NUS Disciplinary Structure

Discipline with Respect to Students

Discipline with respect to students is governed by the University’s Statutes and Regulations. Any student who is alleged to have committed or attempted to commit offences listed in clause 3 of NUS Statute 6 Discipline with Respect to Students, may be subject to disciplinary proceedings by the University.

Investigation

Investigation of non-academic offences against students is conducted by Office of Campus of Security whereas investigation of academic offences against students is conducted by the Faculty. Investigations carried out by the University are separate and distinct from Police investigations. Once the investigation is completed, recommendations will be made by the Office of Student Conduct to NUS senior management on the disciplinary measures to be taken, if necessary. These measures may include referral to the Faculty or Board of Discipline (BOD).

Faculty Adjudication

Heads of academic and non-academic units are empowered to adjudicate any offences in relation to existing students of the University (clause 4 of NUS Statute 6 Discipline with Respect to Students). The Heads of academic and non-academic units and the Deans are entitled to exercise disciplinary powers listed in clause 10 of NUS Statute 6 Discipline with Respect to Students against alleged students.

Students can choose to appeal within fourteen days after receiving notice of the decision made. (clause 13 of NUS Regulation 10 Discipline with Respect to Students). Appeals of sanctions can be brought before the Dean of the Faculty if the disciplinary action was initiated by the Head of a Faculty-based academic unit, or before the Dean of Students if it was initiated by the Head of a non-Faculty-based academic unit or the Head of a non-academic unit.

Board of Discipline (BOD)

The BOD is chaired by the Dean of Students or a Vice Provost and comprises two other members of the Senate and two student representatives.

The BOD is empowered to adjudicate any offences in relation to any student of the University, whether existing or for whom the candidature has ceased, as long as the circumstances giving rise to the disciplinary proceedings arose while the person was a student of the University or in connection with the person's admission into the University (clause 8 of NUS Statute 6 Discipline with Respect to Students). They are entitled to exercise disciplinary powers listed in clause 11 of NUS Statute 6 Discipline with Respect to Students against any student of the University.

Disciplinary Appeals Board (DAB)

Students can choose to appeal within fourteen days after receiving notice of the decision made by the BOD (clause 25 of NUS Regulation 10 Discipline with Respect to Students).

Appeals are heard by the Disciplinary Appeals Board (DAB) chaired by a member from NUS Board of Trustees (BOT) and comprises two other members of the Senate.

Should the DAB decide to allow the student’s appeal, the DAB may discharge and/or vary any sanctions(s) imposed in the first instance in any manner that the Disciplinary Appeals Board deems fit (clause 26(s) of NUS Regulation 10 Discipline with Respect to Students).