin University. Residents have the right to expect the University Residence to conduct its business and activities in accordance with the highest ethical, moral, and legal standards.
The reputation of the University Residence is ultimately determined by the actions of those who reside in its precinct. The University Residence will therefore insist upon adherence to the following Rules of Conduct.
Governance Framework
In addition to the Rules of Conduct, residents are expected to read and understand the Charles Darwin University by-laws.
In particular, residents should note the contents of the section of these bylaws describing Student Residences Bylaws, as found at: Charles Darwin University (Student Residences) By-Laws
Residents Handbook
The Residents Handbook works in conjunction with the Student Residences Rules of Conduct and the CDU by-laws. Residents are expected to have read the handbook and understand and abide by its conditions.
Student Residences Conduct Rules
4.1 Rules of Conduct
(a) Residents and visitors of the University Residence will:
i) Comply with the Act and the By-laws;
ii) Comply with all administrative directions from authorised officers of the University Residence or the University;
iii) Maintain the highest standards of honesty, integrity and behaviour whilst in or about the University Residence;
iv) Pay all residence fees fortnightly in advance and pay all other payments within the time specified for payment by the the University Residence Manager;
v) Comply with any request from an authorised officer to furnish the person’s true name and address and to provide some means of identification.
(b) Residents and visitors of the University Residence will not:
i) Steal, remove, damage or otherwise interfere with the property of any other resident or visitor of the University Residence;
ii) Behave in or about the University Residence in a manner that creates a nuisance or annoyance to other people who are residing at or visiting or using the House;
iii) Behave in or about the University Residence in a manner that would amount to discrimination or other 'prohibited conduct' under the Anti-Discrimination Act (NT);
iv) Possess, use or distribute any form of illegal substance on or from the University Residence;
v) Breach any other Act, Regulation or By-law (including but not limited to any other by-law made by the University or rules made by the Council) whilst in or about the University Residence;
vi) Encourage any other resident or visitor to act in a manner contrary to the University By-laws or these Rules.vii) Smoke inside a the University Residence building or within 2 meters of a doorway or building entrance.
(c) Residents of the University Residence will:
i) At all times accompany any visitor they invite into the University Residence;
ii) Ensure that any visitor they invite into the University Residence complies with the University By-laws and these Rules;
iii) Be responsible for the actions of their visitors.
The full rules of conduct can be found at http://www.cdu.edu.au/governance/documents/StudentResidencesConductRules.pdf
4.2 Breaches of the Rules of Conduct
Where the Rules of Conduct are breached endangering residents or staff and immediate action is required for the safety and wellbeing of residents or staff, the University Residence Manager may evict the resident without notice.
4.2.1 Investigation
The University Residence Manager will undertake investigations into all alleged breaches of the Rules of Conduct and as soon as practical, issue a determination. This may take the form of a written report, and/or in the case of minor occurrences, a face to face discussion with the alleged perpetrator.
4.2.2 Determination
In undertaking the investigation the University Residence Manager will examine all relevant information and interview relevant witnesses. If the breach falls into a category where penalties are to be imposed the Manager will issue a written report to the alleged perpetrators which will also include the time, date and place where the interview concerning the breach and penalty is to take place. If the alleged perpetrators do not attend the meeting then the University Residence Manager will impose the penalties and take whatever further action is necessary, this may include eviction.
4.2.3 Penalties
There are three levels of penalties for breaches of the Rules of Conduct:
a) Level One Breaches cover first offences for all but the most serious instances of misconduct. A Level One Penalty may be imposed after, or in addition to, a resident being issued with a formal warning. The amount of an imposed fine in this instance will not exceed 2 penalty units*.
b) Level Two Breaches address repetitions of the same or similar instances of Level One Breaches. Once a member has received a Level Two Fine for the same or similar offence, any subsequent misconduct, however minor, may result in removal from the House, or, at the discretion of the Manager, a Level Three penalty. The amount of an imposed Level Two Fine will not exceed 4 penalty units*.
c) Level Three Breaches cover issues that are of an extremely serious nature, such as physical violence or behaviour that places the safety and wellbeing of other residents and staff at risk. This applies when, in the opinion of the Manager, the circumstances of the misconduct are such that the offending resident should be given a chance to redeem himself or herself, rather than face immediate eviction. Once a Level Three fine has been issued, any subsequent misconduct, however minor, would normally result in removal from the House. The amount of an imposed Level Three Fine will not exceed 10 penalty units*.
* The $ value of a penalty unit is set by the NT Penalty Units Act. As at January 2009 a Penalty Unit was $130.00.
The table linked here gives a guide as to specific actions that would be considered as misconduct breaches at Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3. As misconduct may involve circumstances for which no precedent has been set, the examples are not exhaustive, and should be read as indicative only.
4.3 Notification of Penalties
Information on Penalty Notification processes are contained in the University Student Residences Bylaws, as found at: Charles Darwin University (Student Residences) By-Laws
4.4 Request for a Review of Penalties
Information on Penalty Review processes are contained in the University Student Residences Bylaws, as found at: Charles Darwin University (Student Residences) By-Laws
