Rules and Regulations

Before explaining what you should do if you have any concerns in this area, you need to become aware of the Ordinances, Rules, Polices and Procedures that determine how academic matters are managed in AMC and in the University as a whole. The Code of Conduct for Teaching and Learning outlines the responsibilities of:

• the University to students, and
• students to the University (this latter part of the code replaces the AMC student charter)

The Policy on Assessment Practice

The Policy on Assessment Practice (PDF 70.4KB) provides the broad policy framework for assessment practice in the University of Tasmania. This should be read in conjunction with AMC's own policy on assessment. Rule 2 - Academic Assessment and Rule 3 - Admission and Student Progress are laid down by the Academic Senate of the University (they replace AMC Courses and Awards Rules).

These Rules describe all the formal procedures that relate to student assessment and progression. They also explain the formal review procedures that are available to students. Note: Rules 2 and 3 do not apply to students undertaking vocational education and training (VET) courses – you will be provided with documentation that explains assessment and progression procedures when you commence your course.

The University Council has approved Ordinance 9 to deal with Student Discipline. The Ordinance outlines the procedures that should be followed when academic misconduct (i.e. plagiarism and cheating) is suspected. The AMC Student Academic Misconduct policy explains internal AMC procedures for dealing with this – the policy links to the relevant sections of Ordinance 9. Important information and resources for students on this matter can be found on the Academic Integrity webpage.

It is likely that there are specific Course Rules for your particular programme of study – these will be provided to you by your Course Coordinator.

Finally, The University Council has also approved Ordinance 8 – Student Complaints which describes the procedures to be followed if you wish to lodge a formal complaint. Further information about complaints procedures and further guidance can be found on the University Student Complaints webpage.

A complaints checklist is also provided to assist students to find resolutions to issues and concerns. We hope that any issue that you might have can be resolved without you having to lodge a formal complaint.

Discrimination and Harassment

The University has very strict rules against discrimination and harassment of any kind and is committed to taking all reasonable steps to ensure that it provides a study and work environment for its students and staff that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. It does so in its role as an employer and as a provider of educational services and accommodation to its students. The University is committed to compliance with the provisions of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 (Tas) and the anti-discrimination provisions of Australian law. As such, the University will seek to ensure that its students, employees and agents do not engage in behaviour that unlawfully discriminates against other persons, either directly or indirectly, on the basis of any of the following attributes:

• race/ethnicity
• age
• sexual orientation
• lawful sexual activity
• gender
• marital status
• relationship status
• pregnancy
• breastfeeding
• parental status
• family responsibilities
• disability
• industrial activity
• political belief or affiliation
• political activity
• religious belief or affiliation
• religious activity
• irrelevant criminal record
• irrelevant medical record
• association with a person who has, or is believed to have, any of the above attributes

The University will also not tolerate any bullying or harassment in the form of conduct which offends, humiliates, intimidates, insults or ridicules another person nor will it tolerate sexual harassment in the form of:

• subjecting another person to an unsolicited act of physical contact of a sexual nature;
• making an unwelcome sexual advance or an unwelcome request for sexual favours to another person;
• making an unwelcome remark or statement with sexual connotations to another person or about another person in that person's presence;
• making any unwelcome gesture, action or comment of a sexual nature; or
• engaging in conduct of a sexual nature in relation to another person that is offensive to that person
• in circumstances where a reasonable person, having regard to all the circumstances, would have anticipated that the other person would be offended, humiliated, intimidated, insulted or ridiculed
• victimisation of a person making an harassment or discrimination complaint or providing information in connection with possible disciplinary proceedings that might arise from such a complaint;
• inciting hatred etc. by a public act contrary to Section 19 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 (Tas);
• publishing or displaying any matter that promotes, expresses or depicts unlawful discrimination or other prohibited conduct (except where the purpose is to discourage unlawful discrimination or other prohibited conduct).

The University encourages any person who considers that they have been subject to conduct amounting to harassment or discrimination to discuss the matter with a Contact Officer in the first instance, who will explain possible courses of action for dealing with the issue. Contact Officers have been trained in how to assist students when such matters occur. Information provided by a complainant will be kept confidential and will not be shared with any other person without the express consent of the complainant.

Personal difficulties

From time to time, you may have a personal problem or financial difficulties and these may impact upon your studies. If you have such problems, you should contact Student Support. You can find out about the services they offer and contact details by visiting the Student Adviser section.

Student Administration

The administrators in AMC and the University work hard to ensure that the administrative aspects of your course are well managed and they are always ready to answer your questions and sort out any issue that might arise. The University Current Students web page provides links to a range of web pages that have been designed to assist you – the enrolments web page or the examinations web page, for example. Please try to resolve any issue you might have by following the links and information provided.

Accommodation

The University Accommodation Services webpage is a good starting point if you have any concerns about university accommodation or hospitality. The webpage provides links to the university staff members who are best placed to resolve the matter.

From time to time, you may have a personal problem or financial difficulties and these may impact upon your studies. If you have such problems, you should contact Student Support. You can find out about the services they offer and contact details by going to the Student Support and Equity Unit webpage. Alternatively, you can email them at Support.Equity@admin.utas.edu.au