James Cook University Course and Subject Handbook - 2006

This information was current in 2006 and may now be out of date. Please refer to the latest handbook.

GENERAL UNIVERSITY RULES, REQUIREMENTS AND POLICIES

COMMONWEALTH LEARNING SCHOLARSHIPS POLICY

INTENT

This policy determines the administration by James Cook University of the Commonwealth Learning Scholarships (CLS) comprising: Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarships (CECS) and Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarships (CAS).

This policy is to be read in conjunction with the Commonwealth of Australia Higher Education Support Act 2003, [hereafter the Act] and Guidelines for Commonwealth Scholarships [hereafter the Guidelines].

SCOPE

All undergraduate students who meet the eligibility criteria outlined within the Guidelines.

KEY OBJECTIVES

These scholarships form part of the Commonwealth Government's Backing Australia's Future reforms and are designed to assist rural and regional, low income and Indigenous Australian students with costs associated with higher education.For further information go to: http://www.backingaustraliasfuture.gov.au/guidelines/scholarships_guide.htm

DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS

Refer to Chapter 1, 1.2 Interpretation, Guidelines for Commonwealth Scholarships.

POLICY PROVISIONS (INCLUDING DELEGATIONS, FUNCTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS)

The Commonwealth Learning Scholarships will be administered in accordance with the Guidelines for Commonwealth Scholarships established under the Higher Education Support Act 2003.

NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS

James Cook University shall offer at least the number of scholarships it is allocated for a year in that year. The University shall offer additional scholarships where such offers can be supported through its CLS grant funds, taking into account its liabilities arising from additional scholarship offers and the deferral of scholarships by its students.

SELECTION PROCESS

Eligibility will be determined in accordance with the specific requirements of the Guidelines. In addition to be eligible for a Commonwealth Learning scholarship at James Cook University, continuing JCU students must, in their previous year of enrolment at JCU, have achieved satisfactory academic progress as determined by Schedule A of the University's Re-enrolment and Progression - Academic Performance - Requirements.

A student will not be selected for a CLS unless the University is satisfied that the student meets or, by the first census date of the scholarship period before any CLS payment is made, will meet the eligibility criteria as set out in the Guidelines.

Where the number of eligible applications exceeds the scholarships available, applications will be ranked on the basis of personal and financial circumstances, using the methodology determined by the Selection Committee, and will be allocated in order of rank

Where applications are ranked equally on the basis of personal and financial circumstances, academic merit will be used as the final determinant.

A Selection Committee will be convened by the Director, Student Affairs or nominee to consider eligible applications for the CECS and the CAS scholarships.

The Committee will comprise the following members:

with another staff member nominated by the Director, Student Affairs when necessary to ensure gender representation.

The Commonwealth Learning Scholarships Officer shall be the Secretary to the Committee.

At any meeting of the Committee three members shall form a quorum.

The Committee shall determine the methodology for ranking applications. The Committee shall nominate three suitably qualified persons at least two of whom shall be staff members of JCU or James Cook University Student Association, and at least one of whom shall be a member of the Selection Committee to form an Evaluation Panel to undertake the ranking of applications in accordance with the agreed methodology.

Special consideration will be given to Indigenous students to ensure fair proportions of the CLS are awarded to Indigenous students. A fair proportion means that the proportion of scholarships to be awarded to Indigenous students shall be at least equal to the proportion of all eligible applicants who are Indigenous.

When assessing exceptional circumstances relating to part-time study, the decision that a person cannot study full-time due to exceptional circumstances will be made by the Evaluation Panel. The Evaluation Panel will take into account factors such as disability, significant carer responsibilities and the unique circumstances of Indigenous students in determining ability to study full-time.

Other than in exceptional circumstances a student may be awarded a CECS or a CAS but not both.

Successful and non-successful applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application. If the application has been successful the letter will be a formal offer of the scholarship, the assistance to which they are entitled, and the relevant conditions of the scholarship. Successful applicants must respond in writing stating clearly their acceptance of the conditions which apply to the scholarship before the scholarship is officially awarded.

DEFERRAL

A successful applicant may apply to defer their scholarship for a maximum of two (2) consecutive years. After that time the scholarship will lapse and the student would be required to reapply.

TRANSFER

Students with a CLS wishing to transfer to JCU from another institution must re-apply for a CLS at JCU and will be considered along with all other applicants as outlined above.

TERMINATION

For the purposes of termination of a Commonwealth Learning Scholarship “satisfactory academic progress” shall be as determined by Schedule A of the University's Re-enrolment and Progression - Academic Performance - Requirements.

For the purpose of termination of a Commonwealth Learning Scholarship JCU will determine.

APPEAL PROCESS

The decision of the Selection Panel can only be appealed on procedural grounds. Applicants appealing the decision of the Selection Panel on procedural grounds shall do so to an Appeal Panel comprising:

with another staff member nominated by the Vice-Chancellor when necessary to ensure gender representation. No member of the Appeal Panel will have been a member of the Selection Panel.

Such an appeal may only be made on one or more of the following grounds:

Such an appeal must be lodged with the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Student Affairs and Staff Development within 14 days of the date of the notification from the Selection Panel. The appeal must:

CONDITIONS FOR USE OF UNIVERSITY COMPUTING AND COMMUNICATION FACILITIES

1. In these conditions unless the contrary intention appears:

“Academic Staff”

means a member of the teaching staff of the University.

“Account”

means a user name or other identifier which, with or without a password, allows a user to access the facilities.

“Authorised”

means having been given approval to use an Account by the Director, Information Technology and Resources (hereafter ITR), or nominee (hereafter Director), a School Representative, a member of Academic Staff, a head of a section of the University, an official of an Outside User or by the Authorised User of an Account other than a University student.

“Authorised User”

means:

  • any University student who has been allocated an Account or who has been authorised by a member of Academic Staff to use a specific Account allocated to a group of students or to the member of staff

    or

  • any member of staff who has been allocated an Account or who has been authorised to use an Account allocated to another person or to a group of people or to a section of the University

    or

  • any student of another educational institution authorised by that institution to use an Account allocated to the institution

    or

  • any individual who is an Outside User or who has deposited with the University a sum of money to cover the cost of the initial estimated utilisation of computing and communications facilities and who has been allocated an External Account

    or

  • any employee of an Outside User authorised to use an Account allocated to the Outside User

    or

  • any other person authorised by the Director

and who has not had their authorisation revoked under these conditions or by the person who granted the authorisation.

“Category”

means a group of persons belonging to a particular class, eg University students, all members of the University, Outside Users, etc.

“Computing and Communications Resources”

means any measurable quantity supplied by the facilities including, but not restricted to, central processor time, disk space, data, voice and video transfers, memory, connect time and stationery.

“School Representative”

means a person appointed as such by a school or a section of the University or an Outside User whose role is to control use of Computing and Communications Resources allocated to their school or section or to the Outside User.

“Disk Area”

means storage space on a disk allocated to an Account.

“Facilities”

means the University's Central Computing and Communications Facilities which comprise processing equipment and peripheral units managed by ITR together with any workstations connected to the University network and any other computing and communications equipment deemed by the Director from time to time to be Computing and Communications Facilities governed by these conditions.

“Central Computing Bulletins”

means information supplied by ITR either by email, automatically output on a workstation or on the web-based University bulletin boards.

“Outside User”

means a person or organisation normally external to the University who has entered into a contract with the University to use the facilities.

“Supported Software”

means information published from time to time by ITR containing details of software available to users together with any usage restrictions and/or qualifications.

“Relevant Member of Academic Staff”

means a member of the Academic Staff who is wholly or partly responsible for a course or subject in connection with which a student is using the facilities or for which the student is enrolled.

“Section of the University”

means any definable unit within the University including, but not limited to the Chancellery, Faculties and Schools, Divisions and Offices, Research Centres or Joint Ventures

“Staff”

means any person employed by the University.

“System Disk Area”

means any Disk Area which is used to store software, files or other information which is made available to users generally or to particular categories of user.

“University”

means James Cook University.

2. Only Authorised Users may make use of the facilities.

3. Authorised Users may access the facilities only by using an Account which they have been authorised to use.

4. No Account may be used by any person other than the Authorised User of the Account except on the authorisation of such Authorised User.

5. No University student may authorise or permit any other person, whether a University student or not, to use their Account for any purpose. The relevant School Representative or any Relevant Member of Academic Staff may use a University student's Account for any required purpose.

6. No person may access or attempt to access software, files or other information stored under another person's Account or on another person's workstation unless authorised by these conditions or by the other person to do so.

7. No student may use any method or technique to prevent the relevant School Representative or any Relevant Member of Academic Staff from accessing any software, files or other information stored on the student's workstation or disk area or in any other machine-readable form.

8. Only users belonging to the appropriate categories may use or attempt to use any items of software to which restricted and/or qualified usage, as described in “Licensing Agreements and Offers” or by ITR either by email, published newsletters, announcements and documentation provided on Central Computing Bulletins or the official University website.

9. No person may use an Account to undertake work for which a charge or a greater charge should be levied. Specifically:

10. No person shall make a copy or attempt to make a copy of any software, files or other information held on a system disk area or workstation other than any information provided specifically for the purpose of providing assistance to users or any information for which copying is permitted by means of a statement to that effect as described in “Licensing Agreements and Offers” or by ITR either by email, published newsletters, announcements and documentation provided on Central Computing Bulletins or the official University website.

11. No person shall remove a copy of any software, files or other information from the University without the approval of the owner of the software, files or other information.

12. No person shall do anything intended to evade the effect of controls on use of the facilities or act in any way designed to be unfair to other users. In this context controls shall include, but not be limited to, any mechanisms designed to limit use of any workstations or any Computing and Communications Resource.

13. No person shall assist any person who is not an Authorised User to gain access to the facilities or to access any workstation or other device connected to the facilities.

14. No person shall deliberately damage or aid or assist in damaging any of the facilities.

15. No person may remove from its location any University facilities or any provided computer stationery other than that which has been used by that person in connection with authorised use of facilities.

16. The Director may prohibit any practice considered to be detrimental to the interests of the University, of users generally or of a specific user or users. The prohibition will be published either by email, via ITR published newsletters, announcements and documentation provided on Central Computing Bulletins or the official University website and by such other means as are appropriate or required by the circumstances.

17. Use of University computing and communications facilities for game playing, for the retrieval and storage of copyright material without the permission of the owner of copyright or for personal gain is prohibited.

18. Penalties for use of the facilities other than in accordance with the above conditions may be imposed as follows:

19. Nothing in these conditions shall prevent the Council of the University from withholding use of the facilities from any person for any period, for any reason or without stating a reason.

CONDITIONS FOR USE OF UNIVERSITY LIBRARY FACILITIES

1. PERSONS ENTITLED TO USE THE LIBRARY BUILDINGS

2. CONDITIONS OF USE OF THE LIBRARY BUILDINGS

3. PERSONS ENTITLED TO BORROW FROM THE LIBRARY BUILDING

4. CONDITIONS OF BORROWING

5. SANCTIONS

6. LATE RETURN FEE

7. APPEALS

POLICIES AND CONDITIONS

1. USE OF LIBRARY FACILITIES

Food or drink (except bottled water) may not be consumed in the library building.

Bags and cases may be taken into the library building.

Mobile phones should be switched off in the library building.

Conversation is not generally permitted but quiet conversation is permitted in designated areas and in service areas.

Clients may not enter non-public areas of the building except by invitation.

Children under 15 within the library building must be supervised and controlled by an adult.

Anyone within the library building must present their books, bags, folders etc. for examination by staff on request.

No equipment brought into the library building may be used in a way that produces noise in a “no conversation” area.

2. LATE RETURN FEES

3. LOAN CATEGORIES

By Category of BorrowerNumber of Loans at One TimeLength of Loan
Undergraduate 20 2 weeks
Fourth year honours 40* 4 weeks
Graduate/Postgraduate Certificate 20 4 weeks
Graduate/Postgraduate Diploma 20 4 weeks
Masters & Doctorate 80 End of teaching period
Staff 80 End of teaching period
Members of Council & Heads of Colleges30 End of teaching period
Associate Borrowers 5 2 weeks
Associate Borrowers (Advanced Status) 10 4 weeks
Associate Borrowers (Staff Status) 30End of teaching period
Others As determined by the Director, Information Services
Community, Corporate and Remote Borrowers By Category of Loan
*May be varied on written application by the Head of School
By Category of MaterialAs determined by the Director, Information Services
AV Equipment 24 hours
AV Loans 2 weeks
2 hour Loans 2 hours or overnight
2 day Loans 48 hours
e-books Determined by Licensed Agreement

4. GENERAL CONDITIONS

Information resources from the Periodicals, Reference and Special Collections are available for loan only in exceptional circumstances and with the permission of the Director.

Information resources may be renewed three times before they must be sighted by staff.

Students or staff members leaving the University must return all information resources before they do so.

Some borrowers may qualify under more than one category. When one of these categories is the undergraduate category, this category will be applied for information resources borrowed for undergraduate purposes.

Information resources from the Curriculum Collection may be borrowed in addition to the limit specified above by the staff and students.

Information resources purchased from research funds may be retained by the purchaser for the duration of the relevant research.

Special loan conditions may be applied to particular categories of information resources.

GRIEVANCES

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

The University is committed to maintaining an environment for work and study that is free from sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is behaviour of a sexual nature which is unwelcome, unsolicited and unreciprocated and that it is reasonable for you to regard as offensive, humiliating or intimidating. The range of unwelcome behaviour may be verbal, visual, auditory or physical. It covers material sent by electronic means including computers. In all cases it is both unacceptable and unlawful.

Sexual harassment may be a single incident or a prolonged pattern of behaviour. It may occur among equals – from student to student or staff member to staff member – or it may occur from a staff member to a student or a student to a staff member. It can be initiated by or directed towards a woman or a man.

The University has established procedures to assist any person who has experienced sexual harassment from a staff member or student. Action is taken in accordance with the reasonable requests of the complainant.

RACISM

The University is committed to fostering cultural diversity and to eliminating racial discrimination and harassment. The University aims to achieve an environment in which staff and students can work and study free from all forms of unfavourable distinctions, exclusions and restrictions based on race, colour, descent or ancestry, ethnicity or ethnic origin, nationality, national origin or immigration.

The University has established procedures to assist any person who has experienced racial discrimination or harassment from a staff member or student. Action is taken in accordance with the reasonable requests of the complainant.

COMPLAINT RESOLUTION PROCEDURES

Information about discrimination and harassment is available from the Equal Opportunity website http://www.jcu.edu.au/office/eandsd. Assistance may be sought under the complaint resolution procedures for cases of discrimination or harassment based on any other attributes included in State or Federal anti-discrimination legislation, such as disability or age.

These procedures are set out in full in the document Policy and Grievance Procedures for Cases of Discrimination and Harassment and are available from the Equal Opportunity Unit and at the website http://www.jcu.edu.au/office/Policy/discrim.doc

Enquiries concerning harassment or discrimination based on sex, race, disability or any grounds listed in State or Federal Anti-Discrimination laws and requests for referral to a Discrimination Adviser may be directed to the Equal Opportunity Unit, Telephone (07) 4781 5016, Facsimile (07) 4781 5240. A list of Discrimination Advisers may be found at http://www.jcu.edu.au/office/eandsd/discrimination/discrim.html

All staff and students are responsible for eliminating sexual and racial harassment and discrimination.

PHD AND MASTERS BY RESEARCH CANDIDATES

Information on Grievances: Policy and Procedures for PhD and Masters by Research students can be obtained from the website below or from the Research Students' Office, telephone (07) 4781 4575.

http://www.jcu.edu.au/office/grs/links/grievance_procedures.html

PRIVACY POLICY

General Principles

1. The appropriate collection and management of information is crucial in the achievement of James Cook University's mission to serve tropical Queensland and the nation by providing education and research of international standing. The administrative operations related to the teaching and research activities of the University occasionally require the collection and retention of personal information.

2. The Guiding Principles of James Cook University include setting “exemplary standards of integrity in all aspects of its affairs”. This integrity includes maintaining and protecting the privacy of personal information, and taking all possible measures to ensure the information is accurate. Personal information, for the purposes of these guidelines, is any information or opinions that can identify a living person.

3. The University will comply with relevant legislation in the collection, maintenance, use and disclosure of personal information. All aspects of the University's dealings with personal information will be underpinned by Queensland Government Information Standard 42 Information Privacy (IS42) and the accompanying guidelines. IS42 requires personal information to be managed in accordance with a set of 11 Information Privacy Principles (IPPs) which have been adapted from the Information Privacy Principles in the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988. The IPPs can be accessed via the Queensland Government's web page at http://www.iie.qld.gov.au/informationstandards/current.asp. It should be noted that in some instances, the IPPs may be superceded by other legislative requirements, such as the Freedom of Information Act 1992 (Qld), Whistleblowers Protection Act 1994, or section 63 of the Health Services Act 1991.

For full details of the Privacy Policy including the guidelines refer to the website http://www.jcu.edu.au/staff/legal/PrivacyPolicy&Procedures.rtf.

RESPONSIBLE PRACTICES IN RESEARCH

All research conducted at James Cook University should enhance the good name of the University. Researchers should only participate in work that conforms to ethical standards and which they are competent to perform. When in doubt they should seek assistance from their supervisors. All research that involves human participants, animals or genetic manipulation must obtain ethics approval from the relevant University ethics committee. Research that employs known pathogens/carcinogens or ionising radiation must be approved by the Biosafety Committee.

All forms of research fraud, e.g. fabrication and/or falsification of data, plagiarism and misleading ascription of authorship, will be penalised severely by the University.

For further details please refer to the Guidelines for Responsible Practices in Research in the James Cook University Policy and Procedures Manual or on the Web:

AVCC:

http://www.avcc.edu.au/avcc/pubs/cophd.htm

or JCU Policy and Procedures:

http://www.jcu.edu.au/office/Policy/resresp.htm

or Ethics Information:

http://www.jcu.edu.au/office/research_office/Ethics/index.html

or Biosafety Information:

http://www.jcu.edu.au/school/bms/micro/safety/safety.htm

STUDENT CONDUCT POLICY

Policy Provisions

General guidelines for conduct

1. Students must not engage in any conduct that:

Inappropriate conduct

2. Inappropriate conduct includes, but is not limited to:

Referral of allegations of inappropriate conduct

3. Any officer, student or member of the University community or public may immediately refer an instance of suspected inappropriate conduct to the police or other relevant emergency service where circumstances warrant.

Procedures

Referral of allegations of inappropriate conduct

1. In the first instance, allegations of inappropriate conduct on the part of a student received by the University shall normally be drawn to the attention of the relevant Head of School. An allegation of inappropriate conduct on the part of a student that falls within the parameters of the:

will be dealt with under that policy. Allegations of inappropriate conduct on the part of student residents taking place within the boundaries or proximity of the JCU Halls of Residence, other University-managed or associated student residences or Affiliated Colleges, shall be referred to the Manager / Head of College for appropriate action in accordance with Hall/College procedures. All other allegations of inappropriate conduct on the part of a student will be referred to the Director, Student Affairs, who will conduct a preliminary evaluation of the allegation in consultation with the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the relevant Faculty, or the Pro-Vice-Chancellor's nominee. The Director, Student Affairs may:

Notification of a hearing

2. If the matter is referred to a Student Discipline Committee under sub-clause 1.3, the Director, Student Affairs will:

Suspension, restrictions or conditions placed on enrolment

3. The Director, Student Affairs, may suspend the student, or place restrictions or conditions on enrolment, if the circumstances of the alleged act of inappropriate conduct are deemed to be such that such action is necessary in order for the University to discharge its duty of care to its students, staff or placement agencies.

Confidentiality

4. The proceedings of any allegation and hearing by the Director, Student Affairs or the Student Discipline Committee shall be treated as confidential and in the strictest privacy.

Rights of a student during allegation proceedings

5. When an allegation of inappropriate conduct is to be heard by the Student Discipline Committee, the student concerned:

Student Discipline Committee membership

6. The Student Discipline Committee shall be comprised of:

Student Discipline Committee terms of reference and procedures

7. The Chair of the Student Discipline Committee shall:

Student Discipline Committee powers

8. The Student Discipline Committee powers shall include the power to:

Notification of a decision of the Student Discipline Committee

9. As soon as is reasonably possible after a decision has been made by the Student Discipline Committee, the Director, Student Affairs, shall notify the student in writing of the decision, referring them to the terms of the Student Conduct Policy.

Appeal against a decision of the Student Discipline Committee

10. A student against whom a finding of inappropriate conduct has been made has no right of appeal on the merits of the finding; but may appeal to the Council on the basis that the student was not afforded procedural fairness in the processes leading up to the finding. Notice of any such appeal must be given in writing to the Director, Student Affairs within ten working days after the date of notification to the student of the finding.

Disciplinary Appeals Committee

11. On receiving an appeal against a decision of the Student Discipline Committee on the grounds that the student was not afforded procedural fairness, the Chancellor, on behalf of the Council, shall appoint a Disciplinary Appeals Committee to meet within 10 working days, comprised of:

Disciplinary Appeals Committee terms of reference and powers

12. Any appeal to the Disciplinary Appeals Committee shall be limited to investigating whether the student was afforded procedural fairness by the Student Discipline Committee in hearing the allegation of inappropriate conduct.

Notification of a decision of the Disciplinary Appeals Committee

13. The decision of the Disciplinary Appeals Committee shall be immediately communicated to the Director, Student Affairs, who shall, within 7 working days of receiving this communication, notify the student and the relevant Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the decision in writing.

STUDENT EQUITY POLICY

The University recognises the value of a diverse student population and is committed to meeting the educational needs of people from all backgrounds and at all stages of their lives. In doing so, the University is particularly committed to the region of tropical Queensland. The Student Equity Policy may be accessed via the University's web address http://www.jcu.edu.au/studying/services/equity/policies/studentequity.htm

UNIVERSITY PRIZES

1. The following provisions shall apply to each of the prizes listed in the Scholarships, Bursaries, Grants and Prizes section of this Handbook, except in so far as they are inconsistent with any special provisions made below in relation to the prize:

2. Except where otherwise stated, a person shall not be eligible for a prize unless the qualification on which the prize is awarded was obtained within the year, or where the qualification related to two or more years, within such years, immediately preceding the making of the award.

3. Prizes may be awarded, in accordance with the general provisions contained in these requirements and special provisions set forth in relation to each prize.

UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPSSCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE PURPOSE OF THESE GUIDELINES EXCLUDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR PROJECT AND STIPEND SUPPORT OF RESEARCH HIGHER DEGREE STUDENTS.

The following provisions shall apply to each of the scholarships listed in the Scholarships, Bursaries, Grants and Prizes section of this Handbook.

James Cook University encourages prospective students and continuing students to apply for scholarships appropriate to their needs from a wide range of scholarships that are offered by the University and its benefactors.

The primary purposes of a scholarship are to attract new students to JCU, in particular high calibre students, and to retain existing students. Other scholarships also serve to reward continuing students for maintaining or achieving required levels of academic performance.

The University has established Model Requirements
Students should refer to the Scholarships website for details of scholarships currently offered by the University and the requirements attaching to each. http://www.jcu.edu.au/app/scholarships/index.cfm for scholarship schemes. One such requirement is that the target(s) of the Scholarship are to be clearly stated. The establishment of a new Scholarship is to be approved by the University Council on the advice of Academic Board. Council will determine whether, having regard to the circumstances, the proposed Scholarship is consistent with University objectives. Academic Board will propose only such schemes as conform with the Model Requirements. In exceptional circumstances, new scholarships may be approved by the Vice-Chancellor on the recommendation of the Chair of the Academic Board and amendments to existing scholarships may be approved by the Chair of Academic Board. Such scholarships to be noted by Council and Academic Board and amendments to be noted by Academic Board.

The award of scholarships within an established Scheme requires the approval of Academic Board. Academic Board will satisfy itself that the award requirements have been met.

The awarding of a scholarship is to be an open and transparent activity: each is established with its own Award Requirements and a written record of steps taken in reaching the decision will be required.

In order to achieve the primary purposes, the timing of promotion and awarding of scholarships for new students in particular, is critical. Promotion must occur as early as possible, but preferably no later than December of each year. The award of a Scholarship should be made by no later than the end of January.

A Scholarship is defined as an award of money or benefits in excess of $5,000 per annum provided to a student for support while undertaking a course of study at the University. A Scholarship is to be distinguished from a bursary, grant, fellowship, studentship or prize.

Responsibility for the administration and maintenance of Scholarships rests with the relevant discipline, school or faculty. Where the Scholarship is offered University-wide or across several faculties, the part-time Scholarships Officer will be responsible. The part-time Scholarships Officer will also be responsible for overseeing compliance with the Award Requirements for all Scholarships, maintaining the Scholarships website and the review and updating of the Model Requirements from time to time.

Applications for Scholarships shall be directed to the relevant area responsible for administering the Scholarship. All applications will be acknowledged in writing. All recipients and unsuccessful applicants will be formally notified and all successful applicants together with benefactors will receive publicity and official recognition by the University.

WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

The Workplace Health and Safety Act imposes obligations - a duty of care -not only on the University and organisational management, but also on individuals.

Students have a statutory obligation to follow directions specific to safety at all University workplaces. Workplaces include University premises, a field site, a vehicle or research vessel. Safety directives relating to safe working procedures involved in teaching or research also include the prohibition of children from specific areas, and observance on non-smoking restrictions in all University buildings, vehicles and other designated sites.

The University Workplace Health and Safety Committee oversees the important work of ensuring optimum health and safety for employees, students and visitors at James Cook University. The Student Association nominates a representative to this committee. In addition, there are also School Workplace Health and Safety Committees, as well as specialist bodies such as the University Radiation Safety Committee, Biosafety Advisory Committee and the Diving and Boating Safety Committee.

Each school or building has an assigned Safety Officer (WHSO), and a First aid Officer. The WHSO has responsibilities to advise and guide staff and students on health and safety within the operational area.

Students must meet required dress and behaviour standards for laboratory and workshop areas and for field trips. Footwear standards are also in place for various buildings and hazardous areas. Failure of any person to follow directions of staff regarding safety matters may result in that person being denied access to facilities and activities.

Written information is available from the Workplace Health and Safety Unit on a variety of topics including terrestrial and marine fieldwork safety, and safety guidelines on working with chemicals, ionising radiation, immunisation, animals and heavy manual handling during pregnancy.

In the event of a non-sporting accident or injury sustained when undertaking University work or study, students must complete an Accident, Incident and Injury Report form. Forms are available from UniHealth, JCU Student Association - Academic Support and Welfare Office, from School Safety Officers and from the Workplace Health and Safety Coordinator, to whom completed forms must be returned. Students should report health or safety hazards to School Safety Officers or the Workplace Health and Safety Coordinator.

The Workplace Health and Safety web site is readily accessible via “W” on the A-Z Index. The site provides information on emergency numbers, the General Safety Manual, University Diving Officer, Radiation Safety Officer, School and building safety officers, location of first aid kits, and safety information and policy. A copy of the JCU General Safety Manual and safety policy is available for download from www.jcu.edu.edu.au/office/centralservices/workplace/workplace.shtml

Any safety concerns should be taken up with the Student Association representative on the Workplace Health and Safety Committee, reported to a School Safety Officer, or staff in the Workplace Health and Safety Unit located at the Facilities Management Office, Building 57, on ext 5418.

CREDIT TOWARDS DEGREES AND DIPLOMAS

The faculties, in line with the Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee's guidelines, are able to offer advanced standing, i.e. credit, to students who have completed subjects in other programs at James Cook University or at other tertiary institutions, or have completed other forms of prior learning.

This credit takes various forms. The terms used are based on Credit Transfer Principles: Guidelines on the Recognition of Prior Learning approved by the AVCC, December 1993.

The terms used are:

CREDIT is recognition granted towards meeting the requirements of an award course.

CREDIT TRANSFER is the granting of credit/advanced status by the faculties to students/candidates on the basis of previous formal study at another university.

BLOCK CREDIT is credit given in the form of exemption from a period of study, e.g. credit given for one teaching period.

SPECIFIED CREDIT is granted in the form of exemption from the requirements of a particular subject.

UNSPECIFIED CREDIT is granted for previous learning for which there is no precise equivalent in this University.

RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING (RPL) is credit granted for learning outside formal study in this or other Universities.

FACULTY OF ARTS, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

RULES FOR CREDIT TO THE BACHELOR DEGREES

Subject to rules 2 to 5 below, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor may grant a candidate for a degree offered by the faculty, credit within the limits described below:

CREDIT TRANSFER FOR RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

RULES FOR CREDIT TO DIPLOMAS AND ADVANCED DIPLOMAS

Normally the award of credit towards Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas in the faculties is decided in accordance with the principles outlined in relation to the Bachelor degrees. Variations in requirements for a particular Diploma are outlined below.

DEGREE AND DIPLOMA SPECIFIC POLICIES

These apply in addition to those detailed above.

Bachelor of Psychology

Credit cannot be given for Psychology subjects completed over ten years prior to enrolment in the BPsych degree.

Bachelor of Social Work; Bachelor of Community Welfare

The Faculty of Arts, Education and Social Sciences has agreed to comply with the AVCC Credit Transfer Project Pilot Scheme Guidelines (1995-6) for credit towards Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Social (Community) Welfare degrees. Accordingly the faculty will grant:

In these guidelines:

A reference to an Associate Diploma in related field of study means an Associate Diploma program accredited by the Australian Institute of Welfare and Community Workers or recognised by the university granting the credit.

A reference to a three-year Social (Community) Welfare degree means a degree program accredited by the Australian Institute of Welfare and community workers.

A reference to a four-year Social Work degree means a degree program approved by the Australian Association of Social Workers.

In the Faculty of Arts, Education and Social Sciences:

The granting of credit is subject to University requirements for admission.

The granting of credit is subject to faculty policy concerning the minimum amount of study required at James Cook University before a qualification can be awarded.

The faculty may accept, for the purposes of granting credit, associate diplomas and degree programs in addition to those contained within the above definitions.

It should be noted that the Australian Association of Social Workers does not permit credit to be given for field education undertaken in non-social work programs.

Candidates in the Bachelor of Community Welfare degree may apply to the Head of School of Social Work and Community Welfare for exemption from some of the field placement requirements on the basis of recognition of prior learning and completion of a challenge test.

CREDIT TO THE BACHELOR OF EDUCATION DEGREES

AMOUNT OF CREDIT GRANTED

The maximum amount of credit granted towards the degree will be 50% of the units required for the degree.

The maximum credit allowable for professional development courses within the degree is one subject except where one course is judged to be larger in size than one faculty subject.

Credit will be granted for professional development courses smaller than a faculty subject. However, no credit will be given for courses smaller than 2 units.

CREDIT TO POSTGRADUATE DEGREES, DIPLOMAS OR CERTIFICATES

FACULTY OF LAW, BUSINESS AND THE CREATIVE ARTS

RULES FOR CREDIT TO THE BACHELOR DEGREES

1. Subject to rules 1.1 to 1.5 below the Pro-Vice-Chancellor may grant a candidate credit for a degree offered by the faculty within the following limits:

2. Credit transfer will only be approved if the following conditions are met:

3. Specific requirements regarding credit for a particular bachelor degree of the faculties take precedence over the above general rules.

4. Credit will not generally be granted for subjects completed more than 10 years prior to enrolment, however specific requirements regarding credit for prior study towards a particular bachelor degree, as outlined in the Award Requirements, will take precedence over the above general rules.

5. Candidates applying for credit transfer must submit a certified copy of their prior Academic Record(s) showing the results achieved in all subjects for which credit transfer is sought, together with such additional information as the Pro-Vice-Chancellor may require to determine the sufficiency and standing of such subjects for credit transfer purposes.

6. CREDIT TRANSFER FOR RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

DEGREE AND DIPLOMA SPECIFIC POLICIES

These apply in addition to those detailed above

Details of credit transfer agreements between JCU and other tertiary institutions for specific degrees and diplomas are contained in the current Credit Transfer and Learning Pathways publication.

In accordance with Clause 3 these agreements take precedence over credit arrangements outlined in Clauses 1 and 2 above.

CREDIT TO POSTGRADUATE DEGREES, DIPLOMAS OR CERTIFICATES

FACULTY OF MEDICINE, HEALTH AND MOLECULAR SCIENCES

RULES FOR CREDIT, BACHELOR DEGREES

FACULTY OF SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

RULES FOR CREDIT, BACHELOR DEGREES, SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

Credit

CREDIT TRANSFER may be granted for subjects completed successfully at another university if these subjects are considered to be equivalent to subjects in the Bachelor of Engineering degree.

This credit can take the form of either BLOCK CREDIT (e.g. credit for a complete level (year) or SPECIFIED CREDIT for specified subjects.

The maximum amount of credit granted will be 50% of the units required for the degree. If the candidate requests credit approaching this maximum level, then the credit should be predominantly from the first two levels (years) of the Bachelor of Engineering program. At least 18 units should be completed at James Cook University for each of levels three and four. The fourth year thesis (6 units, full year subject) should be included in this minimum requirement.

Students or prospective students who desire credit are required to submit a proposal to the School of Engineering. Details of the application can be obtained from:

School of Engineering James Cook University Qld 4811

RULES FOR CREDIT, BACHELOR DEGREES, SCIENCE

AGREEMENTS ON ARTICULATION AND ADVANCED STANDING – JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY AND AUSTRALIAN EDUCATION ORGANISATIONS

JCU FacultyEducation OrganisationDisciplines Available
Arts, Education and Social SciencesAustralian Catholic Education Religious Education
Queensland Police ServiceEducation, Social Science
Institute of Public Administration AustraliaCommunity Development, Education, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Work
Law, Business and the Creative ArtsAustralian Guild of Music Education Holmes CollegeMusic Business
Martin CollegeBusiness
Melbourne Institute of Finance and ManagementBusiness
Queensland Institute of Business and TechnologyBusiness
Queensland Police ServiceBusiness
Russo Institute of TechnologyBusiness
Shaftson International CollegeInternational Business
Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFEHospitality
Science, Engineering and Information TechnologyCharles Darwin University Marine Biology, Fisheries Biology, Earth Science
Queensland Institute of Business and TechnologyInformation Technology
Russo Institute of Technology Information Technology
Sydney Institute of Business and TechnologyInformation Technology

CREDIT TRANSFER BETWEEN JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY AND TAFE QUEENSLAND

The University has a credit transfer arrangement with respect to many Queensland TAFE courses. Details are outlined in the publication “Credit Transfer and Learning Pathways”. This information is available on the Web at http://www.jcu.edu.au/studying/entry/credit The publication sets out how students can make formal application for credit.