University of Southampton "PCN" - What do I do?

barrymung

Unicorn51 wrote: »

This makes interesting reading.

http://www.calendar.soton.ac.uk/sectionIV/vehicles-bicycles.html

Most Universities have Royal Charters and it's that which gives them the power to issue degrees. I *think* that many will also give them the power to effectively make their own byelaws and thus issue fines.

I would appeal under section 2 if it were me. From what you were saying it was late at night, you couldn't park where you normally do as all the spaces were blocked within a mile radius and having heard nasty things about the local area and being new to the city you feared for your own safety, thus didn't want to walk far, so parked at the halls.

Universities *hate* upsetting students unduly.

Any thoughts anyone?

barrymung

Umkomaas wrote: »

https://m.imgur.com/a/MIYAL
but for sure they cannot issue ‘penalties’.

I'm pretty sure a University can withhold a degree, for things like non payment of rent, outstanding library books etc.

andytaylor

barrymung wrote: »

I'm pretty sure a University can withhold a degree, for things like non payment of rent, outstanding library books etc.

Indeed they can.

nigelbb

barrymung wrote: »

I'm pretty sure a University can withhold a degree, for things like non payment of rent, outstanding library books etc.

andytaylor wrote: »

Indeed they can.

Indeed they cannot. The OFT wrote to all, the universities a few years ago warning that this practice was illegal https://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/feb/18/oft-warns-universities-higher-education-groups-student-sanctions

barrymung

All it says is that Unis *MAY* be in breach of consumer law. The argument goes that the student has paid tuition fees thus is entitled to a certificate. However, the Unis argue that it's written into their T&C's so fair game.

pogofish

Parking tickets are not normally included in the range of things a Uni might withhold things for as most if not all parking "debts" are collected on an ex-gratia basis. i.e. the Uni contract with their PPC/debt collector is such that they have absolutely no responsibility for the alleged debt.

So I suppose we now wait to see if the OP gets a letter from a shonky debt collector and which one. I cannot believe that bit of toilet paper they were given would be the basis for any substantive small claim by the Uni itself!