James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2001

ASSESSMENT/EXAMINATIONS

Examinations and Ceremonies is located:

Townsville

Cairns

EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS

1.  In these Requirements the following terms have the meanings set against them respectively:

‘Examination’

— an examination conducted by the University in a subject.

‘Examination room’

— in relation to an examination, a room appointed by the Registrar as a room in which the examination is to be held.

‘Chief Supervisor’

— in relation to an examination, a person appointed by a competent officer of the University to be Chief Supervisor of examinations in the area in which the examination is to be held.

‘Supervisor’

— in relation to an examination, a person appointed by the Registrar to be a supervisor of examinations in the area in which the examination is to be held. Where the context allows, the term includes a Chief Supervisor.

‘Candidate’

— in relation to an examination, a person who, whether or not he or she has lodged an examination entry for the examination, has entered an examination room or the precincts thereof for the purpose of sitting for the examination.

2.  A person other than a candidate, a supervisor or a person authorised by the Registrar may not enter an examination room, except with the permission of a supervisor, during an examination period or during the period of forty-five minutes immediately preceding or the period of forty-five minutes immediately following an examination period. A person who has entered an examination room before the period of forty-five minutes immediately preceding an examination period may not, except with the permission of a supervisor, remain in the examination room after the commencement of that period of forty-five minutes.

3.  A candidate may not enter an examination room before receiving permission to do so from a supervisor, or leave it before the end of the examination period without the permission of a supervisor.

4.  A person, whether a candidate or not, who is given permission to enter or leave an examination room shall comply with all conditions on which the permission is given.

5.  Except for items approved by the Head of the School concerned and specified in the examination timetable, a candidate shall not bring into an examination room any writing paper or blotting paper, or anything which, whether by writing, printing, or other marks on it or otherwise, conveys information concerning or otherwise has reference to any subject or is such that it may reasonably give rise to suspicion that it is capable of conveying information concerning or of having reference to any subject or that it was intended by the candidate to do so. It is immaterial that the subject is not a subject to which the examination relates.

6.  A candidate shall not during an examination period communicate by word or otherwise with any other person except a supervisor, or assist any other person to communicate with another person, or willingly receive a communication from any person other than a supervisor.

7.  A candidate shall not cheat in an examination, or do anything calculated to assist in cheating in an examination. A person, whether a candidate or not, shall not do anything intended or calculated to assist any other person sitting for an examination so as to defeat the purposes of the examination.

8.  A supervisor may require a candidate to show, by such means as the supervisor may specify and as are appropriate to the circumstances, that the candidate does not possess any such thing as is specified in Requirement 5, or that otherwise a breach of Requirement 5, Requirement 6, or Requirement 7 is not being or has not been committed; and the candidate shall comply with any such requirement.

9.  A candidate shall bring to the examination room such means of identification as are prescribed, including a student identification card or another form of photographic identification and shall produce or keep displayed such means of identification in accordance with any direction given to the candidate by notice displayed in the examination room, by directions on an examination book, by a supervisor, or otherwise.

10.  A candidate for an examination shall upon entering an examination room proceed without delay to such place as may be directed by a supervisor or by notice or other means and shall not leave that place except with the permission or by the direction of a supervisor.

A supervisor may at any time direct a candidate to leave any such place and to occupy another place specified by the supervisor and a candidate shall without delay comply with any such direction.

11.  A candidate shall comply with all directions to candidates set forth on a writing book or other examination materials supplied and shall without delay comply with directions given by a supervisor.

A supervisor need not give to a candidate a reason for any direction or requirement given or made to the candidate.

12.  If in the opinion of a supervisor a candidate’s behaviour, dress, or appearance is such as to disturb or distract any other candidate or is otherwise improper, the supervisor may require that candidate to leave the examination room and if the candidate does not forthwith leave the examination room the permission to be on the premises of which the examination room is a part shall be deemed to be withdrawn and the candidate may be dealt with under the Student Academic Misconduct Requirements.

STANDARD SYSTEM OF REPORTING GRADES

(Grades awarded for supplementary examinations begin with the letter S and are: SP, SPC, SN and SX.)

STUDENT ACCESS TO A DICTIONARY DURING AN EXAMINATION

Access to an English Language Dictionary

Students will be permitted to consult an English language dictionary during an examination for non exempt subjects provided that:

• the dictionary will be that provided by the Examinations Officer and approved by the University;
• extra time for the examination will not be permitted.

Students who because of a disability require access to a dictionary other than that provided for in the following procedures shall apply for approval to the Examinations Officer at least 14 days prior to the commencement of the examination period.

Procedures

1.  One English language dictionary will be provided in each examination room except where an examination is exempt from approval.

2.  The dictionary will be placed on a table to the front of the examination room.

3.  On request to an examination supervisor the student will be approved to move to the front of the examination room to consult the dictionary provided that:

3.1  the student will not be permitted to take any writing instrument or paper when consulting the dictionary.

3.2  consultation of a dictionary will not be permitted in the final ten minutes of the examination.

4.  Immediately upon finishing consulting the dictionary the student will return quietly to the student’s place.

Access to an English/Foreign Language Dictionary

Students for whom English is a second language may apply for approval to bring an English/Foreign language dictionary to an examination. If approval is granted, extra time for the examination will be at the discretion of the Head of School. Extra time shall not exceed 20% of the total time allowed for the completion of the examination.

Procedures

1.  Applications shall be made on the prescribed application form available from Examinations and Ceremonies and submitted at least 14 days before the commencement of the examination period.

2.  The outcome of the application in 1. above shall be advised in writing to the applicant.

3.  If the application is approved:

3.1  the student shall present the letter of approval and the dictionary to the invigilator of the examination upon entering the examination room; and





3.2  consultation of a dictionary will not be permitted in the final ten minutes of the examination.

SUPPLEMENTARY, DEFERRED AND SPECIAL EXAMINATIONS REQUIREMENTS

1.  In these Requirements the following terms have the meanings set against them respectively:

‘Examination’

— an examination held during the mid-year or end-of-year examination period.

‘Supplementary examination’

— an exam­ination given, during a period determined by the Academic Board, to a student who has failed to pass the examination in the subject in question held during the mid-year or end-of-year examination period.

‘Deferred examination’

— an examination given, during a period determined by the Academic Board, to a student who, for reasons acceptable to the appropriate Board of Examiners, has not sat the examination in the subject in question held during the mid-year or end-of-year examination period.

‘Special examination’

— a supplementary or deferred examination given to a student at a time other than during the period determined for supplementary or deferred examinations by the Academic Board in a particular year.

2.  A Faculty may, with sufficient cause, on the recommendation of its Board of Examiners, allow a student who has failed in a subject to be re-examined in that subject by means of a supplementary examination or by other means approved by the Faculty.

3.  Students who, for medical reasons or for other reasons which appear valid to the appropriate Board of Examiners, were unable, or consider that they will be unable, to sit for the examination in a subject, shall apply to the Registrar on the prescribed form if they seek deferred examinations. Such applications should be lodged with the Registrar not later than one week after the date of the examination and the Registrar shall refer them to the appropriate Head of School for a recommendation and then to the appropriate Executive Dean for executive decision. All such decisions shall be reported to the Board of Examiners and to the Faculty at their next meetings.

4.  Students who, before the date prescribed for the examination in a subject, consider that their preparation for the examination has been or is being adversely affected by medical or other factors, shall apply to the Registrar on the prescribed form if they seek either (a) to be excused from sitting for the examination and to be given a deferred examination, or (b) to be given a supplementary examination should they fail the examination. Applications for either option should be lodged with the Registrar not later than the first day of study vacation preceding the relevant examination period. The Registrar shall refer them to the appropriate Head of School for recommendation and to the appropriate Executive Dean for executive decision, which shall be reported to the Board of Examiners and to the Faculty at their next meetings.

5.  The Registrar may, in consultation with the appropriate Executive Dean, accept a late application under either Requirement 3 or Requirement 4, providing such an application is received in time for it to be considered or reported to the Board of Examiners which is normally convened to consider and receive reports on examination results following the mid-year or end-of-year examination period, as the case may be.

6.  A Faculty may, because of exceptional circumstances or special hardship in the case of a particular student, permit that student to sit for a special examination.

7.  Students who have sat for an examination in a subject may be re-examined if, for medical reasons or for other reasons which appear valid to the appropriate Board of Examiners, their results in that subject are:

1. significantly below those of their other subjects; and
2. significantly below that which in the light of other evidence they may have reasonably been expected to achieve in the subject concerned.

ASSESSMENT AND EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS

1.  The assessment requirements for each subject must be made clear to students at the beginning of each academic year or semester (as appropriate);

2.  A detailed and comprehensive statement of course aims should be published in a prospectus;

3.  Assessment objectives and examinations procedures must be made known to students before the start of a subject;

4.  No subject should have fixed or pre-determined pass rates;

5.  In all subjects, subject to the Executive Dean’s discretion, there shall be at least two separate assessment tasks, of which at least one shall be in a mode different to written examination. Where students are given an option between the modes of assessment, this will be interpreted as complying with these requirements.

6.  Wherever possible course work should form an integral part of the assessment program;

7.  It is not appropriate to expect students to satisfy the examiners in all the methods of assessment that might be used in a subject;

8.  Assessment techniques should accurately reflect the complex nature of particular disciplines;

9.  No test administered by a school worth more than 30% of the assessment in a given subject may be held in the three weeks prior to a scheduled examination period;

10.  No formal examinations may be held outside the periods prescribed as the mid-year and end-of-year examination periods, save only for final year honours examinations;

11.  An independent check of an examiner’s clerical work on each paper is an essential aspect of the examining procedure.

REVIEW OF ASSESSMENT — UNDERGRADUATE

• Direct all enquiries about examination results in the first instance to the examiner of the subject or to the appropriate Head or acting-Head of School.
  In urgent cases the Executive Dean of the Faculty might be able to assist with some enquiries.
• If discussions at school level have not resolved the matter or
  if it is not possible to consult the examiner or head of school concerned, within the specified time apply to the Registrar for a review of assessment observing the procedures and time limits set out below.
• Enquiries should be made as soon as possible, and applications for review should normally be made no later than
  1. 31 January for full-year and second-semester results;
  2. 14 days after publication of first-semester results;
  3. 14 days after publication of deferred and supplementary results.
• An application for review may be withdrawn at any point in the review process.

Procedures

1.  A student who seeks a review of a final result shall apply in writing to the Registrar stating the reasons for the application and naming the examiner or Head of School, if any, who has been consulted. Application forms are available from Examinations and Ceremonies.

2.  If consultation at school level has not already taken place, the Registrar shall request that it be undertaken. This consultation may be omitted only on the advice of the appropriate Executive Dean.

3.  The Executive Dean of the appropriate faculty shall be advised of the application.

4.  An application relating to a full-year and second-semester examination should normally be received by the Registrar by 31 January.

An application relating to a first-semester examination or to a supplementary or deferred examination should normally be received by the Registrar within 14 days of publication of the result on a University notice-board.

In consultation with the appropriate Executive Dean, the Registrar may accept a later application.

5.  If consultation between the student and the examiner or the appropriate Head of School has already taken place, the Registrar shall proceed as in Clause 7 below.

6.  If consultation between the student and the examiner or the Head of School has been waived (see No. 2 above), the Registrar shall request the Head of School’s comments on the application and shall report these comments to the student. If the student wishes to pursue the matter further, the Registrar shall proceed as in Clause 7 below.

7.  On the advice of the appropriate Executive Dean, the Registrar shall inform the examiner concerned, in writing, of the application for review and of the grounds for it. The examiner shall respond to the application in writing and shall forward to the Registrar all material relevant to the assessment. The Registrar shall forward a copy of the examiner’s response and all relevant material to the student. If the student wishes to pursue the matter further, the Registrar shall forward all relevant documentation to the Executive Dean.

8.  On receiving the documentation the Executive Dean (or, if the Executive Dean is also the examiner, the Chairman of the Academic Board) shall as soon as practicable convene a meeting of the Faculty Committee. If they are not members of the Faculty Committee, the following shall also be invited to the meeting:

1. the Executive Dean of the Faculty in which the School offering the subject is located, or, if that Executive Dean is also the examiner, the appropriate academic adviser;
2. the Head of the School offering the subject or, if the Head is the examiner, a nominee.

Except with the express permission of the Convener of the meeting of the Faculty Committee, no additional documentation shall be presented at the meeting.

9.  An examiner who is a member of the Faculty Committee shall not attend the meeting except as provided for in clause 10.

10.  The Faculty Committee shall consider the student’s application together with the statement prepared by the examiner and shall hear either of them in person if either wishes to be heard.^* Normally neither the student nor the examiner may be present while the other is being heard, but if both parties agree and the Convener considers that such a procedure would facilitate the review, each may be present while the other is being heard. The student and the examiner shall be present only for such time as is necessary for them to be heard by the Committee.

11.  A student who appears in person before the Faculty Committee may choose to be accompanied by a member of the University community, who may assist in presenting the case but may not undertake the presentation of it on the student’s behalf.

12.  If the student or examiner satisfies the Convener of the meeting of the Faculty Committee that it is impracticable to appear in person before the Committee, the student or examiner may nominate a member of the University community to appear on his or her behalf.

13.  After considering the application, the Faculty Committee shall confirm or amend the result or shall take or recommend such further action as it deems appropriate.

14.  The result of the review shall be communicated to the Registrar, who shall as soon as practicable inform the student and the Examiner in writing of the result and take such other action as may be necessary.

STUDENT ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT REQUIREMENTS

1.  Definitions

1.1  ‘Academic Misconduct’ includes:

1.1.1  cheating in an examination;
1.1.2  presenting another person’s work for assessment as if it were one’s own, or other forms of plagiarism;
1.1.3  falsification of research results;
1.1.4  falsification of an academic record;
1.1.5  other conduct not included in 1.1.1 - 1.1.4 above which in the opinion of the Chair of the Academic Board reasonably represents Academic Misconduct.



1.2  ‘Written correspondence’ between the University and the student means correspondence sent by mail.

2.  Types of Academic Misconduct

2.1  Conduct which may be Academic Misconduct includes:


2.1.1  conduct associated with assignments, essays, tests and other forms of on-course assessment;
2.1.2  conduct associated with examinations;
2.1.3  conduct associated with theses and other work presented as part of postgraduate courses.

3.  Academic Misconduct in Association with On-course Assessment

3.1  Where the conduct of a student is associated with on-course assessment and such conduct is alleged to be Academic Misconduct, the Head of the appropriate School shall be notified promptly in writing of the allegation by the academic staff member responsible for teaching the subject and shall be provided with all relevant material.
3.2  If the Head of the School is the academic staff member responsible for the subject, the Executive Dean of the appropriate Faculty shall appoint an academic staff member of the school to perform the role of Head of School.
3.3  The Head of the School shall take immediate steps to fully investigate the allegation, and shall:

1. (a)  consider all matters relevant to the allegation; and
2. (b)  within seven (7) days of the date of advice of the allegation to the Head of the School, advise the student in writing of the allegation; and
3. give the student the opportunity to be heard in person; or to make submissions in writing; and to be represented by either the Student Association Academic Support Services Coordinator, the Student Association Welfare Coordinator or a solicitor; and
4. interview the academic staff member responsible for teaching the subject and shall decide either:

3.3.1  that the allegation against the student be dismissed; or
3.3.2  that the allegation against the student is proved and that the student:
3.3.2.1  be allowed to re-do the work and have it marked in the usual way; or
3.3.2.2  receive no marks for the work concerned.



3.4  The Head of the School shall within seven days of the date of making a decision on the matter notify the student and the academic staff member responsible for the subject, in writing, of the decision and the reasons therefor and the student’s right of appeal according to 3.5.
3.5  If the Head of the School decides that the allegation against the student is proved the student may, within fourteen days of the date of the dispatch to the student of notification of that decision in accordance with 3.4, make a request in writing to the Executive Dean of the appropriate Faculty that the Executive Dean review the decision of the Head of the School, stating the grounds for such review.
3.6  The review of the decision shall be undertaken by a Panel consisting of the Executive Dean (Chair), two other staff members of the Faculty appointed by the Executive Dean, and either the Student Association Academic Support Services Coordinator or the Student Association Welfare Coordinator. The staff members appointed by the Executive Dean shall have no association with the teaching of the subject in which the misconduct is alleged to have occurred.
3.7  Unless the circumstances are exceptional, the Panel shall consider only:

3.7.1  the student’s grounds for requesting the review;
3.7.2  any documents relevant to the finding of Academic Misconduct;
3.7.3  the reasons for the decision by the Head of the School.



3.8  The Executive Dean shall notify the Head of the School and the student in writing of the Panel’s decision and the reasons therefor within seven (7) days.
3.9  The decision of the Panel shall be final.

4.  Academic Misconduct in Association with Examinations

4.1  Where the conduct of a student is associated with an examination for which the student is a candidate, and such conduct is alleged to be Academic Misconduct, the Director, Student Affairs shall be notified promptly in writing of the allegation by the Examinations Officer and be provided with all relevant material.

4.2  The Director, Student Affairs shall take immediate steps to fully investigate the allegation, and shall:

1. (a)  consider all matters relevant to the allegation;
2. (b)  within seven days of the date of advice of the allegation to the Director, Student Affairs, advise the student in writing of the allegation; and
3. (c)  give the student the opportunity to be heard in person or to make submissions in writing and to be represented by either the Student Association Academic Support Services Coordinator, the Student Association Welfare Coordinator or a solicitor; and
4. (d)  interview the Examinations Officer and any other person whose evidence in the Director’s opinion may be relevant and shall decide either:;

4.2.1  that the allegation against the student be dismissed; or
4.2.2  that the allegation against the student be referred to a Panel comprising the Chair of the Academic Board (Chair), the Executive Dean and the Academic Adviser of the appropriate Faculty for determination.



4.3  The Director, Student Affairs shall within seven (7) days of the date of making a decision from 4.2 advise the student and the Examinations Officer in writing of the decision and the reasons therefor; and

4.3.1  If a decision is made according to 4.2.2 advise the student in writing of:
4.3.1.1  the date of the meeting of the Panel at least seven days before the meeting;
4.3.1.2  the student’s rights according to 4.4.



4.4  The Panel shall:
1. (a)  within fourteen days of the date of the determination by the Director, Student Affairs meet and consider all matters relevant to the allegation of misconduct; and
2. (b)  give the student the opportunity to be represented by either the Student Association Academic Support Services Coordinator, the Student Association Welfare Coordinator, a solicitor, or counsel; and
3. (c)  consider testimony and/or written submissions of the student; and
4. (d)  interview the Examinations Officer and any other person whose evidence in its opinion may be relevant, and decide either:

4.4.1  that the allegation against the student be dismissed; or
4.4.2  that the allegation against the student is proved and that the student receive no marks for the subject concerned.



4.5  The Chair of the Panel shall within seven days of the date of making a decision on the matter notify the Director, Student Affairs and the student in writing of its decision and the reasons therefor and the student’s right of a request for a review of the decision according to 4.6.
4.6  If the allegation of Academic Misconduct against the student is proved the student may within fourteen days of the date of the dispatch of the notification of the Panel’s decision in accordance with 4.5 above lodge a request in writing with the Registrar for a review of the decision.
4.7  The review of the decision of the Panel shall be undertaken by a Review Committee comprising the Deputy-Vice-Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor (Chair) and either the Student Association Academic Support Services Coordinator or the Student Association Welfare Coordinator within fourteen days of the date of the request by the student for the review.
4.8  Unless the circumstances are exceptional the Review Committee shall consider only:

4.8.1  the student’s grounds for requesting the review;
4.8.2  any documents relevant to the finding of Academic Misconduct;
4.8.3  the reasons for the decision by the Panel.



4.9  The Chair of the Review Committee shall within seven days notify the student in writing of the Committee’s decision and reasons.
4.10  The decision of the Review Committee shall be final.

5.  Academic misconductin association with thesis presentation and other work for Awards of the University administered by Faculties

5.1   Where the conduct of a student is associated with work required for an award of the University administered by a Faculty and such conduct is alleged to be Academic Misconduct, the Executive Dean of the appropriate Faculty shall be notified promptly in writing of the allegation by the Head of the appropriate School and shall be provided with all relevant material.
5.2   The Executive Dean shall take immediate steps to fully investigate the allegation, and shall:

1. consider all matters relevant to the allegation; and
2. advise the student in writing of the allegation within seven (7) days of the notification from the Head of School of the allegation; and
3. give the student the opportunity to be heard in person or make submissions in writing and to be represented by either the Student Association Academic Support Services Coordinator, the Student Association Welfare Coordinator or a solicitor; and
4. interview the Head of the School, and shall decide either:

   5.2.1   that the allegation against the student be dismissed; or
   5.2.2   that the student be formally charged in writing with Academic Misconduct and the matter be referred to the Faculty Academic Misconduct Committee for determination.
   


5.3   The Executive Dean shall within seven days of the date of the decision from 5.2 above advise the student in writing of the outcome and where a decision is made according to 5.2.2 further advise the student of:

5.3.1   the date of the meeting of the Committee at least seven days before the meeting
5.3.2   the student’s rights according to 5.5.



5.4   The Faculty Academic Misconduct Committee (The Committee) shall comprise three members of the Faculty appointed by the Executive Dean and either the Student Association Academic Support Services Coordinator or the Student Association Welfare Co-ordinator and be chaired by a member nominated by the Executive Dean. If the Executive Dean is the academic staff member responsible for the subject, the Chair of the Academic Board shall appoint an academic staff member of the Faculty to perform the role of Executive Dean in 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3.

5.5   The Committee shall:
1. within fourteen (14) days of the date of the determination by the Executive Dean meet and consider all matters relevant to the charge of misconduct; and
2. give the student the opportunity to be represented by either the Student Association Academic Support Services Coordinator, the Student Association Welfare Coordinator or a solicitor; and
3. consider testimony and written submissions of the student; and
4. interview the Head of the appropriate School and any other person whose evidence in its opinion may be relevant and decide either:

   5.5.1   that the charge against the student be dismissed;
   5.5.2   that the charge against the student is proved.
   


5.6   If the charge against the student is proved the Committee shall decide one of the following:

5.6.1   that the student receive no recognition for the work involved with the misconduct;
5.6.2   that the student be suspended from the course for a defined period;
5.6.3   that the student be expelled from the University.



5.7   A student charged under clause 5.2.2 may plead guilty to the charge in writing and shall forward that plea to the Registrar not later than 48 hours prior to the time fixed for the hearing of the charge by the Committee. In the event the Committee shall convene as soon as possible for the purpose of making a decision in accordance with clause 5.6.
5.8   The Committee shall establish its own rules for the conduct of any hearing, except that the student shall be entitled to be represented by either the Student Association Academic Support Services Coordinator, the Student Association Welfare Co-ordinator or a barrister or solicitor and the Executive Dean shall be entitled to be represented by a barrister or a solicitor. Any party to be so represented must notify the Registrar in writing at least 48 hours prior to the time set for the hearing.
5.9   The proceedings before the Committee may be recorded by electronic means and a transcript thereof, where required, may be prepared as soon as practicable after the hearing.
5.10   The Chair of the Committee shall within seven days provide in writing to the Executive Dean and the student the outcome of the hearing including any copy of transcript from 5.9.
5.11   A student may, within fourteen days of the date of the dispatch of the decision of the Committee in accordance with rule 5.6 hereof request a review of the decision of the Committee by lodging a written request with the Registrar.
5.12   The Review shall be determined by a Review Panel of the Academic Board.
5.13   The Review Panel shall consist of the Vice-Chancellor (Chair) and two members of the Academic Board (one of whom shall be a Student Association representative) appointed by the Chair of the Academic Board.
5.14   The Panel shall consider only:

5.14.1   the student’s grounds for requesting the review;
5.14.2   any documents relevant to the charge of misconduct including: any transcript of proceedings of the Faculty Academic Misconduct Committee; and the decision of the Committee and reasons for that decision.



5.15   The Chair of the Review Panel shall notify the Registrar forthwith of its decision and reasons and the Registrar shall notify the student and the Executive Dean in writing within seven days of the Review Panel’s decision and reasons.
5.16   The Review Panel’s decision shall be final.

6.  Academic Misconduct Associated with Thesis Presentation and other work for Postgraduate Degrees administered by the Academic Board

6.1  Where the conduct of a student is associated with work required for the award of a postgraduate degree administered by the Academic Board and such conduct is alleged to be Academic Misconduct, the Registrar shall be notified promptly in writing of the allegation by the Chair of the Academic Board and be provided with copies of all relevant material.
6.2  The Registrar shall take immediate steps to fully investigate the allegation and shall:

1. consider all matters relevant to the allegation;
2. within seven days of the date of advice to the Registrar of the allegation, advise the student in writing of the allegation; and
3. give the student the opportunity to be heard in person or to make submissions in writing; and be represented by either the Student Association Academic Support Services Coordinator, the Student Association Welfare Coordinator or a solicitor; and
4. interview the Head of the appropriate School, and shall decide either:

   6.2.1  that the allegation against the student be dismissed;
   6.2.2  that the student be formally charged in writing with Academic Misconduct and the matter referred to the Academic Misconduct Committee of the Academic Board for determination.
   


6.3  The Academic Misconduct Committee of the Academic Board (the Committee) shall comprise four members, one of whom shall be a Student Association representative, appointed by the Chair of the Academic Board and be chaired by the member nominated by the Chair of the Academic Board. Members so appointed shall have had no previous responsibilities associated with the thesis which is the subject of the allegation.
6.4   The Registrar shall within seven days of the date of the decision from 6.2 advise the student in writing of the outcome and where a decision is made according to 6.2.2 further advise the student of:

6.4.1  the date of the meeting of the Committee at least seven days before the meeting;
6.4.2  the student’s rights according to 6.5.



6.5  The Committee shall:
1. within fourteen days of the date of the Registrar’s decision meet and consider all matters relevant to the charge of misconduct;
2. give the student the opportunity to be represented by either the Student Association Academic Support Services Coordinator, the Student Association Welfare Coordinator or a solicitor;
3. consider testimony and written submissions of the student;
4. interview the Head of the appropriate School and any other person whose evidence in its opinion may be relevant and decide either:

   6.5.1  that the charge against the student be dismissed;
   6.5.2  that the charge against the student is proved.
   


6.6  If the charge against the student is proved the Committee shall decide:

6.6.1  that the student receive no recognition for the work involved with the misconduct; or
6.6.2  that the student be suspended from the course for a defined period; or
6.6.3  that the student be expelled from the University.



6.7  A student charged under clause 6.2 may plead guilty to the charge in writing and shall forward that plea to the Registrar not later than 48 hours prior to the time fixed for the hearing of the charge by the Committee. In this event the Committee shall convene as soon as possible for the purpose of making a decision in accordance with clause 6.5.
6.8  The Committee shall establish its own rules for the conduct of any hearing, save that the student shall be entitled to be represented by either the Student Association Academic Support Services Coordinator, the Student Association Welfare Coordinator or a barrister or solicitor and the Registrar shall be entitled to be represented by a barrister or a solicitor. Any party to be so represented must notify the Registrar in writing at least 48 hours prior to the time set for the hearing.
6.9  The proceedings before the Committee may be recorded by electronic means and a transcript thereof, where required, may be prepared as soon as practicable after the hearing.
6.10  The Chair of the Committee shall within seven days provide in writing to the Chairman of the Academic Board and the student the outcome of the hearing including any copy of the transcript from 6.9.
6.11  A student may, within fourteen days of the date of the dispatch of the decision of the Committee in accordance with clause 6.10 hereof request a review of the decision of the Committee by lodging a written request with the Registrar.
6.12  The review shall be determined by a Review Panel of the Council of the University.
6.13  The Review Panel shall be appointed by the Chancellor and consist of the Vice-Chancellor as Chairman, two lay members of the Council who shall be appointed by the Chancellor and a Student Association member on Council.
6.14  The Review Panel shall consider only:

6.14.1  the grounds of the request for the review;
6.14.2  any documents relevant to the charge of Academic Misconduct including any transcript of proceedings of the Academic Misconduct Committee of the Academic Board and the decision of the Committee and the reasons for that decision.



6.15  The Chair of the Review Panel shall notify the Chair of the Academic Board and the Registrar forthwith of its decision and reasons and the Registrar shall notify the student in writing within seven days of the Review Panel’s decision and reasons.
6.16  The Review Panel’s decision shall be final.

VARIATION OF ASSESSMENT IN INDIVIDUAL CASES — PROCEDURE

1.  A request or proposal, on medical or psychological grounds, by or on behalf of an enrolled student for a variation of the method or details of that student’s assessment for a particular subject should be accompanied by a medical certificate or psychologist’s report as appropriate.

2.  When a request or proposal is received without appropriate supporting evidence, the Examinations Officer shall require the evidence to be produced unless it is considered that there are grounds for thinking it unnecessary or inappropriate: in that case, the Examinations Officer shall inform the relevant Executive Dean, who shall rule on the matter.

3.  A written statement by the University Counsellor proposing or supporting the need of the student for the variation may be accepted in lieu of a certificate from a registered medical practitioner in any case which, in the opinion of the relevant Executive Dean, is within the professional competence of the University Counsellor.

4.  Requests for a variation (in an individual student case) of the method or details of assessment for a particular approved subject shall be submitted to the Examinations Officer who will refer the request to the relevant Head of School. If the Head supports the request, it shall be forwarded to the relevant Executive Dean for approval.

STUDENT DEBTS — WITHHOLDING OF RESULTS

1.  In these Requirements the term Student Debtor means a student of the University who:

1.1  has not paid in full any tuition fee payable in respect of that student’s course; or
1.2  has not paid in full any Library late return fee for which the student is liable under Condition 6 for the Use of University Library Facilities or any fine or charge imposed by the University Librarian; or
1.3  has not complied fully with the conditions under which a loan by way of the Student Loans Assistance Scheme or the Special Assistance for Students Program has been received.

A person continues to be a Student Debtor notwithstanding that the person has ceased to be a student of the University.

2.  Official notification of the final result in any subject may be withheld from a Student Debtor.

3.  The University may refuse to graduate a Student Debtor.

4.  The University may refuse enrolment for a Student Debtor for a subsequent academic year.

5.  Any result or testamur withheld under these Requirements shall be transmitted to the person concerned as soon as practicable after payment of the debt or debts which caused the result or testamur to be withheld.

6.1  A Student Debtor whose results have been withheld or who has been refused enrolment for a subsequent academic year pursuant to these Requirements may make a written submission to the Vice-Chancellor seeking dispensation from these Requirements.

6.2  Upon consideration of the submission of a Student Debtor, the Vice-Chancellor may exercise a discretion on behalf of the University and either:

1. waive the Requirements or any part of them for that student; or
2. waive the Requirements or any part of them for that student upon financial arrangements satisfactory to the University being entered into between the Student Debtor and the University.