WUSA

• Other misconduct: Refers to breaches of Campus Access and Order Rules or other University by-laws, rules, policies or regulations. Examples include harassing or abusing students or staff; disrupting a class or examination; multiple breaches of parking rules or any other conduct detrimental to the proper conduct or reputation of the University

What is the framework for investigation and appeal?

Stage One: Initial investigation by the Primary Investigation Officer

Stage Two: Appeal or referral to the Faculty Investigation Committee (for academic misconduct only)

Stage Three: Appeal to the Student Conduct Committee

Stage Four: Appeal to University Council Committee of Appeal (Student discipline)

For more information, please go to http://www.uow.edu.au/handbook/generalrules/student_discipline _rules.html

What is ILIP?

The Information Literacies Introductory Program is a supplementary program that is compulsory for students in their first session of undergraduate and postgraduate coursework study. To complete ILIP you must have an active email account and either attend a library class OR complete an online tutorial

What is Special Consideration?

Students may apply for special consideration when they believe that their academic performance has been, or is likely to be, adversely affected by illness or other circumstances beyond their control. If you need an extension on a piece of assessment, or you need to arrange a supplementary exam, you need to lodge an application for special consideration.

Do I have to attend class?

Failure to comply with minimum attendance requirements may constitute grounds for failure in that subject

How do I get my results?

After final results are declared, they are released by the Academic Registrar and a results notice is available for each student on the Student OnLine Servics (SOLS) page on the University website.

Can my results be withheld?

Yes. The reasons are as follows:

WM grade: on the basis of medial, compassionate or other circumstances under the Special Consideration Policy.
WA grade: where there are unavoidable delays in assessing the material
WO grade: where it is in the best interests of the student to withhold results for a particular session until the end of the next session
WE grade: where an extension is given following the granting of a WM or WA grade.

Where a result is withheld, it is the responsibility of the student to contact the relevant academic unit as soon as possible, Failure to do so may result in a fail grade being awarded.

Can I be excluded from the University?

Yes. Where a student fails to perform satisfactorily in a mandatory placement component of a course or, for some other reason, is deemed unlikely to perform satisfactorily in that placement, or has been refused access to external facilities, they may be excluded from the Course.

How is my performance graded?

The approved grades of performance are as follows:

High Distinction: 85% to 100%

Distinction: 75% to 84%

Credit: 65% to 74%

Pass: 50% to 64%

Pass Conceded (only for 100- and 200- level subjects): 45% to 49%

What if I am unhappy with a mark or grade?

What is the minimum rate of progress?

Every undergraduate student enrolled at the University of Wollongong is required to maintain a satisfactory rate of progress. The Minimum Rate of progress defines this academic level that students should maintain. Any student that fails 50% or more of subjects attempted in any academic session (excluding summer session), will be in the first instance, placed on referral and advised to seek student service support and/or academic advice that may assist them in improving their progress.

What if I am on probation?

If a student has been placed on probation the University considers that student's enrolment to be at risk. As such the student will be asked to provide a written statement to the Faculty to explain their poor progress and what efforts they are taking, or will take, to improve in the following or subsequent session.

If an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework student on probation meets the minimum requirements for satisfactory progress in the following or any subsequent session, they will be removed from the status of probation and placed back into an Active Status.

On the other hand if an undergraduate or postgraduate student on probation fails to meet satisfactory progress (fails 50% or more of subjects) in the following or any subsequent session, the student will automatically be excluded for a minimum period of one year.

How can the University help me with my study?

1. Student Services

Student Services provides a range of programs and services which are designed to assist you with your studies and help you progress throughout your degree.

2. Learning Resources

Learning Development works within faculties, mainly in first year subjects, to provide learning resources, which explain the expectations of the disciplines you are studying, and to help to develop skills for completing assessments. The Learning Resource Centre also provides workshops, individual consultations and self-access resources on English language and academic skills.

3. PASS - Peer Assisted Study Sessio n

The PASS (Peer Assisted Study Session) Programs are attached to subjects that have a historically high failure rate and/or are perceived by the student body as being difficult. The program is non-remedial and open to all students enrolled in the nominated subjects.

4. Counselling Services

The Counselling Service provides individual consultations and personal development programs, which can help you, sort out with is happening in you life and develop skills for coping with the stresses you experience.

5. International Student Services

The International Student Advisers provide assistance to international students with settling into Australian life and study. The service is free and completely confidential and they can also help International Students meet other students and community members through the International Friendship Program and through the activities of ICIS.

6. Disability Services

Students with a disability may require additional assistance in the adjusting to the requirements of their course and developing independence in their studies. The Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) can produce advice on how particular disabilities affect the University for assisting students with disability.

7. Wollongong Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA)

WUSA provides a number of services for undergraduate students, from advice on academic matters to tenancy issues. Their office is located in Building 11 - ground floor between the UNISHOP and the food hall. Their operating hours are:

Are there rules governing assessment procedures?

Yes. Each academic unit must have written procedures regarding assessment methods, submission dates, weighting and minimum attendance and performance requirements. Generally, these procedures must include:

• Reasonable accommodation for students with a disability

• Clear criteria for marking

• No single assessment piece will count for more than seventy per cent of the final mark.

• At lease one assessment tasks for each subject must be a written task

• Where minimum attendance requirements are set, attendance records must be kept

• Appropriate and useful feedback must be provided for each assessment task.

• Assessment tasks that are relevant to the final exam should be marked and available for collection prior to the study week before the final examination period begins.

• Students have the right to view their final examination paper and to discuss it with the Subject Co-ordinator

• Details of assessment tasks must be included in the Subject Outline.

What is an academic grievance?

Academic grievance refers to a complaint by a student concerning an act, omission or decision of a member of the University staff or committee which affects the student's academic experience. Examples include:

• Failure to assess work in accordance with specified criteria

• Bias by marker

• Failure to adhere to the requirements of the General Course Rules

• Failure to adhere to mandatory requirements of a relevant Code of Practice

• Failure to adhere to Faculty assessment or examination requirements

• Failure to follow due process in handling student requests or complaints.

Academic grievances include questions such as “What if I don't like my grade?” or “What if I have a problem with my tutor or lecturer?”

How are academic grievances resolved?

Resolution of academic grievances is a five stage process:

• Informal approach to person directly involved.

• Formal grievance resolution by Faculty

• Referral to Dean of Students

• Appeal to Academic Review Committee

• Appeal to Council Committee of Appeal (Student Matters)

Students must lodge a formal grievance procedure, in writing, within twenty-one days of the decision, act or omission giving rise to the grievance.

Stage 1 - Informal Approach to person(s) directly involved

You should first approach the person(s) directly involved as soon as possible to discuss any question or concern. For example, you might approach your:

• Marker for an explanation of a mark awarded for an assessment task;

• Subject Coordinator or Honours Coordinator (as appropriate) to discuss a mark awarded by an external marker, or a final mark or grade;

• Honours supervisor where there is an issue or concern about supervision;

• Subject Coordinator where you are unhappy about their decision regarding a special consideration application.

You might then seek advice informally from other appropriate persons in the School or Faculty (e.g. Subject or Program Coordinator, or the Faculty Officer

Stage 2 - Formal grievance resolution by Faculty

Where an issue or concern is not resolved informally by directly approaching appropriate Faculty staff under Stage 1, you may take the following steps to have the matter formally resolved by the Faculty.

Step 1: Referral to Head of School

You may refer the matter in writing using the Grievance Form to the Head of School in which the disagreement arose. Your application must:

include your name, student number and contact details;

set out the nature of your grievance, any specific issues involved and the form of resolution that you are seeking;

be lodged in person at the Faculty Reception Office within twenty-one (21) days of the decision, act or omission about which you are complaining or of receiving your mark for an assessment task or a final result or grade awarded for a subject. Your application will be receipted at this point.

Step 2: Referral to Sub Dean

If the School under Step 1 does not resolve the matter to your satisfaction, you may refer the matter, in writing, to the Sub Dean of the faculty, within fourteen (14) days of receiving a response from the Head of School. Please lodge your appeal in person, using the Grievance Form, at Faculty Reception where it will be receipted.

Note: If a person specified in one of these steps is involved in the grievance, the matter will be referred directly to the next specified person.

Stage 3 - Referral to Dean of Students

If the matter is not resolved by the Faculty under Stage 2, Step 2, you may refer the matter, in writing to the Dean of Students for consideration within fourteen (14) days of receiving your final response from the Faculty. The Dean of Students may:

refuse to take the matter further if there are insufficient grounds for the grievance;
conciliate the matter; or
decide whether the Faculty has failed to observe due process in dealing with the grievance.

"Due process" means your procedural rights under this or other policies, your right to be given a fair hearing and your right to have your case decided by someone who is not biased.

Where the Dean of Students decides that the Faculty has not followed due process, s/he may decide to refer the matter back to the Faculty for reconsideration or make a decision regarding the matter.

Stage 4 - Appeal to Academic Review Committee

After you have gone through the processes explained above, you may appeal to the Academic Review Committee if you believe that there has been a failure to follow due process in Stages 2 or 3, or relevant new or additional information is available to you.

You must lodge your appeal in writing with the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic) within fourteen (14) days of receiving written notification of the decision of the Dean of Students. The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic) will either: refer the matter to the Academic Review Committee where the appeal is based on lack of due process; refer the matter back to the Faculty or Dean of Students where the appeal is based on relevant new or additional information; or refuse to take the matter further where the appeal is not based on lack of due process.

Where the Academic Grievance Committee hears the matter and decides that the Faculty or Dean of Students has not followed due process, it will generally refer the matter back to the Faculty or Dean of Students for reconsideration. The Committee will not reconsider the matter itself.

Stage 5 - Appeal to Council Committee of Appeal (Student Matters)

Where you believe that there has been lack of due process in the proceedings of the Academic Review Committee, you can apply, in writing, to the Vice-Principal (Administration) to refer the matter to the Council Committee of Appeal (Student Matters). The application must be lodged within fourteen (14) days of being notified of the decision of the Academic Review Committee.

Is there a student Code of Conduct?

According to the Code of Practice- Students, it is the responsibility of students to

• become familiar with the rules governing the degree in which they are enrolled

• check their enrolment status at audit dates in each session and inform themselves of deadlines for withdrawal/ addition of subjects

• abide by the policies and practices of the Faculty and academic unit from which they take subjects, as explained in their Subject Outline

• take the initiative and consult with appropriate academic staff when problems arise

• maintain satisfactory academic progress

• submit work within the required timeframe

• conduct themselves in an orderly and proper manner

• attend all lectures, tutorials, seminars and practicals as stipulated in subject outlines for the subjects in which they are enrolled

• submit original work for assessment, without plagiarising or cheating

• respect the diversity of members of the campus community.

• Abide by the Rules for Student Discipline, Rules for Campus Access and Order, Rules for Governing the Use of University Computing Facilities, Code of Conudct- Library and Code of Conduct- Practical Placements

What do I do if I lose my student ID card?

You will need to go to Student Administration in Building 36 and we will print you a new card. The Replacement Student ID Card Charge is $10.

How do I extend my student visa?

You will need to complete the Confirmation of Enrolment form . Applications usually take up to two weeks to process, after which you can collect your Confirmation of Enrolment from Building 36. Along with the Confirmation of Enrolment are the necessary forms required for student visa extension and a checklist sheet that will guide you with your application.

How do I go about deferring my studies this session?

You will need to put in an application for Leave of Absence. You will then be notified through the post of the outcome of your application. Should your application be successful, you can re-enrol in your following session subjects via SOLS during the next re-enrolment period.

I would like to change my Course to a different one. What do I do?

Students wishing to change their course will be required to complete an Application to Vary Course Registration .

Why is my subject status provisional? How can I change it to enrolled?

A "provisional" status means you have not met all the subject's pre-requisites or co-requisites. In order to change your status to "enrolled", you must complete an Academic Approval form , which must be signed by the Head of the relevant Academic Unit, and lodge it with Student Administration in Building 36.

How do I access my exam timetable?

You can access your exam timetable via SOLS .

Where do I get my timetable?

You can access your timetable via SOLS .

What about tutorials?

You should sign up for tutorials early so that you get your preferred time slot. You will generally be required to sign up for tutorials on-line. Check with your faculty for more information.

What are credit points and how do they work?

Credit points are a basic measure of workload. A normal fulltime annual workload is 48 credit points, all subjects are given a credit point value. The academic year is divided into two main sessions Autumn and Spring, fulltime students usually enrol in 24 credit points each session, part-time students usually enrol in 12 credit points each session or less.

What if I have completed subjects at another tertiary institution?

Students who have completed studies at pass level or better at another Tertiary institution may request advanced standing for those studies. Specified credit may be given for subjects which are equivalent to those offered by the University of Wollongong and count as prerequisites where the corresponding Wollongong subject is a prerequisite.

Unspecified credit may be given for other subjects, relevant to the respective degree for which advanced standing is sought, completed at another institution. This form of advanced standing cannot be used as a prerequisite for any subject.

I am having trouble accessing SOLS, who should I contact?

If you are unable to access SOLS due to a login problem, contact Student Administration to check if your barcode is current.

What if I am being harassed?

According to the University of Wollongong's Prevention of Sexual Harassment Policy, all students and staff have the right to work or study in an environment that is free from personal intimidation and harassment. If a complaint is made, you have the right to conciliation, mediation and formal mechanisms of dispute resolution. Under the University's Respect for Cultural Diversity Policy, harassment or discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity or culture is prohibited.

Where do I find copies of the policies which affect students?

University of Wollongong Act 1989 http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/uowa1989316/

University of Wollongong By-Law 1991 http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_reg/uowb1991353/

Code of Conduct-Library

http://www-library.uow.edu.au/about/planning/code.html

Code of Practice-Honours

http://www.uow.edu.au/handbook/honourscode.html

Code of Practice-Practical Placements http://www.uow.edu.au/handbook/codesofprac/cop_pracplace.html

Code of Practice-Research

http://www.uow.edu.au/about/teaching/cop_research.html

Code of Practice-Students http://www.uow.edu.au/handbook/codesofprac/cop_students.html

Code of Practice-Supervision http://www.uow.edu.au/handbook/codesofprac/cop_supervision.html

Code of Practice-Teaching & Assessment http://www.uow.edu.au/handbook/codesofprac/teaching_code.html

University Code of Conduct (Staff) http://www.uow.edu.au/about/policy/codeofconduct.html

Course/Award Rules Admission Rules http://www.uow.edu.au/handbook/courserules/admission.html

Advanced Standing Rules http://www.uow.edu.au/handbook/courserules/advancedstanding.html

Amendments to Course Rules

http://www.uow.edu.au/handbook/courserules/other.html

Appeals

http://www.uow.edu.au/handbook/courserules/other.html

Assessment Rules

http://www.uow.edu.au/handbook/courserules/assessment.html

Definitions

http://www.uow.edu.au/handbook/courserules/assessment.html#defintions

Assessment Responsibilities of Students http://www.uow.edu.au/handbook/courserules/assessment.html#students

Procedures for Formal Examinations http://www.uow.edu.au/handbook/courserules/assessment.html#exam

Use of Foreign Translation Dictionaries in Examinations http://www.uow.edu.au/handbook/courserules/assessment.html#exams

Declaration and Release of Final Results http://www.uow.edu.au/handbook/courserules/assessment.html#results

Grades of Performance http://www.uow.edu.au/handbook/courserules/assessment.html#grades

Guidelines for the Granting of Awards with Distinction http://www.uow.edu.au/handbook/courserules/assessment.html#distinction

Amendment of Academic Record http://www.uow.edu.au/handbook/courserules/assessment.html#amendgrades

Minimum Rate of Progress http://www.uow.edu.au/handbook/courserules/assessment.html#mrp

Bachelor Degree Rules

http://www.uow.edu.au/handbook/awardrules/course_rules_bachelor.html

Doctoral Degree Rules http://www.uow.edu.au/handbook/awardrules/course_rules_doctoral.html

Doctoral Degree (by Publication) Rules http://www.uow.edu.au/handbook/awardrules/course_rules_doctoral_pub.html

Enrolment Rules

http://www.uow.edu.au/handbook/courserules/enrolment.html

Information Literacies Rule http://www.uow.edu.au/handbook/courserules/otherrequirements.html#ilip

Graduate Certificate Rules http://www.uow.edu.au/handbook/awardrules/course_rules_graduate_cert.html

Responsibility for WUSA's electronic and non-electronic publications is taken by WUSA Council. The University of Wollongong accepts no responsibility for WUSA publications. The content of this publication is made by and for the students of the University of Wollongong.
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