Office of the Academic Registrar
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Student Centre Coordination
The Academic Registrar coordinates the activities of the Student Centres at all campuses. These centres are the first point of contact for students with the University. Student Centres provide a range of student services, focussing on the Melbourne Experience, including course planning and advice, academic enrichment and referral to other specialist services.
The Academic Registrar, working in collaboration with staff in the Student Centres and the Planning Office, also leads the evaluation program for the Student Centres and oversees the training and development programs for Student Centre staff, through the Student Advice Program. Service standards and protocols and a service charter, are also being developed in collaboration with Student Centre staff.
Academic Policy Support
The policies of the University for the management of students and academic programs are accessible from www.services.unimelb.edu.au/policy/, www.unimelb.edu.au/abp/policies/ and from the Student Policy Directory http://studentpolicy-unimelb.custhelp.com or look under 'Policy' at www.studentadmin.unimelb.edu.au.
The University is currently reviewing and updating its academic policies. As these are approved, the Academic Registrar has responsibility for promulgation, consistent application and compliance with the policies across the University.
Student Advice Program
The Student Advice Program is a new university-wide initiative that seeks to acculturate academic and professional staff to the student-centric, whole-of-university approach to the provision of student advice. Developed under the Melbourne Student Advice Model and in response to student feedback, the Program provides three levels of training aimed at front-level staff, the detailed provision of student advice that includes course structure and planning, and a specialist level that deals with individual student cases.
The Student Advice Program promotes:
- recognition of the fundamental role advice plays in the engagement and retention of undergraduate and postgraduate students;
- understanding of the course pathways and enrichment opportunities offered under the Melbourne Model and the Melbourne Experience;
- timely and consistent referral between Student Centres and to specialist services;
- engagement with students in all facets of university life.
Melbourne Experience Support
The Academic Registrar is the Chair of the Melbourne Experience Committee which seeks to identify ways to enhance the Melbourne Student Experience.
Terms of reference and membership of the committee can be found at www.unimelb.edu.au/unisec/comlist.html#41.
Student Grievances and Discipline
The University has student grievance procedures at www.services.unimelb.edu.au/grievances/policy/index.html which detail the process that students are encouraged to follow if they are unable to resolve an issue with the University to their satisfaction.
Students can also appeal to the Academic Board under S4.1.2.(2) (b), at www.unimelb.edu.au/ExecServ/Statutes/pdf/s41.pdf as the final appeal body of the University in all matters relating to students and their grievances against decisions made by University bodies or individual officers.
Students also have access to external bodies to resolve grievances including, for example, Ombudsman Victoria at Level 9, 459 Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000.
Where complaints are lodged with the Ombudsman's office or the Vice Chancellor's office these will often be referred to the Academic Registrar for investigation, review and response.
The Student Discipline Statute 13.1 at www.services.unimelb.edu.au/policy/discipline/index.html provides for the University to take action against students when misconduct occurs. A number of senior officers in the University may initiate action under the statute and apply penalties. The Academic Registrar provides internal advice when required and in some instances initiates action. Where exclusion of a student is recommended, these instances are generally referred by the Vice Chancellor for review before a final decision is made.
Late Application for Special Consideration
Under Statute 12.4 the Academic Registrar is responsible for determining whether to accept late applications for Special Consideration, and must be satisfied that the reasons detailed are sufficient to justify a late application (see www.unimelb.edu.au/ExecServ/Statutes/pdf/s124.pdf).