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Anyone—individual or organisation—can make a complaint. They do not need to be associated with UL.

However, the Advocate can only investigate complaints against people who fall under the Code of Conduct (mostly UL students). If the Advocate does not have jurisdiction, they will direct the complainant to the correct University office.

Academic misconduct must be reported to the Academic Integrity Unit.

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All other types of alleged misconduct can be reported using the forms below.

Most investigations begin with a complaint, although the Advocate may also start an investigation on their own initiative.

Once a complaint is received, the Advocate opens a file and begins gathering information. This may include:

• Speaking to the complainant
• Speaking to witnesses
• Reviewing documents or other evidence

The Advocate may then decide:

1. There is no breach of the Code. The file is closed.
2. There may be a breach. The Advocate will usually invite the student involved to a meeting (but the student is not required to attend).

Anyone who attends such a meeting is formally cautioned under Code of Conduct s.3.3.

Not attending the meeting won’t be held against you, but it usually means the case will proceed to a full Discipline Committee hearing.

The meeting may resolve the matter (e.g., via a voluntary agreement) or confirm that a breach likely occurred. If the Advocate believes there is enough evidence, the case will go to the relevant committee unless a voluntary agreement is offered.

If a voluntary agreement is accepted, the case may be mentioned briefly at a Discipline Committee hearing, but the student will not need to attend.

If the case goes to the Discipline Committee, the Advocate will present the University’s case and request an appropriate sanction to protect the interests of the University.

If the student appeals, the Advocate defends the decision at the Appeals Committee.

The Advocate cannot appeal decisions of the Discipline Committee.

The Advocate does not take part in committee deliberations and holds no special authority within the hearing—they act as the University’s representative, just as the student or their representative acts for the defence.

It means you may be involved in, or witnessed, an alleged breach of the Code. This is only an allegation. The Advocate must investigate all complaints, and that may require meeting you.

You don’t need to bring anything except your UL student ID.

In some cases, you may bring a family member or a representative from UL Student Life or the PSU.

You’ll get an email with the meeting details and a Caution Notice. You must sign and return the Caution Notice before the meeting.

You’ll be asked to prove your identity.

The Advocate will confirm you signed and returned the Caution Notice.

You will then be asked to explain your side of the story.

You are expected to be truthful and provide all relevant details.

The Advocate may ask questions to clarify facts.

Agreeing to the meeting does not mean you admit to the allegation.

The Advocate may:

• Close the case if there is no breach.
• Refer the case to the Disciplinary Committee.
• Offer a voluntary agreement if you admit the breach and the matter can be resolved without a hearing.

You will be told what to expect next.

It varies by case, but it will never exceed what is allowed under the Code of Conduct.

No—unless you fail to comply with the agreement.

You will be in breach of the Code again, and the Advocate will send the case to the Discipline Committee.

You will also not be allowed to graduate until you comply fully.

The Office of the Provost & Deputy President monitors compliance.

If you fail to comply, the Advocate will handle the breach.