1. Purpose
1.1 This policy outlines the University’s commitment to supporting students to successfully complete their studies in accordance with its obligations under Higher Education Provider Amendment (Support for Students Policy) Guidelines 2023 (Cth).
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 committed 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 uses information obtained through its admissions processes to assess 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 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 (login required).
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 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 by delivering 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, including gender-based violence support and prevention and how to 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 - Operational Policy and Incident Management - Procedures.
5.10.2 The University provides instructions for students to report incidents, including gender-based violence, sexual harm, harassment, and related trauma, in accordance with the Incident Management – Procedures and the Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) – Governing Policy.
5.10.3 The University provides safety, support and response through the implementation of the following policy documents:
(a) Anti-Discrimination and Freedom from Bullying and Harassment - Governing Policy;
(b) Conduct on University Premises - Operational Policy, and Conditions of Entry;
(c) Health, Safety and Wellbeing - Governing Policy;
(d) Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment, Respectful Relationships (Students) - Operational Policy and Procedures; and
(e) Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) – Governing Policy.
5.10.4 The University provides academic and non-academic support in a way that recognises and embraces diversity and intersectionality through a Diversity and Inclusion Plan. This includes culturally safe and trauma-informed approaches and specific arrangements for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, students with disability, and students from diverse backgrounds.
5.10.5 The University provides both academic and non-academic support to students who have experienced gender-based violence, sexual harm, harassment, or related trauma in accordance with the Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment, Respectful Relationships (Students) - Operational Policy and Procedures and Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) – Governing Policy.
5.10.6 The University ensures that students who have experienced family, domestic or gendered violence, harassment, sexual harm, or other traumatic events have access to timely support through Safer Communities and other specialist services. Support is confidential, culturally safe, and trauma-informed, prioritising the dignity and agency of the student.
5.11 Support process management
5.11.1 The University provides mechanisms to ensure that support for students is based on good practice, principles of equity and that errors, outliers and opportunities for improvement in policy and procedure can be identified and escalated.
6. Authorities and responsibilities
6.1 As the Approval Authority, Academic Board 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 Records Management - Procedures.
6.6 This policy must be maintained in accordance with the University Policy Documents – 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 University Policy Documents – Procedures prior to deviation from the policy.
6.8 Refer to University Delegations – Governing Policy in relation to the approved delegations detailed within this policy document.
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