Appeals process

Go to other sections of the Student Administration Manual:

Table of Contents Important dates Academic honesty and plagiarism Academic prizes Appeals process Remarking Applying for extension units of study Approval of award course plans Assignment coversheets Attendance Computer access and Blackboard Cross-institutional study (outbound) Course leave Credit Dean's list for academic excellence Deferment of enrolment (potential students) Discontinuation due to illness or misadventure - DNF Discontinuation of enrolment Distribution of grades Enrolments and variations of enrolments Exceeding a standard semester full-time load Faculty structure Further testing Graduations Honours and honours preparation MyUni PhD coursework requirements Recording devices in lectures and tutorials Special arrangements for examinations and assessment Special consideration Students at Risk and Show Cause leading to possible exclusion Student conduct Student email Student feedback Student inquiries Students with disabilities Summer School Swipe cards Timetable changes Timing of assessment Transfer between award courses Upgrades for postgraduate courses University insurance policy for student's work experience Waiving of prerequisites or corequisites Weighted Average Mark (WAM) GLOSSARY

1. Appeal Against Final Grade / Appeal Against Academic Decisions
2. Non-academic appeals/grievances procedure
3. Appeals requesting review of Learning Entitlement and FEE-Help Decisions

Students are encouraged to provide general feedback or constructive criticism.

1. Appeal against final grade / Appeal against academic decisions

Introduction

A student may appeal against a mark or grade given for a single assessment task, the final mark for a unit of study, or any decision relating to their degree. The University's appeals process is comprehensive, allowing the student the opportunity first to attempt a resolution of the matter informally with the individual staff member concerned, then if necessary to take the matter through a series of formal stages at Faculty and University level.

This policy does not apply to complaints of harassment and discrimination, which are handled under the University's Harassment and Discrimination Resolution Procedure

University Policy

The University operates on the basis that academic decisions (eg. in relation to assessment, examining, etc.) are entrusted to members of the academic staff acting in accordance with proper procedures established by the Faculty.

The University's procedures for student appeals against academic decisions are set out in the Resolutions of Senate relating to Student Appeals against Academic Decisions. The University's procedures for student appeals against exclusion from the University are set out in section 18 of the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (as amended).

The University requires that a student wishing to appeal an academic decision commences the appeals process within 15 working days of the decision, or, for unit of study results, within 15 working days of the release of results.

Faculty Policy

Special Consideration: Students wishing to appeal a Special Consideration decisions should submit their informal appeal to the SIO, which will forward it to the Special Consideration Panel for review.

Group work appeals: An appeal against the mark granted for a group work assessment task are only considered if ALL group members submit/sign the appeal. As all students will be affected by the outcome of any remark, all must request that the mark be reviewed. An informal appeal (file note) or a formal appeal will not be accepted without all students in the group signing the appeal request or providing written consent.

A single student or part of a group can discuss the assessment task or request an explanation for the mark from the marker. This request will not result in any alteration of the mark.

Steps to follow

Informal process

1. A student concerned about a mark or grade should first discuss the issue informally with the relevant teacher or Unit of Study Coordinator. This needs to be done within 15 working days of the academic decision. To organise an informal meeting, the student submits a file note (available from the SIO or Discipline) at the relevant Discipline office. The teacher or Unit of Study Coordinator concerned will then contact the student to make an appointment to review their case. A Student wishing to appeal a decision made by an officer of the SIO should submit a file note to the SIO. A Student Administration Manager will investigate the appeal.
2. The teacher, Unit of Study Coordinator or Student Administration Manager should then deal with the issue promptly, and give the student a full explanation of the reasons for the decision.
3. The staff member completes the file note submitted by the student. A copy of the file note is given to the student and the original is securely filed in the Discipline Office or SIO, as appropriate.
4. Many complaints should be resolved at this stage. If, however, the student's concerns are not resolved at the end of the informal process, the Unit of Study Coordinator or Student Administration Manager refers the student to the formal appeals process.

Formal process

Stage 1 - Appeal to Director of Academic Appeals

1. If the appeal cannot be resolved informally, the student should put the complaint in writing to the Director of Academic Appeals. This needs to be done within 15 working days of finishing the informal process. Letters of appeal can be submitted at the SIO.
2. If the Director of Academic Appeals is the teacher/Unit of Study Co-ordinator, the appeal will be forwarded to another member of staff for action.
3. The Director of Academic Appeals will acknowledge receipt of a formal complaint in writing within three working days and will attempt to resolve the matter within 10 working days.
4. The Director of Academic Appeals will send a letter notifying the student of his/her decision by email. This letter will explain the reasons for the decision and notify the student of any further right of appeal.

Stage 2 - Appeal to Student Appeals Body

1. If the appeal cannot be resolved at Stage 1 of the formal appeals process, the student has the right to appeal to the Student Appeals Body. Information about the Student Appeals Body is available on the Secretariat and Student Affairs website.

Additional information for international students: If an international student is not satisfied with the result or conduct of the internal grievance and appeals processes set out above, they will be advised of their right to complain to the NSW Ombudsman.

2. Non-academic appeals/grievances procedure

Introduction

A student who is concerned about a non-academic decision made or action taken by the Faculty may request that it be reviewed. A non-academic decision is a decision made by the Faculty that is not directly related to a student's academic assessment or progress in their degree. It may relate, for example, to a scholarship or prize, an internship or activity of the Careers and Employers Office, a student club or society, alumni activities or a faculty fundraising event.

Steps to follow

1. A student who is concerned about a non-academic decision should, in the first instance, discuss their grievance with the relevant University officer. This needs to be done within 15 working days of the decision.
2. The relevant University officer will notify the student of any action taken or any decision made by them in relation to the grievance.
3. If, following discussion with the relevant University officer, a student's grievance is not resolved to their satisfaction, the Student can address their grievance in writing to Student Administration Manager - Client Services, who will consider the appeal or refer it to the Student Administration Manager - Operations or Manager, Careers and Employer Relations as appropriate. The written grievance can be submitted at the Student Information Office. This needs to be done within 15 working days of the response in point 2.
4. The relevant Manager will acknowledge receipt of the grievance in writing within 10 working days and will subsequently notify the student of any action taken and the reasons for their decision.
5. If the grievance has not been resolved through the process outlined above, the student can address their grievance in writing to the Associate Dean (Undergraduate) or the Associate Dean (Postgraduate). The Associate Deans act as the Dean's delegates on all matters pertaining to non-academic grievances. The written grievance can be submitted at the Student Information Office.
6. The Associate Dean will acknowledge receipt of the grievance in writing within 10 working days and will subsequently notify the student of any action taken and reasons for their decision.

The Associate Dean is the final point of appeal within the University for non-academic appeals/grievances.

3. Appeals requesting review of Learning Entitlement and Fee-Help decisions

A student who has a Commonwealth Supported Place (formally a HECS place) or uses Fee-Help may request an internal review of a University decision relating to their Student Learning Entitlement or Fee-Help. More information and forms are available on the Student Centre website.

See also: Remarking, Student feedback.

<< Academic prizes  |  Remarking >>