how to lodge an external appeal - bond university
TRANSCRIPT
APPEALS AGAINST
DECISIONS
BOND UNIVERSITY
A QUICK GUIDE TO THE GRIEVANCE APPEALS PROCESS
HOW TO LODGE AN EXTERNAL APPEAL
APPEAL TO THE STUDENT OMBUDSMAN
If you are unsatisfied with the decision of the Decisions Review Committee, you may lodge an appeal to the
Student Ombudsman. Your Letter of Appeal should clearly state the decision against which you are appealing and the grounds for your appeal.
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
You must submit your Letter of Appeal, within 14 semester days of being notified of the outcome, to the Manager, Academic Secretariat, who will forward it to the Ombudsman within 5 days along with all the documentation from the meeting of the Decisions Review Committee.
The Student Ombudsman will conduct whatever investigations he/she considers necessary and may or may not interview you. The Ombudsman will advise you of his/her decision and the reasons for the decision in writing and will provide a report and recommendation to the Vice Chancellor or Deputy Vice Chancellor normally within 20 working days.
The Manager, Academic Secretariat, will advise you of the outcome of your appeal to the Ombudsman and the action the University will take in response to the Ombudsman’s report within 5 semester days of receipt of the report.
CURRENT & INTENDING OVERSEAS STUDENTS
If you wish to lodge an external appeal or complain about a decision, you can contact the Overseas Student Ombudsman, who offers a free and independent service for overseas students. See the Overseas Students Ombudsman website www.oso.gov.au or phone 1300 362 072 for more information.
You must advise the Manager, Academic Secretariat, within 14 semester days of being advised of the outcome from the Decisions Review Committee, that you have appealed to the Overseas Student Ombudsman. The Manager will advise the Student Business Centre accordingly.
Academic Secretariat
Bond University
Gold Coast Queensland 4229
Australia
Manager
Academic Secretariat
P: +61 7 5595 1045
Useful Contacts:
BUSA Advocacy Director
P: +61 7 5595 4009
Overseas Student Ombudsman
P: 1300 362 072
www.oso.gov.au
Useful Information:
Student Handbook
bond.edu.au/handbook
CRICOS PROVIDER CODE 00017B
Information correct at time of printing (November 2017).
HOW TO LODGE AN INTERNAL APPEAL
APPEAL TO THE FACULTY
You should initially approach the original decision maker to discuss the decision.
In the case of the grade you received in a subject, for example, the decision maker would be the lecturer or
subject coordinator.
If you are unsatisfied with the outcome of these discussions, you may request in writing a formal review of the decision by the relevant Senior Officer. This is usually the Dean of your Faculty for academic matters or the Pro Vice Chancellor (Students & Academic Support) for administrative matters.
You must lodge your request within 14 semester days of the original decision (or, in the case of a Review of Grade, by the first Wednesday of the semester following the final examination or assessment) clearly stating the decision you want reviewed and the grounds for your request. (The BUSA Advocacy Director may be able to assist you with the appeals process.)
The relevant Senior Officer or delegate will advise you of the outcome of the review in writing within 14 semester days (but note that a Review of Grade may take several weeks).
APPEAL TO THE DECISIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE
If you are unsatisfied with the decision of the Senior Officer, you may lodge an appeal to the Decisions Review Committee.
You must submit your Letter of Appeal within 14 semester days of being notified of the outcome to: [email protected]
Or in writing to: Manager, Academic Secretariat Office of PVC (Students & Academic Support) Level 5, The Arch Humanities & Social Sciences Building
The Committee membership will vary depending on whether your appeal relates to an academic or administrative matter but will always include a BUSA representative.
Your letter to the Committee should clearly state the decision against which you are appealing and the grounds for your appeal. Attach any relevant documentation or evidence that substantiates the statements made in your letter.
On receipt of your letter, the Manager, Academic Secretariat, will organize a meeting of the Committee to consider your case. The Manager will advise you in writing of the date and location of the meeting in due course so that you may attend to present your case and answer any questions.
When considering your appeal, the Decisions Review Committee will ascertain if correct procedures have been followed, whether or not you have provided new information not previously considered, and what you have indicated as the specific grounds for your appeal. The Committee will decide to uphold or dismiss your appeal or to vary a previous decision based on the information available to it. The Manager will inform you of this decision in writing normally within 5 days following the meeting.
There is no other avenue of appeal within the University.
ABOUT THIS GUIDE
This guide aims to assist students who are considering an appeal against any decision made by Bond University. You should also refer to the Student Handbook (Part 2 Academic Regulations Division 9, and, for appeals relating to disciplinary matters, Part 3 Discipline Regulations Division 3) available at www.bond.edu.au/handbook
OVERVIEW
The University’s Division 9 Regulations provide a fair and equitable approach to appeals and provide for the review of any decision made at the University other than those relating to disciplinary matters. All students have access to these appeal procedures and all Bond University staff members should be familiar with them.
YOUR RIGHTS
At no stage of the appeals process will you be in any way discriminated against or victimized and, if you wish, you may be accompanied and assisted by a third party, who is not a legal counsel or solicitor.
You will receive written notification of any decisions made or actions taken at every stage of the process.
THE APPEALS PROCESS
OMBUDSMAN
INTERNAL APPEALS
EXTERNAL APPEALS
DECISIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE
FACULTY