Further Enquiries
Dr Peter Backhouse
Coordinator, Student Policy and Appeals
Student Administrative Services
Wills Building
THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
SA 5005
AUSTRALIA
Email
Telephone: +61 8 8313 7503
Student Care
Adelaide University Union
Ground Floor, Lady Symon Building
North Terrace Campus
THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
SA 5005
AUSTRALIA
Email
Telephone: +61 8 8313 5430
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Student Grievance and Appeals Committee Hearing- The hearing proceeds without undue formality. The rules of evidence and court procedures do not apply, and no witness is to be sworn.
- The Committee may inform itself of any matter relevant to the determination of the appeal by whatever means it chooses, provided that all material taken into account in determining the outcome of the appeal is made available to all parties to the appeal.
- It is for the members of the Committee, rather than the appellant or respondent, to decide what issues and evidence are relevant to the appeal hearing, and to the final report of the Committee's findings.
- The Chair, in consultation with other members of the Committee, may give such directions as the Chair considers necessary about the provision of evidence, the making of written or verbal submissions, and any other relevant matter. The Chair's rulings are final and binding.
- An appeal hearing is held in closed session unless, with the express consent of appellant(s) and respondent(s), the Committee decides otherwise.
- The Committee may adjourn a hearing to another date within 20 business days. Every appeal must be completed as quickly as possible without prejudicing the ability of all parties to have a reasonable opportunity to present their case.
Deliberation and final decision- Upon completion of a hearing, the Committee considers its decision in private. No further hearing is permitted before the decision is made.
- The principle to be applied to the evidence in reaching a decision on the facts of a case is the ‘balance of probabilities’, rather than the criminal law principle of ‘beyond reasonable doubt’.
- The Committee's decision includes both findings of fact and determinations on the appropriate action required in light of the findings of fact.
- The Committee's determination may include one or more of the following options:
- endorse the previous findings on the grievance
- determine an alternative resolution, which may include, but is not limited to, any of the Options for Resolution
- adjourn pending further investigation based on evidence not available at the time of the initial appeal hearing
- adjourn pending further investigation based on evidence that formal procedures were not adhered to
- recommend a review of certain procedures
- recommend changes to program rules, academic or administrative policies or procedures
- dismiss the appeal on the grounds that it is without substance
- The Chair must notify all parties and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Vice-President (Academic) in writing of the Committee's decision and the grounds on which it was made within ten (10) business days of the hearing.
- The decision of the Committee carries the full authority of the Vice-Chancellor and President. It is effective upon its written notification and no further formal order or direction is necessary for it to become operative.
- The Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Vice-President (Academic), Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Vice-President (Research) and Vice-President (Services & Resources) are responsible for ensuring that Committee decisions about matters that fall within their portfolios are implemented in full.
- If the Committee's decision involves serious implications related to a staff member's conduct or performance, the Committee's notification must not make explicit reference to this. A separate report with relevant details must be submitted to the Director, Human Resources, the General Manager, Student Services, and the Legal and Risk unit.
Record Keeping- The notification of the outcome of an appeal and the materials generated during its lodgement and hearing are retained in a separate confidential University file. Access to the file is only given in accord with the University's Privacy Policy.
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