Advocacy & Welfare

What is academic misconduct?

At UNE, academic misconduct is officially defined as: “behaviour where a student would want to gain an academic advantage they are not entitled to, whilst disadvantaging someone else.” Basically, this refers to actions like plagiarism, cheating, re-using old assignments (even if they are your own) and not correctly referencing or crediting the work of another author.

How can Advocacy and Welfare help?

Receiving allegations like this can be really scary, but before you panic remember that this is exactly why Advocacy and Welfare exist!

Here are 5 simple steps to follow that will help you secure the best possible outcome:

1. Forward the email you received notifying you of the allegation to advocacy@une.edu.au
2. Hold tight and don’t respond to the allegation until you’ve heard back from us! We’ll be able to let you know what information you need to gather and what the best approach to your situation is.
3. Start thinking about how you would like to address your notice. You’ll be given the option of responding in writing or in a meeting (if you’re not sure, we can advise you on this too)
4. Take our suggestions on board as you draft a response or prepare additional materials. Trust us, we’ve been doing this for a long time, and we understand the process.
5. Once we have perfected your response together, it’s time to take action! Make sure you’re aware of when your response is due and keep in communication with us until the matter has been resolved.

What is behavioural misconduct?

At UNE, behavioural misconduct is anything that contravenes the expectations outlined in the Student Behavioural Misconduct Rules, for college residents this will also include the Residential College Code of Conduct. It includes actions like discriminatory behaviour, threats of violence, damage to property or creating an unsafe environment.

How can Advocacy & Welfare help?

Receiving allegations like this can feel overwhelming, but before you panic remember that this is exactly why Advocacy & Welfare exist!

Here are 5 simple steps to follow that will help you secure the best possible outcome:

1. Forward the email you received notifying you of the allegation to advocacy@une.edu.au
2. Hold tight and don’t respond to the allegation until you’ve heard back from us! We’ll be able to let you know what information you need to gather and what the best approach to your situation is.
3. Start thinking about how you would like to address your notice. You’ll be given the option of responding in writing or in a meeting (if you’re not sure, we can advise you on this too)
4. Take our suggestions on board as you draft a response or prepare additional materials. Trust us, we’ve been doing this for a long time, and we understand the process.
5. Once we have perfected your response together, it’s time to take action! Make sure you’re aware of when your response is due and keep in communication with us until the matter has been resolved.

Our team of Independent Student Advocates are trained and have experience helping students through upsetting and difficult situations – we can point you in the right direction for support.

We are here to help you decide what the best course of action is to resolve the issue.

We can help you develop a formal, written complaint or even explore other mediation possibilities.

What you should do;

• The first thing to remember is – Never submit a complaint while angry!
• There are no time limits on complaints – we are here for you when you are ready.
• Contact us ASAP. Advocacy@une.edu.au | 02 6773 3116

We have Independent Student Advocates who have experience helping students navigate Progression Alerts.

This can be a scary email to receive form UNE but we will work together to get the best outcome possible for you.

It is very important to submit a response before the due date and to contact us with enough time to help!

What you should do;

• Don’t panic, we’re here to help you.
• Contact us ASAP. Advocacy@une.edu.au | 02 6773 3116
• Keep studying your current units!
• You will need to start thinking about your draft (do not send without us) response and gathering your supporting documents.

We have Independent Student Advocates who have experience helping students present the best case for a Remission of Fees application.

We are on your team, we are here to help you provide the best possible application.

• Don’t panic, we’re here to help you.
• You have 12 months after you withdraw, or the end of the trimester to apply.
• Remember that each application relates to one trimester only
• Contact us ASAP. Advocacy@une.edu.au | 02 6773 3116
• You will need to start thinking about your draft (do not send it without us) response and gathering your supporting documents.

If your application is approved, you will have your fees refunded (either directly or via HECS Help) and you will receive a withdrawal grade.

What is Withdrawal Without Academic Penalty?

Because the census date (the last day to withdraw without financial penalty) comes around pretty early within a Trimester, you might find yourself wanting to drop a unit after the census has passed. This is where Withdrawal Without Academic Penalty comes in. While dropping a unit after census will still incur a financial liability (meaning you will still be required to pay for the unit), ensuring you make this call before the deadline for Withdrawal Without Academic Penalty means that your GPA won’t be affected and your grade will be noted as ‘W’ for withdrawn rather than ‘N’, which is a fail grade.

How can Advocacy & Welfare support me?

Our advocates can talk you through the process step by step and direct you on how to best prepare your application.

What is a special extension of time (SET)?

If unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances prevent you from completing assessments in the current trimester, you can apply to have an extension up until the last day of teaching for the following trimester. You have five days to submit your application from the start of the exam period of the trimester.

How can Advocacy help?

As part of the process of applying for a SET, you will need to draft a personal statement and gather supporting documentation. We can support you by providing feedback to strengthen your personal statement and suggest supporting documentation relevant to your circumstances.

Contact us via email advocacy@une.edu.au or by phone (02) 6773 3116 to make an appointment to speak with an Independent Student Advocate about your situation.

What is special consideration?

If unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances negatively impact your academic performance in a trimester, you can apply for up to an additional 3% of marks to be applied to your final grade. You have five days to submit your application after your last exam or assessment for the trimester.

How Advocacy & Welfare can help?

As part of the process of applying for special consideration, you will need to draft a personal statement and gather supporting documentation. We can support you by providing feedback to strengthen your personal statement and suggest supporting documentation relevant to your circumstances.

Contact us via email advocacy@une.edu.au or by phone (02) 6773 3116 to make an appointment to speak with an Independent Student Advocate about your situation.

What is a deferred exam (special exam)?

If unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances prevent you from sitting an exam, or from performing as well as you normally would, you can apply to have your exam deferred to the following trimester’s exam period.

You have five days to submit your application after your last exam for the trimester in which you were originally meant to sit the exam. Note that some schools offer early deferred exams, which can be taken early in the following trimester. If available, this will be offered to you after you apply for a deferred exam.

How Advocacy & Welfare can help?

As part of the process of applying for a deferred (special) exam, you will need to draft a personal statement and gather supporting documentation. We can support you by providing feedback to strengthen your personal statement and suggest supporting documentation relevant to your circumstances.

Contact us via email advocacy@une.edu.au or by phone (02) 6773 3116 to make an appointment to speak with an Independent Student Advocate about your situation.

We have Independent Student Advocates who have experience helping students present the best case for their appeals.

• These are due within 10 working days of the assessment result
• Remember that the appeals involve individual assessments – not entire units
• Contact us ASAP. Advocacy@une.edu.au | 02 6773 3116
• Start to think about why the marking was inconsistent with guidance provided.
• A successful appeal results in an independent re-mark

Who can apply for the Student Emergency Assistance Fund?

The Student Emergency Assistance Fund is a one-off payment that provides students experiencing financial hardship with quick response grants. To apply, you must be a current UNE student and be able to demonstrate that financial hardship is impacting your ability to study. This applies to students experiencing natural disasters, family circumstances, medical emergencies or other unforeseen, one-off, problems.

How do I apply?

Simply contact our Advocacy & Welfare team at Advocacy@une.edu.au | 02 6773 3116 and one of our advocates will walk you through the process step-by-step. Please be aware that you will be required to provide supporting documentation and an outline of why you need the funds and how they will help you to continue studying at UNE.

If it is not a service we directly accommodate or advocate for, we can help direct you to other resources and services that can. Some things we can direct you to are:

• Centrelink
• Emergency Grants
• Tax Help
• Accommodation Options
• Health Centres and Resources

If you find yourself needing some support during your studies, we can direct you to the UNE service that you need, or even walk you through how to book an appointment with them.

• Mental Health Support
• Equity & Accessibility Support
• Study Support
• URGENT Mental Health Support Line – Available 24/7 – 1300 661 927 (Text: 0488 884 169)