Student Guide 2008 INTRODUCTION Congratulations on studying for an undergraduate degree in the Faculty of Business and Law. This guide has been designed to ‘make a difference’ to your experience at the University of Newcastle and aims to assist you to successfully complete your studies. It comprises sections on the structure of the Faculty, an A-Z ‘How To’ section and a ‘What Does it Mean Section?’ The guide has been constructed from a student’s viewpoint, with links to forms, policies and procedures that you may need to access at some stage of your studies. Any feedback about the contents of this guide may be sent to [email protected] I wish you all the best in your future studies! Nerida Lithgow Assistant Academic Registrar (Business and Law) INDEX 1. Faculty Structure 2. A-Z How to: - Academic transcripts - Adverse Circumstances - Appeal against a final result - Assignments- collecting - Assignments- submitting - Change of address - Complaints - Credit - Cross institutional study - Enrol in a course after the first 2 weeks of term - Enrolment- check - Exchange - Extensions of time for assessment items - Grade Point Average (GPA) - Reschedule a class test - Reschedule a formal exam - Special Consideration - Student Hubs - Timetable clash - Transfer programs - Tutorial time changes - University Medals - Varying your enrolment 3. What does it mean? - Academic honesty - Approved courses - Blackboard - Course outlines - Review of progress FACULTY STRUCTURE The Faculty is lead by the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stephen Nicholas. The Faculty of Business and Law offers its academic programs through three schools: • School of Business and Management – Head of School: Prof Gordon Boyce; Deputy Head of School: Dr Margaret Griffiths • School of Economics, Politics and Tourism – Head of School: Professor Stephen Nicholas; Deputy Head of School: Dr Jim Jose • School of Law – Head of School: Prof Ted Wright; Deputy Head of School: Dr John Anderson The Newcastle Graduate School of Business – Director: Prof John Burgess—provides postgraduate coursework courses in business. The Faculty is supported by administration staff in the PVC’s Unit, the Schools and the Student Hubs. A-Z HOW TO: Request your Academic Transcript- Students currently enrolled will not necessarily need an official academic transcript. Your academic record and results are available to view or print at any time at: https://connect.newcastle.edu.au/enrol/index.cfm. Graduates are presented with one copy of their academic transcript at their graduation ceremony along with their testamur (degree certificate). All applications for additional academic transcripts must be in writing, preferably using the Request for Academic Transcript application form and can be mailed, faxed or submitted in person at any Student Hub. Notify the University of Adverse Circumstances- see Special Consideration Appeal against a final result- For further information on a final result in a course or to query your result you should contact the lecturer/tutor or the course coordinator. Students who wish to question a final result should, upon request, have access to any or all of the following: a copy of the course outline; the course description as approved by the Faculty; the criteria for the assessment of major assessment items of the course; weightings for the individual components of the course; and, weightings/marks for the individual components of the examination (if appropriate) If the lecturer or course coordinator is unavailable, or if the matter has not been resolved by discussion with the lecturer or course coordinator, you may lodge an appeal against the Final Result, using the Application to Appeal against A Final Result Form accompanied by a supporting statement and submitted to any Student Hub. Please note that you must demonstrate a valid case for that review based only upon the criteria listed on the form. Collect your assignments- Follow your Course Coordinator’s instructions for assignment collection. If advised to collect from a Student Hub you will need to show your student ID card to Hubs staff. You will not be permitted to collect an assignment on behalf of another student without their student ID card and a letter of authorisation. Submit your assignments- A coversheet must be attached to the front. There is a coversheet for Individual Assessment Items and a coversheet for Group Assessment Items. You should review the notes on Academic Honesty in the ‘What does it mean?’ section and ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Module as you will be asked to verify this on the coversheet. Follow your Course Coordinator’s instructions for submission. If you are advised to submit in a Student Hub, stamp your coversheet with the bundy clock and submit into the assignment box. Notify the University of a change of address- Student can change their address online in myHub Make a complaint- The University believes that complaints should be resolved quickly and at the local level if possible. Students can approach a Complaints Officer to make an informal complaint, or the University Complaints Manager directly if they wish to make a formal complaint. The Faculty’s complaints officers are Ms Nerida Lithgow (the Faculty’s Assistant Academic Registrar), Dr John Anderson (Deputy Head of the School of Law), Dr Margaret Griffiths (Deputy Head of the School of Business & Management) and Dr Jim Jose (Deputy Head of the School of Economics, Politics and Tourism). The University Complaints Manager is Ms Kim Foster. Students are also welcome to contact the Dean of Students by E-mail: [email protected], Phone: 4921 5806 or Fax: 4921 7151. Apply for credit from previous studies- Print, complete and submit the Application for Credit form. Make sure that your application is complete as incomplete applications can result in processing delays. You will be advised of the outcome via letter from a Student Hub. Please allow at least 2 weeks for your application to be processed. Apply to study cross-institutionally- Most students are eligible to apply to study cross-institutionally. This means undertaking some courses at another institution to count towards your University of Newcastle program. To make sure that the courses you are studying elsewhere will count towards your University of Newcastle program you must gain approval before undertaking studies. To apply to study cross-institutionally you should submit the Application Form and supporting documentation to any Student Hub. Enrol in a course after the first two weeks of trimester/semester- Print, complete and submit the Application to Add a Course After the First 2 Weeks form. You will be advised of the outcome via email to your studentmail account from a Student Hub. Check your enrolment- You can (and should!) check your enrolment anytime at myHub. Go on an overseas exchange- University of Newcastle students who wish to go on overseas exchange should complete the Outgoing Student Exchange Application Form. Enquiries can be directed to Phone: 49217899 Fax: 49601766 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.international.newcastle.edu.au/ausexchange/exchangeinfo.html Apply for an Extension of time for assessment items- The University recognises that during your program of study, illness or other serious circumstances beyond your control may affect your preparation for or performance in an assessment item. If the assessment item is major (that is, if it is worth 20% or more of the total marks for the course or if it is compulsory to pass in order to pass the course) you must submit the online application form at http://studinfo1.newcastle.edu.au/ and your supporting documentation to any Student Hub no later than the due date of the assessment item. You will be informed of the outcome via email from the online system. If the assessment item is minor (that is, if it worth less than 20% of the total marks required for the course) students must apply in writing – preferably by email - to the Course Coordinator. No application form is necessary to apply for an extension of time for minor assessment items. Calculate your Grade Point Average- Using the grades reported on your academic transcript, a value is assigned to each grade within the relevant institution’s grading system. The University of Newcastle uses a 7 point scale, where HD=7, D=6, C=5, P=4 and FF=0. Grades of ‘Withdrawal Without Fail (WW)’ are not included in the calculation. Note that the grading systems vary between institutions and, within the same institution, over different time periods. The value for the grade achieved for each course is multiplied by the number of credit points (units) for that course. These weighted grade values are totalled and then divided by the total number of credit points as in the example below: Student A Course 1 Course 2 Course 3 Course 4 Grade Credit Pass Distinction High Distinction Value 5 4 6 7 Credit Points 10 10 10 10 (5x10) + (4x10) + (6x10) + (7x10) = 50 + 40 + 60 + 70 = 220 = GPA of 5.5 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 40 40 Request a Leave of Absence- New students are not generally permitted to take leave of absence in their first year unless there are special circumstances. You may postpone your enrolment until semester 2, however if you do not study at all in your first year your place will lapse and your enrolment cancelled. To regain a place you will need to reapply for admission via UAC and compete with other applicants. Continuing students are entitled to 12 months leave of absence. If you have not yet enrolled for the year you can elect to take Leave of Absence by logging into myHub and selecting the Leave of Absence option in myEnrolments. If you have enrolled for the year and wish to apply for Leave of Absence you will need to return to myHub and select the Leave of Absence option. Apply to reschedule a class test- See Special Consideration Apply to reschedule a formal exam- If illness or other serious circumstances beyond your control affects your preparation for or performance in an end of term/year examination you should apply to reschedule your exam. You must submit the online application form at http://studinfo1.newcastle.edu.au/ and your supporting documentation to any Student Hub no later than 10 days prior to the start of the Exam period. You will be informed of the outcome via email from the online system. If circumstances arise within the ten working days cut off that prevent a student from attending or attempting an examination, an application must be submitted under Special Consideration. Apply for Special Consideration- Students may apply for consideration of the impact of special circumstances on their performance. If the assessment item is major (that is, if it is worth 20% or more of the total marks for the course or if it is compulsory to pass in order to pass the course) you must submit the online application form at http://studinfo1.newcastle.edu.au/ and your supporting documentation to any Student Hub no later than 3 working days after the date of submission for the assessment task or examination. Students must retain a copy of their application. You will be informed of the outcome via email from the online system. Find a Student Hub- Your friendly Faculty Student Services staff reside in the Student Hubs. We encourage students to visit any of the hubs, however for very specific program advice you can see your Program Officers as outlined below: Shortland Hub- Level 3, Shortland Union Building, Callaghan Campus (program advice for students from the Faculty of Business & Law at Callaghan) Hunter Hub- Ground Floor, Student Services Building, Callaghan Campus City Hub & Information Common- Ground Floor, University House, Cnr King and Auckland Sts, City Precinct Ourimbah Hub- Ground Floor, Administration Building, Ourimbah Campus (program advice for students from the Faculty of Business & Law at Ourimbah) The Student Hubs are open Mon-Fri 8:30am-6pm during term time (Shortland, Ourimbah and Hunter) and Mon- Fri 9am-6pm during term time (City Hub & Information Common). The City Hub & Information Common also has extended hours when Hubs Staff are not available. Resolve a timetable clash- If the clash involves an elective or courses at different levels (e.g. a 2000 level course and a 3000 level course) the only way to resolve the clash is by choosing a different elective or approved course for your program. If the clash involves compulsory courses for your program you should contact a Student Hub so that they can alert the relevant Schools. Transfer to another program- to transfer to most programs, either at the University of Newcastle or another institution in NSW or ACT, you need to apply through the Universities Admission Centre (UAC). UAC Guides are available from newsagencies or you can visit their website at http://www.uac.edu.au. There are limited exceptions to this rule. For example, if you are a combined Law degree student who wishes to transfer to another combined Law degree you must use the Internal Transfer Application Form. Other students who must use this form include students in a combined degree wishing to transfer to another combined degree where one of the named programs remains the same and students wishing to transfer campuses but remain in the same program. It should also be used by students wishing to transfer from a combined degree to a single degree within their existing combination. Change a tutorial time- You will need to contact your Course Coordinator. The easiest way is via email. If you are not sure who your Course Coordinator is check your Course Outline or Blackboard. Be eligible for a University Medal- The University Medal may be awarded to undergraduate students who show highly distinguished merit in their program. The University Medal Committee takes into account the whole academic record of the student in the program. As the award of a Medal indicates outstanding academic performance, significantly above the minimum requirements for Honours Class 1, it is expected that only in exceptional circumstances will there be more than one Medal for a particular specialisation. Vary your enrolment- After enrolling you may find you are unhappy with your program or with some of the courses you have chosen. If so, speak to your Program Officer or your Program Convenor to see what possibilities are open to you. Your choices may be limited by the rules of your program which set down the compulsory courses you must take and the order in which you must take them. Nonetheless, it may be possible to withdraw from courses, to add courses, or to transfer to another program of study. If you know which courses you wish to add or withdraw you can vary your enrolment online at myHub. Please be aware that there are dates by which courses must be added or withdrawn. For further information about these please see http://www.newcastle.edu.au/study/enrolment/changingenrolment.html Proper procedures apply to transfer from one program to another, to withdraw from courses, or to add new courses. You must follow these procedures or you may find that you have an academic record with failures listed for courses you have not attempted. WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Academic Honesty- The Faculty of Business and Law is committed to ensuring academic integrity among its staff and students. Academic integrity is based on values of honesty, respect, fairness, trust and responsibility. These values are fundamental to our teaching and learning in the Faculty. Academic misconduct, including plagiarism, copying another student’s work and cheating in exams, is contrary to the values of academic integrity and is not tolerated in the Faculty of Business and Law. If you are studying a course in the Faculty of Business and Law you should automatically have access to a Blackboard site entitled Academic Honesty Module. If you do not have this access please email [email protected]. This module will provide you with a self-paced online quiz to assist you to understand the principles and processes of academic integrity. All students enrolled in a course in the Faculty of Business and Law must complete the online Academic Honesty Module prior to submitting assignments. You must tick the box on the Assignment Cover Sheet to indicate that you have done so. You can revisit the Module throughout your course, as necessary, to remind yourself of the requirements. Approved Courses- Every program has a list of Approved Courses. You can find out what these are by looking at the undergraduate handbook on the web. You can search for your program using the Program Finder. It is against the Rules Governing Undergraduate Academic Awards to enrol in courses that are not approved for your program. Blackboard- Blackboard is the online learning environment used for the delivery of online courses and for all courses which have an online component. You will be using Blackboard a lot so we recommend you take a bit of time to learn how to use it efficiently. The best place to start is the Blackboard Support Page for Students. If you do not see the courses that you are enrolled in on Blackboard you should check that you are enrolled correctly Course Outline- Every course has a Course Outline and you should be provided this by the end of the second week of term. It is also placed on the Blackboard site for your course. The Faculty of Business Law uses a standard Course Outline template for all of its courses to encourage quality and consistency. Review of Progress- According to the University’s Code of Ethical Academic Conduct it is every student’s responsibility to maintain steady academic progress. The University’s rules require the Faculty to review the academic performance of students whose results place them at risk of not maintaining a satisfactory rate of progress. The University’s Procedure for Review of Progress, which define what is meant by a satisfactory rate of progress, are available on the web at: http://www.newcastle.edu.au/policylibrary/000647.html. If found to be at risk of failing to maintain academic progress over two consecutive terms of study you will be asked to “Show Cause” as to why you should not be suspended or excluded from the program. You will also be asked to show what action you have taken to improve your results. STILL HAVE QUESTIONS? If you still have questions that have not been answered in this guide you should: 1) Check the University’s Frequently Asked Questions page 2) Email [email protected] 3) Phone (02) 49215000 or (02) 43484030