Advocacy

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 advice 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 advice 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 through Show Cause determinations.

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 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 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 Special Consideration, Special Exams and Extensions of Time?

You might need to apply for Special Consideration or an Extension of Time when unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances have negatively affected your academic performance. Special Consideration is what you apply for after you have completed an exam or assessment, whereas an Extension of Time is an opportunity to take extra time above and beyond a standard extension to do your assessments or exam. The maximum time allowed is until the end of the next trimester. You may be given an earlier due date though. You must apply for these within 5 days of the start of the exam period. Special Exams are opportunities to re-sit exams that you were unable to attend, or where extenuating circumstances impacted your performance. Special Consideration (if granted) can boost your final grade by up to 3% to reflect the outcome you may have achieved if circumstances had not intervened. An Extension of Time is useful when you know you won’t be able to make a deadline or will be struggling to complete an assessment or make it to an exam.

How can Advocacy & Welfare support me?

Advocacy & Welfare are available to help students with any step of the process. From letting you know what you’re eligible to apply for, guidance with the preparation of your application and supporting documents right down to where to submit, A&W is here for you!

What is Special Consideration, Special Exams and Extensions of Time?

You might need to apply for Special Consideration or an Extension of Time when unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances have negatively affected your academic performance. Special Consideration is what you apply for after you have completed an exam or assessment, whereas an Extension of Time is an opportunity to take extra time above and beyond a standard extension to do your assessments or exam. The maximum time allowed is until the end of the next trimester. You may be given an earlier due date though. You must apply for these within 5 days of the start of the exam period. Special Exams are opportunities to re-sit exams that you were unable to attend, or where extenuating circumstances impacted your performance. Special Consideration (if granted) can boost your final grade by up to 3% to reflect the outcome you may have achieved if circumstances had not intervened. the deadline for submission for special consideration is 5 days after you complete your final assessment for the trimester. An Extension of Time is useful when you know you won’t be able to make a deadline or will be struggling to complete an assessment or make it to an exam.

How can Advocacy & Welfare support me?

Advocacy & Welfare are available to help students with any step of the process. From letting you know what you’re eligible to apply for, guidance with the preparation of your application and supporting documents right down to where to submit, A&W is here for you!

What is Special Consideration, Special Exams and Extensions of Time?

You might need to apply for Special Consideration or an Extension of Time when unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances have negatively affected your academic performance. Special Consideration is what you apply for after you have completed an exam or assessment, whereas an Extension of Time is an opportunity to take extra time above and beyond a standard extension to do your assessments or exam. The maximum time allowed is until the end of the next trimester. You may be given an earlier due date though. You must apply for these within 5 days of the start of the exam period. Special Exams are opportunities to re-sit exams that you were unable to attend, or where extenuating circumstances impacted your performance. Special Consideration (if granted) can boost your final grade by up to 3% to reflect the outcome you may have achieved if circumstances had not intervened. An Extension of Time is useful when you know you won’t be able to make a deadline or will be struggling to complete an assessment or make it to an exam.

How can Advocacy & Welfare support me?

Advocacy & Welfare are available to help students with any step of the process. From letting you know what you’re eligible to apply for, guidance with the preparation of your application and supporting documents right down to where to submit, A&W is here for you!

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