Page last updated 17 June 2025
About Statute XI
Statute XI is part of the University statutes. Our statutes outline how the University of Oxford is governed – including key governance groups such as Congregation and Council, colleges and departments, libraries and museums, staff, students, property and discipline.
Statute XI covers the University’s discipline for students, outlining the different codes of disciplines and procedures, and what happens if these are breached. It also covers discipline related to University membership.
Changes to Statute XI
Changes to the statutes concerning sexual misconduct have been under discussion since 2018, and the proposals have been developed through several University committees, with student involvement and college feedback, since 2022.
A legislative proposal of changes to amend Statute XI were published in the Gazette on 29 May for consideration by Congregation. No opposition or amendments to the proposal were received by the date of the meeting of Congregation on 17 June, therefore the changes will come into effect on 1 September.
The changes will allow the University to investigate more cases of serious misconduct (for example sexual violence) without complaints having to be made to the police first, and to align itself with new regulatory requirements, good practice guidance for the sector, and principles of trauma informed practice.
Presently, before the changes come into effect, if a student reports a serious incident (for example sexual violence), the University may decline to use its disciplinary procedures unless the matter has been reported to the police and they have investigated. This often leads to frustration from students and lengthy processes.
In addition, there are three sets of regulations and the disciplinary procedure, which can make things confusing and difficult to navigate. Under the approved changes, students will only need to look at a single comprehensive procedure (with different versions for academic and non-academic matters).
The changes are designed to make the process more accessible, clearer, and more effective. They also bring the University into line with many of the colleges, and with external guidance from our regulators.
The changes are not intended to create any fresh powers for the discipline of students relating to lawful protest. The University is subject to UK law in all its activities, including laws related to free speech, freedom of expression, and protest, as well as the University’s own policy on free speech.
A dedicated Working Group to review the proposals
In light of feedback from members of the University community in Trinity term 2024, a Working Group was set up to consult further on the recommended changes to Statute XI.
Members of the Group included relevant University officials, a student appointed by the Students' Union, and five members of Congregation (one appointed by Conference of Colleges and four appointed by each of the four divisional boards from within their own division) to bring relevant experience and expertise to the Working Group. The terms of reference for the Group are available on the academic support site.
The Group consulted widely with members of academic staff and professional services, as well as students, to help inform their recommendations.
The amendments take full account of the work needed to implement the new OfS Regulation on Harassment and Sexual Misconduct, and consider the legal context within which Statute XI operates (including, but not limited to, the Human Rights Act 1998, the Education (no. 2) Act 1986, the Equality Act 2010, and any associated domestic and international case law), and the protections and rights that this University has extended to its students, faculty, and staff (including, but not limited to, academic freedom as defined in the Statute XII reference to the UNESCO Recommendation).
More Information
The consultation period ran from Week 7 in Michaelmas term 2024 to Week 3 in Hilary term 2025. An amended legislative proposal for changes to Statute XI was approved by Council in Week 4 of Trinity term. This follows consultation and further consideration by the Statute XI Working Group, with the proposal going to General Purposes Committee in Week 2 of Trinity term, and prior submission to Education Committee in Week 8 of Hilary term. The proposed changes were submitted to Congregation before the end of Trinity term to allow changes to be in place for the 2025-26 academic year, coinciding with the introduction of the Office for Students’ (OfS) new condition (E6) of registration relating to harassment and sexual misconduct by 1 August.
If you have any questions, please contact katherine.noren@admin.ox.ac.uk, Co-Director Student Welfare and Support Services or freya.johnston@ell.ox.ac.uk, Associate Head (Education) of the Humanities Division and Chair of the Statute XI Working Group.
