Special Consideration
Special Consideration is a process which enables a student whose study had been significantly affected by circumstances outside their control to seek adjustments to assessment requirements, conditions or timing. Special Consideration is a confidential and formal process. The Melbourne GSM's Special Consideration Officer provides confidential support to students experiencing difficulties ie health (short or long-term); personal or other difficulties that are outside their control.
- Who is eligible?
- What is considered serious?
- Managing your studies outside of the Special Consideration process
- Ongoing conditions
- Alternative Exam Arrangements
- Assignment Extension Requests
- Missing exams or other assessments
- How and When to apply
- Supporting documentation
- Consideration of applications
- How and when will I be notified of the outcome of my application?
- Can I appeal the outcome of my application?
- Request for Alternative Examination Times
- Questions?
Who is eligible?
Students who have been significantly affected by illness or other serious circumstances during the semester may be eligible for Special Consideration if:
- your work during the semester has been hampered to a significant degree by illness or other cause;
- you have been prevented by illness or other cause from preparing or presenting for part or all of a piece of assessment, including examinations;
- you were significantly adversely affected by illness or other cause during the performance of a piece of assessment, including examinations;
- the circumstances were beyond your control;
Students should note that the submission of an application does not mean that the application will be automatically approved. As such, students are strongly advised to sit the examination or continue to complete all work until advised of their outcome.
What is considered serious?
The following are examples of serious and extenuating circumstances beyond a student’s control: Hospitalisation; A serious illness; A death in your immediate family.
If you have an ongoing medical condition, you should contact the University’s Disability Liaison Unit who can provide assistance in managing your studies.
Managing your studies outside the Special Consideration process
Students are expected to plan around regular events that are a part of the normal fabric of life: family life; work/career issues & goals; sporting activities as well as interruptions and disruptions to routine that might result from illness, mishap or change resulting from normal life events.
Ongoing conditions
Students with ongoing conditions are advised to access specialised support services in order to make tailored arrangements in support of their studies. It is imperative that students seek advice and/or assistance, in the first instance with the Melbourne Graduate School of Management Student Centre (Special Consideration Manager - Tel.No: 8344 1671). The sooner we know of your special needs, the easier it will be to make suitable arrangements for you.
Students may subsequently be referred to the University's Disability Liaison Unit (DLU); Counselling Service or Health Service. The University's support services such as the DLU provide a range of support and advice to students with ongoing, fluctuating and temporary conditions such as chronic illness; mental health conditions; physical disabilities, sensory impairments; neurological conditions and learning disabilities.
The Melbourne GSM in conjunction with these support services will make alternative arrangements as required to assist you in the management of your ongoing condition(s).
Alternative Exam Arrangements (AEAs)
At the Melbourne GSM we know that plans do not always proceed as one would wish, especially at examination time. As such, the Melbourne GSM are able to organise Alternative Examination Arrangements (AEA's) for students that have been unfairly disadvantaged by a physical or mental health condition. We can ensure that you will receive assistance in the way you undertake your exam – for example:
-
additional reading or writing time
- rest breaks
- completing examinations on a computer
- organising a scribe to write for you
- sitting your exam in a different venue
Students who have a short term physical illness (eg: broken arm, chickenpox) should speak with the Melbourne GSM Disability Contact Officer. This can be done in person by visiting the Melbourne Graduate School of Management Student Centre or by telephone on: +61 3 8344 1671 or +61 3 8344 2171. Please contact us as soon as you are aware there is a problem. The sooner we know of your special needs, the easier it will be to make suitable arrangements for you.
Students who have an ongoing physical or mental health condition are strongly recommended to register with the Disability Liaison Unit (DLU) so that they can automatically make these arrangements for you. Students should see the DLU at least a month before the release of the examination timetable. This can be done in person by visiting the Disability Liaison Unit located on Masson Road, or by phone on: +61 3 8344 7068.
Assignment Extension Requests
If you are unable to complete an assignment by the due date due to circumstances outside your control, you should apply for an assignment extension in the first instance. Applications for extensions should be made to the Melbourne GSM Student Centre using the Assignment Extension Request form (PDF 322kb). Please note that assignment extensions can not be granted after the assignment due date.
Missing exams or other assessments
You are strongly advised to attend your examinations unless you are physically incapable of doing so. Missing an examination does not automatically entitle you to Special Consideration or a special examination. Should you be physically incapable of attending an exam, you must ensure that any supporting documentation ie. HCAP form; medical certificate, will authenticate this.
How and When to apply
How…….
To apply for Special Consideration - You must complete the online application (also available via the admin tab in your Student Portal), and return the Health Care or Appropriate Professional (HCAP) form and any other supporting documentation to:
Special Consideration Manager,
Melbourne Graduate School of Management
Level 4, 198 Berkeley Street
The University of Melbourne
PARKVILLE VIC 3010
You must specify the date of assessment in the online application and on the HCAP form.
Before completing an online application, you must read the ‘Special Consideration Guidelines for Submission’ (also available via the Admin tab in your Student Portal).
When…..
The following time limits apply to all applications for Special Consideration:
- you must submit your online application no later than 3 working days after the due date for submission or examination of the particular component of assessment, to which you application refers; or
- if you are submitting one application for multiple subjects, you must submit the applications no later than 3 working days after the submission date for the last piece of assessment; and
- you must submit your HCAP form to the Melbourne GSM Student Centre no later than 5 working days after submitting your online application. Applications lodged without supporting documentation can not be considered.
Applications lodged after these timeframes will be considered late. When the Melbourne GSM receives late applications for Special Consideration they are forwarded to the Office of the Academic Registrar. The Office of the Academic Registrar will determine whether a late application will be assessed. Please note late applications may not be considered.
Supporting documentation
You must provide supporting evidence of the circumstances for which you seek Special Consideration. Applications submitted without supporting documentation can not be assessed.
Supporting documentation should be submitted using the Health Care or Appropriate Professional (HCAP) form, which can be completed by a medical practitioner, counsellor, minister of religion or other appropriate professional. If you are unsure as to the most appropriate person to complete your HCAP form, please contact the Melbourne GSM Student Centre for advice.
Please note that in order to make an appropriate assessment of your application; we need to know the impact, severity and timing of the circumstances that have affected you. Students are responsible for providing information in a full and accurate manner in any supporting documentation, and as such this is in the students’ best interests.
Consideration of applications
The Special Consideration Committee will assess applications for all subjects taught by the Faculty of Economics and Commerce.
The Committee will then make one of the following recommendations:
- that no action be taken
- that the marks for the assessment be re-weighted to another piece(s) of assessment(s)
- that a special exam be offered.
Students should note that mark adjustments without re-examination are not offered.
Students should further note that subject coordinators and tutors do not administer or determine the outcomes of special consideration applications.
If you have applied for special consideration for a subject taught by another Faculty, you will need to check the special consideration process for the subject with that Faculty.
How and when will I be notified of the outcome of my application?
All notifications regarding your outcome will be sent to your University student email account. Where the notification relates to a special exam, you will receive a minimum of 48 hours notice before being required to sit the special examination. The Special Exam period for Semester 2 is 17 - 22 December, 2009.It is your responsibility to ensure that you complete the following:
- if you have submitted an application for Special Consideration, check your email account regularly for any notifications
- be available during the special exam period if you are applying for an end of semester assessment. This means that you should REMAIN IN MELBOURNE and BE CONTACTABLE until after the release of results.
- attend any special examinations. If you do not attend your special examination, your original mark for the assessment will stand. Special Exams can NOT be rescheduled.
- Students are reminded that they are required to remain n Melbourne and be contactable by the University until after the final date for the release of results.
Can I appeal the outcome of my application?
Objections to decisions must be submitted in accordance with University grievance procedures – http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/grievances/
Grievances should be lodged within 10 working days of the Special Consideration outcome notification being sent. Additional supporting documentation will only be considered if it is demonstrated that such information could not reasonably have been provided at the time of the application.
If you have read the Grievance Policy and wish to submit an appeal you can do so in writing. Please include your full name, student number, course and please sign and date the letter. The letter should be addressed to –
Professor Greg Whitwell
Associate Dean (Academic Programs)
C/- Special Consideration Manager,
Melbourne Graduate School of Management
Level 4, 198 Berkeley Street
The University of Melbourne VIC 3010
Questions?
Students of the Melbourne GSM who have Questions and Enquiries about special consideration should contact the Special Consideration Manager by email
pg-specialconsid@unimelb.edu.au or telephone 03 8344 1671 / 2171