Student Rights

The Sad Cats:


Our second campaign was inspired by the fact that we were not allowed to campaign about anything doing with Cat Hill Campus which then developed into being a campaign about Student Rights.

We wanted to make student rights known to students - not only their rights as students, but as youth and human beings.

The publicity concept of our campaign a Sad Cat, and creating a story around the cat that would evoke interest and curiosity.



We also made a short animation film with the same story. Because we are film students we really wanted to get our message out using film, which we feel is a very efficient method.

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Student Rights:
At Middlesex University: According to Middlesex Universitiy's homepage, (http://www.mdx.ac.uk/aboutus/Strategy/regulations/membershipstudentsunion.aspx)

students that enrol at Middlesex University, and are following a programme leading towards a degree are members of the university.

It doesn't matter if you are taught at Middlesex University, or at a collaborative partner on a joint, franchised or validated programme of study, you are still a member of the university, and as a member you both have rights and responsibilities.

Rights :
 * Be treated fairly and without discrimination to race, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or union membership.
 * Have your privacy protected. Personal information only to be collected from students that is required for the effective operation of the university or as required by law, while the information will be kept confidential and will only be released to those who have a legitimate need to know.
 * As well as you as a student are forbidden to present others' work as your own (plagiarism), you can also report it to the university, if someone are using your work and presenting it as their own.
 * You have the right to complain and to have your complaint heard and dealt with in accordance with University procedures. (the procedures can be read about here: http://www.24-7.mdx.ac.uk/suggest/index.htm and here: http://www.mdx.ac.uk/Assets/external%20complaints.pdf)
 * You also have the right to come with suggestions on imporving the student experience (?)
 * You should expect to be treated with respect by all other staff and students (and treat staff and students with the same mutual respect)
 * As a member of Middlesex University, you also can become a member of the Student Union at Middlesex University (MUSU). As a member, you get the right to use MUSU facilities and support services, to cote in union election and to stand for election as one of the officers of the union. (if you enrol at one of the London campuses you automatically become a member.)
 * You also can expect to have use of the shared learning resources of you home institution, and have reasonable access to information, advice and support necessary for you to continue and complete you studies.

As a student at Middlesex University you get certain rights, but then you are also expected to obey certain responsibilities.

Responsibilities : Middlesex University Student Policy
 * treat staff and students with respect.
 * Use the shared learning resources of your home institution thoughtfully and carefully.
 * Pay your fees (or arrange for a sponsor to pay)
 * register you contact details.
 * Maintain the record of you programme of study as appropriate.

In the Work Place:
You are entitled to -


 * The minimum wage
 * A payslip
 * Working time limits and paid holidays
 * Be paid the same as colleagues in equivalent jobs
 * To work in a safe environment and to be protected from harassment and discrimination
 * After two months, you should have seen a written contract setting out your terms and conditions (if you haven't seen one - and 42% of students in casual jobs never do, according to a National Union of Students survey - don't assume that no contract exists; you still have all the rights listed above).
 * You can refuse to work more than 48 hours a week (and don't even think about nearing that if you're working during term-time)
 * You can't be made to work more than 13 hours in one day
 * If you're working for six hours or more in a row, a break of 20 minutes is your right
 * All employees are entitled to four weeks' holiday a year, paid at the normal rate
 * If you work regularly for the same boss, it's worth investigating whether you can take the odd day here and there
 * You can earn up to £110 a week (2010-11) before you pay any National Insurance contributions
 * However, as long as you earn more than £97 a week (2010-11) you can still build up your entitlement to a State Pension and certain other benefits
 * Everyone can earn a certain amount each year without paying any Income Tax. This is called your Personal Allowance. In 2010-11 the Personal Allowance is £6,475
 * Overseas students on courses of six months or more are usually allowed to work up to 20 hours a week during term-time; it's unlimited in university vacations
 * Under the Part-time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations, workers have the statutory right, as part-timers, to be treated the same as comparable full-time workers, that is, workers on the same type of contract with the same employer. This is a right you enjoy from day one of your employment.
 * Everyone has the right to join a union if they want. The law gives you freedom of choice to join a union or not, and protects you against discrimination on those grounds.
 * This means that it would be unlawful to treat you less favourably on account of your union membership, or non-membership whether:
 * you are applying for employment
 * during your employment, e.g. promotion or training courses

Article on Student Rights from The Guardian, March 2003
 * or on the termination of employment (including selection for redundancy).Dismissal relating to union membership, or non-membership, is an automatically unfair dismissal.
 * Some unions also have special lower rates for student members, or for part-timers, which can be a big help when you’re not earning a lot from your job.

Information on Taxes from Directgov

http://www.worksmart.org.uk/rights/working_students

When Renting Accommodation:
Information on Student Housing Rights from The Sun, March 2011
 * Don't be fooled into thinking you have to shell-out for major repairs. Most people who rent privately have what are called "assured shorthold tenancy" agreements. This means your landlord has to keep the structure and exterior of the property in good repair, this includes the roof, walls, windows and doors.
 * Also, don't let unscrupulous landlords make you pay for repairs to do with the supply of gas, electricity, heating, water and sanitation. Landlords have a responsibility to keep this equipment in good repair.

In Halls of Residence:


 * Your landlord cannot increase the rent during the fixed-term unless you agree to the increase. If you are a periodic occupier your landlord can increase the rent at any time.
 * The law says your landlord has to keep the structure and exterior of the property in good repair. This includes:
 * the roof
 * guttering
 * walls (but this doesn't include internal decoration)
 * windows and doors.
 * Your landlord must also keep the equipment for the supply of gas, electricity, heating, water and sanitation in good repair. Your landlord may have extra responsibilities to repair depending on what your tenancy agreement says.
 * Your landlord must have a valid gas safety certificate for any gas appliances in the property. Any furniture provided should be fire resistant.
 * If your accommodation needs repairs inform your landlord or agent. If the repairs are your landlord's responsibility and are not done, there may be ways you can force your landlord to carry out the work.

Information on being an Occupier with Basic Protection from Shelter

Examples of Other Universities' Student Rights:
Brown University - Rhode Island, America

This university clearly states all of it's student rights on it's website:

Brown University's Website
 * All members of the Brown University Community are entitled to the following rights: the rights of peaceful assembly, free exchange of ideas and orderly protest, and the right to attend, make use of or enjoy the facilities and functions of the University subject to prescribed rules. All members of the Brown University community are also entitled to live in an environment free from harassment on the basis of such characteristics as race, religion, gender, disability, age, economic status, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Human rights:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/946400.stm
 * The right to life
 * Freedom from torture
 * inhuman and degrading treatment
 * freedom from forced labour
 * Right to Liberty
 * Fair trial
 * Retrospective penalties
 * Privacy
 * Freedom of conscience
 * Freedom of ecpression
 * Freedom of assembly
 * Marriage and family
 * Freedom from discrimination.

Education:

 * a “new” right: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/7545863/Universities-to-publish-a-charter-of-student-rights.html


 * “Students will be able to demand a minimum number of teaching hours under plans for new-style university “charters”.”


 * http://securedloanuk.org.uk/bad-credit-loan-uk/can-you-get-a-refund-if-university-fails-to-deliver/


 * complaint if the university fails to deliver?


 * Some students are entitled to grants, but that depends on economic situation and choice of study. (need to research more)


 * http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/part/6 Equality Act of 2010


 * part 6 education, chapter 2 further and higher education.