• Section 1 - Purpose and Context
• Section 2 - Definitions
• Section 3 - Policy Statement
• Serious and Unavoidable Disruption
• Section 4 - Procedures
• Section 5 - Guidelines
• Acknowledgement

Section 1 - Purpose and Context

(1) Western Sydney University recognises that students may experience life events that adversely affect their academic performance in assessment tasks. The University provides support services to assist students through their studies and encourages students to use those services when necessary.

(2) This policy provides the principles for assisting students who have been significantly adversely affected by a serious and unavoidable disruption to their studies that is beyond their control, to demonstrate the Subject Learning Outcomes through Disruption to Studies provisions.

(3) The policy only applies to serious and unavoidable disruptions that arise after a term has commenced. Students with a pre-existing disability or chronic health condition, or prolonged adverse circumstances, may be eligible for ongoing assistance and support under the Medical Assistance Policy and the Disability Policy, accessed through the University's Services and facilities for current students webpage. 

(4) This policy also does not cover the following situations:

1. where a student is absent from a Final Examination, which is covered by the Examinations Policy, and they wish to apply for a Deferred Exam. Refer to the Deferred Exam Procedures
2. minor illnesses or misadventure that may prevent a student meeting an assessment deadline and where the granting of an assignment extension should be considered (covered in the Guidelines to the Assessment Policy) or
3. when a student has been unable to attend a compulsory component of their subject (covered in the Guidelines to the Assessment Policy) except where a serious and unavoidable disruption is the cause.

(5) The policy and procedures should be read in conjunction with the Disruption to Studies Procedures, Medical Assistance Policy, Disability Policy, Assessment Policy, Student Code of Conduct, Examinations Policy and Academic Records Issuance Policy.

Section 2 - Definitions

(6) The following definitions apply for the purposes of this policy:

1. Disruption to Studies Provision means an additional opportunity granted as an outcome of a Disruption to Studies application, to demonstrate that Subject Learning Outcomes have been met.
2. Critical Study Period means the period leading up to an assessment deadline during which the student would reasonably be expected to be undertaking or preparing for the assessment task/s.
3. Supplementary Assessment means an additional exam or another type of equivalent assessment organised by a School which may be granted as a Disruption to Studies Provision or as a final assessment task in a program.
4. Refer also to the Glossary in the Policy DDS.

Section 3 - Policy Statement

(7) The University is committed to providing equity and fairness to students in all aspects of its teaching and learning.

(8) The University will provide students who have experienced a serious and unavoidable disruption to their studies with an opportunity to demonstrate that they have met the learning outcomes for the subject (known as Disruption to Studies Provision).

(9) A Disruption to Studies Provision may include a Supplementary Assessment, Deferred Exam or another assessment item. The University will not permit the award of additional marks for an assessment or any form of concession in marking without undertaking an alternative assessment.

(10) The University will monitor the granting of disruption to studies provisions to ensure the objectives of this policy are met.

Serious and Unavoidable Disruption

(11) The University will classify a disruption as serious and unavoidable if it meets all the following criteria:

1. it was caused by health issues, hardship, trauma, bereavement or other unavoidable circumstances
2. it could not have reasonably been anticipated, avoided or guarded against by the student
3. it was beyond the student's control and
4. it caused substantial disruption to the student’s capacity for effective study and/or completion of assessment items; that
   1. was at least three consecutive days in duration and clearly affected preparation or study towards an assessment or
   2. prevented a student completing an assessment or an exam or
   3. otherwise seriously impacted a student's performance in an assessment or exam.

(12) The following circumstances are not considered to be serious and unavoidable disruptions:

1. misreading the Learning Guide or exam timetable
2. short-term minor illnesses, such as a mild cold
3. unspecified health conditions or generalised symptoms of being unwell, tired or stressed, including stress from an assessment 
4. routine work commitments
5. ordinary incidences of life such as anticipated change of address
6. travel plans
7. an accident involving short-term injury or
8. vehicle break down.

(13) The University will respond sensitively, sympathetically and appropriately in recognition of its students’ cultural traditions and practices where relevant.

Section 4 - Procedures

(14) Staff and students must comply with the Disruption to Studies Procedures to implement this policy.

Section 5 - Guidelines

(15) Supporting documentation webpage.

(16) Disruption to Studies Provisions Schedule.

(17) Curriculum Advice to Students Procedures.

Acknowledgement