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5.3 Fines and Charges

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5.3.1 Fines

The College and its members endeavour to behave in a responsible way both towards each other and towards members of staff.

When behaviour falls below an acceptable standard, the Dean is empowered by the College Council to impose fines of up to £150 in addition to recovering the costs of any damage done or cleaning needed. Minor misdemeanours usually result in a fine of £10-£25, community service and/or suspension of certain privileges, such as access to the College bar. However, aggravated offences will be dealt with more severely and in no circumstances will a plea that drunkenness reduced an individual’s judgement be entertained as a mitigating factor.

Letting off fire extinguishers or damaging appliances or equipment is now a criminal offence and constitutes a particularly serious threat to life. The rules and disciplinary  section sets out in more detail the College’s policy in this area.

The operation of around 500 rooms in College requires considerable organizational planning. Late changes in vacating a room can cause substantial inconvenience to fellow students and the Housekeeping staff, and increase costs. As a result, charges are imposed for failing to follow the clearly set-out procedures for occupying and vacating rooms. Please consult the accommodation guide with respect to field work and working away from Cambridge.

5.3.2 Late Payment Charges

Since prompt payment of bills is one way in which student charges can be kept down, late payment charges are levied on any bill not settled by three weeks after the start of Full Term, increasing substantially if not paid by four weeks after the start of Full Term. The College also reserves the right to send out of residence any student who fails to pay his/her account, and will not allow any student who has not paid the previous term’s account to return into residence without special permission. Finally, the College will not present for a degree, nor grant any reference or testimonial, to any student who is in debt to the College.

Any students who find difficulty in paying their bills on time as a result of genuine financial difficulties should immediately contact the Bursary (studentbilling@cam.ac.uk) in the first instance. It may be possible to waive late payment charges in bona fide cases. You should also consult your Tutor.

5.3.3 Leaving Cambridge early: your fees

If, without giving notice in writing to the Bursar before the division of the previous term, a student for any reason goes out of residence during the course of a term, the College shall be entitled to keep or claim any fees and charges paid, or payable by, or on behalf of, that student, in respect of that term.

No fees and charges shall be payable if:

  • the College has sent the student down;
  • the student is prevented from returning by illness;
  • the student gave the Bursar notice of his/her intention in writing not to return by the division of the preceding term.

If a student goes down for bona fide medical reasons during the course of the term, application is made to the University for the return of fees.