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UTS Student Charter

Approved by:	Council
Date:	15 November 2004
Meeting no:	04/9
Resolution no:	COU/04/152
Responsible Officer:	Registrar

UTS mission

Purpose

Students' rights

Students' responsibilities

UTS mission

The University of Technology, Sydney is an Australian university with an international focus. It provides higher education to enhance professional practice, to serve the community at large and to enable students to reach their full personal and career potential.

The University contributes to the advancement and integration of knowledge, professional skills and technology, and their intelligent, sustainable and enterprising application for the benefit of humanity.

In pursuing its mission, the University of Technology, Sydney is committed to offering a wide range of support programs and services to optimise students' academic success and employability. In return, UTS expects students to honour their responsibilities to their studies and invites each student to contribute to the life of the University. Together, the staff of the University and the student body will strive to ensure that every student is given the opportunity to enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding learning experience which will promote their academic, social and personal growth.

Purpose

The UTS Student Charter recognises that UTS students and staff have rights and responsibilities to each other and to the University community. The statements outlined in this Charter complement, but should not be regarded as a substitute for, the provisions of the UTS Act and the By-law, rules, policies and procedures made pursuant to the Act. Rather, the Charter acts as a ready reference to students' rights, responsibilities and expectations and to assist students' understanding of the University environment.

Students' rights

In pursuing its mission, the University recognises the following rights of its students:

Academic matters
Learning support
Administrative matters
Participation in the University community

Academic matters

Students have a right to expect:

that courses be of a level consistent with Australian standards and, where appropriate, satisfy the requirements of relevant professional societies and organisations
that course content will be up to date and based on research, study and academic discussion in the field
that feedback on course content and delivery will be actively sought and results communicated back to students
to receive at the beginning of each semester from subject coordinators full information in respect of each subject including:
- objectives/goals
- assessment tasks and their relative importance and general assessment guidelines
to have reasonable access throughout the semester to lecturers, coordinators and general staff including access to teaching staff outside class times in person or by other means
to have access to information and guidelines to enable them to appropriately acknowledge sources of information used in assignments.

Learning support

Students have a right to expect:

to have access to a supportive learning environment, including appropriate and properly maintained facilities such as classrooms, study facilities and use of computer workstations
to have a core entitlement of access to Library facilities, UTS network facilities and access to the Internet for legitimate study and related purposes
to receive support through counsellors or other appropriate staff for students experiencing personal, academic or disability-related difficulties.

Administrative matters

Students have a right to expect:

fair, accessible and efficient administrative procedures including accurate, timely and helpful information regarding course of study, enrolment, financial obligations
full and accurate information and advice about University activities, policies, procedures and regulations including:
- a workable means to acquaint themselves with University rules, policies, codes of conduct and procedures, including any changes
- access to University policies on academic misconduct including cheating, plagiarism and making up or falsification of data
- access to information about rights and procedures in relation to University appeals mechanisms
- access to information about the mechanisms/processes for dealing with grievances in a fair and even-handed manner
- clear policies and guidelines on the utilisation of University facilities and equipment
- access to information about the University's health and safety regulations/practices
to have access to their own information which is held by the University in accordance with the laws of NSW
to be provided with opportunities to participate in all aspects of University life.

Participation in the University community

Students have a right to expect:

that the University management will take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe campus
that UTS staff will adhere to the UTS Code of Conduct
to be treated equitably and with courtesy and respect, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, race, disability or medical condition, cultural background, religion, marital status, age, political conviction and family responsibilities and to enjoy a learning environment which is free from sexual, racial, or gender-based harassment and other forms of intimidation
to have personal privacy respected by staff of the University and other students
to communicate freely and to be able to voice alternative points of view in rational discussion and debate
to contribute their opinions and recommendations on aspects of their courses such as course content, structure, assessment and workload requirements, and quality of teaching through such means as student membership of Council and committees and through the completion of student surveys
to have access to student organisations which can legitimately represent students' interests in all aspects of University life.

Students' responsibilities

In exercising their rights, the University expects students to also meet the following responsibilities:

Academic matters
Learning support
Administrative matters
Participation in the University community

Academic matters

Students have a responsibility to:

read the information given in respect of each subject and ensure they are familiar with subject requirements
work to the best of their abilities and to make genuine attempts to progress successfully through each subject by meeting subject requirements, deadlines for assignments and punctual attendance at lectures/tutorials
display an ethical approach to study including refraining from:
- cheating and plagiarism
- making up or falsification of data
- unauthorised use of facilities and equipment
provide constructive feedback or comment to academic staff on their teaching and quality of units of study (subjects) through appropriate University evaluation processes and channels in a responsible and accountable manner
honour the Rules on use of copyright material.

Learning support

Students have a responsibility to:

respect and use University property in a way that is consistent with University policies
make appropriate use of such facilities and services as the Library, computing and laboratory resources and counselling which the University provides to support teaching and learning.

Administrative matters

Students have a responsibility to:

ensure that their enrolments are valid, and comply with requirements of courses for which they are enrolled, and that the information provided at enrolment is accurate and is kept up to date
meet their financial commitments to the University
read and reply in a timely manner to all official communications to them from the University
ensure regular electronic contact with UTS via their email account
avail themselves of appeals and other review mechanisms at the earliest time in seeking avenues of appeal
respect the rights of others and the confidentiality of material relating to others
acquaint themselves (and, where changes have been made, update themselves) with University rules, policies, codes of conduct and procedures relevant to their enrolment and course of study including:
- UTS: Calendar
- UTS: Handbook
- University rules, policies and codes of conduct
be fair and responsible in raising grievances and in following processes designed to resolve them.

Participation in the University community

Students have a responsibility to:

treat all members of the University community and visitors to the University with respect and courtesy and to refrain from harassing or discriminating against other members of the University and visitors to the University on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, religion, age, disability, background or family responsibilities
comply with instructions for health and safety given by the University members of staff and other who are appropriately authorised to give such instructions
behave in a manner which does not jeopardise the safety of other students, staff or visitors to the University.

Related University policies and procedures

Administrative update: March 2005