KNOW YOUR RIGHTS GUIDE 1
CONTENTS 1. Student Rights  ................................................................................................. 3 a. Rights and responsibilities ...................................................................................... 3 b. Formal procedures for Complaints, Appeals ......................................................... 3 c. Guild Assistance .. ..................................................................................................... 3 i. Student Assist Officers......................................................................................... 3 ii. Welfare Officer . . ................................................................................................... 3 iii. Queer Officer ...................................................................................................... 4 iv. Women’s Officer ................................................................................................. 4 v. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Officer .................................................... 4 vi. International Student Service ............................................................................ 4 vii. Post-Graduate Student Association . . ............................................................... 5 viii. Albany Students Association . . .......................................................................... 5 2. Unit Outlines ................................................................................................... 5 3. Assessment .................................................................................................... 5 a. Continuous . . .............................................................................................................. 5 b. Examinations............................................................................................................. 6 c. Special Exams ........................................................................................................... 6 i. Deferred Exams ..................................................................................................... 6 ii. Supplementary Exams ......................................................................................... 6 d. Exam Rules .. .............................................................................................................. 7 4. Special Consideration ...................................................................................... 7 a. What is Special Consideration? . . ............................................................................ 7 b. Am I eligible? . . .......................................................................................................... 7 c. How to apply . . ........................................................................................................... 8 5. Appeals ........................................................................................................... 8 a. Review Stages............................................................................................................ 10 i. Review Stafe 1 . . ...................................................................................................... 10 ii. Review Stage 2 .................................................................................................... 10 iii. Appeal .................................................................................................................. 10 b. Categories for Review and Appeal.......................................................................... 12 i. Assessment Outcome .. ........................................................................................ 10 ii. Final Grade/Mark . . ................................................................................................ 10 iii. Progress Status.................................................................................................... 10 c. How to Submit A Review.......................................................................................... 11 d. The Appeals Process.. ............................................................................................... 12 e. General Tips . . ............................................................................................................. 11 6. Complaints....................................................................................................... 11 a. Informal - complaints form/Guild .......................................................................... 11 b. Formal - University procedures .............................................................................. 13 7. Bullying on Campus .......................................................................................... 13 8. Incidental Student Fees and Charges .. .............................................................. 15
The aim of the Know Your Rights Guide is to ensure that all students at UWA have access to information about their student rights regarding safety, non-discrimination and academic matters. It is intended to provide this information to students in an easy-to-access format which will support students with any issues they are facing, both on and off campus. This Know Your Rights Guide was initially created by the 2014 UWA Student Guild Education Council committee, and finalised by the 2016 Education Action Network, with the help of Student Assist. The information in this guide was correct at the time of printing. 2
1. STUDENT RIGHTS
C. GUILD ASSISTANCE i. Student Assist Student Assist is here to support all students with
A. RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Charter of Student Rights and Responsibilities sets out the fundamental rights and expected responsibilities of students at the University of Western Australia. It is important to note that rights are inalienable and the breach of any responsibility by a student does not automatically invalidate their rights.
any academic, financial and welfare issues that you may be experiencing. They are a team of social workers and a wellbeing counsellor employed by the Student Guild to assist students on an independent basis. They are extremely professional, friendly and approachable and love assisting students in any way they can. The team are not UWA staff, but they can assist you through any policy or procedure that you are going through at UWA. This can be anything
If you want more detailed information a complete
from a complaint, appeal, an academic misconduct
list can be found http://bit.ly/1t5XxyS
charge or applying for special consideration and everything in between. The team will know the policy, procedure, deadline, submission process
Every student has a right to appeal or register a grievance against any academic assessment or procedure, administrative procedure, or perceived discrimination or harassment
and they can be your independent, non-judgmental support person throughout whatever you are going through. Not only can Student Assist help you with all academic matters, they also have a range of financial support, a low-barrier food pantry and free independent counselling with no restricted sessions and no triage process. No issue is too big or small for the Student Assist team, so they are a great starting point if you have no idea where to go with any issue you may be facing. Location: M300, Guild South Wing, First Floor
B. FORMAL PROCEDURES FOR COMPLAINTS AND APPEALS Every student has a right to appeal or register a grievance against any academic assessment or
Website: http://www.uwastudentguild.com/assist Email: assist@guild.uwa.edu.au ii. Welfare Department
procedure, administrative procedure, or perceived
The Guild Welfare Department runs events and
discrimination or harassment. Furthermore, students
initiatives to support the health and wellbeing of all
have a right to a clearly-documented, confidential
UWA students by attempting to tackle issues such
process for dealing with an appeal, complaint or
as exam stress, mental health, and student poverty.
grievance and to receive reasons for the resulting
The Department also establishes facilities on
decisions. Students also have a right to seek to seek
campus and helps students to overcome adversity
guidance from a Guild Student Assist Officer, faculty
including discrimination, disadvantage and hardship.
staff, and/or an Equity and Diversity Adviser as appropriate when submitting an appeal, complaint or grievance.
Website: http://www.uwastudentguild.com/about/ departments/welfare/ FB: fb.com/uwastudentguildwelfare
For more information on appeals see p. 8, and complaints, p. 11.
Email: welfare@guild.uwa.edu.au
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iii. Pride Department The Pride Department [also known as the PD] is the
vi. Western Australian Student Aboriginal Corporation (WASAC)
main hub for LGBT+ activity on campus. We provide
WASAC is the Indigenous student body on campus.
support, advocacy, information, and sexual health
WASAC has been responsible for organising social
products for students, as well as a safe and accepting
and cultural awareness activities for students to get
space for regular structured events and more
involved in on and off campus since 1988.
casual socialisation and relaxation (plus a healthy dose of procrastination). We are heavily involved
Currently representing over 250 Indigenous students,
in a wide array of activities across the community
WASAC’s main focus is meeting students’ needs,
aimed at furthering LGBT issues. We are welcoming
promoting cultural awareness on campus, and
and accepting to all students who are willing to be
providing a good social atmosphere in and around
respectful and have a bit of fun. Our room is at the
Shenton House and Old Pharmacology, with social
southern end of the top floor of the guild building –
functions such as sundowners, quiz nights and
accessed either by the elevator or by going up the
barbeques.
stairs to the second level (above the CCZ). Don’t forget to like us on Facebook to keep up to date with our upcoming events.
networks within Perth and around Australia. Each year it sends a team - the Western Waagyls - to compete
Don’t forget to keep tabs on our Facebook group and
in the National Indigenous Tertiary Education Student
mailing list for up to date event info!
Games (NITESG).
Location: M300 Guild Central Wing, Second Floor
Location: Shenton House
Website: www.uwastudentguild.com/about/
Website: http://www.uwastudentguild.com/about/
departments/pride/
departments/atsis/
FB: fb.com/uwastudentguildqd
Email: wasac@guild.uwa.edu.au
Email: pride@guild.uwa.edu.au
ii. International Student Services
iv. Women’s Department
ISS is the peak student body representing international
UWA Women’s Department aims to fight sexism and misogyny on and off campus. Women are systematically disadvantaged in the broader community and at University. On average, it will take women three times longer than men to pay off their HECS DEBT. 67% of women have had unwanted sexual advances during their time at University while 76% of women feel unsafe on campus at night. Think this needs to be changed and challenged? Get involved with your Women’s collective. Location: M300 Guild Central Wing, Second Floor Website: http://www.uwastudentguild.com/about/ departments/womens FB: fb.com/UWAGuildWomens Email: womens@guild.uwa.edu.au
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WASAC is also involved with other Indigenous
students in the University and act as an umbrella organisation for smaller international students associations and clubs on campus. All full-fee paying international students are automatically members. ISS organises and subsidises an assortment of activities, sports, games, parties and trips at UWA. ISS also looks after the welfare of all international students on campus by looking into and advocating select issues that concern international students, such as unnecessary fee hikes, unfair academic assessments or potential discriminations. Location: M300 Guild Central Wing, Second Floor Website: http://www.uwastudentguild.com/about/ departments/iss/ FB: fb.com/UWAInternationalStudentsService Email: iss@guild.uwa.edu.au
iii. Post-Graduate Student Association All enrolled postgraduate students are automatically members of the PSA – this includes both Coursework and Research students undertaking study in areas as diverse as PhDs, Masters by Research and by Coursework including Juris and Medical Doctoral programs, Graduate Diplomas, and Graduate Certificates. The PSA recognises that postgraduate students often come for the widest variety of backgrounds, many of them being international students, parents or mature-aged students. Our aims are to connect postgraduate students with each other at our social and networking events, to keep them informed of the services and support available to them at university and to provide representation to them at all levels of the Student Guild and university
information available in the unit outline; including assessment information and a full schedule of topics, readings and classes. Outlines must also clearly state whether lectures will be made available online throughout semester. If you believe that your rights regarding unit outlines are not being upheld, contact Guild Student Assist (see p. 2) or speak to a representative from your Faculty Society.
3.ASSESSMENT Assessments and exams are unfortunate but necessary part of student life. No matter if you’re the type of person who finishes assignments a month
administration.
before they are due or starts them the day before -
Location: M300, Guild South Wing, First Floor
your life much easier and ensures your lecturers are
Website: http://www.uwastudentguild.com/about/ departments/psa/ FB: fb.com/uwapsa
knowing the rules regarding assessments can make following the rules. There are two forms of assessment: •
Email: psa@guild.uwa.edu.au iv. Albany Students Association
Continuous: occur throughout the semester (includes mid-semester or mid-trimester exams)
•
Examinations: occur during specific examination periods
UWA Albany was established in 1999 and encompasses the Albany Centre, the Centre of Excellence in Natural Resource Management, and the Rural Clinical School of Western Australia. There are approximately 200 enrolled at the Albany Campus, studying a range of courses including Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science. The Albany Students
A. CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT As a student you have the right to valid, educative, explicit, reliable and fair assessments which adhere to the following rules: •
Information regarding assessments and
Association provides services and representation to
attendance requirements for a unit should be
these students, including the ‘Albany Dungeon’.
available in the unit outline at least one working
FB: fb.com/groups/26197174904
day before the start of semester. •
Email: albany@guild.uwa.edu.au
2.UNIT OUTLINES
they expect for each assessment. •
available at before the start of semester and are published on LMS. Unit coordinators are required to make certain
All assessments should be available for collection and feedback no later than 5 weeks after the submission date unless your unit coordinator has
Students must be provided with unit outlines for each unit they are enrolled in, which are to be made
Staff must provide you with a standard of work
told you otherwise. •
Late penalties for submission in all faculties is 5% per day, including weekends.
•
If your unit has an exam, no assignment can be due during the study period or exam period.
5
• • •
Group assessments tasks have a maximum 30%
C. SPECIAL EXAMS
weighting for the combined mark.
Supplementary and deferred examinations are
Assessment items must be worth between 10%
special exams that are not normally available to
and 70%.
students. These exams are normally held in the
All text based assessments must be submitted
week commencing four weeks before the start of
through LMS.
first semester and in week one of second semester (different for medicine and dentistry students). The
B. EXAMINATIONS Examinations are a special and often stressful part of
exam timetable should be made available three days before they begin.
each semester. General exam rules are:
Note that deferred and supplementary exams will
•
differ in content and format from the original exam.
The exam timetable which must be published 5 weeks before exams begin.
• •
Mid-semester and mid-trimester exams may be
i. Deferred exams
held outside official exam times.
Deferred exams are granted to students for one or
Exams can be held between 8:30am and 6:30pm
more units if it is satisfied that for medical or other
Monday - Saturday during exam periods.
reasons the student was;
•
Exams must all be 2hrs in duration.
•
100% exams are not permitted.
•
Exam feedback is required by the Unit Coordinator, either in a report to students or a marking key on LMS.
•
Exams must be worth a minimum of 50%
•
You must receive any reading materials necessary for the exam beforehand.
•
Alternative exam times may be given to students who fit the following criteria; • Alternative examination arrangements for students with a disability or medical condition, and • Variations to examination times and venues to accommodate: - State or national representatives at sporting or cultural events or their coaches, - Students with religious beliefs - Special consideration; and - Exceptional circumstances.
If as a student you are unhappy with your assessment or examination result you can appeal, but you must do so within five University working
•
Hindered in preparing for the exam or;
•
Unable to sit the exam or complete it
Application for deferral must be submitted within three days of the original exam date if not before.
Supplementary exams are given in some units for students who have failed the unit, a component of the unit or both and are required to pass the unit. A mark of 45 to 49 must be obtained for the unit and 45 for the failed component for the opportunity of supplementary examinations to be given.
days from receipts of release of results or during the first week of the next semester or trimester.
ii. Supplementary exams Supplementary exams are given in some units for students who have failed the unit, a component of
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the unit or both and are required to pass the unit. To get a supplementary exam you must get a unit mark between 45 and 49 and at least 45 for the
4. SPECIAL CONSIDERATION
failed assessment. If the unit that you fail is the last unit to pass your degree, you must be given an opportunity to sit supplementary assessment unless the faculty has been granted exemption from this rule.
A. WHAT IS SPECIAL CONSIDERATION? Special consideration allows faculties to take into account significant and unforeseen factors that may have affected your academic preparation or
Supplementary exams must be given to students
performance. Consideration is given to significant
who have obtained a mark of at least 40 in a unit or
personal illness, the death or serious illness
failed unit component in which is being offered for
of someone close to you, or other significant
the last time and no unit with similar content will be
circumstances that compromise your studies. It
available in the next academic year.
allows your Faculty to make informed and fair decisions concerning your academic progress (e.g. extensions for assignments, withdrawal or course
D. EXAM RULES
change, determining your final grade in a unit of
Examination rules will be explained to you by the
study, or approval of deferred examination).
exam invigilator (person who sits at the front and paces up and down the rows) and often by your lecturer. Here are some of the important ones; •
You can only bring a clear water bottle containing water into your exam venue - no other
B. AM I ELIGIBLE? Special consideration situations: •
assignment deadlines submitted to the
food or drink is allowed. •
appropriate Unit Coordinator. In such a case the
Don’t try and communicate with anyone else
Coordinator will decide how long an extension
during the exam -including but not limited to;
you may have for the submission of a written
talking, sign language, note passing, texting,
assignment or project. You should make contact
calling, smoke signals, carrier pigeons, telepathy
on or before the due date and make sure you get
etc. •
confirmation in writing.
Do not bring in unauthorised material, if it is found you could face losing all credit for the
•
Special consideration can also be applied more broadly to cover situations where specific
exam or the unit as whole (which would be sad) •
‘One off’ applications for extensions to
difficulties have been identified and have been
No additional time is given to students who
continuing for some time and/or are likely to
arrive late
continue for the foreseeable future. In such
If you arrive more than 30 minutes late for your exam
cases you may request that special consideration
you are not allowed to enter. If you arrive more than
be applied to all aspects of assessment related
30 minutes late you must go immediately to Student
to your current enrolment. However, unless
Central and explain the circumstances that made
otherwise advised, normal deadlines for
you late and may allow you to sit the examination in another venue. Each case is dealt with individually,so
submission of assignments, reports, projects
you may not get this opportunity.
and examinations will occur as scheduled. These applications should be submitted to your Faculty Office, or online via ask.UWA. •
The deadline for submitting an application to your Faculty is the third University working day after the date on which the relevant work 7
for assessment was due (i.e. the work for which special consideration is sought). Your Faculty
•
level of impact on performance. •
Within the limits of confidentiality, certificates
may be able to extend this deadline in exceptional
should provide sufficient detail on the nature and
circumstances. Supporting documentation should
seriousness of the illness so that an equitable
clearly cover the due date for the assessment.
performance assessment can be made.
When appropriate, special consideration can
•
also be extended to exceptional situations which prevent your sitting examinations as originally
Certificates signed by family members are not acceptable.
•
Applications on other grounds are best supported
scheduled. This process is known as ‘applying for
by a healthcare professional, religious leader,
deferred examinations’.
residential college principal, by a university
While deferred exams may be the best option when
lecturer or other person who is sufficiently
circumstances are serious, it is important to consider
informed to be able to make a comprehensive
that:
and objective assessment of the severity of your
•
Deferral may not result in more time to study; unless your case is strong your request may be
circumstances. •
on the situation, but should support your account
denied. • •
Deferred examinations may interrupt your other plans (see deferred exam schedule at www.student.uwa.edu.au/course/exams).
•
of the circumstances and indicate the likely
It is sometimes difficult to justify deferred exams in selected units only.
Your situation may persist and affect your
The kind of documentation you need will depend
duration and level of impact on performance. •
In addition students may be asked to write a short statement outlining their personal situation and how it has affected them – Guild Student Assist Officer can help students with this.
deferred examinations. •
Depending on your circumstances there may be better options.
Having trouble? Follow our handy flowchart on the next page!
C. HOW TO APPLY You should submit your form to your allocated Faculty Office as soon as you know you will need it. Fill in all the form and attach your evidence, if you have this. You can download a fillable PDF and submit it to your Faculty Office through ask.UWA, or you can hand it into your Faculty Office in person. Other supporting
Special consideration can also be applied to cover situations where specific difficulties have been identified and have been continuing for some time and/or are likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
documentation may be requested.
Applications on medical grounds are best
5. APPEALS
supported by medical certificates signed by your
In accordance with the University Policy on Review
doctor indicating that you were seen during an
and Appeal of Academic Decisions Relating to
illness, or as soon as it was possible afterwards to
Students, a student may request a review of an
seek help.
academic decision relating to them, and can appeal if
The certificate should show when you first sought
they are dissatisfied with the outcome of that review.
What is satisfactory documentation? •
•
attention, the probable duration of illness and 8
A Guide to Special Consideration Do you have an illness? Obtain a letter/documentation regarding your medical circumstances from a doctor or registered medical practitioner.
YES
NO Do you think experiencing these circumstances has had an adverse affect on your academic performance?
Have you been affected by any of the following significant circumstances: • Death or serious illness of member of your immediate family household or a close friend •
Serious injury
•
Being a victim of crime
•
Breakdown of a relationship
•
Sudden loss of income or employment
•
Serious disruption to domestic arrangements
YES
Apply for special consideration. (www.student.uwa.edu.au/ course/exams/consideration)
THEN
NO YES You may still apply for special consideration but your application is unlikely to be successful
Make an appointment with a faculty adviser in the relevant school or a member of the guild to try and establish new grounds for special consideration to be made.
NO Have you experienced any of the following exceptional circumstances (not ordinarily grounds for special consideration): • Obligations as a volunteer in the State Emergency Services or other community emergency services; •
Commitments relating to elite athlete status
•
Obligations to the Army Reserve or
•
Unforeseen, urgent and important work commitments
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
YES
NO Have you experienced a combination of the above circumstances?
YES
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Your grounds are not currently recognised by the university as a reason to gain special consideration
NO NO Are you a student with a registered disability but have suffered one of the above situations or an acute worsening of your existing condition?
TRY
Realise that you didn’t do your work because you were procrastinating.
IF YOU ARE BEYOND STRESSED
YES Do the work
See a Guild Student Assist Officer or a Counsellor at UWA.
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The University upholds the principle that students
its own right and any previous requests in relation
should have the opportunity to review and/or raise
to other assessment items are not relevant and are
appeals against academic decisions without fear of
not considered. Please note, a small margin exists
disadvantage and in the knowledge that confidentiality
between getting a credit or a distinction, for example,
will be respected.
is not grounds to submit a review. The main reasons a
A review of academic decision may comprise the following two stages.
A. REVIEW STAGES
review can be sought is the perception of: •
Irregularity in marking standard; or
•
Errors of marking process in determining the outcome of an assessment
i. Review Stage 1
ii. Final Grade/Mark
A student who is concerned about the validity of
You are assessed during semester through essays,
a decision that affects their academic outcomes,
presentations, participation, tests and exams. Each
standing or progress at the University is entitled
component contributes to your final mark at the end of
to request a review of that decision by the original
each semester. If you feel that you have been unfairly
decision-maker or decision-making body.
marked or there has been procedural errors in the determination of the grade or mark you may submit a
The Stage 1 process must be completed before a Stage
Review Stage 1 of Final Grade/Mark.
2 can occur. PhD or Master by research (by thesis) students can ii. Review Stage 2 A student who is not satisfied with the outcome of Review Stage 1 and believes, in accordance with policy, there are grounds for further review (refer policy link below), may request the case to be reviewed by a higher authority at Stage 2. iii. Appeal If matters are not resolved satisfactorily at Review Stage 1 or Stage 2 where relevant, students may appeal to the Appeals Committee of the Academic Board, whose decision is final within the University.
appeal a mark through a different process advised to follow the Appeals Procedure set out on the University at http://bit.ly/1DP96kg. You’ll need to send off your application along a covering letter. Your letter should be in your own words and reflect your personal situation. A sample letter can be found at http://bit. ly/1qlQJNO iii. Progress Status The faculties allocate progress status categories at the end of each year, taking into account a student’s results in all units taken in that year. To achieve satisfactory progress in a course students are required to pass at least half the total credit point value of
If you need help making an appeal, please contact Student Assist.
units in which they are enrolled and satisfy any additional requirements stated in the rules for the student’s course. If you have not achieved satisfactory progress and you believe that your status is the result of an error you may submit a Review Stage 1 of Progress Status.
B. CATEGORIES FOR REVIEW AND APPEAL
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i. Assessment Outcome
C. HOW TO SUBMIT A REVIEW
Each request for a review of an assessment outcome
You must lodge your request for a review within 5
for a unit needs to be a separate request (except for
university workings days of receipt of results or an
a thesis; see Appeals Procedure for Research Higher
academic decision (or within 20 University working
Degree by Thesis. The review will be considered in
days from release of progress status for a review of
progress status). All review and appeal forms can be found on the
made a case. If unsure, seek help. •
– an appeal may not always be the right course of
UWA and Guild websites 1. Open the link to the relevant form
Make sure that you are following the right process action to follow in all cases.
•
The Charter of Student Rights sets out a number of principles to ensure that you receive a
2. Download and save the form (as ‘save as’) on your computer desk-top. NB forms should be submitted in Word format and not as PDF. 3. Complete Sections 1 and 2 of the form.
professional response to your request and that you cannot be negatively dealt with because you have lodged an appeal. If you’re unsure about whether you have grounds to appeal, contact Guild Student Assist via
4. Open your student email account.
assist@guild.uwa.edu.au
5. Locate your relevant course advising faculty student office email.
6. COMPLAINTS
6. In the subject line of the email, state the subject
Information on complaints can be found on the Guild
very clearly. E.g.:
Student Assist website at www.uwastudentguild.
i. XXXX (Student Number) – Review Stage 1; Or
com/assist or, alternatively, the university’s policy on complaints can be found at http://bit.ly/1wXDabd
ii. XXXX (Student Number) – Review Stage 2; Or iii. XXXX (Student Number) – Appeal
A. INFORMAL Generally a Guild Student Assist Officer will see
7. Attach the form to your email and any supporting
you, assess the issue and identify who is involved.
documentation
Once this has been established they will help you to
8. Send the email to the relevant course advising faculty student office.
identify your ultimate goals from the situation. After this the Guild Student Assist Officer and you would meet with the people/person the complaint is against and attempt to establish a resolution informally. If
D. THE APPEALS PROCESS (SEE DIAGRAM ON PAGE 12)
you are still not happy with the decision then the Guild Student Assist Officer will consult with the University’s Complaints Resolution Unit (CRU) to
E. GENERAL TIPS •
•
Always seek feedback first but remember that
discuss the next steps and to possibly lodge a formal complaint.
you only have five working days to lodge the
After a complaint has been lodged with the CRU
appeal.
then the Guild Student Assist Officer will monitor
Follow up any conversation or discussion that
the progress of the complaints, via emailing the unit
you have with university staff about your appeal
coordinator, and the CRU will deal directly with you
with an email. This provides you with a written
regarding your complaints.
record. •
If you have any difficulties with obtaining feedback or an explanation, then approach others within the university, such as the head of school for help.
•
Make sure that you have grounds for appeal
B. FORMAL In the event that the issue cannot be resolved, the University provides a number of ways in which you can make a complaint.
– the appeal can be dismissed if you have not 11
The Appeals Process TAKE INFORMAL ACTION Discussing and/or meeting with your Unit Coordinator is not a compulsory step of the review process. If you are having trouble contacting your Unit Coordinator within the 5 day deadline then submit the review stating on the form that you tried to take informal action. If the Unit Co-ordinator is unable to provide feedback within the 5 day rule and can only meet with you after the deadline then you should seek written approval by email from the faculty student office giving you permission to lodge the review past the 5 day deadline.
REVIEW STAGE 1 If you are unhappy with the informal outcome or decide not to contact the unit coordinator you should complete the appropriate Stage 1 Review Form and submit it within 5 University working days from receipt of decisions/results. You should be notified of the outcome within 10 University working days from receipt of Stage 1 review request. If you are not satisfied with the outcome you can progress to Stage 2.
REVIEW STAGE 2 If the above did not resolve the problem and the required grounds are met, you can seek an additional level of review by a higher authority (Stage 2). This stage is similar to Review Stage 1 in that you need to submit the Review Stage 2 form within 5 university working days from the day you received the outcome of Review stage 1. If this stage is unsuccessful you may be able to progress to the appeals stage.
APPEAL TO THE UNIVERSITY’S APPEALS COMMITTEE OF THE ACADEMIC BOARD If matters are not resolved satisfactorily at the above review stages, you may appeal to the University’s Appeals Committee of the Academic Board. Their decision will be final. Submit appeal form within 5 University working days of notification of the outcome of Stage 2 review. If the appeal is assessed to have no grounds you will be notified within 5 University working days of the Appeal being considered. Should the appeal be progressed for a hearing by Appeals Committee this will occur within 25 University working days of receipt of Appeal and you will be informed of the outcome of the appeal within 10 University working days of the Appeal being considered by the Committee.
12 12
When possible your complaint should be raised directly in the appropriate unit, or you may wish to discuss it with the relevant contact staff.
7. BULLYING ON CAMPUS Bullying is the repeated, unreasonable behaviour by an individual or group, directed towards an employee or student, or group of employees or students, either physical or psychological in nature that intimidates, offends, degrades, humiliates, undermines or threatens.
i. How to submit a complaint
This includes:
You can use the online form www.student.uwa.edu.
•
Abusive, insulting or offensive language.
au/life/complaints/submit. This is the university’s
•
Aggressive or intimidating conduct.
preferred way to submit a complaint.
•
Threats, physical assaults or physical violence.
•
Interfering with a person’s personal effects or
If you do not wish to use the online form, you can submit the form to by email to complaints@uwa.edu. au. ii. After you have made a complaint Once you submit a complaint, you should expect to receive the following; •
A notification of receipt of your complaint and advice as to whether your complaint is eligible and will be considered
•
Confirmation of the issues you have raised and an approach for further information
•
Information as to what steps/approach will be taken (e.g. a file review, an investigation, a recommendation to mediation, etc.)
•
•
Cyber bullying.
•
Inappropriate or hostile initiation practices.
•
Harassment including on the basis of race, ethnicity, sexuality or disability.
Covert or more subtle behaviour that undermines or disempowers is also bullying, and may include: •
Setting timelines that are difficult to achieve or constantly changing deadlines,
•
Unreasonable work expectations,
•
Deliberately denying access to information, consultation or resources,
•
Pressuring a person to behave in an inappropriate manner
After the review process, communication as to
University policy on bullying extends to activities and
whether your complaint has been found to be
situations related to the University and University
justified, and in the event that it is, possible resolution steps arising from that decision. •
work/study equipment.
business, including student accommodation, field trips, conferences, and camps.
Issues not dealt with by the complaint form.
The University’s Complaint Resolution Unit (CRU)
A. WHAT DO I DO IF I AM BEING BULLIED?
provides a central contact point to receive and
There are a number of support bodies at UWA which
appropriately refer complaints. However, if you feel
can help students who are being bullied or harassed
comfortable, you are encouraged to raise the matter
on or off campus. The Guild suggests that any
with the person or area of the University concerned.
students feeling unsafe on campus should immediately
When possible your complaint should be raised directly with the appropriate unit, or you may wish to discuss it with the relevant contact staff before
seek support and report the incident, especially if it is of a serious nature. This applies to bullying both at a student and staff level.
lodging a complaint.
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i. UWA Student Services Counselling The university counselling service provides free of charge counselling for all students, individually and in groups, for a number of issues including mental health issues, stress management, interpersonal skills and substance abuse. Appointments are made through a triage system. Further information on booking appointments can be found at http://bit.ly/1yPqvbA or by calling 6488 2923.
iv. UWA Security For immediate concerns regarding personal safety and wellbeing UWA Security can be contacted 24/7 on 1300 555 788. For non-immediate concerns they can be contacted on 6488 3020 or you can report the incident (anonymously if you chose) on the online form at http://bit.ly/2CWE7dN. The University Policy on Prevention and Resolution of Bullying on Campus can be found at http://bit. ly/1tS1wEh.
ii. UWA Medical Centre For any immediate medical assistance the oncampus medical centre provides a variety of services including sexual health and contraceptive advice, drug counselling, emergency care, pregnancy testing and general practitioner consultations. To make an appointment or find out more call 6488 2118 or visit the website at http://bit.ly/1wX0kjJ. iii. Guild Student Assist In addition to financial and academic support
For any immediate medical assistance, the on-campus medical centre provides a variety of services including sexual health and contraceptive advice, drug counselling, emergency care, pregnancy testing and general practitioner consultation.
There are also a number of external bodies which provide support for students experiencing bullying or harassment: i. Headspace Headspace provides support to people between the ages of 12-25 through more than 60 centres and online support. There is a list of Headspace centres at http://bit. ly/1DPcaNd, or if you cannot access a centre there is a helpline at 1800 650 890 and an online service at www.eheadspace.org.au. ii. LifeLine Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24hr crisis support and suicide prevention services. LifeLine’s crisis line is 13 11 14 and there is also an online chat service available at www.lifeline.org.au/ Get-Help/Online-Services/crisis-chat
B. WHAT DO I DO IF I WITNESS BULLYING OCCURRING ON CAMPUS? If you witness another student being harassed or bullied on campus you can report the incident online via UWA Security. The form can be found at
Guild Student Assist also provides welfare support for students. To find out more about Guild Student Assist go to page 6.
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http://bit.ly/2CWE7dN.
8. INCIDENTAL STUDENT FEES AND CHARGES A. WHAT IS AN INCIDENTAL FEE OR CHARGE? Any additional fee or cost beyond tuition fees and student contribution (SSAF) which you must pay in order to complete a unit is known as an incidental charge. In many cases there is clear rationale for such fees (e.g. required texts), however University policy is very strict regarding what constitutes a legitimate incidental charge.
B. AM I BEING CHARGED A FEE THAT BREACHES POLICY? In general, you must be able to complete your course without incurring any incidental fees and charges. There are, however, certain key exceptions to this rule, including: •
Food, accommodation, and travel costs associated for field trips or study abroad/exchange.
•
Equipment or items that become the property of the student, are not consumed during the course of study and have some value in use after graduation.
•
If the fee is a fine or penalty.
For further information on incidental fees and charges, or if you feel you may be being charged a fee in breach of policy, see the full University policy regarding incidentals at http://bit.ly/1ultxGn Faculty-specific lists of approved charges are also maintained at http://bit.ly/1vCad2l
STILL IN DOUBT? CONTACT STUDENT ASSIST! assist@guild.uwa.edu.au www.uwastudentguild.com/assist 15
UWA STUDENT
GUILD E D U C AT I O N
Conrad Hogg ed@guild.uwa.edu.au www.uwastudentguild.com