Code of Conduct

The Code applies to the on-campus conduct of all students at all the locations / campuses of the University. The code also applies to the off-campus conduct of students in direct connection with:

• Academic course requirements or any credit-bearing experiences, such as internships, field trips, study abroad/ student exchange;
• Any activity supporting the pursuit of a degree, such as research at another institution or a professional practice assignment;
• Any activity sponsored, conducted, or authorized by the university or by registered student organizations
• Any activity that causes substantial destruction of property belonging to the university or members of the university community or causes serious harm to the health or safety of members of the university community; or
• Any activity in which a police report has been filed, a summons or indictment has been issued, or an arrest has occurred for any act or omission.

Students continue to be subject to the laws of the land while at the University, and violations of those laws may also constitute violations of the code. In such instances, the University may proceed with University disciplinary action under the code independently of any criminal proceeding involving the same conduct and may impose sanctions for violation of the code even if such criminal proceeding is not yet resolved.

Students are members of the University community and citizens of the State. As citizens, students are responsible to the community of which they are a part, and as students, they are responsible to the academic community of the University. Admission to the University carries with it the presumption that students will conduct themselves as responsible members of the academic community. As a condition of enrolment, all students assume responsibility to observe standards of conduct that will contribute to the pursuit of academic goals and to the welfare of the academic community.

They are expected to practice high standards of academic and professional honesty and integrity and also to respect the rights, privileges, and property of other members of the academic community and the society. They should refrain from any conduct that would interfere with University functions or endanger the health, welfare, or safety of other persons.

As a citizen of the State, a student should not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, religion, gender, national or ethnic origin, marital status, sexual preference, physical disability, or any other legally protected status. They should at all times conduct themselves in a manner which is not prejudicial to any law of the land. Their conduct should aim to achieve the meaning, mandate, and manifestation as enshrined in the Constitution of India.

Any student found to have committed or attempted to commit the following misconduct is subject to appropriate disciplinary action under this Code. The instances of misconduct are not to be interpreted as all-inclusive of situations in which disciplinary action will be invoked. These instances are illustrative, and the University reserves the right to take disciplinary action in appropriate circumstances not set out in this article.

• DMC 1: Academic Misconduct – Academic Misconduct means plagiarizing; cheating on assignments or examinations.
• DMC 2: Cheating – The act of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for work by use of dishonest, deceptive, or fraudulent means.
• DMC 3: Plagiarism – The act of taking ideas, words, or specific substances of another and offering them as one’s own.
• DMC 4: Disruptive Conduct – Conduct that intentionally and substantially obstructs or disrupts teaching, freedom of movement, or other lawful activities on university premises or in connection with any university-sponsored event or activity.
• DMC 5: Discrimination – Engaging in verbal or physical behaviour directed at an individual or group based on origin, race, caste, creed, gender, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation that creates an intimidating or demeaning environment. This includes wearing clothing with derogatory, discriminatory, patently offensive, profane, sexually explicit, or graphic messages.
• DMC 6: Falsification – Wilfully providing University offices or officials with false, misleading, or incomplete information; forging or altering official University records or documents.
• DMC 7: Refusal to Identify – Refusal to identify or falsely identifying oneself when requested by an authorized University official.
• DMC 8: Illegal or Unauthorized Possession or Use of Weapons – Possessing or using weapons or substances usable as weapons, including firearms, incendiary devices, explosives, or dangerous biological or chemical agents.
• DMC 9: Illegal or Unauthorized Possession or Use of Drugs, Alcohol, or Smoking – Distribution, possession, or use of illegal drugs, controlled substances, alcohol influence, or smoking on SSOU campuses is strictly prohibited.
• DMC 10: Unauthorized Access and Use of Property & Facilities – Accessing University property, facilities, services, or information systems without authorization.
• DMC 11: Act of Violence, Threatening, Harassing, or Assaultive Conduct – Any conduct that causes injury or threatens the health, safety, or welfare of another person.
• DMC 12: Theft, Property Damage, and Vandalism – Theft, damage, destruction, unauthorized possession, or wrongful sale of property.
• DMC 13: Recording of Images without Knowledge – Making or distributing video or photographic recordings without consent where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.
• DMC 14: Causing Disrepute to Others – Engaging in acts that bring disrepute to other students or faculty of the University.
• DMC 15: Failure to Comply with University or Other Authority – Failure to comply with legitimate directives of authorized university officials or law enforcement agencies.
• DMC 16: Ragging – Any act amounting to ragging as defined under the UGC Prohibition of Ragging Regulations, 2009.
• DMC 17: Illegal Contracts – Entering into unauthorized verbal or written agreements that bind or create liability for the University.
• DMC 18: Abuse of Electronic Communication – Using University or personal electronic communication systems for illegal or improper purposes.
• DMC 19: Media Contact – Speaking on behalf of the University or inviting media without written permission from the Office of University Communications.
• DMC 20: Organization and Event Registration – Forming organizations, organizing events, or collecting funds without written permission from the University.
• DMC 21: Presenting False Testimony – Knowingly making false statements regarding a disciplinary matter.
• DMC 22: Violation of University Rules – Violation of published university regulations, policies, rules, or applicable laws.

Article 5 (a) : Grievance Redressal Committee of Institute: Every Institute/Department shall constitute a Grievance Redressal Committee to address grievances of students. The students should be informed about the existence of such a committee, the members and the procedure of submitting grievances.

Constitution of Grievance Redressal Committee

The committee shall be constituted by the Vice Chancellor and shall have following members:

• Professor / Associate Professor-Chairperson
• Two Senior Faculty members on rotation basis nominated by Vice Chancellor-Member
• A student representing the college nominated based on the academic merit-Special Invitee
• Administrative Officer / Office Superintendent (Convener of the meetings)
• Registra

The aggrieved student should submit in writing his/her grievance to the Administrative Officer/Office Superintendent.

• The Administrative Officer/Office Superintendent would convene a meeting of members within five days of receiving the complaint.
• The report of the committee must be submitted to the Dean within 2 working days of the meeting.
• The decision taken would be communicated to the student within further 3 days working days.
• Further if the student is aggrieved by the decision of the Grievance Redressal Committee he/she may appeal to the Ombudsman within 6 working days.

Procedure of redressal of grievances by Ombudsman and Grievance Redressal Committee:-

• Each School shall establish a registry, headed by an Administrative Officer/Office Superintendent, where any aggrieved student may submit an application seeking redressal of grievance.
• The address of the registry shall be published on the notice board and placed on the website of the University.
• On receipt of an application by the registry, the Administrative Officer/Office Superintendent shall inform the Ombudsman or the Grievance Redressal Committee and immediately provide a copy of the application to the University for providing a reply to the aggrieved student within seven days.
• The Ombudsman or the Grievance Redressal Committee shall fix a date for hearing the complaint, which shall be communicated to the University and the aggrieved student either in writing or electronically.
• An aggrieved student may appear in person.
• The Ombudsman or the Grievance Redressal Committee shall ensure disposal of every application as early as possible and not later than one month from the date of receipt of the grievance.
• The University shall cooperate with the Ombudsman or the Grievance Redressal Committee in the redressal of grievances.
• On conclusion of the proceedings, the Ombudsman or the Grievance Redressal Committee shall pass an order, with reasons, to redress the grievance.
• Every order shall be provided to the aggrieved student and the University and shall be placed on the website of the University.
• The University shall comply with the order of the Ombudsman or the Grievance Redressal Committee.
• In case of any false or frivolous complaint, the Ombudsman may order appropriate action against the complainant/student.

Any student charged with violation of the Code shall have the opportunity to receive a fair hearing. To safeguard the rights of students, the Vice-Chancellor shall ensure that there is an appeal procedure to govern the alleged violations of this policy. The appeals procedure shall provide both substantive and procedural fairness for the student alleged to have violated the Code and shall provide for the resolution of cases within a reasonable period of time.

Composition

• The Vice-Chancellor-Chairperson
• Deans / HODs/ Director of Respective Schools / Departments / Institutes / College
• The Registrar
• The Faculty Member (Female) Other than the University from where the students submits grievance
• The Campus Administrator

One or more of the following punishments may be taken when a student has been found to have violated the student code of conduct:

• Warning – A written letter of reprimand resulting from a student’s misconduct.
• Suspension – Suspension is an action that terminates the student’s enrollment from the academic program, academic activities (curricular and extra-curricular), and hostel (if applicable) at the University for a specified period of time.
• Monetary Fines – A sanction in which a student is required to deposit an amount as a penalty, or any amount deposited by the student is forfeited or adjusted due to misconduct. This also includes restitution, which means compensation for loss, injury, or damage.
• Confiscation – Confiscation of goods used or possessed in violation of University regulations.
• Restriction of Privileges – Denial or restriction of specified privileges, including but not limited to access to student facilities, placement programmes, and University events for a defined period of time.
• Withholding of Diploma or Degree – Withholding of a diploma or degree by the University.
• Rustication – Rustication is an action that permanently separates a student from the University without the opportunity to re-enroll in the future.

Other sanctions: Other appropriate sanctions may be imposed by the Competent Authority of the university singularly or in combination with any of the above-listed sanctions.

An aggrieved student may, in writing, appeal to the University within seven days from receiving the official letter pertaining to Article 6.

Procedure

• The appeal application should be addressed to the Vice-Chancellor of SSOU.
• The written application should reach the Office of the Registrar within seven days from the receipt of the official letter from the University.
• The appeal should include the student’s PRN No., Name, Program Name, Contact Details, Appeal Statement, and other necessary documents including the admission letter.
• The appeal should be signed by both the student and his/her parent.
• An acknowledgement must be obtained from the Registrar’s Office of the University.

• Any conduct by any student or students, whether by words spoken or written or by acts, which has the effect of teasing, treating, or handling with rudeness a fresher or any other student.
• Indulging in rowdy or indisciplined activities by any student or students which causes or is likely to cause annoyance, hardship, physical or psychological harm, or raises fear or apprehension thereof in any fresher or any other student.
• Asking any student to do any act which such student would not do in the ordinary course and which has the effect of causing or generating a sense of shame, torment, embarrassment, academic affect, physical harm, or any other form of harm.
• Any act by a senior student that prevents, disrupts, or disturbs the regular academic activity of any other student or a fresher.
• Exploiting the services of a fresher or any other student for completing academic tasks assigned to an individual or group of students.
• Any act of financial extortion or forceful expenditure burden put on a fresher or any other student by students.
• Any act of physical abuse including all variants of fist assault, chain assault, slapping, fondling, pulling hair, kicking, pushing, abusing, bullying, or any other act causing damage to health or person.
• Any act or abuse by spoken words, emails, posts, or public insults, including derogatory pictures, videos, or abusive text from anywhere, directed at a fresher or any other student.
• Any act that affects the mental health and self-confidence of a fresher or any other student, with or without intent to derive sadistic pleasure or to show power, authority, or superiority.

Symbolic Skill & Open University ensures that a congenial and welcoming environment is given to the freshers. To achieve this objective, following committees shall be formed by the University:

• University Anti-Ragging Committee
• Anti-Ragging Squad
• University Monitoring Cell
• Mentoring Cells as constituted by the University at the commencement of each academic year

The Anti-Ragging Committee may punish a student found guilty of ragging as per one or more of the following punishments:

• Suspension from attending classes and academic privileges.
• Withholding or withdrawing scholarships, fellowships, or other benefits.
• Debarring from appearing in any test, examination, or other evaluation process.
• Withholding of results.
• Debarring from representing the University in any regional, national, or international meet, tournament, youth festival, or similar events.
• Suspension or expulsion from the hostel.
• Cancellation of admission.
• Rustication from the University for a period ranging from one to four semesters.
• Expulsion from the University and consequent debarring from admission to any other institution for a specified period.

Provided that where the person committing or abetting the act of ragging is not identified, the University shall resort to collective punishment.