Student Advice - Academic Grievance

A grievance occurs when a student has been adversely affected by a university decision and requests an alternative outcome to resolve his/her problem.

Reporting a Grievance

Firstly know your case:

· What is (are) the problem(s)?

· How is it a problem (and for whom)?

· What options could solve this problem(s)?

Get the facts clear in your mind - it will usually help you to write it down - so that you can not only sort out these questions for yourself, but so that you can then make them clear to others. It also makes it easier for you to negotiate a better deal for yourself. Include dates and the sequence of events, summaries of any verbal or written communications (all evidence will be useful).

Try to separate objective fact from subjective interpretation. It may help to talk to someone about this because if you are in the middle of a dispute it isn't always easy to see everything clearly. The Student Rights Manager at the Student Union is available to help in these situations so you don't have to wait until everything goes wrong!

Seek advice if you are not sure about what to do, who to see or where to go first about a problem. Have a clear idea of what you want to achieve, and the minimum you will accept. Monash has a written Student Grievance procedure that seeks to provide a way for individual problems to be solved.

Usually it will be best to start with the staff member immediately concerned and as soon as possible. Leaving a problem almost always makes it harder to solve, or worse, may allow the difficulty to compound. Make appointments with staff, if at all possible.

If you are not satisfied with the outcome or response of the staff member you can almost always take the matter further. If you are convinced that the decision is unfair or unreasonable there will be some further avenues for review of the decision.

This involves the more formal processes, including putting your case in writing and possibly seeing the Faculty Grievance Committee. If you wish to follow this procedure please talk with the Student Rights Office.

University Policy for Student Grievance

A complete versions of the Student Grievance policy is available from your faculty office, in the Student Resource Guide and on the web. It is recommended that you check your specific faculty rules on Student Grievance as policies vary between faculties.