1997 Swinburne Higher Education Handbook

Leave of Absence will be eligible for a refund of the General
Service Fee only if their application is received prior to 31
March 1997 for semester one or 31 August 1997 for semester
Students are eligible to apply for the equivalent of two
semesters leave.
Requests for variations to the above procedures must be set
out in writing to the Senior Administrator for consideration
by the Academic Assembly.
Student assessment and performance
Assessment of student performance regulations
All full-time and part-time students enrolled in the
undergraduate courses offered by the Division are expected
to maintain a minimum academic standard to be allowed to
continue their studies. Assessment of student performance
is carried out in accordance with the University's
Assessment Policies and Procedures as set out in the
'Procedures and Regulations' chapter of the Handbook.
Student performance is assessed by various methods, such as
formal examinations, tests held during the semester, project
work and assignments. A statement of the workload
requirements and the assessment program for each subject is
given to all students attending classes by the end of the
second week of each semester.
Special Consideration/lnterruption to studies
Students prevented by illness or other serious cause from
satisfying attendance or assessment requirements may apply
for Special Consideration. Application form which is
available from the Divisional Office.
Special examinations
Granting of a special examination is not automatic but a
student may apply for a special examination if they are
absent from the whole or part of an examination due to
illness or other misadventure. Any application must be
made on the Special Examination form no later than midday
of the third working day after the day of the examination.
The form. which is available from the Divisional Office.
must be signed by either a medical practitioner, a counsellor
from Student Services, Swinburne University; or other
person of authority as deemed appropriate. Later receipt of
supporting documentation may be negotiated between the
student and the Division.
Students-at risk program
Students who do not pass at least fifty percent of their
enrolled load in any semester will be identified as being 'at
risk' and will be advised of their status by letter within one
week of the publication of results for that semester. Such
students may be required to attend a performance review
session conducted by the Division or to attend an interview
with the Head of Studies (or nominee) or both.
Unsatisfactory ~edormance
A student whose performance is unsatisfactory will be
required to repeat the failed subject(s) at the earliest
opportunity. If a student has completed the necessary
prerequisite subjects, they may also be permitted to enrol in
, .
additional subjects from the next stage of the program. This
additional enrolment is conditional uDon the timetable
allowing attendance at all classes and no enrolment will be
permitted in classes that overlap. If there is any change in
the timetable which results in overlapping classes, it will be
the responsibility of the student to notify the Division of
the overlap and make the appropriate amendment to their
enrolment. The existence of overlapping classes will not be
accepted as an excuse for unsatisfactory performance.
Unsatisfactory academic progress
The academic progress of a student will be considered to be
unsatisfactory if:
in the two most recent semesters in which the student
was enrolled (excluding summer school), the student fails at
least fifty per cent of their enrolled workload; or
a student fails a subject for the second time; or
the student fails to meet any conditions previously
imposed by the Progress Review Committee (refer below).
. .
Show cause a~~lications
Students whose progress is considered unsatisfactory will be
advised in writing of their status within one week of results
being released, and advised that a recommendation has been
made that they should be excluded from the course in which
they are enrolled. Such students are entitled to make a show
cause application to the Student Progress Review
Committee (refer below) stating why they should not be
excluded. No student will be excluded from the course
without first being given the opportunity to show cause to
the Student Progress Review Committee. Failure to make
contact with the Committee will result in the exclusion of
the student before the beginning of the next academic
semester. No student will be permitted to re-enrol until the
outcome of their show cause application is known.
Show cause applications must be addressed to the Chair of
the Student Progress Review Committee and lodged at the
Divisional Office by the date specified in the letter to the
student advising them of their status.
Student Progress Review Committee
Composition
The composition of the committee will be:
a Chair nominated by the Academic Assembly;
at least two other members, all from academic staff
teaching in the relevant courses;
the Course Administrator (Secretary); and
where requested by the student, the President of the
Student Union or nominee who may be present at the
Committee for the consideration of that case only.
Procedure
Upon receipt of a show cause application from a student,
the Chair and Secretary of the Student Progress Review
Committee, will review the case and decide whether it will
be necessary to interview the student.
Additional information from appropriate academic staff
about the student's academic work may be sought by the
Swinburne University of Technology 1997 Handbook 151