All students that enter a programme of study at the University of Limerick are subject to the University of Limerick Code of Conduct as a condition of enrolment. In the first instance, the University Advocate considers all complaints and forms a view on whether a student has a case to answer.  The Advocate may enter into a voluntary agreement with the student based on an appropriate penalty, or refer the matter to the Minor Offences Committee or Discipline Committee depending on whether the Advocate considers this a minor or major offence.  Learn more about the Office of the Advocate

The Discipline Committee consists of four members, a nominee from the President, who will Chair the committee, a nominee of Academic Council, and two nominees from the University of Limerick's Student Life. The Discipline Committee considers the evidence presented by the University Advocate and evidence presented by the student and makes a determination on whether a breach of the code has occurred.  In the event of a determination that a breach of the code has occurred, the committee considers submissions from the University Advocate and the student on the appropriate penalty to be applied.  Decisions of the Discipline Committee can be appealed to the Appeal Committee.

The Discipline Committee has no role in collecting or identifying evidence for the hearing, this is the role of the University Advocate. The Discipline Committee will only consider the evidence presented at the Discipline Hearing when determining whether a breach of the code has occurred or the appropriate penalty to be applied.

The UL Discipline process is managed by the Complaints, Discipline & Vetting Unit.  For more information on the UL Discipline Committee and the role of UL Staff and Students therein, please go to the CDV Unit SharePoint page. 

The UL Discipline Committee process is managed by the Complaints, Discipline & Vetting Unit, Main Building, Room A1-084, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94 T9PX, Ireland.

Email: ULDiscipline@ul.ie

Discipline Committee FAQs

If you accept that you are in breach of the Code you need to formally notify the CDV Unit to that effect. You should also include any statement or other evidence of facts that the Committee should take into account before imposing a sanction. You need to submit any such statement/evidence as soon as possible but certainly before the hearing.

If you are unable to attend you may seek to have the case heard at a later date for good cause. You should formally write to the CDV Unit outlining the reasons for your request to defer the hearing. The final decision will be made by the Chair of the Discipline Committee. Alternatively, you may send a representative to act on your behalf. In any event, the case may be heard in your absence.

You will have been assigned a number in either the morning or afternoon list. The morning list starts at 9.30am and the afternoon list at 2pm.

You should arrive at least 30 minutes before either 10am or 2pm and register your attendance, providing a contact number where you can be reached during the day. You should be no more than 10 minutes away from the venue of the hearing otherwise you will be put to the end of the list for that day.

The hearing is a closed hearing not open to the public. The Discipline Committee consists of 4 people, two faculty members and two sabbatical officers of the Students Union. They are assisted by a secretariat provided by the University. Also present will be the University Advocate whose task is to present the case on behalf of the University.

You may have a representative present at the hearing, alternatively you may also bring in a friend or relative or other support person into the hearing. However, this is subject to a few restrictions. First, a witness that you intend to call may not be present with you in the hearing. Second, some individuals may not be present with you if there is a conflict of interest with others in the discipline process. Finally, there is a limit on the total number of people who can attend with you. These are matters for the Chair of the Discipline Committee. If you have any doubts you should contact the CDV Unit for prior authorisation.

You will be introduced to those in attendance. You will be asked if you have understood the charge that is being alleged and the process in operation. Once you have confirmed this, you will be asked the following:

Do you accept or reject the charge as outlined?

If you accept the charge

  • The Chair will ask the Advocate what the University considers to be an appropriate sanction in this particular case
  • You will then be asked if you have anything you wish to say or whether you wish to call witnesses or submit evidence on your behalf
  • You may be questioned on what you have said
  • Both you and the Advocate will then leave the room in order to allow the Committee to make a determination
  • You and the Advocate will be asked back into the room and the decision of the Committee will be given to you orally.

If you deny the charge

  • the Chair will ask you if you accept the facts as alleged by the University
  • the Chair will then ask the Advocate to present the case on behalf of the University
  • the Advocate may decide to call witnesses where appropriate
  • when the Advocate has finished asking questions from the witness, you will then have an opportunity to question the witness
  • the Advocate will close the case on behalf of the University
  • you will then be asked to present your case and at this stage submit evidence, call witnesses, etc
  • the Advocate may also question your witnesses
  • both you and the Advocate will be asked to make closing statements
  • both you and the Advocate will then leave the room in order to allow the Committee to make a determination
  • you and the Advocate will be asked back into the room and the decision of the Committee as to whether or not you have breached the Code of Conduct will be given to you orally
  • if the Committee finds that you are not in breach of the Code that will end the hearing and you may leave
  • if the Committee finds that you are in breach of the Code, then the Chair will ask the Advocate what the University considers to be an appropriate sanction in this particular case
  • you will then be asked if you have anything you wish to say or whether you wish to call witnesses or submit evidence on your behalf
  • you may be questioned on what you have said
  • both you and the Advocate will then leave the room in order to allow the Committee to make a determination on the sanction
  • you and the Advocate will be asked back into the room and the decision of the Committee will be given to you orally.

You are entitled to have legal representation if you wish, but you do not have to have any such representation. You should note that the costs of representation if any will be your responsibility alone and the University does not pay any costs arising from the Discipline process.

It depends. If you contest the facts then you need to present evidence which contradicts the facts alleged by the University. If you seek to mitigate the sanction then you should call witnesses or submit documentary evidence of the basis for the mitigation. In general evidence or witnesses should relate only to establishing the truth of your submission.

Nothing. You will receive a formal notification to this effect in the mail and the matter will be closed. Your file in relation to this matter will be held in University records for the legally required period of time.

The University will formally notify you of the outcome and will include details of the Appeals process. You now need to decide whether to accept the outcome of the hearing or to appeal it.  If you accept the finding of the Discipline Committee then you should contact the CDV Unit if you have any queries. If you decide to appeal the finding, then you should follow the process and grounds for appeal carefully. Please refer to the Code of Conduct.

The University is aware that this is an upsetting time for you. In that regard, it offers the services of the Counselling section of the University who may help you deal with the emotional aspects involved. In addition, Student Academic Administration will assist you in every way possible to explain in full the consequences of any sanction and to chart your next step

No. Unless your enrolment has been terminated, the system is designed to permit you to recover from your mistakes. Provided that you comply with the relevant sanction, you will be free to continue with your studies.