University of Liverpool could face legal action over academic sanctions

Yesterday, we revealed that students living in university halls were receiving academic sanctions if they failed to pay their rent. These sanctions can include being barred from the library, Vital and their university email accounts.

It now transpires the university may face legal action, according to the Chief Executive of the Office for Students, Nicola Dandridge, who told The Liverpool Tab: "Universities should be mindful of guidance issued by the Competition and Markets Authority in this area which cautions that the blanket use of academic sanctions for non-tuition fee debts may be open to challenge under unfair terms legislation.

"It's also important that all students have the support that they need to succeed in and benefit from higher education. Clearly having access to university systems and libraries is crucial if students are to succeed in their studies."

Last year, 687 students were placed under these sanctions as a result of them failing to meet rent payments.

In response, a spokesperson for the University of Liverpool said: "The University keeps its approach to sanctions for non-payment of residential costs under review and will be working with the Guild and others to discuss this and additional support for students in arrears shortly. We always seek to deal with these matters in a fair and proportionate way and we are of course aware of the guidance provided by the CMA."

Have you been threatened with academic sanctions due to late or partial rent payments? If so, please confidentially message us on Facebook or email [email protected]

Featured image credit: Rept0n1x from Wikimedia Commons.

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• Exclusive: Liverpool students living in halls receive ‘academic sanctions’ if they fail to meet rent payments

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