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. Such grievances may include, but are not limited to, equal opportunity complaints, complaints related to access and conditions, and complaints related to teaching or support services, or provision of faculty facilities.
2.1 Any student (as defined by Statute 1.1) or any student enrolled in a non-award course, who believes that he or she has been unfairly treated by an academic or administrative decision (other than a decision made pursuant to Statute 4.1, Statute 6.2 or Statute 6.3), has the right to seek redress through these procedures.
2.2 Any grievance may relate to any matter other than:
2.2.1 matters covered in the statutes governing Discipline (Statute 4.1), Exclusion for Unsatisfactory Progress (Statute 6.2) or Exclusion for Health Reasons (Statute 6.3) in which case the procedures prescribed in the statutes must be used;
2.2.2 matters that relate to sexual harassment grievances which are to be dealt with under the provisions of the university `Sexual Harassment Grievances Procedures'.
2.3 In these procedures the term `the parties' means the aggrieved student (and any person who represents the aggrieved student) who constitutes the aggrieved party, and any member of staff or any School/department of the faculty (and any person who represents that member of staff or school), being the other party.
3.1 Members of the Student 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 a party to the proceedings.
3.2 Proceedings will be conducted in closed hearing. 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 and the committee.
4.1 Complainants must be given the opportunity to settle grievances within the jurisdiction of the university.
4.2 It is expected that in the first instance students will attempt to resolve grievances in an informal manner. However, if this preferred procedure is inappropriate, an alternative `grievances pathway' may be followed.
4.4 Where a grievance is not resolved informally it may be referred by the student in writing to the dean through the associate dean (undergraduate teaching) or associate dean (graduate teaching) as appropriate or the faculty registrar who must either convene a Student Grievance Committee; or enquire into the complaint and attempt to negotiate a resolution.
4.5 A grievance is deemed to have been resolved when: the aggrieved party lodges a written withdrawal of the grievance, with the consent of the other party; or a settlement has been agreed to in writing by the parties, or a period of time of six months has elapsed with no contact from the complainant.
4.6 where a grievance is referred to the dean under section 4.4 this must be lodged by the student with the dean no later than six months from the event that gave rise to the grievance.
Membership of the Student Grievance Committee will normally be: a member of the faculty staff as chairperson appointed by the dean; a nominee of the appropriate student association; a course director or nominee, nominated by the relevant head of department and who is acceptable to the complainant; a nominee from the appropriate staff association to which the respondent belongs or is eligible to belong, and who is acceptable to the respondent, or other staff member acceptable to the respondent; and one representative for each party as outlined in 6.5.
An additional member may be co-opted from the relevant professional body where professional matters are involved.
The secretary to the Student Grievance Committee will be appointed by the faculty's dean and the faculty registrar.
6.1 The Student Grievance Committee will commence its proceedings within ten working days of its establishment and referral to it of a matter for deliberation.
6.2 The Student Grievance Committee will enquire into the grievance calling for submissions and evidence which it deems relevant.
6.3 The parties to a grievance are to have access to all information relevant to `the grievance'.
6.4 The Student Grievance Committee must give the parties to a grievance reasonable opportunity to be heard and to present such materials and evidence in support of their submissions as may be relevant.
6.5 Each party to the grievance has the right to be accompanied and/or represented by one other person from the university and that person has the right to be heard.
6.6 The Student Grievance Committee should normally complete the hearing of a grievance within twenty working days from the date of commencement of the hearing. Hearings shall be conducted with a minimum of formality.
6.7 After considering the matter the Student Grievance Committee must make a confidential written report to the dean with a statement that the grievance has been settled; or the parties are to undertake certain agreed courses of action; or where the grievance remains unresolved a recommendation that the dean attempt a resolution or take other action as appropriate.
6.8 Following receipt of the advice from the Student Grievance Committee the dean must advise the parties involved in writing of the outcome within ten working days.
6.9 The chairperson must monitor the settlement for up to six months after resolution to ascertain whether the desired effect has been achieved and may recommend to the dean that further steps be taken.
6.10 The secretary of the Student Grievance Committee shall keep the only record of proceedings. The record of the Student Grievance Committee must include the date of the hearing; the membership of the Student Grievance Committee; the general nature of the grievance; a brief outline of proceedings; the general nature of evidence; and the findings and recommendations of the Student Grievance Committee. Records of proceedings must be kept for a period of twelve months after which time they will be destroyed.
6.11 The Student Grievance Committee will report annually to the faculty board on the number and general nature of grievances received and their outcome.
6.12 Subject to the foregoing the Student Grievance Committee is to regulate its own proceedings.
6.13 The procedures will be reviewed by the faculty board from time to time.
The manager for student relations and inquiries receives complaints from students about administrative matters and is charged with investigating and settling complaints.
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