General Misconduct

The student charter sets out the key principles that underpin your partnership with the University.

You can read the charter here.

The Student Conduct Policy aims to ensure that the University is a healthy and respectful environment for everyone to learn and work. These are standards of behaviour that the University expects of its students and staff to ensure good order and the management of the University.

The definition of General Misconduct is wide-ranging and can include behaviour such as:

• disrupting lectures or University events
• misusing computers or other facilities
• causing fear or intimidation in and around the University
• harassing staff or other students
• illegal behaviour
• damaging property
• failing to comply with a reasonable request
• supplying misleading information
• encouraging others to engage in general misconduct.

Part 6 of the Vice-Chancellor Regulation sets out the definition of student general misconduct and the possible penalties if a finding of general misconduct is made after a formal student discipline committee hearing. Penalties can range from issuing a reprimand or a caution, to a fine, to the more serious outcomes of suspension and termination.

When a complaint is made to the Academic Registrar, the University may seek your participation in a misconduct investigation. Your participation in this process is voluntary.

The investigation will be conducted by a University investigator who will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish whether the misconduct occurred. Essentially, they want to listen to your side of the story, review any supporting evidence you may have and use this to form a report on whether any or all of the alleged misconduct is substantiated on the balance of probabilities (that is it’s more likely than not the misconduct occurred in the Investigator’s judgement).

Once the report has been finalised it will be provided to the Academic Registrar who will assess how the matter might be most appropriately progressed. Should the matter be referred to a student discipline committee, you will receive a formal notice. No penalties can be imposed during the investigation process.

This is an excellent question. Please contact us to discuss the particulars of your matter further. When you do, make sure to upload any correspondence from the University regarding this matter.

If the Academic Registrar believes that the alleged behaviour or action may have been unintentional; and/or where the allegation is in relation to a minor matter and where there has not been any previous allegation of General Misconduct, then the Academic Registrar may determine that an educative response to an allegation of General Misconduct in the form of a warning is appropriate.

In this case you will receive an email containing a warning letter advising you that the alleged conduct, while inappropriate, is not deemed to be General Misconduct, and that an educative response will be offered to raise awareness of the University’s behavioural expectations of its students. The letter will also caution you that the consequences of not meeting the University’s expectations in relation to student conduct in future may include a finding of General Misconduct and may lead to any of the available penalties for General Misconduct, including termination of enrolment.

If you receive a warning, you should take it seriously and seek advice from us about what it means for you and what actions you may be required to take.

If the University has sent you a formal General Misconduct allegation, it should include:

• a clear outline of the nature of the misconduct
• information regarding any evidence of which the senior officer is aware relating to the allegation
• an opportunity to respond in writing as well as an invitation to attend a hearing, and specific timelines for these responses
• the name of the chair of the committee that will be investigating the allegation and
• inclusion of, or reference to, the penalties that can be applied under Vice Chancellor Regulation Part 6.

This notice will be sent to your student email address. If you receive this notice, please contact us and make sure to upload the complete suite of documentation that you receive from the University.

You will be given the opportunity to submit a response and attend a hearing about the matter.

We strongly suggest you do both.

Before responding to the allegation, we encourage you to get in touch with us here. Getting advice before you respond is critical because some forms of General Misconduct can have legal (civil and criminal) consequences, so it is best to get professional advice before proceeding.

An immediate order can be put in place to:

• restrict attendance or participation in University activities related to a student’s enrolment,
• exclude a student from enrolment or re-enrolment,
• limit a student’s access to or contact with another student or staff member, and/or
• limit a student’s access to University premisses or using University facilities.

The Academic Registrar may recommend that the Vice-Chancellor makes an Immediate Order in accordance with section 29 of the Vice-Chancellor Regulation to prevent one or more of the following risks:

• to the health, welfare and safety of the student or to any other person who is on University premises,
• of material damage to University property,
• of material disruption of any activity sanctioned by the University, and/or
• that conduct that may amount to student general misconduct.

Please contact us here if you receive any notice of immediate orders by the University.

Yes. You can review our appeals page for more information on this process or contact us for assistance.

Being part of the University community also means engaging in civic discourse and, if you’re so inclined, participate in peaceful protests and demonstrations. Read our page on safe student activism to understand the rules that govern this space.