Lapland University of Applied Sciences has established ethical guidelines that prohibit inappropriate behavior, harassment, discrimination, threats, or violence. We address any violations or disturbances immediately and with appropriate measures. Please familiarize yourself with our ethical guidelines.
We have developed operational guidelines for our community in the event of the aforementioned situations. Instructions for students can be found on this webpage, while staff guidance can be accessed on the staff intranet.
Harassment and inappropriate treatment usually involve systematic and demeaning behavior towards another person. Such conduct can occur between students as well as between staff and students or among students themselves.
Under the Equality Act, harassment is defined as behavior that intentionally violates a person’s human rights and dignity. This includes derogatory, humiliating, threatening, hostile, or aggressive actions or behaviors related to sexual orientation, origin, or disability. More information is available on the website of the Equality Ombudsman.
Examples of harassment and inappropriate treatment include repeated threats, intimidation, nasty and suggestive messages, belittling and mocking remarks, continuous unjustified criticism and hindrance related to studies, questioning someone’s reputation or status, social isolation within the educational community, and sexual harassment. Additional information can be found on the occupational safety administration’s website.
However, not all conflicts involve inappropriate treatment or harassment. In both academic and professional life, we encounter different people and opinions. Misunderstandings can also occur. Therefore, when studying together, it’s beneficial to agree on common ground rules for collaboration and ensure that all participants have a shared understanding.
Different interpretations related to academic assessments, the initiation of justified disciplinary actions, the handling of issues related to studies, or discussions addressing concerns regarding studies do not constitute inappropriate behavior or harassment, as they fall under the operational practices of the university of applied sciences.
Further information on the correction of assessments and credit recognition decisions, as well as disciplinary procedures, can be found in the degree regulations of Lapland University of Applied Sciences. Read more in the degree regulations (pdf).
It is important to address harassment and inappropriate behavior immediately. Express that you find the behavior unacceptable and ask the person to stop. They may not realize that their behavior is offensive. If you find it difficult to raise the issue, see section 3. If you suspect that a crime may have occurred, it is advisable to contact the authorities, who are responsible for determining if a crime has been committed.
Document the inappropriate situations and your reactions (dates and locations of events, what happened, who was present) and keep any letters, emails, text messages, or other relevant communications.
If you would like to discuss the situation with someone or need support in addressing it, you can seek advice from teachers, guidance staff at the university, the head of your program, or the harassment contact persons of the student union ROTKO. All discussions are confidential, and no further action will be taken without your consent. The contact information for ROTKO’s harassment representatives can be found on the student union’s website.
If the criteria for harassment or inappropriate treatment are met, or if the conflict continues after you have raised the issue, you may file a formal report with the head of your program.
Remember to take care of your well-being. Counseling support is available from services like YTHS and student counseling services.
One cannot dismiss another person’s feelings, as the line between perceived inappropriate situations and everyday conflicts is not always clear. Any behavior considered inappropriate should be stopped immediately, even if you do not feel guilty about it. Document the events from your perspective. You have the right to be heard and to present your view of what happened. Remember to take care of your well-being. Counseling support is available from services like YTHS and student counseling services.
Harassment reports are always investigated, and all parties have the right to be heard. This ensures the protection of all parties’ rights. If harassment or intimidation involves intentional violation of physical integrity or threats thereof, the matter will always be referred to the authorities (see section 3). The responsibility for initiating the investigation process lies with the head of the program, or their superior if they are unavailable.
The head of the program will start the investigation process by separately interviewing the parties involved. The goal is to clarify the events and the reasons presented. Discussions will be documented.
In the first phase of the investigation, the head of the program will invite both parties and their possible support persons to discuss the matter together. The discussions are confidential. The conversation will cover what happened, assess the nature and severity of the harassment, and seek to agree on measures for resolving the issue. A memo will be made from the discussion, signed by all participants. A follow-up meeting will be scheduled within a maximum of six months. The memos will be recorded and stored in accordance with the guidance on document and information management from Lapland University of Applied Sciences. Read more about the handling of sensitive information.
If a resolution acceptable to the parties is not achieved in the first phase of the investigation, the initial investigation group will be supplemented with representatives from the university’s top management and experts as needed based on the nature of the case. The group may seek expert services for the investigation and mediation if necessary.
If the investigation of the harassment situation is conducted through the authorities, discussions should take place with the parties involved regarding how studies can continue during any potential criminal investigation. Depending on the situation, special arrangements may be made regarding workspaces. It should also be agreed upon how the involved parties will interact at the educational institution. The head of the program is responsible for these special arrangements.
If discussions to resolve the situation do not yield the desired outcome, the university has the authority and means under the University of Applied Sciences Act to investigate the matter and take action against anyone guilty of inappropriate treatment or harassment. The perpetrator of harassment may receive a warning or reprimand. Harassment may also lead to temporary expulsion. Read more in the degree regulations (pdf).
The university must keep sensitive information separate from other personal data, and this information will be deleted from the registry as soon as there is no longer a legal basis for its retention, but no later than four years after the data was recorded in the registry.
The processing of personal data is governed by applicable data protection legislation unless otherwise provided in the University of Applied Sciences Act.
Lapland University of Applied Sciences follows the guidelines for case handling and document management (operational guidelines for case management, archiving, and information control plan, and other up-to-date case management guidelines).
Additionally, LUC follows the guidelines for the handling of data materials and other information security-related instructions.
A summary of personal data processing is provided by the case management service at Lapland UAS.
The rector approved these operational guidelines on October 3, 2023.