Message to Residents
As you will see from the student pages, the University does offer advice to students living in the community to avoid any problems occurring. However, should you encounter any problems with students that you are unable to resolve yourself, please alert the University immediately and we shall be happy to assist in resolving the matter for you. The University wishes to reassure you that all complaints are taken very seriously.
However, please consider the following before making a complaint.
- Try not to pre-judge the new tenants. If you have had a bad experience in the past, please try not to let this influence your relationship with the new group.
- Remember that for some students this may be their first time living independently in the private sector.
- If you have problems with noise and would feel comfortable approaching the students, please call round and let them know there is an issue. They may not realise that there is anything wrong. Give them the opportunity to make changes to resolve the situation before you take any other action.
- If you would prefer not to speak to the students directly, please call the Night Watch Team or the Police for immediate assistance (see contact details below).
Please also report any incidents to the University via Alison Clemett and Dawn Gray (see contact details below) who will be happy to investigate the matter further.
Statement from John Hogan, Registrar
The rapid growth in the number of higher education students throughout the UK during the last two decades is widely recognised as essential for the success of the UK economy. Many more individuals now have the opportunity of studying for a degree with both the personal and career benefits that such an opportunity brings. Perhaps the one regrettable feature of the growth in student numbers has been the rise in incidences of unacceptable antisocial behaviour perpetrated by a minority of students especially when the students are living in residential communities. Unacceptable behaviour, especially by young people, is nothing new but, of course, as student numbers grow, a minority of students are more likely to be involved.
The University is acutely aware of the need for students to respect neighbours and others in their community. We work closely with the Students’ Union to promote the message that students, as members of the local community, albeit temporary ones, have a responsibility to behave at all times in a reasonable manner.
For example:
• We actively promote our Student Charter, which includes standards of behaviour, to all students by a variety of means including inclusion in the Student Guide and display on Campus Messaging Screens.
• We have developed a website with useful information for residents and students.
• We proactively email all students at various stages in the year to highlight the need for good conduct in the community.
• We provide information to students about living in the local community prior to them leaving halls - sessions are held at halls and information is distributed.
• We send targeted emails to residents at particular addresses if we are aware of nuisance in certain areas.
• We also visit students in some of the 'hot spots' at the start of term to speak to students about living in the community, and also to meet residents who have had cause to complain in the past.
• We also ensure that warning letters are delivered to houses in particular areas.
• We also contribute to extra policing in Jesmond.
Are these measures going to prevent any and all problems? The answer is clearly no. With a student population of well over 21,000, there are bound to be occasions when alcohol-fuelled stupidity produces a nuisance. On such occasions we will support the police and other civic authorities in dealing with students in the same manner as they would any other individual responsible for antisocial or even criminal behaviour. The University works closely with the local Police Liaison Officer, who informs us of any cases relating to students.
We liaise with various other agencies to help reduce the adverse impact of student issues in the community.
The Students’ Union Student Support Officer and others are proactive in running campaigns such as the Shush campaign (issuing lollipops and various posters around at the end of events to encourage good conduct on the way home). This complements their sensible drinking campaigns.
The University liaises with the University of Northumbria to ensure that we cross refer when issues relate to students at the other university. When we receive complaints about antisocial behaviour we always investigate which includes interviewing the students identified and visiting the household as appropriate. Where the matter is very serious or there is a reoccurrence, the matter will be handled under the Student Disciplinary Procedures
Such behaviour brings the University into disrepute and it is on this basis that sanctions can be applied. However, we are not a police force and students have reached a legal age of majority and are, therefore, individually responsible for their actions. The University takes all breaches of discipline seriously and students found guilty of misconduct receive warnings and fines (up to £200 each). In some particular cases full disciplinary committees are convened and higher sanctions are imposed. However, there are limits on the University with regard to disciplinary action and the University must at all times act proportionately with regard to individual miscreants. While residents might hope that the University would expel a student found guilty of a serious incident, this ultimate sanction can only be legitimately exercised when weighed against the offence committed. It is unrealistic to assume that the University can expel a student on the basis of serious noise disruption even if repeated. Such a judgement would be regarded as disproportionate by the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) or the courts. Expulsion could be a legitimate sanction in cases of violence.
On a more positive note, many thousands of students participate in community work throughout the year. Our students raise thousands of pounds for local charities. Our students of today become our professionals of tomorrow. Many of the city’s doctors, dentists, architects, planners, engineers and lawyers were once our students. The vast majority of our students complete their studies without causing any offence. They enjoy their experience in the city and the welcome they receive. We know that six months after graduation, over half the students in employment continue to live in the North East. We will continue to work with local organisations and the Students’ Union to promote the need for reasonable behaviour.
Where to get help
If a friendly word has not helped, here are a few contacts for further help:
- Newcastle City Council Night Watch Team 0191 274 4000 – available between 8pm and 4am each day
- noise related problems, Environmental Protection 0191 211 6102
- rubbish related problems, Envirocall 0191 274 4000
- anti social behaviour or criminal damage, Northumbria Police 0191 214 6555 -
- for general noise, nuisance or other complaints about students:
- Newcastle University Student Progress Service 0191 222 5293 (e-mail: casework@ncl.ac.uk)
- Northumbria University Accommodation Service 0191 227 4209
