Resolving Academic Concerns

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Resolving Academic Concerns

It is important that:

  • the student has read and understood the relevant materials (eg. the relevant policy, Unit Outlines) before proceeding;
  • all matters are discussed as quickly as possible and close as possible to the source of the problem;
  • there are grounds for the complaint/appeal, as defined in the relevant policy/regulations .
The accompanying chart illustrates some of the concerns that might arise for students of the University, the relevant policies, and appropriate channels of escalation. It should be noted that complaints/appeals should be made in writing to the relevant University officer.
It must be understood that not every concern can be answered to each complainant's satisfaction; there will be occasions when the University, in following its procedures, legitimately will not give an affirmative response to a request. The Grievance Management process would only be invoked if there were clear grounds to proceed.

SUBJECT MATTER

RELEVANT POLICY/ REGULATION

SEQUENCE OF CONTACT

Entry to a course

Admissions Policy

Policy for Appeal and Review on Administrative Matters

Relevant Manager (ie Admissions Manager)

Manager’s supervisor (ie Head, Student Business Services)

Academic Registrar

A School decision that directly affects a student

Student Grievance Management Policy

Course Coordinator

Head of School

Faculty Dean;  student may exercise formal grievance process

A Faculty decision that directly affects a student

Student Grievance Management Policy

Head of School

Faculty Dean

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) ;  student may access formal grievance process

A decision affecting PhD candidature (other than those covered by the Research and Professional Doctorate Degree Regulations)

Student Grievance Management Policy

Head of School

Faculty Dean

Pro-Vice-Chancellor

(Research and International) ;  student may access formal grievance process

Assessment requirements

Student Grievance Management Policy

Academic staff member concerned

Head of School

Faculty Dean;  student may access formal grievance process

Academic standards (eg. teaching, supervision, units, workloads)

Student Grievance Management Policy

Academic staff member concerned

Head of School

Faculty Dean;  student may access formal grievance process

 

SUBJECT MATTER

RELEVANT POLICY/ REGULATION

SEQUENCE OF CONTACT

Result in a unit

Academic Regulations

Lecturer-in-charge of unit

Head of School

Faculty Board

Academic Board

Termination of enrolment on academic grounds

Academic Regulations

Course Coordinator

Head of School

Faculty Board

Academic Board

Intellectual property

·         for a coursework unit

·         for a research unit

Intellectual Property Policy or Academic Honesty Policy

Lecturer-in-charge of unit

Academic staff member supervising the student’s work

Head of School

Head of School

Faculty Dean

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and International)

Pro-Vice-Chancellor

(Academic Affairs)

Arbitration by the Australian Commercial Disputes Centre (with reference to research work)

Research ethics

National Statement on the Ethical Conduct in Research  Involving Humans (1999)

Principal research supervisor

Chair, Human Research Ethics Committee

University Research and Research Training Management Committee

Administration of University policies, procedures

(Choice depends on issue and which policy is applicable)                    

Student Grievance Management Policy

OR

Policy for Appeal and Review on Administrative matters

Staff member concerned

Decision-maker (Manager of relevant section

Manager/Head of relevant section

Head of relevant Division

Head of Directorate (eg Academic Registrar, Director of Finance, Dean)

Academic Registrar

Executive Director, University Services/ Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) ;  student may access formal grievance process

For international students

ESOS National Code

Director, International Office

External conciliator appointed for the purpose

 

SUBJECT MATTER

RELEVANT POLLICY/ PROCEDURE

SEQUENCE OF CONTACT

Availability of or access to central computing facilities

Student Grievance Management Policy

Staff member concerned

Manager/Head of relevant section

Director, Information Technology and Communication Services

Executive Director, University Services;  student may access formal grievance process

Availability of or access to Library facilities

Student Grievance Management Policy

Staff member concerned

Manager of relevant Library

Director, Libraries

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) ;  student may access formal grievance process

Sexual harassment

Sexual Harassment Policy

Sexual Harassment Adviser

Equal Opportunity Officer

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