Recent Academic Board Policy Changes

Policy/Procedure

 Date (Revision) approved

 Explanation of changes

This policy is a redraft of the former Student Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct: Higher Degree Research: Non Coursework Components Policy. The policy was rewritten to address plagiarism specifically in the context of Higher Degree Research students and the requirements of the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research.

1.        The introduction of a compulsory plagiarism and misconduct self-test module that focuses on educating students about these matters.

a.        Passing this module entails automatic assent to the application of the Plagiarism Declaration Form to all subsequent assessments;

b.        Failure to pass the module precludes the student from having the results of any assessment tasks processed for credit.

2.        New procedures for Inadvertent and Intentional Plagiarism:

a.        Inadvertent Plagiarism is now dealt with at the level of the Unit Coordinator, with Head of School involved only at any appeal stage;

b.        Intentional Plagiarism is still dealt with at Head of School level, with a new appeal role for Academic Director;

c.        The introduction of a viva voce examination to test for authorship in cases in which there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the submitted assessment task was not written by the student;

d.        The introduction of the Revocation of an award as differing from the Rescission of an award;

e.        The introduction of the notion of frequency of occurrence for inadvertent plagiarism: a third instance of inadvertent plagiarism automatically escalates the matter to intentional plagiarism.

3.        The provision of many examples of plagiarism and academic misconduct in an easy-to-read format.

4.        A considerable re-write of Avoiding Coursework Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct: Advice for Students to reflect a more educational and reader-friendly approach with considerably less use of bureaucratic language.

5.        The addition of considerable extra material on Academic Misconduct in examination settings

a.        The introduction of a mandatory penalty of WFN in the case of cheating in examinations;

b.        A new appeal role for the Pro Vice-Chancellor Students and Social Inclusion.

6.        The introduction of alternates for members of the Student Conduct Appeals Committee and the inclusion of the Academic Secretary on this committee.

7.        The introduction of a new consolidated Investigation and Penalty Guidelines document covering both coursework plagiarism and academic and behavioural misconduct (the earlier document covered only behavioural misconduct).

8.        New Flowcharts for each of Academic Misconduct, Behavioural Misconduct and Coursework Plagiarism are proposed.

1. Additional wording was added at item 2.1(iv) to establish a minimum time for completion of a Doctor of Philosophy (‘while the normal minimum period of candidature shall be not less than two years (four years for part-time candidates)

2. The requirement for UNE doctoral students to spend 54 days in face to face contact with their supervisor was removed through the rewording of the last paragraph of item 3.1 (v) to read:

Each PhD candidate is required to consult regularly with their supervisor. This may be either in person or using information communication technologies (ICT), including video. The nature and extent of such consultation will be determined by the supervisors and the Head of School, after consultation with the candidate, prior to the commencement of each semester of candidature.

3. In order to acknowledge in a tangible way the achievements of those PhD candidates whose research thesis is judged independently and unanimously, by all three examiners, to be a thesis of excellent quality which should be passed without other than minor editorial amendments, an option has been included in the rules with effect for students graduating from 2011 to award the Doctor of Philosophy cum laude to candidates whose thesis is deemed by all three examiners to be of exceptional quality.

This is a revision of the English Language Requirements for Admission Policy. There are only two substantive changes in this revision.  One of these recognises the certificates issued by other universities warranting completion of recognised programs in English. The other removes a threshold requirement for admission to the English Advanced Program offered by our language centre. Course requirements that are above the minimum requirements set in this rule are now listed in an attached schedule.

This new policy replaces the Policy on Awarding University Medals

Inclusion of a new grade NC for those students who fail an assessment component that must be passed in order to pass the unit but whose overall mark is above 50. This amendment will take effect as part of the new Assessment Policy that will be implemented in 2010

Confirmation of Candidature

This policy has been refined following a consultative review of the existing policy and feedback from Schools. The changes made consist of editorial changes to ensure clarity of the intent and purpose of the policy and a change to the composition of the confirmation of candidature review panels to more accurately reflect the current organisational structure within Schools.

Registration of Research Higher Degree Supervisors

General Rules

To now read as follows:“The submission dates for all assessment tasks other than formal examinations must not be   later than the dates specified in the Assessment Policy.”

Assessment, Special Assessment, Examination and Assessment Procedures

English Language Requirements for Admission Policy