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Misconduct - Student Academic Misconduct Policy

This is not a current document. It has been repealed and is no longer in force.

Section 1 - Purpose and Context

(1) This Policy defines the actions that constitute academic misconduct by students and describes the University's processes for investigating and hearing allegations of academic misconduct. It also describes the penalties that will apply, where allegations are proven.

(2) The Policy is a key component of the university's approach to Ethical Scholarship, which is student focussed and aims to integrate all areas of the student experience that impinge on ethical scholarship. They include the educational aspects of studying ethically, learning the ethical requirements of the professions that students aim to enter, as well as understanding the policies that govern ethical behaviour

(3) The Policy applies to all UWS undergraduate and postgraduate students who are enrolled in coursework units of the University, including students who are attending partner institutions overseas. Particular procedures in this policy may be modified by Academic Senate, to reflect the staffing, resources and structure of any offshore organisation where a course of the University is being offered.

(4) Where allegations of academic misconduct arise in relation to significant research components of undergraduate honours or postgraduate coursework programs, they will also be dealt with under this policy. Academic misconduct that occurs in higher-degree research programs will be considered under the Misconduct - Higher Degree Research Candidate Misconduct in Research Policy.

(5) The Policy only applies to alleged or proven academic misconduct, as defined in the Policy. Other types of misconduct or misbehaviour will be dealt with by the University in accordance with the Misconduct - Student Non-Academic Misconduct Policy.

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Section 2 - Definitions

What is Student Academic Misconduct?

(6) Student academic misconduct is one or more of the following.

Plagiarism

(7) Plagiarism occurs in a student's work when he or she submits work in which ideas, words or other work are taken from a source (for example, a web-site or computer program, another student's essay or presentation, a book or journal article, a lecture, a performance piece or other presentation) and presented as if they are the student's own, without appropriate acknowledgement of the original author. In this definition of plagiarism, it is the act of presenting material as one's own without appropriate acknowledgement that constitutes plagiarism, not the intention of the student when doing so. 'Appropriate acknowledgement' is defined as the conventions of citation recognised as acceptable to the University. [Referencing Styles Policy].

Cheating

(8) Cheating in assessment tasks (including examinations, assignments, practicals and tests) includes, but is not limited to:

  1. communicating in an examination, or other test, with other candidates, or bringing into the examination room any textbook, notebook, memorandum, other written material or mechanical or electronic device (including mobile phones), or any other item not authorised by the person who set the examination or the Examinations Supervisor in Charge or other supervisor of a test;
  2. writing an examination answer, or consulting any person or materials, for an examination answer, outside the confines of the examination room, without permission to do so;
  3. attempting to read other students' work in an examination, or, in other circumstances, without their permission;
  4. where individual work is required, making available notes, papers or answers related to the content of an examination or assignment (in whatever form) to others, without the permission of the Teacher of the Unit;
  5. where individual work is required, receiving answers, notes or papers related to the content of an examination or assignment (in whatever form) from another student, or another source, without the permission of the Teacher of the Unit; and
  6. not following the directions of the Examinations Supervisor in Charge including seating location and movement about the examination room.

Collusion

(9) Collusion is when two or more students, or a student and any other person(s), act together to cheat, plagiarise or engage in academic misconduct, or incite others to do so.

Any Other Academic Misconduct

(10) Other academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  1. tampering, or attempting to tamper, with examination scripts, class work, grades or class records;
  2. failing to abide by directions of a member of academic staff regarding individual responsibility for the submission of assessable work, including that for any group work submitted;
  3. acquiring, or attempting to acquire, possessing, or distributing examination materials or information without the approval of the Teacher of the Unit;
  4. impersonating another student, or arranging for anyone to impersonate a student, in an examination or other assessment task;
  5. falsifying or fabricating clinical, practical or laboratory reports;
  6. altering group assessment work that has been agreed as final by all participating students prior to submission without the collaborating students' consent; and
  7. use of taped, recorded or videotaped lectures, tutorials or other classes in a way that infringes another person's privacy or intellectual property rights - for example, by publishing or distributing a recording without permission from the Teacher of the Unit.

Minor and Substantial Misconduct

(11) The terms 'minor misconduct' and 'substantial misconduct' in the Policy indicate the University's view of the gravity of the impact of the alleged breach of the Policy. University staff applying this Policy will determine what constitutes minor or substantial misconduct, according to the following definitions.

  1. 'Minor misconduct' is behaviour that is judged by the University to be a minimal threat to the integrity of assessment processes in the unit of study or to be the result of the student's lack of understanding of appropriate referencing or other academic conventions required by the relevant school for the field of study, or both.
  2. 'Substantial misconduct' is behaviour that is judged by the University to be either a significant threat to the integrity of the University's assessment processes or behaviour where the student's level of experience might reasonably be interpreted as evidence that the student was aware that the behaviour was not in keeping with standards or practices related to ethical scholarship, or both.
  3. The following instances of alleged misconduct will always be treated as 'substantial misconduct':
    1. once a student has been found to have committed minor or substantial misconduct, any subsequent allegation, unless the student is still in their first session of study and that is judged by the University to be a mitigating factor;
    2. all allegations of misconduct in examinations; and
    3. all allegations of collusion, provided students have been given clear instructions about the nature and extent of collaboration that is permissible in group work (see further, under 'Policy Statement', below).

Relevant Officers and Committees

Teacher of the Unit

(12) In this Policy, the 'Teacher of the Unit' is the member of academic staff responsible for marking an item of assessment, or conducting a class or examination, in which a student is alleged to have committed misconduct.

Unit Coordinator

(13) In this Policy, the Unit Coordinator is the person delegated by the relevant Head of School to fill this role, for the unit in which the allegation of misconduct arises.

Examinations Supervisor in Charge

(14) In this Policy, the 'Examinations Supervisor in Charge' is the person appointed by the University to supervise the conduct of the examination in which the allegation of misconduct arises. In the case of an examination supervised by a school, the 'Examinations Supervisor in Charge' might be the Teacher of the Unit.

Head of School

(15) In this Policy, the relevant Head of School is the head of the school (or 'acting head' of the school, or an associate head of school, who has been formally delegated by the head of school to perform the functions of a head in this Policy) responsible for teaching the unit of study in which academic misconduct is alleged to have occurred.

School Academic Committee

(16) In this Policy, the relevant School Academic Committee is the committee for the school responsible for teaching the unit of study in which academic misconduct is alleged to have occurred.

College Academic Standards and Integrity Committee

(17) In this Policy, the relevant College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee is the committee to which the school offering the unit of study in which the misconduct is alleged to have occurred belongs.

'Appointed Nominee'

(18) In this Policy, an 'Appointed Nominee' is a person delegated, in writing, to perform a role prescribed in this Policy on a regular basis, in place of:

  1. the relevant 'Teacher of the Unit' (in instances where the Teacher of the Unit is on leave or no longer employed by the University);
  2. the relevant Unit Coordinator;
  3. provided the 'nominee' is an associate head of school, the relevant Head of School; or
  4. the relevant Chair of a College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee. [For the process for appointing of nominees, see 'Delegation of Responsibility' in Section 5 - Guidelines, below.]
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Section 3 - Policy Statement

(19) The University is committed to academic integrity, honesty and the promotion of ethical scholarship. It expects students to respect these values and to learn and observe the accepted academic referencing and other academic requirements of their field/s of study.

(20) Actions by students such as plagiarism, cheating and collusion (see Definitions above) are not permitted. These actions will be treated by the University as academic misconduct and will be penalised.

(21) Schools will make information about proper referencing and other academic requirements available to students, in Learning Guides and other teaching materials. This will include clear instructions about the nature and extent of collaboration that is permissible in group work.

(22) All investigations of alleged academic misconduct by students are to be conducted with close regard for procedural fairness. The processes prescribed in this Policy for the hearing of allegations provide students with opportunities to respond to allegations and, on specified grounds, to appeal disciplinary decisions.

(23) All meetings to hear allegations of academic misconduct will be conducted with the principal object of impartially and fairly investigating the facts surrounding the allegation. Proceedings will be formal, but will not be adversarial. A student invited to attend such meetings to respond to an allegation may be assisted by a fellow enrolled student, a member of the University's staff, such as one of their teachers or a Student Welfare Officer, or an officer of a University student association. The support person may provide the student with advice, but may not act as an advocate, nor make direct comment in the meeting, unless given permission to do so by the convenor of the meeting.

(24) In some cases an allegation of academic misconduct may arise from a student's ignorance or misunderstanding of appropriate referencing or other academic requirements. Teaching staff should have the opportunity to determine whether this has been the case, and to advise the student accordingly. Allegations of academic misconduct by students must, therefore, be thoroughly investigated in the relevant school, in the first instance.

(25) The appropriate Unit Coordinator or Head of School may, in circumstances defined in this Policy, dismiss an allegation, or counsel, warn or discipline a student. Wherever a student's ignorance or misunderstanding of academic requirements can be demonstrated through careful investigation and use of evidence, the Unit Coordinator or Head of School will ensure that he or she receives academic advice, whether or not a penalty for academic misconduct is imposed.

(26) The Head of School, in consultation with the Chair of the School Academic Committee, or, if the Head of School is the Chair, another member of the School Academic Committee, may determine that a student who has committed academic misconduct as a result of ignorance or misunderstanding will not have an offence noted on the relevant TRIM Academic Misconduct file on the first occasion of such an offence within a school.

(27) In determining that academic misconduct has occurred, it is not necessary to show that a student has achieved an improper academic advantage. Some acts of plagiarism or collusion might not actually confer an academic advantage. For example, plagiarising an essay that does not address the question that has been asked, leading to a mark of zero, does not confer any academic advantage, but is still academic misconduct.

(28) In circumstances where it is not possible or appropriate for an allegation to be resolved at school level, the allegation will be referred by the Head of School to the relevant College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee.

(29) In determining a penalty for proven academic misconduct, the University will take into account the following:

  1. whether the misconduct is minor or substantial misconduct;
  2. whether the student has been able to demonstrate that there were any mitigating circumstances; and
  3. whether the student has a record of previous, proven misconduct.
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Section 4 - Procedures

Part A - Processes for Investigating and Hearing Allegations of Misconduct

(30) Investigations and hearings of allegations of academic misconduct by students, or of appeals by students, will be conducted in accordance with the following summary of processes and in as non adversarial manner as possible. The summary is to be read and implemented in conjunction with Section 5 - Guidelines, of this Policy, and with documents, for the guidance of students and staff that will be attached, from time to time, to this Policy, as 'Associated Information'.

Initial Investigation and Later (Potential) Stages to College Academic Standards and Integrity Committee Level

Reporting Suspected Academic Misconduct

(31) Where the Teacher of the Unit or the Examinations Supervisor in Charge (via a report from the Assessment and Graduation Manager or other school supervisor, if appropriate), or any other person, has reason to believe that a student has engaged in academic misconduct, he or she must provide to the relevant Unit Coordinator (or other person delegated by the Head of School, where the Teacher of the Unit is the Unit Coordinator ) a signed or emailed report, setting out information and any evidence relating to the suspected academic misconduct. Copies of relevant original documents must be forwarded immediately, or be kept securely, for later reference if required.

Investigation by Unit Coordinator (or Appointed Nominee) and Teacher of the Unit (or Appointed Nominee)

(32) Within five working days of receiving a report of alleged student academic misconduct, the Unit Coordinator will send a copy of it to his or her Head of School and advise the Head that the Coordinator is investigating the allegation. This ensures that the University meets its requirements for proper record-keeping and compliance with anti-corruption legislation.

(33) Within ten working days of receiving an allegation, the Unit Coordinator will:

  1. confer with the Teacher of the Unit, to decide whether the allegation requires investigation, making whatever enquiries he or she considers necessary;
  2. if the Unit Coordinator and the Teacher of the Unit decide that the allegation requires investigation, invite the student in writing, by express post and email, to an interview, to investigate the matter further and advise the student that they may be assisted at the interview by a fellow enrolled student, a member of the University's staff (such as one of their teachers or a Student Welfare Officer ) or an officer of a University student association;
  3. schedule the meeting as soon as practicable after eight working days, or more, from the date of despatch of the invitation, but no later than 15 working days after the date of despatch; and
  4. arrange for at least two members of UWS academic staff to be present at the interview (normally the Unit Coordinator and the Teacher of the Unit, provided the Teacher is not also the Unit Coordinator, but, in some cases, it will be possible and appropriate for the Head of Program in which the student is enrolled to be present).

(34) Within seven working days of the date the invitation was despatched, the student must respond to the invitation, advising whether he or she will attend the interview. Failure to do so will mean that a determination about the allegation will be made in the student's absence.

(35) Following the interview, or its scheduled date if the student does not attend, the Unit Coordinator, in consultation with the Teacher of the Unit, will determine an appropriate course of action from among the following options:

  1. if the Unit Coordinator decides the allegation is not substantiated, the Unit Coordinator will dismiss the allegation and will not impose a penalty for misconduct;
  2. if the Unit Coordinator and the Teacher of the Unit decide that misconduct has occurred, but that it is minor misconduct, the Unit Coordinator will decide on one of the following courses of action, or a combination of them:
    1. arrange for appropriate academic counselling of the student;
    2. require the student to submit a replacement for any relevant assessment task, with a requirement that the student must satisfactorily achieve the outcomes for the assessment task (the Unit Coordinator may specify a maximum mark or grade that can be awarded for this replacement task - for example, 50% or 'Satisfactory' or 'Unsatisfactory'); or
    3. downgrade the mark for a relevant assessment task, in consultation with the Teacher of the Unit (this mark may be zero); and
  3. if the Unit Coordinator judges that the alleged misconduct is substantial, as defined in the Policy (including a second or later case of minor misconduct or any case of collusion and any form of misconduct in an examination), he or she will refer the allegation of academic misconduct to the relevant Head of School for further investigation and decision.

(36) The Unit Coordinator and Teacher of the Unit may make a recommendation to the Head of School to exercise his or her discretion to waive a record of academic misconduct for the student. The Head of School may, in consultation with the Chair of the School Academic Committee (SAC) waive the record for the first incident within the school, but must give reasons for this decision to the SAC and retain student details in the event of any further incident until graduation. If the Head of School is the Chair of the SAC, then the Head of School will consult with another member of the SAC Executive Committee before reaching a decision.

(37) Within five working days after the date that had been scheduled for the interview (whether or not the student has attended), the Unit Coordinator will advise the student in writing, by express post and email, of the decision, giving reasons for the decision. If the decision is that misconduct has occurred, the Unit Coordinator will also advise the student of his or her right of appeal in accordance with the 'Appeals' provisions of this Policy, below. A copy of this letter will also be sent to the Head of School to indicate the outcome of the investigation.

Consideration by Head of School (or Appointed Nominee)

(38) Within ten working days of receiving a formal allegation that a student is suspected of substantial academic misconduct, the Head of School will:

  1. notify the student in writing, by express post and email, of the misconduct alleged;
  2. invite the student to respond to the allegation, in person, in an interview with the Head of School, which will be held as soon as practicable after eight working days, but no later than 15 working days from the date of despatch of the invitation;
  3. inform the student that, at the interview, the Head of School will seek information from the Unit Coordinator, that a representative of the Registrar will attend to advise on procedural fairness and that the student may be accompanied by a fellow student, a member of the University's staff (such as one of their teachers or a Student Welfare Officer ), or an officer of a University student association; and
  4. enclose with the notification a copy of all documentation related to the allegation that will be considered by the Head of School.

(39) Within seven working days of the date on the invitation, the student must respond to the invitation, advising whether he or she will attend the interview. Failure to do so will mean that a determination about the allegation will be made in the student's absence.

Interview with Head of School

(40) At the commencement of the interview, the Head of School must outline the allegation against the student and the purpose of the interview. The Head of School must invite the student to respond to the allegation and to inform the Head of School whether the student agrees that the allegation is correct and, if so, whether the student wishes any mitigating circumstances to be considered.

(41) At the end of the interview, the Head of School must inform the student that the student may then confirm that the allegation is correct and that he or she is therefore prepared to accept the determination of the Head of School. If the student says he or she is not prepared to accept the Head of School's determination, the Head of School will advise the student of his or her right of appeal in accordance with 'Appeals' provisions of this Policy.

Following the Interview

(42) If the Head of School decides, after meeting with the student, that the allegation is not substantiated, the Head will dismiss the allegation, impose no penalty and advise the student in writing of the decision, by express post and email.

(43) If the Head of School decides, after meeting with the student, that the allegation is substantiated, the Head of School will decide whether the misconduct is minor or substantial, as defined in this Policy. The Head will also consider whether there are any mitigating circumstances and note whether the student has been found to have engaged in any other incidents of academic misconduct.

***Actions and Penalties available to Head of School ***

(44) Within five working days of the meeting, (whether or not the student attends), the Head of School will then determine an appropriate course of action from among the following options, 'a.' to 'h.', or any appropriate combination of them, or proceed as provided for in sub-section 'i.', below, and advise the student in writing, by express post and email, giving reasons for the decision:

  1. warn and counsel the student;
  2. reprimand the student;
  3. require the student to meet with and apologise formally to any relevant party(ies);
  4. require the student to re-submit an item of work in which misconduct has been detected, after he or she has edited or totally re-written it, as appropriate, so that it meets the required academic referencing and other conventions and standards;
  5. require the student to submit a replacement for any relevant assessment task, with a requirement that the student must satisfactorily achieve the outcomes for the assessment task. The Unit Coordinator may specify a maximum mark or grade that can be awarded for this replacement task (for example, 50% or 'Satisfactory' or Unsatisfactory'); this mark may be zero;
  6. downgrade the mark for a relevant assessment task, in consultation with the Teacher of the Unit; this mark may be zero;
  7. where misconduct has been detected in an examination, require the student to sit for a relevant replacement examination (to be organised by the school). The Unit Coordinator may specify a maximum mark or grade that can be awarded for this replacement ask; this mark may be set at zero;
  8. downgrade a final grade or impose a grade of fail in a relevant unit; or
  9. if the Head of School decides the alleged misconduct is substantial and serious that in his or her view it warrants more severe penalties, than those available at the school level, including suspension or exclusion from the University, refer the allegation to the relevant College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee.

(45) In advising the student of the decision, the Head of School must also advise the student of his or her right of appeal in accordance with the 'Appeals' provisions in this Policy, below.

Referral to the College Academic Standards and Integrity Committee

(46) If the Head of School has decided the alleged misconduct is so substantial and serious that it warrants more severe penalties than those available at the School level, including suspension or exclusion from the University, the Head of School will, no later than five working days after the meeting scheduled with the student, refer the allegation of misconduct to the College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee.

Consideration by College Academic Standards and Integrity Committee

(47) When an allegation of student academic misconduct is referred to the College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee, the Chair of the Committee will, within ten working days of receiving the allegation:

  1. notify the student in writing, by express post and email, of the misconduct alleged;
  2. invite the student to respond to the allegation in writing, by express post or email, and/or in person at a meeting of the Committee, to be held for the purposes of investigating the alleged misconduct and making appropriate decisions;
  3. enclose with the notification a copy of all documentation related to the allegation that will be considered by the Committee;
  4. advise the student he or she may be assisted at the meeting by a fellow enrolled student, a member of the University's staff (such as one of their teachers or a Student Welfare Officer ), or an officer of a University student association; and
  5. advise the student that he/she must respond, in writing, to the invitation to attend the meeting within seven working days of the date on the notification.

(48) The Committee will meet as soon as is practicable after eight, but no later than 15, working days from the date of despatch of the notification and invitation.

(49) The membership of the relevant College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee will be constituted in accordance with the membership specified in the University's Academic Senate Standing Committees Policy.

(50) A quorum for the College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee is at least three committee members, two of whom must be academic staff.

(51) While the matter is being investigated, and until the matter is determined, the student may continue to attend classes and submit work for assessment.

(52) A student who wishes to attend the College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee hearing must confirm his or her attendance, in writing, within seven working days of the notification. If a student does not attend the hearing, it will be held in his or her absence. Any written response to the allegation from the student will be taken into account at the hearing.

Meeting of the College Academic Standards and Integrity Committee - First Stage

(53) Early in the first part of the meeting, the Chair of the College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee will:

  1. present to all attending (including the student, if he or she is attending) details of the allegation;
  2. invite the student to respond to the allegation; and
  3. ask officers of the University, or others invited to present evidence, to provide the Committee with relevant facts and information. (To ensure procedural fairness, no new evidence should be introduced, but officers of the University may explain and clarify the documentation that was supplied to the student).

Meeting of the College Academic Standards and Integrity Committee - Second Stage

(54) In the second part of the meeting, after everyone except Committee members and the Secretary have left, the Committee will consider all written and oral information presented to it and arrive at a recommendation.

(55) If the Committee decides that an allegation referred to the Committee by the Head of School is not substantiated, it will recommend that the allegation be dismissed.

***Actions and Penalties Available to College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee ***

(56) If the Committee decides that an allegation referred to the Committee by the Head of School is substantiated, the Committee will recommend an appropriate course of action from among the following options, or any appropriate combination of them:

  1. the actions and penalties that were available to the Head of School (refer to the section, above, headed 'Actions and Penalties Available to Head of School ');
  2. deny the student access to specified University facilities for a specified period;
  3. suspend the student for a period of time no less than six months, but no greater than 12 months;
  4. exclude the student for a period of time no less than 12 months, but no greater than 24 months, noting that the student would need to apply for re-admission to the University following expiration of this period and would be subject to entry criteria and advanced standing policies at the time of that application [refer to the Admissions Policy, the Enrolment Policy and the Advanced Standing and Recognition of Prior Learning Policy;] or
  5. expel the student permanently.

(57) If the Committee's recommendation is that a student be suspended or excluded, and if that recommendation is ratified by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching), as provided below, the University will not count for credit towards any course of the University any study undertaken at another tertiary institution during the period of suspension or exclusion.

Following the Meeting of the College Academic Standards and Integrity Committee

(58) The Chair of the College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee will, within five working days from the date of the conclusion of the meeting to hear the allegation or the student's appeal against a penalty, forward the Committee's recommendation to the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching), or, where the recommendation is that the student be expelled from the University, to the Vice-Chancellor, who will make a decision.

(59) The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching), or the Vice-Chancellor, will, within five working days of receiving the Committee's recommendation, advise the Registrar of the decision of the College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee. The Registrar will, within five working days of receiving the decision, advise the student, via express post and email, of the decision, of any penalty to be imposed, and of the student's right of appeal to the Senate Academic Standards and Integrity Committee, within the time specified in the section of this Policy, below, headed, 'Appeals'.

Part B - Appeals

Appeals against Determinations made in relation to Academic Misconduct by the Unit Coordinator

(60) A student found by a Unit Coordinator to have engaged in academic misconduct may, provided they have grounds as specified below, appeal, in writing, to the Head of School.

(61) The student must ensure that any appeal, together with supporting evidence, is received by the Head of School, within 15 working days from the date of the letter advising of the Unit Coordinator's decision.

Grounds for Appeal

(62) An appeal can only be made on one or more of the following grounds, which must be addressed in the appeal letter:

  1. that the student considers there is evidence that a determination made by a Unit Coordinator was made in breach of procedural fairness;
  2. that the student does not agree that the allegation is correct;
  3. that the student considers that there is now substantial new evidence relating to the original allegation of academic misconduct, which was not previously available to the Unit Coordinator; and
  4. that the student considers that the penalty imposed by the Unit Coordinator was too severe.

(63) The Head of School may determine that there are no valid grounds for appeal, and that the appeal will therefore not be heard.

Hearing of an Appeal

(64) If the Head of School judges that there appear to be valid grounds for an appeal, the Head of School will arrange a meeting to hear the appeal. The meeting will be held no later than 20 working days, from the date on which the appeal is received and the student will be given no less than seven working days notice of the meeting.

(65) The Head of School will advise the student, by express post and email, of the date, time and place of the meeting, send him or her copies of all papers to be considered at the meeting and invite the student to attend, to present a case in person. The Head of School will also inform the student that a representative of the Registrar will attend to advise on procedural fairness and that the student may be assisted at the meeting by a fellow enrolled student, a member of the University's staff (such as one of their teachers or a Student Welfare Officer ), or an officer of a University student association.

(66) In hearing an appeal, the Head of School will investigate any procedural irregularities referred to in the student's letter of appeal and the evidence on which the determination was made by the Unit Coordinator. After such a hearing the Head of School will:

  1. allow the appeal, if the Head of School considers that the original decision to confirm the occurrence of misconduct should be set aside, and/or that a penalty should be varied, in the light of demonstrated procedural irregularities or the available evidence; or
  2. dismiss the appeal, if the Head of School considers that the decision and/or the penalty should not be set aside or varied; or
  3. dismiss the appeal against a determination of academic misconduct, but vary the penalty imposed, as in sub section a. of this clause, subject to the following conditions:
    1. that, if the appeal is made on procedural grounds, the Head of School may not impose a more severe penalty than that originally imposed; and
    2. that, if the appeal is made on the basis of new evidence now available, the Head of School will determine an appropriate course of action from among those that are available to the Head of School, as provided above.

Following the Meeting with the Head of School

(67) The Head of School will, within five working days of the conclusion of the meeting to hear the appeal, advise the student in writing, by letter and email, of the outcome of the appeal.

Appeals against Determinations made in relation to Academic Misconduct by the Head of School

(68) A student found by a Head of School to have engaged in academic misconduct may, provided they have grounds as specified below, appeal, in writing, to the Chair of the College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee.

(69) The student must ensure that any appeal, together with supporting evidence, is received by the Chair within 15 working days from the date of the letter advising of the Head of School's decision.

Grounds for Appeal

(70) An appeal can only be made on one or more of the following grounds, which must be addressed in the appeal letter:

  1. that the student considers there is evidence that a determination made by the Head of School was made in breach of procedural fairness;
  2. that the student considers there is now substantial new evidence relating to the original allegation of academic misconduct, which was not previously available to the Head of School; and
  3. the student considers that the penalty imposed by the Head of School was too severe.

(71) The Chair may determine that there are no valid grounds for appeal, and that the appeal will therefore not be heard.

Hearing of an Appeal

(72) If the Chair judges that there appear to be valid grounds for an appeal, the Chair will arrange a meeting of the College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee, to hear the appeal. The meeting will be held no later than 20 working days, from the date on which the appeal is received and the student will be given no less than seven working days notice of the meeting.

(73) The Chair will advise the student and members of the Committee, in writing, of the date, time and place of the meeting, send them copies of all papers to be considered at the meeting and invite the student to attend, to present a case in person. The Chair will also inform the student that he or she may be assisted at the meeting by a fellow enrolled student, a member of the University's staff (such as one of their teachers or a Student Welfare Officer ), or an officer of a University student association.

(74) Any member of staff who has previously heard the allegation against a student is ineligible to sit as a member of the College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee, to hear that student's appeal.

Meeting of College Academic Standards and Integrity Committee

(75) In hearing an appeal, the Committee will investigate any procedural irregularities referred to in the student's letter of appeal and/ or consider any new evidence not available at previous meetings. After such a hearing the Committee will:

  1. allow the appeal, if it considers that the original decision to confirm the occurrence of misconduct should be set aside, and/or a penalty be varied, in the light of demonstrated procedural irregularities or new evidence; or
  2. dismiss the appeal, if it considers that the decision and/or the penalty should not be set aside or varied; or
  3. dismiss the appeal against a determination of academic misconduct, but vary the penalty imposed, as in sub section a. of this clause, subject to the following conditions:
    1. that, if the appeal is made on procedural grounds, the Committee may not impose a more severe penalty than that originally imposed; and
    2. that, if the appeal is made on the basis of new evidence, the Committee will determine an appropriate course of action from among those that are available to Committee (refer to the section above, heading, 'Actions and Penalties Available to College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee ').

Following the Meeting of the College Academic Standards and Integrity Committee

(76) The Chair of the College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee will, within five working days of the conclusion of the meeting to hear the appeal, forward the recommendation to the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching), or, where the recommendation is that the student be expelled from the University, to the Vice-Chancellor, who will make the decision.

(77) The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching), or the Vice-Chancellor, will, within five working days of receiving the Committee's recommendation, advise the Registrar of the outcome of the appeal.

(78) The Registrar will, within no more than five working days of receiving the decision, inform the student of it and give reasons for the decision, via express post and email.

(79) The determination of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) or Vice-Chancellor is conclusive.

Appeals against Determinations made in relation to Academic Misconduct by the College Academic Standards and Integrity Committee

Right to Appeal

(80) A student found by a College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee to have engaged in academic misconduct may, provided they have grounds as specified below, appeal, in writing, to the Senate Academic Standards and Integrity Committee.

(81) A student must ensure that any appeal, together with supporting evidence, is received by the Executive Officer of the Senate Academic Standards and Integrity Committee, within 15 working days of the date of the letter advising of the College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee's decision (or within 20 working days, if the student is an overseas national, holding a visa for study in Australia, and if he or she has been failed in a unit, suspended or excluded).

Grounds for Appeal

(82) An appeal can only be made on one or both of the following grounds, which must be addressed in the appeal letter:

  1. that the student considers there is evidence that a determination made by a College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee was made in breach of procedural fairness; and
  2. that the student considers there is now substantial new evidence relating to the original allegation of academic misconduct, which was not previously available to the College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee.

(83) The Chair or, in the Chair's absence, the Deputy Chair of Academic Senate, may determine that there are no valid grounds for appeal, and that the appeal will therefore not be heard.

Hearing of an Appeal

(84) If the Chair judges that there appear to be valid grounds for an appeal, the Executive Officer to the Senate Academic Standards and Integrity Committee will arrange a meeting of the Committee, to hear the appeal. The meeting will be held no later than 20 working days from the date on which the appeal is received and the student will be given no less than seven working days' notice of the meeting.

(85) The Executive Officer will advise the student and members of the Committee, in writing, of the date, time and place of the meeting, send them copies of all papers to be considered at the meeting and invite the student to attend, to present a case in person. The Executive Officer will also inform the student that he or she may be assisted at the meeting by a fellow enrolled student, a member of the University's staff (such as one of their teachers or a Student Welfare Officer ), or an officer of a University student association.

(86) The membership of the Senate Academic Standards and Integrity Committee will be constituted in accordance with the membership specified in the University's Academic Senate Standing Committees Policy.

(87) Members of the College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee that heard the allegation against a student, and other persons who have participated in adjudication of the student's case, are ineligible to sit as members of the Senate Academic Standards and Integrity Committee, to hear that student's appeal.

(88) A quorum of the Senate Academic Standards and Integrity Committee is three members, one of whom must be the Chair or Deputy Chair of Academic Senate, and one of whom must be another member of academic staff.

Meeting of Senate Academic Standards and Integrity Committee

(89) In hearing an appeal, the Committee will investigate any procedural irregularities referred to in the student's letter of appeal and/ or consider any new evidence not available at previous meetings. After such a hearing the Committee will:

  1. allow the appeal, if it considers that the original decision to confirm the occurrence of misconduct should be set aside, and/or that a penalty should be varied, in the light of demonstrated procedural irregularities or new evidence; or
  2. dismiss the appeal, if it considers that the decision and/or the penalty should not be set aside or varied; or
  3. dismiss the appeal against a determination of academic misconduct, but vary the penalty imposed, as in sub section a. of this clause, subject to the following conditions:
    1. if the appeal is made on procedural grounds, the Committee may not impose a more severe penalty than that originally imposed; and
    2. if the appeal is made on the basis of new evidence now available, the Committee will determine an appropriate course of action from among those that were available to the College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee.

Following the Meeting of the Senate Academic Standards and Integrity Committee

(90) The Chair of the Senate Academic Standards and Integrity Committee will, within five working days of the conclusion of the meeting to hear the appeal, forward the recommendation to the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching), or, where the recommendation is that the student be expelled from the University, to the Vice-Chancellor, who will make the decision.

(91) The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching), or the Vice-Chancellor, will, within five working days of receiving the Committee's recommendation, advise the Registrar of the outcome of the appeal.

(92) The Registrar will, within no more than five working days of receiving the decision, inform the student of it and give reasons for the decision, via express post and email.

(93) The determination of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) or Vice-Chancellor is conclusive.

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Section 5 - Guidelines

(94) The following clauses outline the general procedural principles that the University will apply at all stages of the processes described in Section 4 of the Policy. Students and staff who require more specific information about their rights, roles and responsibilities in the investigation and hearing of allegations of student academic misconduct should refer to the documents for the guidance of students and staff that will be attached, from time to time, to this Policy, as 'Associated Information'.

Advice to Students about an Allegation

(95) If an allegation of misconduct is reported to a Unit Coordinator, Head of School or Chair of a College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee, he or she must:

  1. notify the student who is the subject of the allegation, by express post and email, of what they are alleged to have done;
  2. provide the student with all relevant documentation and ask the student to respond to the allegation in writing;
  3. giving appropriate notice, invite the student to attend an interview or meeting, as appropriate in accordance with this Policy, to respond to the allegation; and
  4. advise the student that he or she may be assisted at the meeting by a fellow enrolled student, a member of the University's staff, such as a Student Welfare Officer, or an officer of a University student association, who may provide the student with advice, but may not act as an advocate, nor make direct comment in the meeting, unless given permission to do so by the convenor of the meeting.

(96) The student must also be advised (i) that it is in the student's interests to attend any interview or meeting held in accordance with this Policy, because otherwise a decision, which may include the imposition of a penalty, will be taken in his or her absence, and (ii) that at any such interview or meeting, the student may be assisted by a fellow enrolled student, a member of the University's staff (such as a teacher or a Student Welfare Officer ), or an officer of a University student association.

Standard of Proof

(97) Hearings of allegations under this Policy are not legal proceedings. Officers of the University who conduct the hearings will, therefore, consider evidence, to the best of their abilities, in order to determine the facts on the basis of the balance of probabilities, rather than on the basis of a more strict legal standard of proof.

Highly Sensitive and Personal Information

(98) Where a student wishes to submit information of a highly sensitive or personal nature in regard to their case, the student may submit those details in a sealed envelope, clearly marked 'confidential'. Such material will be treated in strict confidence and will be reviewed, in the first instance, only by the relevant University officer (Unit Coordinator, Head of School, Chair of the College Academic Standards and Integrity Committee, or Chair of the Senate Academic Standards and Integrity Committee, according to the stage of the process that has been reached). That officer will decide whether and how the material, or an indication of its content, should be communicated to others who need to be aware of it.

(99) Where it is decided that the material needs to be considered by others, the student will be advised accordingly and will be given the option to withdraw some or all of the material.

Availability of Evidence

(100) Information supplied as evidence relating to an allegation of academic misconduct against a student will be made available to the student, who will normally be informed of its source. In exceptional cases, the University Officer in charge of an investigation or hearing of a student academic misconduct matter may determine that the identity of the person providing the information may need to remain confidential or that proceedings be conducted with appropriate safeguards for his or her privacy and safety.

Variations to Timeframes

(101) While allegations of academic misconduct will be considered by the University as promptly as possible, the timeframes contained in the policy are indicative and may be affected by a number of factors, including availability of committee members and the need for University officers, or the student who is the subject of an allegation, to obtain additional evidence or specialist advice. In such exceptional circumstances, the timeframes prescribed in the policy may be varied, with the approval of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) or the Registrar.

(102) All timelines and other requirements of Commonwealth legislation regarding overseas nationals who hold visas for study in Australia must be observed. (Refer to documents for the guidance of students and staff that will be attached, from time to time, to this Policy, as 'Associated Information').

Advice of Decisions to Relevant Academic Staff

(103) All members of academic staff and members of any academic committee who have made a determination in accordance with this Policy are entitled to be informed, in confidence and in writing, of any subsequent decision on appeal that confirms or varies the determination and are entitled to be provided with a brief statement of reasons for the decision. Similarly, any member of academic staff who has referred an allegation of misconduct to another person or academic committee, for determination in accordance with this Policy, is entitled to be informed, in confidence and in writing, of any decision made in response to the referral, and is entitled to be provided with a brief statement of reasons for the decision. All such decisions confirming or varying a previous determination, or responding to a referral, must be communicated to the Head of School (unless taken by him or herself) in which the relevant allegation arose and/or to the Chair of any committee which has reached any earlier determination in the matter. The Head of School and/or the Chair of the committee will ensure that any relevant staff member and relevant committee members are informed of the relevant decision, including any taken by the Head of School him or herself.

Delegation of responsibility

(104) Proceedings outlined in this Policy will be conducted, or coordinated, by the persons holding the positions specified in the Policy. Where, because of unforeseeable circumstances or for serious logistical reasons or unit organisational requirements, alternative arrangements need to be made, a nominee may be appointed and officially recorded in writing. The appointment shall be made as follows:

  1. in place of a Teacher of the Unit, by the relevant Head of School;
  2. in place of a Unit Coordinator, by the relevant Head of School;
  3. in place of a head of school, by the Head of School or by the relevant college Executive Dean;
  4. in place of a chair of a College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee, by the Chair of Academic Senate, in consultation with the relevant College's Executive Dean.

(105) Whenever a nominee is so appointed, the appointing officer will ensure that the nominee is either already experienced in the role and in the operation of this Policy, or that he or she receives appropriate advice and/or training for the role.

Recording of all Misconduct Allegations and Proceedings

(106) At every stage of the above processes for consideration of an allegation of academic misconduct, the relevant Unit Coordinator, Head of School, Chair of a College Academic Standards and Integrity Commitee or Senate Academic Standards and Integrity Committee must ensure that all proceedings and associated papers are formally recorded in an appropriate academic misconduct 'meeting' file, in TRIM. In addition, the relevant administrative officer must ensure that a record of the decision under the Policy, in the form of a 'summary record,' is placed as a 'Student document - academic misconduct' document type in the student's electronic file, in TRIM. [Refer to the document, 'Guidelines for Recording Student Academic Misconduct in TRIM,' attached to this Policy as 'Associated Information'.]