Library of Management: Policies & Procedures

UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND LIBRARY 

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR LIBRARY USE

Misconduct in the following instances may result in Disciplinary action being taken against you; 

Student/Staff Cards

Card abuse is a serious offence – Do not allow a fellow student or staff member to make use of your student/staff card either to enter or exit the library or to borrow books. Loss or theft of a card should be reported to the Library immediately so that the number may be blocked for further use. Library users should produce their cards for library staff on request. 

Borrowing of Library Materials

Users are responsible for all items issued against their cards. The loss or theft of any item should be reported immediately to the library from which it was borrowed. All items should be returned or renewed on or before the due date stamped on the date sheet or shown on the receipt printed by the self-check machine, to avoid incurring fines.

 Fines

Fines are charged on all overdue items. Examination results may be withheld against outstanding student loans or Library accounts which have not been paid.

 Cell Phones

·     No calls are to be made from cell-phones  at any time  whilst in the Library

·     Cell-phones must be on silent/ vibrate at all times

 Talking

Loud talking will not be tolerated at any time outside of designated discussion areas and users who do not observe the rights of others will be asked to leave the Library.

 Food and Drinks

Users may have sealable bottles of water with them – but no open cans or food of any kind will be tolerated.

 Computer Facilities

Computer facilities are only available for carrying on the business of the University – i.e.

LEARNING,  TEACHING and RESEARCH.

Users may not:

·     Access social networking sites

·     Send and receive personal emails

·     Download or install any programs  of any nature whatsoever

·     Play computer games

·     Download or view content of a lewd or sexual nature

·     Engage in any non-academic activity at any time while using the computer facilities

·     Disadvantage other users by monopolizing the use of computer facilities.

 Users who breach the University Code of Conduct for the Use of Computer Facilities will be barred from making use of the computer facilities until such time as a disciplinary process has been finalized.

Smoking is not permitted in the Library at any time.

Unauthorised removal of any Library material or property is a serious offence. Vandalism, mutilation, defacing or marking of Library materials, facilities or property are serious offences.

 DISRUPTION OF STUDIES BY ANY CLIENT WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AND YOU MAY BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE LIBRARY IMMEDIATELY PENDING DISCIPLINARY ACTION SHOULD YOU BE IN CONTRAVENTION OF THE ABOVE CODE OF CONDUCT

 STUDENT DISCIPLINARY PROCESS

 The Student Disciplinary Process is governed by the Rules for Student Discipline (“the Rules”)

Students who are alleged to have breached any of the above code may be subjected to the following disciplinary process:

 1.   Students found to be in contravention of the above code will be reported to the Brach/Senior Librarian immediately;

2.   The details of the student(s) will be recorded and any relevant evidence will be seized;

3.   The student alleged to have perpetrated the misconduct will be given an opportunity to give a statement on a voluntary basis;

4.   Witness statements will also be collected by the Branch/Senior Librarian which statements will be made available to the accused student for the purposes of a disciplinary enquiry;

5.   Borrowing privileges may be revoked pending the outcome of a disciplinary enquiry and this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis;

6.   In terms of Rule 4 of the Rules a summary inquiry by an ad-hoc committee will be held

and chaired by a person authorized in terms of the Rules;

7.   The chairperson will hear the evidence presented by the University and by the student alleged to have perpetrated the misconduct and will make a finding on the evidence presented;

8.   If a student is found guilty, a warning and/or a reprimand and/or a fine of up to R500 may be levied for each charge with a finding of guilt with a cumulative maximum of R1500 where the student is found guilty of more than two charges;

a.   students who have previously been found guilty of misconduct by the Ad-Hoc Committee may be subjected to a heavier penalty and the maximum fine may be imposed

b.   students who have been found guilty of misconduct on two separate occasions will be disciplined by the Student Disciplinary Committee in terms of Rule 6 of the Rules where, amongst other penalties, one of up to R1000 for each charge may be levied against the student.

 All decisions of the Ad-Hoc Committee will be forwarded to the Legal Office and will be entered onto the student database.

PROCESS FOR STAFF TO FOLLOW RE: DISCIPLINARY MATTERS

1.   Students found to be in contravention of the above code must be reported to the Head Librarian immediately;

 2.   The details of the student(s) must be properly recorded and any relevant evidence must be seized;

 3.   The student alleged to have perpetrated the misconduct must be given an opportunity to give a statement on a voluntary basis –  all accused students have a right to silence and may not under any circumstances be coerced into making a statement

 4.   Witness statements must also be collected by the Head Librarian which statements should be made available to the accused student for the purposes of the disciplinary enquiry;

 5.   Where appropriate - borrowing privileges may be blocked. This must be assessed on a case-by-case basis and approved by the relevant authority;

 6.   In terms of Rule 4 of the Rules, a properly constituted committee for the purposes of conducting an ad-hoc enquiry must be convened;

 a.   In terms of the Rules, the committee may be made up of:

i.   the Vice-Principal

ii.   a Deputy- Vice Chancellor

iii.   The Dean or Deputy Dean of a Faculty

iv.   The University Librarian or his/her deputy

v.   The Dean of Students or Assistant Registrar of a University Residence vi.   Professor or associate Professor of Law

vii.   Registrar or Deputy Registrar

 7.   The duly appointed Chairperson will hear the evidence presented by the University and by the student alleged to have committed the misconduct and will make a pronouncement on the basis of the evidence presented;

 8.   Penalties

 a.   In terms of the Rules, the following are penalties which may be imposed by the Committee:

i.   a warning;

ii.   a reprimand;

iii.   a fine not exceeding R500 on each charge subject to a cumulative maximum of R1500 where the student has been found guilty on more than     charges;

iv.   deprivation of all or specified student privileges indefinitely or for a stated period until compliance with a stated condition;

v.   exclusion from a University Residence for a stated period or until compliance with a stated condition;

vi.   permanent expulsion from a University Residence;

vii.   a prohibition from entering a University Residence.

b.   Students who have previously been found guilty of misconduct by an Ad-Hoc Committee should be subjected to a heavier penalty;

 c.   Matters where a student has been found guilty of misconduct on two separate occasions by an Ad-Hoc Committee must be referred to the Legal Office where it will be dealt with by the Student Disciplinary Committee.