During your studies at CQUni you may need advice in understanding University policies and procedures as well as active support regarding your rights and responsibilities. The CQUni Student Association has professional and dedicated staff responsible for ensuring that student concerns are raised and handled in a non-judgmental manner and to achieve a resolution acceptable to the student wherever possible. The CQUni SA Academic Advocacy and Support Officers ensure that the correct policies and procedures are followed for all student members when providing guidance in preparing cases for Plagiarism Interviews, Review of Grades, Disciplinary Hearings, Exclusion Hearings, Faculty Hearings, Appeals and Deferred examinations. If you need information on how the University operates or who you should speak to about particular issues, we can help you. A prompt response is assured and if we are not the correct point of contact, we will find the best person to help you.

Important Fact Sheets Seeking a Review of Grade (ROG) More on ROG Process Faculty Review of Grade Brochure Appeal Fact Sheet and Form Examinations Scenarios Examinations Review Avoiding Errors and Program Advisors Letter to Exclusions or Appeals Committee Letter to Ombudsman

Click here - to view contact details for the CQUni SA Academic Advocacy and Support Staff

Assistance

Plagiarism Interviews Review of Grades Disciplinary Hearings Exclusion Hearings Deferred Examination: Assessment of Coursework Appeals Deferred Examination: Application Form Click here for assistance

Students who wish to appeal against a determination of an unsuccessful application for a Review of Grade, conditional enrolment, suspension, expulsion, exclusion or grade offered in certain circumstances must lodge a written case of appeal to the Office of the Executive Director (Corporate Services) within twenty (20) days of the receipt of an official notification from the University of the decision.

The Student Association, Academic Advocacy & Support Officer at your campus can assist you with your Appeal applications, visit: http://association.cqu.edu.au/staff/ for a complete list of CQUSA staff contact details. Students may also contact the Student Ombudsman with their Appeal application, see http://facultysite.cqu.edu.au/FCWViewer/view.do?site=46 .

An Application Form for Appeal can be found on page three (3) of the CQUni SA Appeal Fact Sheet below or available at under the USEFUL FORMS link on the CQUni SA home page.  

Click here - to download / view the Appeals Application Form

Lodge your application in hardcopy by post or fax or electronically by email to the following:

The Chair of the Appeals Committee, shall within ten days of receipt, consider the appeal in order to determine whether it should be accepted for hearing, in whole or in part, or rejected on the following basis:

•  No reasonable grounds are stated for the appeal;

•    In the case of an appeal against a decision of the Exclusions Committee, no new or different grounds are stated for the appeal from those given in response to the request for 'Show Cause', and already considered by the Faculty concerned;

•  The student has not ensured that they are in a position to receive all notifications from the University. Late or non receipt of official letters will not be accepted as grounds for appeal if changes of address have not been notified and received by the University; or

•  The appeal is lodged outside the time stipulated for lodgement of appeals.

•  Any other reason or reasons which the Appeals Committee may from time to time direct the Executive Director (Corporate Services) to take into account and which in the circumstances of the case mean the appeal should not be one for acceptance.

•  In making a determination under Section 3.1, the Chair shall hear from a Student Association representative and a representative from the Faculty, not being members of the Appeals Committee.

•  Where the appeal is rejected as being not one for acceptance, the Secretary of the Appeals Committee shall forward the decision to the student within seven (7) working days of that decision being made.

Where an appeal is accepted for determination, a written notice shall be forwarded to the Student. The student may present a case in person to the Committee and may be assisted by a support person. CQU recommends the student contact the Student Association Academic Advocacy and Support Officer who can indicate the various support options and their consequences.

The Executive Director (Corporate Services) shall advise the student of the outcome of the appeal within ten working days of the Appeals Committee having made its decision.

Students dissatisfied with the University process may contact the Queensland State Ombudsman by Email: ombudsman@ombudsman.qld.gov.au, Toll Free (outside Brisbane): 1800 068 908.

Click here - to view the Appeals Fact Sheet

Assessment & Examinations

Students who consider that their performance in an examination has been adversely affected by illness, disability, bereavement or other exceptional circumstances, may apply for Special Consideration.

Students must lodge Applications for Special Consideration forms with the invigilator on the day of the examination or with the Faculty no later than seven (calendar) days after the examination. All applications must be supported by documentary evidence. Forms are available from Student Administration Forms website.

You will need to read the Assessment of Coursework Policy before submitting an application for special consideration so that you are familiar with the terms ‘misadventure' and ‘normal risk' see page 22 of the Assessment of Coursework policy. The definitions will inform you about what is acceptable as grounds for a deferred exam and what is not acceptable as grounds.

Once completed and submitted to the invigilator, the application for special consideration will be referred to the relevant lecturer who shall take into account the information provided when deciding the result to be recommended for the candidate in the course in question.

Students should refer to the procedures for completing a medical certificate or statutory declaration in the Assessment for Coursework Policy.

Click here - to view CQU Policies and Procedures

Click here - to view CQU Student Administration Application forms

Receive a quality education Question your results (Review of Grades) See your completed examination papers Appeal against an unfair university decision

If you believe that you have been treated unfairly by the University. Contact the CQU Student Association Academic Advocacy and Support Services Staff.

Click here - to view contact details for the CQUSA Academic Advocacy and Support Staff

When you are not happy with your result, you have the right to question it. Every student has the right to request a review of grade.

For assistance with or clarification of "Review of Grade Procedures", contact the Academic Advocacy and Support Services Staff on your campus. If you are required to attend a hearing, CQU Student Association staff will, at your request, assist you with your case and support you at the hearing.

Misunderstanding the question, or needing a few extra marks to gain a higher grade are not reasons for your mark to be changed. If you can ascertain that the assessment question was ambiguous and that it could be reasonable to misinterpret, you may have adequate grounds, but be assured that help is at hand to prepare a solid case.

Click here - to view the CQU Review of Grade Policy

Click here - to view / download the Review of Grade Application Form [pdf]

Steps in making a Good Review of Grade Application 1. Read: http://www.cqu.edu.au/rog/index.htm 2. Study: http://policy.cqu.edu.au/Policy/policy.jsp?policyid=465 3. Students must undertake an informal consultation with their lecturer/tutor/course coordinator to discuss issues of concern before proceeding with a “Faculty Review of Grade" 4. Note the acceptable grounds for a Faculty Review of Grade application. 5. Now draft a Faculty Review of Grade application. 6. Take your draft to the CQU Student Association's Academic Support and Advocacy Officer at your campus (if you are studying in Australia) or contact association-advocacy@cqu.edu.au (if you are studying in Flexible Learning mode and reside in Australia) or go and see Student Services staff at your site (if you are studying at a CQU site beyond Australia). How to make a Bad Review of Grade Application The following statements are not grounds for a successful Review of Grade Application. DO NOT USE THEM. 1. "I am not satisfied with my mark or grade." 2. "I can't believe I've done so badly." 3. "The marker has made a mistake." 4. "I worked very hard for this exam - there must be a mistake." 5. "I've studied this course in the past in my home country and done well in it." 6. "Anyone on this campus will tell you our lecturer/tutor was incompetent."

Click here - to view the CQU Student Complaint Process

CQU's Mission Statement and Equity Policy Statement includes the aim of providing equality of opportunity to all staff and students of the University community. Selection of students and staff must be based on criteria that are independent of characteristics as defined by laws as discriminatory. Race, sex, marital status, pregnancy, age and disability are examples of these characteristics.

Click here - to view the Discrimination - Equity Policy Statement

The CQU Student Association has been able to claim many victories for student rights whilst assisting the University through participation by CQU Student Association representatives on various University Committees.

Click here - to view / contact the CQUSA Board of Directors