ROYAL ARTS ACADEMYCODE OF CONDUCT

RAA STUDENT ETHICS AND DISCIPLINARY SYSTEM

PREAMBLE

All students, be they freshmen or returning students, are required to sign the Royal Arts Academy code of conduct at the beginning of every session. This code of conduct shall guide the behaviour of students in Royal Arts Academy:

The Royal Arts Academy shall not allow any form of a secret organization in any disguise or as a patron, sponsor and participant of any illegal association. Any student found wanting in this regard shall be dismissed from the institution.

The possession, carrying or use of arms and dangerous weapons by the students on the campus is illegal and any student found to possess, carry or use such weapon shall be dismissed from the institution.

Any student who threatens or in any way endangers the life of any student or member of staff, or engages in a physical fight on the campus shall be liable to strict disciplinary action, which may lead to dismissal. Students should in addition note and are reminded that causing bodily harm, rape and threat of life are criminal offences and would be reported to the police.

Royal Arts Academy is committed to providing a safe, caring and inclusive learning and working environment by promoting respect, responsible citizenship and academic excellence. A positive school climate exists when all members of the school community feel safe, comfortable and accepted.

Examination Malpractices and Related Offences

Examination offence and misconduct shall be used interchangeably to mean any act which constitutes a violation punishable under the law. It should be pointed out here that examination offences are not internal affairs of institutions of learning alone, as they are punishable under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is therefore not unusual for the police to be called to effect an arrest in the event of established offences.

This underscores the gravity of examination offences which has been regarded by many educationists as one of the major symptoms of the fallen standard of education. Examination offences are classified in Decree 21 of 1984 under Miscellaneous Offences. A person found guilty under these offences shall be liable to 21 years imprisonment. In general, examination offences can be categorized into:

Those considered as very serious and therefore attracting severe penalty, and

Those that carry milder punishments.

A severe punishment is one in which a culprit (student or staff) is expelled from the Academy in addition to being handed over to the police for further prosecution. A lesser punishment, on the other hand, is one in which the culprit (usually a student) is suspended from registration/ and lecture for one or two semesters.

Disciplinary Procedures

Normally reports of examination misconduct and irregularities are first deliberated upon and complied at the departmental level where the offence is committed.

The reports are then forwarded to the Rector who will present them before the Academic Board for consideration and final decisions.

Examination Rules

Students can only sit for an examination in courses they duly registered for provided they fulfil the following conditions:

(a). 75% class attendance (b). 40% continuous assessment

Students must present themselves for examination at the appointed time. Students will not be allowed after 30 minutes of commencement of the examination.

Students must present their examination cards before admittance into the examination hall.

Clearance papers must also be presented as a condition for admittance into the examination hall. Such clearance papers may include receipts for payment of fees; clearance certificate from the Registrar, Bursar or Rector.

Students must submit themselves for checking before admittance into the hall or at any time during the examination.

Mobile phones and electronic business organizers are not to be carried into examination halls by students.

Under the Academy laws, the power to discipline students is vested in the Rector. In practice, there is a Students Disciplinary Committee with the general function of dealing with individual cases of indiscipline. The Dean of Studies is the Chairman of the Students Disciplinary Committee. Membership includes the Registrar and Heads of Department. In the course of an investigation, the student is given an opportunity to defend himself/herself.

The sanction for Violation of Academy Regulations

The following are some of the disciplinary sanctions which may be imposed for violation of Academy regulation:

Disciplinary Probation: A trial for a specific period of time during which a student must behave in a manner to the Academy authority.

Suspension: Suspension is an action which excludes the student from registration, class attendance, hostel residence and the use of the Academy facilities for a specified period of time. This action means that the student must immediately leave the Academy premises.

Expulsion: This is the permanent withdrawal by the Management of the privileges of registration, class attendance, etc. the Privilege of the use of Academy facilities is also withdrawn by this sanction. This action means that the candidate is no longer a student and must leave the College immediately.

Loss of Privilege: Loss of privilege is the withdrawal of a privilege or use of a service or facility (such as sports or library) for a specific period of time

These regulations are binding on every student who has been duly registered as a student for any academic programme in Royal Arts Academy. At the beginning of every session, an orientation programme for students to acquaint them with the rules and regulations guiding their stay and conduct in the College.

STUDENT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

Any students who have grievances should first raise them verbally or in writing with their academic adviser. If this does not lead to a resolution that the student finds appropriate, then the student can file the grievance in writing with the Head of Department who will meet with the student within a reasonable amount of time to discuss the situation and the possible resolutions. All appeals, including appeals of disciplinary action, must be appealed by the student to the Head of Department in writing. The Head of Department will also serve as the primary point of contact for any complaints or violations. If the outcome of the grievance with the Head of Department remains unsatisfactory with the student, that student may further appeal to the board of studies through the Rector.