Student Charter

1. Introduction

This Student Charter sets out the rights and responsibilities of students enrolled at Brussels College. It establishes the expectations for student conduct and the commitments made by the institution to support student learning and welfare. All students are expected to read and understand this charter upon enrollment.

2. Student Rights

2.1 Academic Rights

Students enrolled at Brussels College have the following academic rights:

• Quality Education: Access to teaching that meets the program specifications and learning outcomes
• Course Information: Clear information about program structure, modules, assessment methods, and academic requirements
• Academic Support: Access to tutors, academic advisors, and learning resources
• Fair Assessment: Assessment procedures that are fair, transparent, and conducted according to published criteria
• Feedback: Timely feedback on assessments to support learning and progression
• Academic Appeals: The right to appeal academic decisions through established procedures
• Learning Resources: Access to library resources, learning materials, and digital platforms
• Timetable Information: Advance notice of class schedules and any changes to teaching arrangements

2.2 Welfare and Support Rights

• Student Support Services: Access to welfare, counseling, and guidance services
• Health and Safety: A safe campus environment with appropriate health and safety measures
• Disability Support: Reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities or learning differences
• Pastoral Care: Access to support for personal, financial, or academic difficulties
• Confidentiality: Personal information handled in accordance with data protection regulations
• Mental Health Support: Access to mental health resources and referrals to appropriate services

2.3 Fairness and Respect

• Equal Treatment: Treatment without discrimination based on age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or nationality
• Respect and Dignity: A learning environment free from harassment, bullying, or intimidation
• Freedom of Expression: The right to express views and opinions in a respectful and lawful manner
• Fair Procedures: Access to fair disciplinary and complaints procedures
• Representation: The right to be accompanied or represented in formal meetings regarding disciplinary or academic matters

2.4 Information and Communication

• Transparent Policies: Access to institutional policies, procedures, and regulations
• Student Records: Access to personal academic records and the right to request corrections
• Advance Notice: Reasonable notice of changes to courses, policies, or procedures that affect students
• Communication Channels: Clear channels for communicating with staff and raising concerns

2.5 Facilities and Services

• Campus Facilities: Access to classrooms, computer labs, study spaces, and student amenities
• IT Services: Access to Wi-Fi, IT equipment, and technical support
• Opening Hours: Advance notification of campus opening hours and closures
• Reasonable Facilities: Facilities and services that are fit for purpose and properly maintained

3. Student Responsibilities

3.1 Academic Responsibilities

Students are expected to fulfill the following academic responsibilities:

• Attendance: Attend scheduled classes, tutorials, and assessments as required by the program
• Engagement: Participate actively in learning activities and complete assignments by deadlines
• Academic Integrity: Produce original work and avoid plagiarism, cheating, or other forms of academic misconduct
• Preparation: Come to classes prepared and complete required reading and preparation tasks
• Deadlines: Submit assignments and assessments by published deadlines or request extensions through proper procedures
• Progress: Take responsibility for academic progress and seek support when needed
• Program Requirements: Meet the academic and professional requirements of the program

3.2 Professional Conduct

• Respectful Behavior: Treat staff, fellow students, and visitors with respect and courtesy
• Professional Standards: Maintain professional standards of behavior appropriate to higher education
• Honesty: Provide accurate information to the institution and inform the college of changes to personal circumstances
• Dress Code: Dress appropriately for an academic and professional environment
• Punctuality: Arrive on time for classes, meetings, and appointments
• Cooperation: Cooperate with staff members and comply with reasonable requests from authorized personnel

3.3 Campus and Community Conduct

• Campus Rules: Follow campus regulations and health and safety procedures
• Facilities: Use campus facilities responsibly and report damage or safety concerns
• Prohibited Items: Do not bring weapons, illegal substances, or prohibited items onto campus
• Smoking and Alcohol: Follow campus policies on smoking and alcohol consumption
• Noise: Maintain appropriate noise levels in teaching areas and study spaces
• Environmental Responsibility: Dispose of waste properly and respect the campus environment

3.4 Digital and Online Conduct

• IT Acceptable Use: Use college IT systems and networks appropriately and lawfully
• Digital Citizenship: Behave responsibly on online learning platforms and college communication channels
• Data Security: Protect login credentials and do not share account access with others
• Copyright: Respect intellectual property and copyright laws when using digital resources
• Online Respect: Communicate respectfully in online discussions and avoid cyberbullying or harassment

3.5 Financial Responsibilities

• Tuition Fees: Pay tuition fees according to payment terms or arrange payment plans
• Financial Communication: Respond to communications regarding fees and payments
• Financial Obligations: Settle any outstanding debts to the institution
• Accurate Information: Provide accurate information for student finance applications

4. Code of Conduct

4.1 Expected Standards of Behavior

All students are expected to:

• Act with honesty and integrity in all academic and personal conduct
• Respect the rights, dignity, and property of others
• Comply with UK laws and Belgian laws applicable in Brussels
• Uphold the reputation of Brussels College
• Contribute to a positive and inclusive learning community
• Report concerns about the welfare or safety of others
• Accept responsibility for personal actions and decisions

4.2 Prohibited Conduct

The following behaviors are prohibited and may result in disciplinary action:

Category	Prohibited Behaviors
Academic Misconduct	Plagiarism, cheating, fabrication of data, collusion, contract cheating, unauthorized collaboration
Harassment & Bullying	Physical or verbal harassment, bullying, intimidation, discrimination, hate speech
Violence & Threats	Physical violence, threats of violence, possession of weapons, threatening behavior
Substance Misuse	Possession or use of illegal drugs, misuse of alcohol on campus, attending classes while intoxicated
Property Damage	Vandalism, theft, deliberate damage to college property or property of others
Disruption	Disrupting classes, preventing others from learning, interference with college operations
Fraud & Dishonesty	Identity fraud, falsification of documents, misrepresentation, impersonation
IT Misuse	Hacking, unauthorized access, malware distribution, copyright infringement, cyberbullying

4.3 Professional Standards for Specific Programs

Students enrolled in programs with professional accreditation or industry partnerships may be subject to additional codes of conduct specific to their profession. Program handbooks will outline any additional requirements.

5. Institutional Responsibilities to Students

5.1 Brussels College Commitments

Brussels College commits to:

• Quality Teaching: Provide teaching delivered by qualified staff according to program specifications
• Learning Support: Offer academic support, resources, and guidance to support student success
• Safe Environment: Maintain a safe campus with appropriate health and safety measures
• Fair Treatment: Treat all students fairly and without discrimination
• Timely Information: Provide students with timely and accurate information about their programs
• Assessment Standards: Conduct assessments fairly and provide feedback within reasonable timeframes
• Complaint Procedures: Operate fair and transparent complaints and appeals procedures
• Data Protection: Handle student data in accordance with GDPR and data protection laws
• Continuous Improvement: Review and improve services based on student feedback

5.2 Staff Conduct

Brussels College staff are expected to:

• Treat students with respect, fairness, and professionalism
• Deliver teaching and support services to published standards
• Respond to student queries and communications within reasonable timeframes
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with students
• Follow institutional policies and procedures
• Act as role models for professional and ethical conduct

6. Attendance and Engagement

6.1 Attendance Requirements

Students must meet the following attendance requirements:

• Attend a minimum of 80% of scheduled classes per module
• Attend all scheduled assessments, presentations, and examinations
• Notify the college in advance of any absence where possible
• Provide supporting evidence for absences due to illness or exceptional circumstances

6.2 Absence Reporting

• Planned Absences: Request permission in advance for planned absences (appointments, travel, etc.)
• Illness: Report illness to student support on the day of absence where possible
• Medical Evidence: Provide medical certificates for absences exceeding 3 consecutive days
• Exceptional Circumstances: Submit Exceptional Circumstances forms for absences due to serious personal circumstances

7. Academic Integrity

7.1 Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct

Academic misconduct includes:

• Plagiarism: Using others' work, ideas, or words without proper attribution
• Cheating: Using unauthorized materials or assistance in assessments or examinations
• Fabrication: Inventing or falsifying data, sources, or research findings
• Collusion: Unauthorized collaboration with others on individual assignments
• Contract Cheating: Submitting work completed by someone else as your own
• Self-Plagiarism: Resubmitting your own previous work without permission

7.2 Preventing Academic Misconduct

Students should:

• Understand what constitutes plagiarism and academic misconduct
• Learn proper citation and referencing techniques
• Use plagiarism detection tools before submission where available
• Seek clarification from tutors if unsure about collaboration rules
• Keep drafts and notes as evidence of your own work
• Allow sufficient time for assignments to avoid last-minute pressures

7.3 Consequences of Academic Misconduct

Academic misconduct may result in:

Severity Level	Typical Consequences
Minor (First Offense)	Academic warning, resubmission with capped grade, reduced marks
Moderate	Zero mark for assessment, formal academic warning, required attendance at academic integrity workshop
Serious	Module failure, suspension from studies, formal disciplinary record
Very Serious/Repeated	Expulsion from program, withdrawal of qualification, permanent exclusion

8. Disciplinary Procedures

8.1 Non-Academic Misconduct Procedures

Allegations of non-academic misconduct will be investigated according to the following process:

1. Incident Report: Incident reported to Student Support or Senior Management
2. Initial Assessment: Preliminary investigation to establish facts
3. Formal Investigation: Investigation conducted if allegations appear substantiated
4. Disciplinary Meeting: Student invited to disciplinary meeting with right to representation
5. Decision: Decision made based on evidence and communicated in writing
6. Sanctions: Appropriate sanctions applied if misconduct is proven
7. Appeals: Student has right to appeal decision within specified timeframe

8.2 Disciplinary Sanctions

Disciplinary sanctions may include:

• Verbal Warning: Informal warning for minor first-time infractions
• Written Warning: Formal written warning placed on student record
• Final Written Warning: Final warning indicating further misconduct will result in suspension or expulsion
• Suspension: Temporary suspension from studies for a defined period
• Exclusion: Permanent exclusion from Brussels College
• Additional Measures: Required apologies, compensation for damages, restriction from facilities, behavioral contracts

8.3 Immediate Action

In cases involving serious risk to safety or wellbeing, Brussels College may take immediate precautionary action including temporary suspension pending investigation. Such action is not a disciplinary sanction but a protective measure.

9. Complaints and Appeals

9.1 Student Complaints Procedure

Students who wish to raise concerns or complaints should follow this procedure:

9.2 Academic Appeals

Students may appeal academic decisions (assessment results, progression decisions, awards) on the following grounds:

• Procedural irregularity in the assessment process
• Evidence of prejudice or bias
• Exceptional circumstances that affected performance (with supporting evidence)
• New evidence that was not available at the time of assessment

Academic appeals must be submitted in writing within 10 working days of receiving the decision, using the Academic Appeals Form available from Student Support.

9.3 External Review

Students who remain dissatisfied after exhausting internal procedures may have recourse to external review through the awarding body or relevant regulatory authority.

10. Support and Guidance

10.1 Student Support Services

Brussels College provides support services to help students fulfill their responsibilities and address difficulties:

• Academic Tutors: Guidance on academic progress and study skills
• Student Support Team: Welfare support, personal difficulties, accommodation issues
• Disability Support: Support for students with disabilities or learning differences
• Counseling Services: Mental health support and referrals to external services
• Financial Advice: Guidance on fees, payment plans, and financial hardship
• Careers Guidance: Support with career planning and employability

10.2 Getting Help

11. Review and Updates

This Student Charter is reviewed annually and may be updated to reflect changes in institutional policies, legal requirements, or educational standards. Students will be notified of significant changes via email and the student portal.

11.1 Feedback

Brussels College welcomes student feedback on this charter and institutional policies. Students can provide feedback through:

• Student surveys and evaluations
• Student representation meetings
• Direct communication with Student Support or Senior Management
• Formal feedback forms available on the student portal

12. Contact Information

Department	Contact Details
Student Support	Email: studentsupport@brucol.be Phone: +32 471 09 6641
Academic Matters	Email: i.chiloglu@brucol.be (Principal) Contact via program leader
Admissions & Registration	Email: admissions@brucol.be Phone: +32 471 09 6641
Finance & Fees	Email: finance@brucol.be Phone: +32 471 09 6641
General Enquiries	Email: info@brucol.be Phone: +32 471 09 6641 WhatsApp: +32 479 12 52 95
Campus Address	Brussels College Excelsiorlaan 5 1930 Zaventem Belgium