What is an appeal against an academic progress outcome?
After a Faculty Committee decides the outcome of an Academic Progress review, or a Late Review application, they will email you an outcome letter. The outcome letter will include information about how the decision was reached and information about the possibility of appealing the outcome.
You can also find information about appeals at deakin.edu.au/students/dean-of-students/student-appeals
The key policies and procedures relevant to academic progress appeals are: the Academic Progress Policy,
the Higher Degrees by Research (HDR) Assessment Procedure and the Student Appeals Procedure. These policies and others can be found in the online Deakin Policy Library.
On what grounds can I appeal a faculty academic progress outcome?
You may appeal to the University Appeals Committee (UAC) against a review decision on one or more of the following three grounds:
How do I lodge an appeal?
If you believe that one or more of the grounds of appeal apply, you can lodge an appeal to the UAC online at deakin.edu.au/students/dean-of-students/student-appeals within 20 working days of having received notice of the Faculty Committee’s decision.
To start an appeal, you will need to submit:
What happens next?
The Chair of the UAC will review your appeal application to determine whether you have provided grounds for an appeal. The Chair may decide to dismiss the appeal if they find:
If an appeal hearing is granted, you will receive at least 5 working days notice of the hearing date and time. You can bring a support person with you to the hearing (e.g. a DUSA Advocate), provided they are not a practicing lawyer.
The UAC must limit the evidence it hears to matters relevant to the grounds of appeal.
Hearing outcomes
A decision of the UAC is reached in private by simple majority with the Chair having the casting vote.
If the Committee hearing the appeal determines that one or more grounds of appeal have been established they then decide whether to uphold, vary or set aside the original (Faculty Committee) decision and/or outcome.
If they decide the matter should be reheard (in whole or in part as the case requires), they may either:
The decision of the University Appeals Committee is final and binding.
Where can I get further assistance?
For more information or to speak to an Advocate about your individual situation, contact DUSA.
A DUSA Advocate can:
Please note that DUSA Advocates experience very busy periods, particularly at the end of each trimester where we need to assist a large number of students, so it is important that you book an appointment to see an Advocate as early as possible.
Example written submission for appeal
Date: <insert date>
Dear Deakin University Appeals Committee members,
Re: Appeal against a faculty decision regarding academic progress in <insert your course code and course
name>
I want to appeal against a decision of a Faculty Academic Progress Committee to <insert decision as indicated on the faculty outcome letter> pursuant to section 29 of Deakin University Regulation 5.3(1) - Assessment and Academic Progress in Higher Education Award Courses.
[Include a brief introduction here] Provide some information about yourself. You may wish to include information on your academic history to date, steps you have taken to improve your academic performance, etc.
I am appealing on the grounds of <briefly state which of the three possible grounds you are basing your appeal on>. [Then use whichever subheadings below are relevant and include an explanation for each ground you are appealing on.]
New Information
Detail the new information/supporting documentation that you now have that you were not previously able to provide. Explain how this new information may have affected the Faculty Committee's decision if it had been available at the time. Examples may include medical certificate, counselling support letter, Language and Learning Adviser letter, statutory declaration, etc.
Misapplication of procedure/s
Detail which university procedure/s were not followed properly. Describe how you think the misapplication of procedure/s has disadvantaged you.
Outcome too severe
Explain why you believe the decision the Faculty Committee made is too severe in light of the information/ documentation that was previously presented to them.
[Conclusion] Summarise your main points and include how the decision has affected you or will affect you.
Yours sincerely,
<insert your name>
Sometimes students ask questions that are not in relation to Academic Integrity, or the DUSA Advocates require further information so that they can answer the question. If you see your question here, we recommend contacting the DUSA Advocates. They can provide you with support regarding your circumstances and/or help you find the service you need.