(1) To set out the Procedure for students seeking to notify the University when they experience short-term, unexpected, Serious and Unavoidable Circumstances, which affect their performance in assessment, and the basis and mechanisms through which the University will provide support in accordance with the Special Consideration Policy. (2) This Procedure applies to: (3) Refer to the Special Consideration Policy. (4) There is a Special Consideration Procedure Flowchart available for this Procedure. (5) A student who has experienced unexpected, unavoidable, and serious circumstances affecting their assessable work may lodge an application for Special Consideration. (6) Applications will only be accepted in the following circumstances: (7) The University operates under a ‘Fit to Sit’ model, where, in sitting an examination or in-class test, a student is declaring that they are fit to do so. Nonetheless, a student may submit an application for Special Consideration, in accordance with the prescribed method and deadline, if they can demonstrate that: (8) In cases where a student is taken ill during an examination / class test, the student must advise the examination supervisor, who will record the case on the Examination Room Report Form. (9) All Special Consideration applications must be lodged online via the University’s AskMQ system and must include supporting documentary Evidence. (10) Lodging an application for Special Consideration does not guarantee that a student will be granted an additional / alternative assessment. Students are advised to continue to work on their assessments and complete them as soon as possible. (11) Applications for Special Consideration may be refused if: (12) Applications made on behalf of a student by an external representative will only be accepted in cases where the student is incapacitated. (13) A Special Consideration application must be supported by documentary Evidence at the time of submission. Evidence requirements are specified within the Special Consideration Supporting Evidence Schedule and may include: (14) During the COVID-19 Pandemic and until a date determined by the Academic Senate, where students have been impacted by COVID-19, students may submit a statement of fact as evidence. (15) The Evidence must: (16) The University reserves the right to request and retain the originals of supporting documentation, and will conduct regular audits of supporting documentation submitted electronically. (17) Students must retain all original documentation for a six (6) month period and must supply original documents to the University within ten (10) working days of such a request being made. (18) All documentation (in hardcopy or electronic form) relating to a Special Consideration applications will be treated in accordance with the University’s Privacy Framework. (19) The assessment of whether a student’s circumstances were serious and unavoidable is made at the administrative level by Professional staff according to a pre-approved set of criteria described in the Special Consideration Supporting Evidence Schedule. Professional staff processing an application may seek input from the relevant Academic staff, Unit Convenor / Program Manager when assessing an application, if necessary. (20) Note – In accordance with the Curriculum Architecture Policy, from 1 January 2020 ‘programs’ are known as ‘courses’. (21) If a claim for Special Consideration is accepted, the University will attempt to provide students with one (1) additional opportunity to demonstrate that they have met the learning outcomes of a unit or units. (22) Outcomes of an application for Special Consideration may include: (23) Once the student has submitted a Special Consideration application the student may not withdraw the application, and must either submit themselves to partake in the alternate assessment activity(ies), or accept the mark received for the relevant assessment item. (24) The University will aim to communicate the outcome of a Special Consideration application to the student’s email address within five (5) working days of receipt of the application and all necessary supporting Evidence. (25) In certain circumstances, the outcome of a Special Consideration application may be to recommend the student apply to Withdraw without Academic Penalty. The student must determine whether to apply to Withdraw without Academic Penalty, or accept the outcome where no alternate assessment can be provided. (26) Where a student accepts the offer to Withdraw without Academic Penalty, the University’s Commonwealth Supported Students team will separately assess whether the student is also eligible for Withdrawal without Financial Penalty. (27) Nil. (28) Commonly defined terms are located in the University Glossary. The following definitions apply for the purpose of this Procedure: Special Consideration Procedure
Section 1 - Purpose
Scope
Top of PageSection 2 - Policy
Section 3 - Procedures
Responsibilities and Required Actions
Applying for Special Consideration
Evidence
Assessment Process
Outcomes
While there is no requirement that the form of the additional assessment should be identical to the original assessment, it should assess the same learning outcomes.
In submitting a Special Consideration application, the student is acknowledging that they may be required to undertake additional work. The time and date, deadline or format of any required extra assessable work as a result of a Special Consideration application is not negotiable. In submitting a Special Consideration application, the student is agreeing to make themselves available so that they can complete any extra work as required.
No more than one (1) alternate assessment will be offered to a student in each affected unit, so it is essential that the student makes themselves available for the alternative assessment activity.
Where a student is offered and undertakes assessment as above, the mark from the alternate assessment will supersede the mark from any initial assessment, regardless of whichever is the higher.
Where Special Consideration is granted in the form of a supplementary examination, any initial examination affected by the circumstances will not be marked; rather the mark from the supplementary examination will be used.
Other than in exceptional circumstances only one (1) opportunity for a supplementary examination will be provided.
The length of a deadline extension will normally be equivalent to the duration of the circumstances affecting the student.Withdrawal of Special Consideration Application
Notification of Special Consideration Application Outcome
Withdrawal Without Academic Penalty Recommended
Section 4 - Guidelines
Section 5 - Definitions
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