Faculty and study programme regulations
At faculty and study programme level there are various regulations in place to ensure that everything runs as it should. For example, there are thesis and faculty regulations, as well as rules and guidelines on assessments, exams, degree classifications and plagiarism.
As a student, the most important regulations you will come across in terms of your education are your study programme's ‘Course and Examination Regulations’ (known as OER in Dutch).
Why do we need a Code of Conduct?
Both teaching and research are enriched if participants can exchange a diversity of experiences and perspectives. For this enrichment to be successful, it is necessary for each and every student and employee to feel welcome and respected. This is not a given. Diversity, in the sense of diverse traits and characteristics that make people unique, does not automatically lead to inclusion. Inclusion is a matter of how we behave. It is a matter of our social norms and the culture we share and shape together, which ensure that people feel respected and feel part of a greater whole. This Code of Conduct was created to support inclusion. Working or studying at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FSW) means upholding this Code of Conduct.
Underlying values
The Code of Conduct stems from Leiden University's Strategic Plan 2022-2027 and the Faculty's Vision and Strategy Plan (2022). These strategic plans set out the four core values within teaching and research that guide the choices we make:
- The importance of connection calls on us to listen to one another and be considerate, out of respect for the other's core views and experiences;
- The importance of renewal calls on us never to exhaust our curiosity about one another and about the unknown, and to support each other in our desire to learn more;
- The importance of accepting our responsibility calls on us to build an inclusive community, in which we respect and look out for one another;
- The importance of freedom and impartiality of teaching and research calls on us to dare to question on another independent-mindedly and respectfully, allowing room for different perspectives and ideas, and for open dialogues, assuming the good intentions of the other.
What does the Code of Conduct entail?
Upholding the Code of Conduct means that FSW employees and students:
- behave and express themselves respectfully
- act with integrity
- listen without prejudice
- are open to reflecting on their own interpretations and biases (which may often be implicit)
- base their arguments/debates on verifiable sources.
What is unacceptable?
The right of academic freedom can never encompass any utterance or conduct that is illegal, offensive, threatening, intimidating, or obscene, or that is offensive and discriminatory in relation to ethnicity, religion, disability, age, gender, nationality, or sexual orientation; such utterances are unacceptable.
Disrespectful and insulting communication on forums and platforms affiliated with Leiden University is unacceptable.
The FSW makes every effort to protect its employees and students from any violation of the present Code of Conduct. In the unfortunate event that a problem does arise, there are several ways to seek help and/or advice:
If a conflict arises, but in a safe situation (i.e., there is no threat or danger), the best way to resolve it is first to talk with the person involved. This can be difficult. You can turn to the FSW POPcorner (Student plaza) for advice. In addition, if you wish, they may be able to mediate in the discussion.
If you witness behaviour that violates the present Code of Conduct, try to intervene by calling out the inappropriate behaviour in a polite but clear manner. This can be difficult. The FSW POPcorner offers advice or mediation in this regard too, and also provides active bystander training for students who are interested. The dates of the training sessions will be posted on the Faculty website from 15 November 2023.
If it still proves impossible to resolve the issue, you can initiate a formal complaint procedure. It is not necessary to be a victim of unacceptable behaviour to initiate a formal complaint procedure; you can also initiate the procedure if you witness such behaviour (e.g., as a bystander).
Complaint procedures and who to contact
For general guidelines, consult the Leiden University website's sections on complaints, unacceptable behaviour, improper treatment, and misconduct. Here you will also find more information about the people to contact in a given situation, such as the ombudsperson and confidential advisors. See: Leiden University Code of Conduct on Integrity.
In addition to the contacts and procedures mentioned above, it is important to note that Faculty has determined a routing for complaint procedures. If it does not seem possible to reach a solution, feel free to involve the FSW POPCorner, the student adviser, or a lecturer you know; these people will help you consider how best to proceed. See also: Other types of complaints.
As of the beginning of the 2023-24 academic year, this Code of Conduct has been shared throughout the Faculty to assist our shared efforts to build an inclusive learning and working environment.
If undesirable situations or conflicts do arise, you can turn to your manager and/or the HRM department for advice.
For general guidelines, consult the Leiden University website's sections on complaints, unacceptable behaviour, improper treatment, and misconduct. Here you will also find more information about the people to contact in a given situation, such as the ombudsperson and confidential advisors. See: Leiden University Code of Conduct on Integrity.
If as a lecturer you have a question about providing inclusive education, or about the Code of Conduct itself, please email inclusiveteaching@fsw.leidenuniv.nl (managed by FSW Policy Support - Teaching). Based on the questions we receive, we will assess whether more support for lecturers would be helpful – e.g., in the form of peer feedback sessions or additional guidelines.
In this context, the FSW POPcorner organizes annual lunch meetings on topics related to diversity and inclusivity in teaching settings, which are open to all lecturing staff. The schedule will be listed on the Faculty website from 15 November 2023.