Code 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 behavior of students in Royal Arts Academy:
The Royal Arts Academy shall not allow any form of secret organization in any disguise or as a patron, sponsor and participan t 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 physical fight on the campus shall be liable to strict disciplinary action, which may lead to dismissal. Students should in addition note and a re 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 Offense
Examination offense 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 offenses 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 offenses. This underscores the gravity of examination offenses which have been regarded by many educationists as one of the major symptoms of the fallen standard of education. Examination offenses are classified in Decree 21 of 1984 under Miscellaneous Offenses. A person found guilty of these offenses shall be liable to 21 years imprisonment. In general, examination offenses can be categorized into:
Those are considered very serious and therefore attract severe penalties, 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
1. Normally reports of examination misconduct and irregularities are first deliberated upon and complied at the departmental level where the offense is committed.
2. The reports are then forwarded to the Rector who will present them before the Academic Board for consideration and final decisions.
Examination Rules
1. Students can only sit for the examination in courses they duly registered for provided they fulfill 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 the 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 certificates 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.
80% strict attendance for the new students with the penalty of not receiving their certificates if they fail to oblige.
- Exams before graduation and failure to take exams will lead to withholding of certificates.
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 Head of the Diploma Programme is the Chairman of the Students Disciplinary Committee. Membership includes the Admission Officers and Faculty members. In the course of the 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 regulations:
1. Disciplinary Probation: A trial for a specific period of time during which a student must behave in a manner to the Academy authority.
2. Suspension: Suspension is an action that 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. 3. 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 Academy immediately.
These regulations are binding on every student who has been duly registered as a student for any program in Royal Arts Academy. At the beginning of every session, an orientation program is organized for students to acquaint them with the rules and regulations guiding their stay and conduct in the College.
STUDENT GRIEVIANCE 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.