The Student Charter and Minimum Standards

What follows is a guide to what the Student Union believes should be your rights as a student at Oxford.  This statement carries with it the support of many Oxford Common Rooms and reflects what we believe to be best practice in the University and colleges.  Many colleges have also adtoped text similar to this within their College Handbooks. 

Student Charter

General

Every student has the right to:
•    Be informed at the start of their course of an individual college tutor who will be responsible for overseeing their academic progress.
•    Have an appropriate amount of time to complete any work set, e.g. at least 3 days for a tutorial essay.
•    Receive the relevant lecture timetable by the end of 0th week of each term.
•    Be informed at the end of each term in what papers collections are to be set at the beginning of the following term.

Feedback

Every student has the right to
•    Receive appraisals for all pieces of tutorial work.  This need not include a specific grade but should, where appropriate, include comments on possible areas for improvement and on the general standard of work.
•    Report at the end of the term from that term’s tutors.  For graduates studying for research degrees, this should come from the student’s supervisor.
•    Have a scheduled meeting with at least one college tutor to discuss the reports and general progress.  This meeting should take place with the tutor responsible for overseeing academic progress.
•    Have the opportunity, on request, to see all of their academic reports in their entirety.

Conduct of Tutorials

Every student has the right to:
•    Have at least the required minimum number of complete tutorials.
•    Change their tutor on request.

Academic Discipline

Every student has the right to:
•    Be informed, in writing, on the institution of any academic disciplinary procedures and of the specific issues that are to be dealt with by the disciplinary procedure.
•    Have representation of the student’s choice at any disciplinary panel convened to discuss the student’s case.
•    Have specified at each stage of the disciplinary procedure an appellant body to which the student can appeal.
•    Appeal to the University or to the College Visitor against a college decision to suspend or expel.

Reciprocal Code of Conduct for Tutorials for Tutors and Students

All those who take part in tutorials have the right to:
•    Have tutorials free from any form of physical intimidation.
•    Leave any tutorial if the conduct of the tutorial becomes inappropriate.
•    Not to have to listen to offensive language directed against individuals on the basis of sex, gender, race, religion or sexuality.
•    Not to meet the tutor/student socially if they so choose