• Section 1 - Purpose and Context
• Section 2 - Definitions
• Section 3 - Policy Statement
• Student Success
• Monitoring Student Engagement and Academic Risk Factors
• Student Responsibility
• Census Date
• Academic Support Services
• Non-Academic Support Services
• Supporting Diversity and Inclusivity
• Academic and In-Classroom Support
• Campus Safety and Crisis and Critical Harm Response
• Review and Reporting
• Section 4 - Procedures
• Section 5 - Guidelines

Section 1 - Purpose and Context

(1) Western Sydney University is committed to ensuring its students are provided with the support and resources required to assist them to be successful in their studies.

(2) This policy outlines how the University will identify students who are at risk of not successfully completing their study, the support available, and the University's processes for ensuring that students are aware of these support options.

(3) This Policy applies to all students enrolled in University award programs, including through Western Sydney University - The College (The College) and other third party providers. Learners registered in Microcredentials are not covered under this policy.

(4) This policy is published in accordance with the University's obligations under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 and supports compliance with the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 and the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018.

(5) This policy should be read in conjunction with the guidelines and procedures sections of this policy and other relevant University policies, including:

1. Academic Governance Policy
2. Assessment Policy
3. Complaint Management Policy
4. Disability Policy
5. Disruption to Studies Policy
6. Doctorate Policy
7. Domestic and Family Violence Support Policy
8. Enrolment Policy
9. Fitness to Practice Policy
10. Gender Equity Policy
11. Health Safety and Wellbeing Policy
12. Indigenous Australian Education Policy
13. Medical Assistance Policy
14. Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy  
15. Placement Policy
16. Privacy Policy
17. Progression Policy
18. Respect and Inclusion in Learning and Working Policy
19. Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy
20. Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Policy
21. Learning and Teaching Policy 

Section 2 - Definitions

(6) For the purposes of this policy, definitions that apply can be found in the Policy DDS Glossary, in addition to the
following:

1. Academic Support refers to the range of supports provided to enrolled students within individual subjects of
   study. It also covers program and progression advising and specific academic skills development and support, as
   well as peer-to-peer academic activities.
2. Non-Academic Support refers to activities and programs designed to encourage engagement and success and to enhance students’ overall wellbeing, provide general assistance, and enhance their University experience. Non-academic student support includes mental health services and resources, counselling, disability and welfare services, financial assistance, career counselling, non-academic related peer programs, student inquiries and targeted interventions, extracurricular activities and other forms of general assistance for enrolled students. Additional support is provided for specific cohorts of students e.g., Badanami for Indigenous students and PATHE for Pasifika students.

Section 3 - Policy Statement

(7) The University will ensure that support is available to students to assist them with successfully completing their subjects and that students are made aware of these support services throughout their study.

(8) The University acknowledges that a student’s lived experience and life circumstances impact on their learning journey and provides a range of academic and non-academic support services to assist students to manage challenges and develop the academic, study and life skills needed to be successful in their studies.

Student Success

(9) The University acknowledges that student success is supported by clear admission standards, contemporary program design and delivery and effective assessment strategies. These processes are outlined in the:

1. Admissions Policy
2. Assessment Policy
3. Credit for Prior Learning Policy 
4. Curriculum Design and Approvals Policy 
5. Curriculum Advice to Students Procedures

(10) The University has processes to review its resourcing and management of student support services (both academic and non-academic) and to ensure it is adjusted to meet demand and respond to identified gaps.

(11) The University may engage third parties to provide support services to meet its legislative obligations or to respond to student need, where appropriate and in accordance with University Policy.

(12) The University will actively and regularly communicate information about the range of services available to help students succeed throughout their studies. This includes both general and targeted communications across a range of channels, for example, emails, text messages, in-classroom promotion and outreach.

Monitoring Student Engagement and Academic Risk Factors

(13) The University monitors student progression and academic performance in accordance with the Progression Policy and the Research by Higher Degree policy suite.

(14) The University monitors and analyses available student data to identify academic risk factors and inform early intervention strategies. The University has, and continues to develop, processes and systems that:

1. identify early indicators of success (e.g., engagement with learning management systems and submission and
   performance in learning activities and assessments, including placements and Work Integrated Learning (WIL) experiences)
2. proactively communicate with students identified as at risk to ensure they are aware of academic and non-academic
   support services, wherever possible, prior to census date and
3. improve early intervention strategies, including predictive modelling (to identify likelihood of student success) and personalised communication for students at risk of not successfully completing their subjects.

(15) To identify students who are at risk of not successfully completing their studies, the University:

1. utilises predictive modelling to assess academic risk factors and potential for successful completion of their subjects
2. supports staff in identifying students with low levels of engagement or other academic risk factors to encourage early engagement
3. supports and works with students who proactively approach the University for help and/or support and
4. ensures proactive communication and outreach to students who are identified as at risk for successful completion of their subjects, including students who have previously failed to complete a subject or subjects successfully, to ensure they are aware of support services available to assist them in their studies.

(16) The University may communicate with students identified as at risk through various channels, including but not limited to, through student and personal email addresses, phone calls, text messages, nudges, outreach and support from a Western Success Advisor and direct messages through the University's learning management system.

Student Responsibility

(17) The University will work in partnership with students to enable student success. To enable the University to provide appropriate support, students are expected and encouraged to:

1. ensure their contact details are kept up to date in University systems and monitor their student emails regularly
2. be mindful of the census date (after which students incur academic and financial obligations for the subjects in which they are enrolled)
3. contact their Academic/teaching staff, the Student Services Hub, Western Success, Student Wellbeing services (including Welfare Service, Disability Service and Counselling Service), International Student support or Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education to get advice and information about the available options before census date
4. take action to avail themselves of the recommended support options, or make a decision on how to progress with or withdraw from study to avoid financial penalties
5. engage and self-identify as requiring support in circumstances where the University may seek a self-assessment of preparedness for subjects of study and
6. seek advice and support in a timely manner when they encounter circumstances beyond their control after census date

(18) Students are responsible for:

1. actively engaging in their studies
2. making informed decisions about their subject and program enrolment and
3. understanding all requirements of their subjects (as provided in the subject Outlines) and their overall program (per the Online Handbook), including meeting inherent and special requirements.

Census Date

(19) The University sets a census date for every subject it offers based on the term in which it is taught, in accordance with the Higher Education Support Act 2003.

(20) Students are notified of both the census date and the last day to enrol in the Academic Dateline available on the
University's website to:

1. understand the final date by which they can withdraw from a subject without incurring academic penalty or financial
   liability and
2. may seek support and make decisions about their academic and enrolment choices in advance of this date.

(21) Students who are unsure of their subject choice or who feel that academic or non-academic factors may negatively influence their studies are encouraged to access support services as outlined in this Policy as soon as possible.

(22) Students are encouraged to seek advice and information about available options before the last day to self-enrol or by the census date. The University will endeavour to provide requested information and advice as quickly as possible to enable students to make an informed decision.

(23) Students who seek academic and non-academic support will be reminded that census date is the day that they become liable for fees associated with their studies where relevant and appropriate.

Academic Support Services

(24) The University offers support options for students to assist in successful completion of their subjects, including:

1. Student Support Services
2. Academic and English Language Support
3. Academic Literacy skills development programs and resources (Study Smart)
4. Access to Studiosity
5. Guides for Assessments (Study Smart How-To Guides)
6. Library Services
7. Mathematics Education Support Hub (MESH)
8. Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS)
9. Placements Hub

(25) Students may seek academic support services directly if they require support or may be referred to these services by the University.

Non-Academic Support Services

(26)  The University offers non-academic support services, including:

1. Student Wellbeing Services (refer to the Student Wellbeing Services webpage including Counselling Services, Disability Services, Welfare services, Financial Assistance, Housing Assistance and International Student Support)
2. Free Student Legal Services
3. Chaplaincy Service and Inclusive Communities
4. Jobs on Campus and Careers Services (Western Careers and Employability)
5. Western Success
6. Peer Programs
7. TalkCampus (24/7 Peer Mental Health Support)
8. Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education

(27) Students may seek non-academic support services directly if they require support or may be referred to these services by the University.

(28) When reporting a non-academic issue that may put a student at risk of not successfully completing their academic requirements, Non-Academic Support Services will refer a student to any relevant Academic Support Services.

Supporting Diversity and Inclusivity

(29) The University is committed to creating safer university communities and strives to provide a safe, supportive and caring learning and working environment that responds to the needs of its diverse student community.

(30) The University provides a diverse range of support services which are cohort and culturally appropriate, including:

1. Specific services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students through the Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education
2. Specific services for students with a disability through the Disability Service
3. Services for students who have experienced family and domestic violence, harassment, sexual harm, or other traumatic events through the Student Welfare Service

(31) Students who have experienced sexual harm and sexual assault are strongly encouraged to report any incidents in line with the Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Policy to ensure the University can respond and provide support.

(32) The University publishes information regarding support available for students on its website.

Academic and In-Classroom Support

(33) Academic staff provide advice and support to students through Subject Outlines and online subject sites, in addition to feedback on individual assessment tasks and advice on overall progress and attainment within subjects.

(34) Students also have individual support available to them through scheduled staff consultation times for each individual
subject.

(35) Within specific programs of study, advice is available from DAPs and Academic Program Advisors (APAs), as well as First Year Experience Coordinators (FYECs) at The College.

(36) Students have access to the following formal processes to assist them in managing their studies:

1. Academic Reasonable Adjustment Plans (ARAP)
2. Special Consideration - Disruption to Studies Provisions

(37) The Curriculum Advice to Students Procedures outlines the University's procedures and resources for providing advice to students.

Campus Safety and Crisis and Critical Harm Response

(38) Campus Safety and Security provide a 24 hour emergency response service and respond in accordance with the University's Emergency Response Guidelines.

(39) Crisis and critical harm response is managed in accordance with the Business Continuity Management Policy and Critical Incident Guidelines.

(40) Students are provided with information on what to do in case of an accident, illness or emergency on the University's website. This includes information on reporting incidents on campus (Refer Guidelines section).

(41) Campus Safety and Security have a visible presence on University campuses and provide general information on personal safety and security and being safe on campus.

(42) Urgent help is available on all campuses at any time. Students are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the University's Emergency Contact Points for each campus should they need emergency assistance from the Campus Safety and Security team.

Review and Reporting

(43) This policy is informed by, and will be reviewed annually against, the Higher Education Provider Guidelines 2023.

(44) The University reports on compliance with this policy to the government in accordance with the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (Cwlth) as required by the Higher Education Provider Guidelines.

Section 4 - Procedures

(45) Related procedures are:

1. Assessment Procedures - Review of Grade
2. Curriculum Advice to Students Procedures
3. Disruption to Studies Procedures
4. Inherent Requirements Compliance Procedures

Section 5 - Guidelines

(46) Assessment Guide

(47) WesternNow – reporting incidents on Campus