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Part A - Introduction

1. Objectives

In line with its Mission, the University aims to promote and maintain a supportive learning environment within which students can optimise their personal, academic and professional development. The aim of the Student Grievance Management Policy is to provide fair and equitable processes which enable student concerns to be addressed as quickly as possible and at a level as close to the source of the concern as possible.

2. Principles

The Student Grievance Management Policy is based on the following principles:

  1. All actions under this policy are to be based on values and virtues that are Christian and to be underpinned by principles of procedural fairness. These principles of procedural fairness apply to all students, staff and others who may be involved.
  2. All matters are to be addressed as quickly as possible and as close as possible to their source.
  3. All parties to a concern or grievance have the right to be -
    1. heard
    2. treated without bias or pre-judgement
    3. informed of any allegation made which relates to them
    4. provided with an opportunity to respond to any allegation pertaining to them
    5. informed about the status of any concern or grievance which has been formally raised and to which they are a party.
  4. Students will not suffer any disadvantage as a result of raising a grievance.
  5. Any staff member the subject of or associated with any student concern or grievance will participate in actions taken under this policy with a view to addressing the matter.
  6. All aspects of the process are to be transparent. This policy and associated procedures are readily accessible via the web and/or on University notice boards.
  7. Appropriate confidentiality is to be maintained at all times.

3. Definitions

Grievant means a person who has initiated the grievance.

Respondent means a person against whom a grievance has been initiated under this policy.

Principles of procedural fairness in the context of this policy is defined as the right to be given a fair hearing and the opportunity to present one’s case, the right to have a decision made by an unbiased or disinterested decision-maker and the right to have that decision based on logically testable evidence.

Appropriate confidentiality refers to situations when a senior officer of the University may disclose to another as much information as is necessary for the explicit purposes of clarification or assistance to enable the grievance process to be facilitated.

4. Scope of the policy

4.1 This policy will apply to management of grievances arising between parties including:

  1. student:student
  2. student:staff member
  3. student:external agency - such as those co-operating with the University’s practical placements (eg clinical, school, business placements).

4.2 This policy applies in cases other than those addressed in other specific policies or regulations (see 4.3 below) or in legislation applicable within the relevant jurisdiction.

4.3 The following are specifically excluded from the scope of this policy as they are covered by the nominated policies and processes:

Subject of concern or grievance Relevant policy
Decision regarding a grade in a unit Academic Regulations, Regulation 8
Decision regarding termination of enrolment Academic Regulations, Regulation 8
Sexual harassment Sexual Harassment Policy
Decision relating to conditions of candidature of a research or professional doctorate degree student Research and Professional Doctorate Degree Regulations
Conduct which is a breach of the Academic Honesty Policy Academic Honesty Policy
Conduct which is a breach of Student Conduct and Discipline Statute 10 Student Conduct and Discipline
Intellectual property Intellectual Property Policy
Unacceptable use of the internet Computer, Internet and Telephone Acceptable Use