Handbook 2009

Appeals and Student Grievances

A review of the Student Appeals procedures is under way, and changes may be made in early 2009. These changes will be updated in the online Handbook.

Comprehensive information about what steps students can take if they have a grievance about the services provided by the University, or wish to appeal a University decision, can be found at

http://www.oss.murdoch.edu.au/grievances/

Appeals Against Unit Results

A student may appeal against the final grade awarded in any unit. Students must submit their appeal in writing along with a student appeal form to the Secretary of the Student Appeals Committee, within 15 working days of the posting of results on MyInfo. Student appeals forms can be accessed from

http://www.oss.murdoch.edu.au/forms/

Students must outline the grounds for appeal and argue their case well. Students are encouraged to provide supporting documentation to support their claims. In instances where a student has been awarded supplementary assessment, it is not possible to submit an appeal as a final grade has yet to be given.

Valid grounds for submitting an appeal include:

the grade was not based on the assessment methods specified in a study guide or unit handout at the start of the unit;
a piece of work handed in on time had not been marked;
the student’s progress in the unit had been disadvantaged by not obtaining feedback on assessed work within a reasonable time;
demonstrated bias by the tutor or Unit Coordinator against the student that affected the grade or mark awarded to the student (this allegation must be supported by specific instances);
alleged wrong advice from staff teaching the unit (for example, regarding the content of the examination or approval of an extension for an assignment);
the assessment methods used were in breach of the Assessment Policy, unless an exception has been approved by the Assessment Committee;
other grounds (except those in the list of not valid grounds) if the Appeals Committee accepts these as reasonable.

Academic Council has determined that the following are not valid grounds:

the objectives of the unit;
the assessment methods approved for the unit;
the standard required to receive particular grades in the unit;
a study overload;
personal and medical problems, which normally should be dealt with by deferred assessment;
financial implications of not passing the unit; grades received by the student in other units;
the amount of work the student has done;
a penalty imposed for plagiarism in accordance with University guidelines (see Dishonesty in Assessment above);
general grievances;
poor teaching;
the need for additional marks to enable a pass/grade; and
a delay in receiving written notification of a supplementary assessment.

Appeals are heard by the Student Appeals Committee, whose decision on the merits of the appeal is final. Prior to the meeting of the Committee, appellants may request access to written staff comments on the appeal, and may provide a written response. Where an appeal is unsuccessful, the student will be provided with a brief statement of the reason(s).

For further information, see Bachelor Degree Regulation 49,

the Assessment Policy

http://www.murdoch.edu.au/admin/policies/assessment.html

the Appeals Procedure

http://www.murdoch.edu.au/oss/legacy_pages/appeals.html

and Student Appeals and Grievances Handling Procedures

http://www.oss.murdoch.edu.au/grievances/