wwwdev@monash.edu.au
Sat Jul 31 10:11:20 EST 1999
Auth:
Copyright © Monash University 1998 - All Rights Reserved - Caution
The
faculty operates student academic grievance procedures within the framework
adopted by University Council in July 1997. The Student Academic Grievance
policy is intended to cover complaints about aspects of courses, assessment, or
other matters which are the responsibility of members of the faculty's academic
staff.
These procedures are designed to facilitate confidential resolution of
grievances with a minimum of delay and formality for any student who believes
that he or she has a grievance against the faculty, where procedures for the
resolution of that grievance are not provided for by other means.
Any student (as defined in Statute 1.1) or any student enrolled in a non-award course may initiate a complaint regarding matters of academic grievance. The academic grievance procedures do not cover:
The student rights officer may act on behalf of the student in initiating the investigation, at the request of the student.
It
is expected that initially the student will attempt to resolve the matter via
informal processes which would involve the student discussing the matter
confidentially with the: (i) lecturer; (ii) lecturer's supervisor;
(iii) course coordinator/director; (iv) associate dean (teaching); or
(v) the faculty registrar.
If the informal approach to resolving the grievance does not prove to be
satisfactory, the formal student academic grievance procedures will commence.
The formal procedures for resolving a student academic grievance are as
follows:
1 The student is encouraged to resolve the difficulty with the
staff member(s) in question, in accordance with the relevant faculty or
departmental procedures.
2 If a resolution cannot be reached, the student is encouraged to
discuss the difficulty with the head of the appropriate department or school
(or nominee), or the relevant chief examiner, on a confidential basis.
3 If the difficulty has still not been resolved, a written request
for resolution of the matter may be made to the senior member of staff
nominated by the dean by either the student or the person with whom the matter
has been discussed at step two. The matter is now considered a grievance.
4 The senior member of staff nominated by the dean may then attempt
to resolve the grievance through further negotiation or mediation, or may
advise the complainant in writing that the grievance is considered to be
frivolous and/or vexatious, and that no inquiry is to be made.
5 If the grievance has not been resolved nor the complaint
dismissed, the senior member of staff nominated by the dean must convene a
faculty grievance committee, which would be established on an ad hoc
basis and would usually consist of three or four people for each case.
6 The outcome of the Faculty Grievance Committee's deliberations
must be communicated in writing to both parties involved in the grievance. This
communication should normally include an offer from the senior member of staff
nominated by the dean to debrief or otherwise provide further assistance to
either party. This communication should be registered, in order to provide
evidence of the receipt of the document.
7 The senior member of staff nominated by the dean may monitor, or
be directed by the Faculty Grievance Committee to monitor, the resolution of
the dispute for a maximum period of six months, and may wish to make further
recommendations (in writing) should the settlement not resolve the dispute to
the satisfaction of both parties.
8 A grievance case would be considered closed upon receipt by the
senior member of staff nominated by the dean of a written withdrawal of the
grievance by the complainant, or of a written agreement between the parties.
9 Decisions of the Faculty Grievance Committee or of the senior
member of staff nominated by the dean may be appealed in writing to the dean of
the faculty.
10 The dean of the faculty shall then investigate the matter, and
may establish a Grievance Appeal Panel to consider the matter.
11 The decision of the Grievance Appeal Panel shall be communicated
in writing to both parties.
12 The decision of the dean or of the Grievance Appeal Panel shall
be considered to be final.
Timelines and processes for hearing of a student academic grievance will be in
accordance with those specified in the university's student academic grievance
policy.
A
student who wishes to lodge a grievance must lodge their grievance with the
faculty that manages the degree in which he or she is enrolled. A student
enrolled on a non-award or single subject basis should lodge any grievance with
the faculty managing the subject in which they are enrolled.
The formal notice of grievance should be lodged in writing with the dean.
The faculty has appointed Mr Robert Greaves (telephone 9904 4281) as faculty mediator. Students intending to lodge an academic grievance should approach the faculty mediator prior to lodging a formal grievance.
Members
of the Student Academic Grievance Committee and parties to the proceedings or
their witnesses must not divulge any information relating to a matter which is,
or has been, before the committee to any person who is not a member of the
committee or party to the proceedings.
Proceedings will be conducted in camera. Statements, claims and other matters
put forward in these proceedings must not be used or made available for
consideration in other areas without the approval of all parties involved in
the proceedings.
The
manager for student relations and enquiries receives complaints from students
about administrative matters and is charged with investigating and settling
complaints.
Prior to formally lodging a complaint regarding administrative matters,
students are encouraged to discuss the matter with the faculty registrar.
wwwdev@monash.edu.au
Sat Jul 31 10:11:20 EST 1999