• Section 1 - Purpose and Context
• Section 2 - Definitions
• Section 3 - Policy Statement
• Part A - Matters Subject to Appeal
• Part B - Grounds for Appeal
• Section 4 - Procedures
• Part C - Outcome of the Appeal
• Part D - Appeals Made where the Additional Information is Highly Confidential.
• Section 5 - Guidelines

Section 1 - Purpose and Context

(1) Nil.

Section 2 - Definitions

(2) Nil.

Section 3 - Policy Statement

Part A - Matters Subject to Appeal

(3) Research Higher Degree candidates may appeal against a decision:

1. Not to award a postgraduate research degree,
2. On termination of candidature;
3. On the awarding of Australian Scholarships with stipend and UWS Postgraduate Research Awards;
4. On the implementation of scholarship conditions.

Part B - Grounds for Appeal

(4) Appeals by candidates rejecting the academic assessment of the merit of their work are not permitted.

(5) Grievance matters arising prior to submission of a thesis and including matters relating to unsatisfactory supervision, inadequate facilities, disputes relating to candidate progress and other academic issues related to candidature are to be handled at College level through the grievance resolution process.

(6) The grounds for appeal against a decision not to award a postgraduate research degree or not to allow resubmission of a thesis for re-examination are:

1. Procedural irregularities in the conduct of an examination;
2. Significant evidence of circumstances substantially affecting the student's performance of which the Research Studies Committee was not aware;

Section 4 - Procedures

(7) The student must make the appeal in writing to the Chair, Academic Senate within one month of the decision that is the subject of the appeal. The student must set out fully the grounds for appeal and provide documentary evidence in support of the appeal.

(8) The Chair, Academic Senate and one College Associate Dean (Research) or equivalent*, other than from the student appellant's College may determine that the appeal is not against a decision covered by this policy and / or does not accord with the grounds for appeal in Section 3 above, and that the appeal will not therefore be heard.

(9) Otherwise, the appeal will be referred to the Academic Senate Appeals Committee within two weeks. The committee shall be compromised of:

1. An independent Chair, being either Chair or Deputy Chair of Academic Senate or nominee of the Chair, Academic Senate;
2. A College Associate Dean or nominee other than from the College from which the appeal originated;
3. A Postgraduate student member who is a member of Academic Senate
4. Registrar or nominee;
5. A representative from the Equity and Diversity Unit to act as an observer.

(10) A quorum for the Appeals Committee will be three members, two of whom must be academic.

(11) The Academic Senate's Appeals Committee will consider documents relevant to the appeal including all material submitted by the student, and call before it any person deemed relevant. The committee will not consider academic judgements made as part of the examination process. The student will be invited to present a case. The student may be assisted by one person, either an enrolled student, a staff member of the University or a representative from the Student organisation. The person assisting the student may provide the student with advice, but may not act as an advocate nor make direct comment to the meeting without permission of the Chair, Academic Senate.

(12) At the completion of the hearing, everyone present with the exception of the members of the Committee will be excused from the hearing to allow the Appeals Committee to reach a recommendation.

Part C - Outcome of the Appeal

(13) The Chair, Academic Senate will, within one week of the Committee's decision, notify the student of the outcome of the appeal.

(14) The decision of the Appeals Committee is final and a confidential report will be provided to the next meeting of the Academic Senate.

Part D - Appeals Made where the Additional Information is Highly Confidential.

(15) Where a student lodges an appeal under clause (6)(a) or clause (6)(b)of this policy and the additional information is of a highly sensitive or personal nature, students may submit those details in a sealed envelope clearly marked "confidential". The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research), the Dean of Research Studies, the Research Studies Committee, and the Appeals Committee will treat the material with the utmost confidentiality.

Section 5 - Guidelines

(16) Nil.