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Code of Conduct

Section 1. Background and purpose

The Code of Conduct constitutes a measure in MDU’s efforts that everyone who is present at the University – in all the activities that are run by the University – should feel safe and secure. The application of these rules will lead to a fostering of a good work and study environment as well as transparency at the University.

Section 2. Scope

This Code of Conduct applies to everyone who is temporarily or regularly present in or in close proximity to MDU’s premises and in all the activities that are run by the University. The rules also include the digital environment that is provided by the University such as digital meeting rooms and communication through email as well as the social media channels that MDU is responsible for. The specific user agreement applies when using the University’s computer and network that employees and students signed when they created an MDU account (EULA)

Section 3. General Code of Conduct

It is prohibited to be in or in close proximity to MDU’s premises, digital meeting rooms or otherwise in the organisation that MDU is responsible for:

  1. That requires permission, without having this permission or enabling an unauthorised person to be present in these premises *1.
  2. Littering or deliberately making premises dirty, destroying the University’s premises or other property belonging to MDU.
  3. Moving or using furniture without permission or other property belonging to MDU.
  4. Hanging up posters or other messages in places other than the assigned spaces. Posters or other information that are hung up must be date-stamped by the Student Centre (Studenttorget) at the University.
  5. Harassment of or acting in a hostile manner towards students, employees at the University or other persons.
  6. Behaving in a way that threatens or causes offence to someone else.
  7. Using equipment on wheels such as scooters, longboards, skateboards, inline skates or similar. This equipment does not refer to aids that are needed by persons with disabilities.
  8. Smoking tobacco, e-cigarettes or the equivalent in places that are not specifically designated areas.
  9. Possessing, using, storing, transferring, producing, buying, acquiring or offering drugs in the manner that is indicated in Section 1 of the Act of the Penal Law on Narcotics (1968:64) and with the implication of narcotics defined according to Section 8 of the same Act.
  10. Possessing, using, storing, transferring, producing, buying, transferring and offering doping agents in the manner that is indicated in The Act Prohibiting Certain Doping Substances (SFS 1991:1969) and regarding doping agents that are defined according to Section 1 of the same Act.
  11. Committing other crimes and inciting others to commit such activities.
  12. Consuming drinks containing alcohol without having a special permit *2.
  13. Bringing pets or allowing pets to be on the University campus. However, this does not apply to guide or assistance dogs.
  14. Staying overnight in or using MDU's premises in another way for exclusively private purposes.

Section 4. Specifically on the entry to the teaching premises

Only students *3 who have been admitted to the intended education are allowed access to the premises or a digital meeting room intended for teaching or an examination session. Students who have been suspended from teaching, tests or other activities within the framework of education at the University by a decision taken by the University's Disciplinary Board are not entitled to attend teaching or examinations during the suspension period. At the teaching session, the individual teacher may grant an exception for the presence of another person in an orderly manner. The presence of children is specifically regulated in Section 9.

Section 5. Specifically on MDU’s Library

Everyone is allowed to be in the University Library:

  • to access literature or other information in the Library
  • for studies
  • who are deemed by the Library staff to have a valid reason for doing so.

In addition to what is stated in this Code of Conduct, the University Library is subject to the general loan terms and regulations in force at any given time, which has been decided by the Library Director. These are available on the Library’s website. Should the existing Code of Conduct conflict with what has been decided by special arrangements by the Library Director, what the Library Director has decided applies.

Section 6. Specifically on examination premises

In addition to what is prescribed in this Code of Conduct, the rules and instructions for written examination at first and second-cycle level at Mälardalen University and the rules for written examinations at Mälardalen University apply. The rules are published on MDU’s student website.

Section 7. Specifically on laboratory premises

Those who stay in the premises used for laboratory activities at the University must follow the rules that the person responsible for the laboratory has decided on. In addition to these, the rules in this Code of Conduct apply.

Section 8. Specifically on digital meeting rooms

Participants in digital meetings are responsible for their own participation and that it takes place in a quiet and private environment without risks of disturbances.

Section 8.1 On photography, video and audio recording

Audio recording, photography, filming and similar recording of lectures, seminars, other teaching situations or examinations are, in addition to the below-named exceptions, not permitted.

8.1.1 A teacher has the right at an examination or teaching session to

explicitly give their permission for audio recordings, photography, taking videos, etc. at the actual occasion. The individual teacher establishes the conditions that must apply in that case *4.
An authorisation doesn’t imply the right to disseminate, publish, make accessible or in another way use the recording for other purposes than personal use *5.

8.1.2 For students with a disability

A student with a disability who has a certificate about their requirements for specific aids which has been issued by the University has the right to, when necessary, make audio recordings, photograph, film, etc. at examination and teaching sessions. The student is responsible for notifying such a need to the relevant teacher well in advance of the occasion, and if applicable, presenting the certificate. Audio recordings, photography, filming, etc. may only be done by the student themselves through personal presence. The student does not have the right to disseminate, publish, make available or otherwise use the recording for any purpose other than their personal use. *5.

8.1.3 Other permissions

The Director of Communications otherwise decides on permissions for audio recording, photography, filming and recording at MDU.

Section 9. Children’s presence

Taking into account both the employees' work environment and the students' study environment, it is not permitted for children *6 to, other than on occasions specially arranged by the University *7, stay in teaching premises, examination premises, computer rooms, laboratory premises or other premises with sensitive equipment.

Section 10. Consequences

A person who violates the specified Code of Conduct or who does not meet the conditions for staying on specified premises may be encouraged by the University's employees to leave the University or the premises with immediate effect. If the person does not comply with the request, a security guard, or if the situation so requires, the police, must be alerted.
A person who does not have the right to stay in a digital meeting room provided by the University may be expelled from the digital meeting room by the University's employees.
Students who in a disruptive manner violate the specified Code of Conduct in a digital meeting room provided by the University will be asked to stop their undesirable behaviour by the employee at the University who is responsible for the meeting. If the student does not comply with the request, the employee can expel the student from the digital meeting room.
Chapter 10 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100) contains provisions on disciplinary offences concerning students. The University’s Disciplinary Board may decide on disciplinary action against a student in the event of such an offence.
The University’s Staff Disciplinary Board is responsible for administering disciplinary measures towards employees. The Public Employment Act (1994:260) contains provisions on disciplinary responsibility for employees at the University

  1. Please refer also to the Vice-Chancellor’s decision 2020/0632 on Rules for entry to the University’s premises.
  2. A special permit refers to either a serving licence from Eskilstuna municipality or Västerås City or a permit from a head of unit with budget and staff responsibility for the organisation where consumption is to take place.
  3. A student refers to a person who has been admitted to and is pursuing education at MDU.
  4. For example, the teacher may specify that only audio recording or recording may take place, during certain parts of the teaching session.
  5. For example, a student does not have the right to publish recordings on the Internet without the express permission of the persons concerned.
  6. Regarding children, this does not refer to a student under the age of 18 who has been admitted to and is pursuing education at MDU.
  7. For instance, at an open lecture or public defence of a doctoral thesis according to Chapter 6, Section 33 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100).