1. Purpose
1.1 This policy outlines the University’s commitment to supporting students to successfully complete their studies.
2. Scope and application
2.1 This policy applies to all students, including domestic, international, and those studying onshore and offshore, as well as students on work placement or study tours.
3. Definitions
3.1 Refer to the University’s Glossary of Terms for definitions as they specifically relate to policy documents.
4. Policy statement
4.1 The University is devoted to fostering a supportive environment conducive to the academic and personal development of students. In accordance with the Higher Education Provider Amendment (Support for Students Policy) Guidelines 2023, the University provides structures and resources to assist students to successfully complete the units of study for which they are enrolled.
5. Policy
5.1 Student suitability to study
5.1.1 The University is dedicated to assessing a student’s suitability to undertake and successfully complete study.
5.1.2 The University supports students throughout different stages of their University journey in accordance with the Admissions, Enrolments and Graduation - Academic Policy and Enrolments and Graduation – Procedures.
5.1.3 The University monitors student academic progress in accordance with the Monitoring Academic Progress – Academic Policy and Procedures.
5.1.4 The University develops program assessments in accordance with the Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs - Academic Policy and Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs - Procedures, and Deferred Examinations - Procedures.
5.2 At risk students
5.2.1 The University provides additional support to students who are identified as at risk to enable the successful completion of their studies.
5.2.2 The University identifies at risk students in accordance with the Monitoring Academic Progress – Academic Policy and Procedures.
5.2.3 The University provides staff with appropriate support and training to be able to identify reasons why students are at risk and to be able to provide these students with support and guidance to enable them to succeed.
5.3 Support services for students
5.3.1 The University offers either directly or through a third-party, numerous support options for students to assist in successful completion of their units of study These support options are communicated to students via multiple channels and can be accessed through the Student Portal.
5.4 Support for non-engaged students
5.4.1 The University communicates to students, who request access to support services before the census date, advising them that from census date they incur a HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP debt at the time they make the request.
5.4.2 The University prioritises supports requested prior to census date.
5.4.3 The University actively engages with students who are identified as at risk of not successfully completing their study and offer a range of support services.
5.5 Non-academic support for students
5.5.1 The University provides various non-academic support services for students to assist them when needed throughout their studies.
5.5.2 The University provides non-academic support services both online and in person.
5.6 Identifying students in need of support
5.6.1 The University identifies students in need of individual literacy, numeracy and other academic supports and ensures that these are readily available.
5.7 Academic adjustment arrangements and support
5.7.1 The University offers support to students, including academic adjustment arrangements, when students report non-academic issues placing them at risk of not completing their studies via self-referral and referrals from other support services and academics.
5.8 Other types of support
5.8.1 The University supports students through the implementation of student-led support programs.
5.9 Staff training and support
5.9.1 The University ensures resources are available to all staff on how to identify students at risk and respond appropriately to requests for support.
5.9.2 The University ensures resources are available to academic staff so they know when and how to refer students to support services.
5.10 Critical incident and response support
5.10.1 The University implements crisis response plans in accordance with the Critical Incident Management - Governing Policy and Incident Management - Procedures.
5.10.2 The Incident Management – Procedures provide instructions to students on how to report incidents.
5.10.3 The University provides detailed critical harm response arrangements through the implementation of the Anti-Discrimination and Freedom from Bullying and Harassment - Governing Policy, Conduct on University Premises - Operational Policy, Conduct on University Premises – Conditions of Entry, Health, Safety and Wellbeing - Governing Policy, Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment and Respectful Relationships (Students) - Governing Policy and Procedures.
5.11 Age and culturally appropriate support
5.11.1 The University provides both academic and non-academic support in a way that recognises and embraces diversity through a Diversity and Inclusion Plan, which includes specific arrangements for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and students with disability.
5.11.2 The University provides both academic and non-academic support to students who have experienced sexual harm in accordance with the Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment and Respectful Relationships (Students) - Governing Policy and Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment and Respectful Relationships (Students) - Procedures.
5.11.3 The University provides both academic and non-academic support to students who have experienced family, domestic or gendered violence, harassment, sexual harm or other traumatic events through provision of Safer Communities.
5.12 Support process management
5.12.1 The University provides mechanisms to ensure that policy is based on best practice, principles of equity and that errors, outliers and opportunities for improvement can be identified and escalated.
6. Authorities and responsibilities
6.1 As the Approval Authority, Council approves this policy in accordance with the University of the Sunshine Coast Act 1998 (Qld).
6.2 As the Responsible Executive Member of this policy the Vice-Chancellor and President can approve procedures and guidelines to operationalise this policy. All procedures and guidelines must be compatible with the provisions of this policy.
6.3 As the Designated Officer of this policy the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) can approve associated documents to support the application of this policy. These must be compatible with the provisions of the respective policy document.
6.4 This policy operates from the last amended date, with all previous iterations of support for student policies replaced and no longer operating from this date.
6.5 All records relating to the support for students must be stored and managed in accordance with the Information Management – Governing Policy.
6.6 This policy must be maintained in accordance with the Policy Framework – Procedures and reviewed on a shortened annual policy review cycle.
6.7 Any exception to this policy to enable a more appropriate result must be approved in accordance with the Policy Framework – Procedures prior to the deviation of the policy document.
6.8 Refer to Schedule C of the Delegations Manual in relation to the approved delegations detailed within this policy document.
END