Student Disciplinary Regulations

Alma Mater Europaea University, Vienna Location

1. Purpose and Principles

Alma Mater promotes a culture of responsibility, integrity, dignity, health, quality, belonging, and sustainability. These disciplinary regulations establish the procedures and sanctions for student violations of university rules.

2. Disciplinary Bodies

– First-Level Committee: Handles initial complaints and issues sanctions.
– Second-Level Committee (Appeals Committee): Reviews appeals to first-level decisions.
– Each committee has three members, including one student.
– Members serve for two years (faculty) or one year (students).

3. Violations

Students are responsible for misconduct committed intentionally or through negligence. Attempted violations are treated as actual violations.

Examples of Violations:
– Cheating or attempted cheating in exams or assignments (including using unauthorized aids, plagiarism, impersonation, or sharing test content).
– Plagiarism, including resubmitting the same paper for multiple courses without permission.
– Forgery, including falsifying documents or signatures.
– Substance use: Alcohol, drugs, or smoking in university buildings or during training.
– Harassment, discrimination, or threats against peers or staff.
– Disruption of classes, clinical training, or university processes.
– False claims in disciplinary processes.
– Tampering with information systems.
– Serious criminal acts or behavior that endangers life or health.

Students must sign an academic integrity statement at the beginning of the year. If not signed, they cannot submit assignments or take exams.

4. Sanctions

Disciplinary actions include:
– Warning
– Reprimand
– Ban on taking an exam or submitting a paper
– Mandatory oral exams
– Temporary suspension (3 months to 2 years)
– Permanent expulsion

Severity depends on:
– Intent and previous behavior
– Academic level
– Impact on others
– Damage to university property or reputation

Examples of when expulsion may be issued:
– Repeated academic fraud or serious plagiarism
– Physical assault or threats
– Major security violations
– Submitting assignments written by someone else

5. Procedure

– Any staff or student may file a written complaint.
– The accused student is informed and has 8 days to respond.
– A hearing is scheduled; all parties are invited 5 days in advance.
– Committees review evidence, interview parties, and decide.
– A written decision is issued within 14 days.
– Cases must be resolved within 6 months of filing.

6. Appeals

– Students can appeal a first-level decision within 8 days.
– The second-level committee reviews within 60 days.
– They may uphold, reverse, or return the case.

7. Finality and Notification

– A decision becomes final 10 days after delivery, unless appealed.
– Final decisions are delivered via university email and student portal (VIS).
– Actions begin once decisions are final.

8. Case Closure and Reopening

A case may be closed if:
– The time limit has passed (1 year for most cases)
– The complaint is withdrawn
– The accused cannot be held responsible

Reopening is allowed if:
– New evidence emerges
– Major procedural errors occurred
– False testimony was used

Requests to reopen must be made within 30 days of discovering the reason.

9. Degree Revocation and Thesis Annulment

– A degree may be revoked if serious misconduct (e.g., plagiarism) is discovered after graduation.
– The process is managed by university officials and finalized by the Senate.
– The final decision may be appealed in court within 30 days.

10. Entry into Force

These rules are effective 8 days after publication on the Alma Mater website and replace all previous disciplinary regulations.

Disciplinary Regulations – English