Student Rights and Responsibilities Policy

1. Purpose

1.1 The Student Rights and Responsibilities Policy (the policy) outlines the rights, responsibilities and behavioural expectations of UTS students as active members of the university. This policy addresses issues of behaviour and integrity, including:

1. what students should expect from each other
2. what the university expects of its students, and
3. what students can expect from the university.

2. Scope

2.1 This policy applies to all students.

2.2 This policy operates in addition to the expectations and requirements outlined in the Student Rules, the Equity, Inclusion and Respect Policy, the Academic Integrity Policy and the Research Policy.

2.3 While this policy applies to students, staff are expected to provide appropriate guidance under this policy and act with integrity at all times in line with the Code of Conduct.

3. Principles

3.1 UTS values and celebrates diversity and recognises that students come from all age groups, backgrounds, cultures and stages of life with a variety of different abilities, orientations, attitudes, beliefs, identities and life experiences.

3.2 UTS believes that everyone has a right to live, work and study safely. As members of a community that values respect, inclusion and wellbeing, students at UTS must complete any relevant training or programs that promote these values.

3.3 UTS seeks to help its students become effective contributors in their communities, leaders in their chosen field and responsible global citizens. UTS will strive to ensure that every student is given the opportunity to enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding learning experience that will promote their academic, social and personal growth (refer also Sustainability Policy and Social Impact Framework).

4. Policy statements

Student rights

4.1 UTS students will be provided with high-quality education that meets the necessary Australian legislative and regulatory frameworks and standards and, where relevant, satisfies the requirements of professional societies, accrediting bodies and organisations.

4.2 Courses will be regularly reviewed and updated based on relevant research, academic discussion and feedback from students as part of UTS’s continuous improvement process.

4.3 Students will be provided with information about the inherent requirements of their courses.

4.4 Students will be provided with subject objectives, work timelines and assessment tasks in line with the Subject Descriptions and Subject Outlines Policy.

4.5 Students will be provided with access to the necessary assessment information, guidelines for completion of all assessment tasks and feedback on assessment tasks in line with the Coursework Assessments Policy.

4.6 Students will have reasonable access via appropriate means (normally, face-to-face and/or via university-supported online tools) to teaching and professional staff.

4.7 Students will have access to properly maintained and accessible resources and facilities (classrooms, library, study facilities, online teaching and learning information and necessary technology).

4.8 Students are encouraged to participate in informed, robust and respectful discussions in their learning and to exercise academic freedom in line with the Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression Policy.

4.9 Students have a right, subject to the normal limits of such provisions, to fair, accessible and efficient administrative procedures including:

1. accurate information and advice about university activities and facilities
2. access to all UTS rules, policies and relevant procedures (refer Policy A-Z)
3. clear and fair processes for reviews of decisions and for making complaints (refer Student Complaints Policy)
4. the ability to report conflicts of interest (refer Conflicts of Interest Disclosure Policy) or fraudulent or corrupt activity (refer Fraud and Corruption Prevention Policy), and
5. access to their personal information held by UTS in line with the Privacy Policy.

4.10 UTS will provide students with access to appropriate academic and non-academic support services as outlined in the Support for Students Policy.

4.11 Students have a right to expect, in line with relevant legislation and university policy, full participation in the UTS community and campus life generally, including:

1. that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure a safe campus
2. that UTS staff will adhere to the Code of Conduct and the Equity, Inclusion and Respect Policy, including with regard to appropriate personal relationships
3. that all students, without exception, will be treated equitably and with courtesy and respect
4. that the university will address any verifiable university-related incidents of victimisation, intimidation or harassment and conduct the relevant misconduct proceedings as necessary
5. that personal privacy will be respected and information only requested in line with the Privacy Policy
6. open discussion, the sharing of ideas and independent thought (though sometimes challenging) will be supported and encouraged, within a respectful atmosphere, in line with this policy, the Equity, Inclusion and Respect Policy and the Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression Policy
7. the opportunity to provide feedback on UTS teaching and learning activities and facilities via student organisations, committee memberships, official UTS student feedback mechanisms (such as surveys) and the complaints process, and
8. the freedom to participate in student clubs, societies and associations if eligible.

Student responsibilities and behavioural expectations

4.12 Students must read, understand and abide by UTS rules, policies and procedures in relation to their academic studies and expectations of conduct. Students must comply with university directions and requirements.

4.13 Students are responsible for their own learning (on the basis of information provided to them) and must work to the best of their ability. It is expected that students will make genuine attempts to progress successfully through their course of study. Students are expected to seek advice and assistance from university staff if required.

4.14 Students are expected to attend all required teaching and learning activities (either in person or online) and submit required work on time (unless otherwise arranged).

4.15 Students must sign the Student Declaration in order to complete enrolment and, in doing so, agree to abide by:

1. the behavioural standards and expectations outlined in this policy and the Equity, Inclusion and Respect Policy
2. the Student Rules, and
3. all other university policies.

4.16 Students must act with integrity in relation to their studies, research, and towards staff and each other (refer Academic integrity).

4.17 Students must protect and promote academic freedom and freedom of speech in line with the Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression Policy.

4.18 Students have a responsibility to themselves, to other students, to UTS and to the wider community to ensure the university’s behavioural standards are met in all interactions including online environments. As such, students must:

1. treat all students, staff and members of the community with courtesy and respect
2. not insult, harass, victimise, intimidate and/or discriminate against others on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, religion, age, political beliefs, accessibility requirements, background or family responsibilities
3. seek to respectfully express opinions while engaging in open enquiry and active engagement, in line with the Equity, Inclusion and Respect Policy
4. behave in a manner that does not jeopardise the safety of others, and
5. understand the types of behaviour that constitute misconduct, as outlined in Rule 16.2, and act accordingly.

4.19 Students must act in accordance with UTS’s zero tolerance commitment towards sexual harm (refer Sexual Harm Prevention and Response Policy).

4.20 Students are encouraged to provide constructive feedback on university teaching and learning activities and other facilities through the university’s evaluation processes.

4.21 Students must respect university property, facilities, IT resources and support services as shared resources, and make use of such provisions in a way that is consistent with UTS values, rules and policies.

4.22 Students must take reasonable steps to ensure their safety and the safety of others when:

1. on university campus or undertaking university activities (refer Campus Policy), including securing personal property
2. using UTS IT resources (refer the Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources Policy and the Information Security Policy), and
3. undertaking university travel (refer Student Travel and Expenses Policy).

4.23 Students should inform UTS Security and Emergency Management where a disability or health condition could impact their ability to evacuate UTS premises in an emergency.

4.24 In undertaking the administrative responsibilities associated with maintaining their enrolment, students are expected to:

1. read and reply to correspondence in a timely manner and no later than the communicated deadlines
2. supply accurate information (personal and otherwise) to the university, and keep this information up-to-date
3. fulfil all enrolment requirements as requested by the university
4. meet their financial commitments to the university, and
5. be fair and reasonable in raising any complaints (refer Student Complaints Policy).

4.25 Students must undertake any mandatory training or development required by either the university or a relevant faculty.

Academic integrity

4.26 UTS will maintain its high academic standards and a culture of academic integrity in line with the Academic Integrity Policy, its academic policies on UTS's learning, teaching and research activities, and under the stewardship of Academic Board.

4.27 Students must uphold the university’s commitment to academic and research integrity by exercising honest, responsible and fair conduct while undertaking scholarship or research (refer the Academic Integrity Policy, the Research Policy and the Intellectual Property Policy). Students should also be aware of the Student Rules (particularly section 16 on misconduct).

Conflicts of interest

4.28 Students may experience actual, perceived or potential conflicts of interest while undertaking research or teaching and learning activities at UTS (refer Conflicts of Interest Disclosure Policy). If students believe they or a staff member have an actual, perceived or potential conflict of interest, they should alert a responsible academic officer, supervisor or research project leader as appropriate. 

4.29 Where an actual, perceived or potential conflict of interest arises between a student and a member of staff, the staff member must disclose the conflict as required by the Conflicts of Interest Disclosure Policy. 

4.30 Students who are engaging in research should also refer to the Research Policy. Graduate research students should also refer to the Graduate Research and Supervision Policy.

4.31 Where students are not satisfied that UTS has managed a conflict of interest appropriately, a complaint should be made via the Student Complaints Policy.

Policy breaches

4.32 UTS reserves the right to take any action necessary to protect the safety of its staff and students, its reputation, the integrity of its awards, and to ensure appropriate use of its facilities. Breaches of this policy by students will be managed in line with section 16, Student Rules.

5. Roles and responsibilities

5.1 Policy owner: The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students) is responsible for policy enforcement and compliance, ensuring that its principles and statements are observed.

6. Definitions

The following definitions apply for this policy and all associated procedures. These are in addition to the definitions outlined in section 16, Student Rules and Schedule 1, Student Rules. Definitions in the singular also include the plural meaning of the word.

Academic integrity is defined in the Academic Integrity Policy.

Conflict of interest is defined in the Conflicts of Interest Disclosure Policy.

Integrity is defined in the Academic Integrity Policy. 

IT resource is defined in the Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources Policy.

Scholarship means any learning activity undertaken as part of academic study and the pursuit of knowledge (for example, reading, class or online participation, assessment tasks and submissions, investigation and analysis).

Student is defined in Schedule 1, Student Rules. For the purpose of this policy, a student also includes a person who has:

1. recently completed the requirements of the course
2. withdrawn from the course
3. withdrawn temporarily from the course for a period of at least one session through approved leave of absence
4. no active enrolment in subjects or in time-based study in a particular semester; or
5. been excluded from the course or from the university, in accordance with the UTS Rules, in the last session.

Approval information

Policy contact	Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students)
Approval authority	Academic Board
Review date	2024
File number	UR19/359
Superseded documents	Advice to Students on Good Academic Practice (1998) (UR16/1187)      Statement of Postgraduate Coursework Rights and Responsibilities (1999) (UR16/1191)      Student Charter (2004) (UR16/1045)

Version history

Version	Approved by	Approval date	Effective date	Sections modified
1.0	Academic Board (AB/18-4/70)	19/09/2018	06/02/2019	New policy.
1.1	Director, Governance Support Unit	09/03/2021	08/04/2021	Amendments resulting from the Policy Impact Project (2020) and to refer to the new Research Policy and new Code of Conduct.
2.0	Academic Board (AB/21-4/68)	29/09/2021	09/11/2021	Scheduled review resulting in updated references to academic freedom, respect and inclusion, and inherent requirements.
2.1	Director, Governance Support Unit (Delegation 3.14.1)	23/11/2022      01/12/2022	15/12/2022	Changes to reflect requirements of the updated Equity, Inclusion and Respect Policy, the new Accessibility and Inclusion Policy and the Sexual Harm Prevention and Response Policy.
2.2	Director, Governance Support Unit (Delegation 3.14.1)	29/05/2023	01/07/2023	Changes to reflect the new Conflicts of Interest Disclosure Policy.
2.3	Academic Board (AB/23-5/92)	15/11/2023	12/12/2023	Changes to reflect the new Academic Integrity Policy.
2.4	Director, Governance Support Unit (Delegation 3.14.1)	18/12/2023	01/01/2024	Changes to reflect the new Support for Students Policy.
2.5	Deputy Director, Corporate Governance (Delegation 3.14.2)	20/06/2024	08/07/2024	Updates to reflect the review of the Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources Policy and the Information Security Policy.
2.6	Director, Governance Support Unit (Delegation 3.14.1)	31/10/2024	07/11/2024	Update to title of Fraud and Corruption Prevention Policy.

References

Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression Policy

Academic Integrity Policy

Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources Policy

Accessibility and Inclusion Policy

Campus Policy

Code of Conduct

Conflicts of Interest Disclosure Policy

Coursework Assessments Policy

Equity, Inclusion and Respect Policy

Fraud and Corruption Prevention Policy

Information Security Policy

Intellectual Property Policy

Policy A-Z

Privacy Policy

Research Policy

Social Impact Framework

Support for Students Policy

Student Complaints Policy

Student Declaration

Subject Descriptions and Subject Outlines Policy

Student Travel and Expenses Policy