Science and Technology Specials Policy

1. Scope of Special Assessment Policy

The Special Assessment policy applies to all enrolled students at the University of New England who require special assessments within the School of Science and Technology (hereinafter “The School”) due to exceptional circumstances. It covers all types of assessments, including exams, assignments, practicals and intensive schools.

2. Special Assessment Criteria

A student may wish to apply for a Special Assessment for the following reasons:

• Personal health issues;
• Unforeseen or unavoidable technical issues;
• Unforeseen or unavoidable work or family commitments;
• Other Extenuating Circumstances.

IF the above causes:

• an adverse performance in any assessment task;
• the inability to attempt an examination or other time-bound assessment at the relevant time;
• the inability to access an assessment in its default mode, medium or technology platform;
• the inability to complete an assessment task within the relevant teaching period.

Fit to Sit

By submitting an assessment on the scheduled assessment date, a student is declaring that they are fit to do so and cannot later apply for Special Consideration. It is the student’s responsibility to decide in advance of an assessment due date whether they are unwell or facing significant circumstances which will impact their performance.

3. Application

To apply for Special Assessment, students should submit their request, along with appropriate supporting documentation, through AskUNE with the subject line: ‘Application for Special Assessment.

Please note – SETs are only applicable if asking for a revised due date of more than 7 days and/or the revised due date is outside of the current teaching period. If the revised due date is 7 days and less, students will need to apply for an assessment extension.

3.1 When to apply

Applications for special assessment must be made in accordance with the following timelines:

1. at least four (4 weeks) before the date of the examination if applying for an alternative form of assessment;
2. within five (5) calendar days of the relevant examination date or assessment task due date if applying for any other form of special assessment;
3. late applications may be accepted at the discretion of the Unit Coordinator or Delegate.

4. Supporting Documentation Required

Appropriate Supporting Documentation is outlined in Appendix 1 of The School’s Late Assessment Policy.

If students do not have the documentation at the time of application, they should include a note to this effect in the application. Students should forward their documentation as soon as possible.

Please note

• The School will not process applications until supporting documentation is received.
• If supporting documentation is required and not received within ten (10) working days, the application will be closed.
• The School has the right to reject any supporting documentation that does not reasonably support your request.
• The School has the right to verify all supporting documentation to confirm the integrity and legitimacy of the claims being made.
• Submitting misleading or fraudulent information or documents is considered a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. Such breaches will be reported to the Academic Integrity Team and no extensions will be granted.

5. Processing of Applications

The School Administrative Office will process applications and provide to the Unit Coordinator or Delegate for decision. The Unit Coordinator, in consultation with the relevant School Education Committee, will determine if decision-making is delegated to another staff member (such as the Unit Coordinator or a professional staff member).

Subject to any accreditation requirements, the Unit Coordinator or Delegate at their discretion can decide to grant any of the following types of special assessment:

1. Resubmission of the assessment task – some assessment tasks such as group assessments or tasks with a short marking and feedback period may be unsuitable for resubmission. The Unit Coordinator may at their discretion require the student to complete the original task or a suitable alternative if the integrity of the original task could be compromised;
2. Deferred examination or other time-bound assessment – where a student has completed the assessment but considers that they had an adverse performance.
3. An alternative form of assessment;
4. Deferred mandatory intensive school (until the next time the intensive school is held as part of a future unit offering);
5. Special consideration in marking – of up to a maximum of three (3) percentage points on top of the student's current total unit (not individual assessment) mark. Special Consideration can only be applied once in a unit;
6. Special extension of time – the maximum amount of extension allowable is the last day of the equivalent teaching period immediately following the teaching period in which the student was enrolled in the unit. For completion of compulsory practical experience/practicum/praxis/intensive school(s), the maximum amount of extension normally allowable is the last day of the third teaching period after the original enrolment;
7. A passing or pro-rata grade for the unit – if the student has satisfactorily completed assessment tasks worth at least two thirds of the marks for a unit and has achieved all relevant learning outcomes;
8. A withdrawal without failure.

6. Notification of outcome of application

The School Administrative Office will aim to notify students of the decision within ten (10) calendar days of receipt of the application.

While awaiting a decision on special assessment, or completing a granted special assessment, students may progress to other units. However, a grant of special assessment may prevent a student progressing to other units if completion of the unit for which the special assessment was granted is a prerequisite for the other units.

If the application is rejected, the student will be informed of the reason for the decision and information on the appeals process (see Assessment Appeals Policy).