Rights & Responsibilities

The University is a community of scholars, students, administrative and support staff who are committed to the pursuit of excellence in research, scholarship, teaching and learning and academic support. As part of this scholarly community, you may have questions about what you can expect from the University and what it expects from you. The Student Expectations and Responsibilities Policy policy sets out the expectations students can reasonably have as they participate in their education at the University. It also documents what the University expects of students while undertaking their studies in order for them to gain full benefit from the Melbourne Experience.

Special Consideration

Special Consideration exists to support students experiencing significant difficulties, whether due to illness or other causes. It is not intended for students who may have a number of exams or a number of essays or projects due at the same time - that is a normal part of University study and you are expected to prepare accordingly. Applications for Special Consideration should be submitted in advance of due dates or exams whenever feasible, however, when an illness or other cause has led to the need to apply after the date, you typically have three working days to submit your application. Read the University policy on Special Consideration.

Grievances

You can pursue a grievance about any action or decision by any member of staff or committee if you seriously think that you have been unfairly disadvantaged. Grievances, however, are not for issues of discrimination, bullying or sexual harassment – these are dealt with independently of academic grievances. Nor is simply disagreeing with a mark you received considered a grievance – you should speak to your faculty and possibly seek a review of the mark in that case. If you do feel you have been unfairly disadvantaged by a decision, in the first instance it is most useful to seek advice from your postgraduate coordinator or supervisor. If you need further or other advice, the following services exist as well:

Read more about the University's policy for handling grievances.

Advice and Advocacy - UMPA

As well as being available as a postgraduate advocacy in grievance cases, UMPA provides advice and advocacy on a number of other postgraduate issues, including:

Read more about advocacy and advice offered by UMPA.

Further Reading

Index