The main reason you're at University is to learn, gain skills and be certified as having obtained that knowledge. But to do this you need to know a few things first!
Assessment Requirements
Adequate Teaching
Library
Student Intellectual Property
Three Steps to Empower Yourself

Assessment Requirements
This is the area of most disputes as it often involves some degree of opinion. It is vital that you keep copies of all work submitted in case it is lost, or there is any dispute over ownership, marking result or whatever.

At the start of a subject you should receive a Subject Guide (Unit Guide) or a handout that outlines assessment requirements, weightings, topics, submission dates, word limits and requirements for presentation. You should also be informed of what is expected of you in assessment tasks and the criteria by which your performance will be judged. You should also be informed as to what plagiarism is and what penalties may be applied.

MAKE SURE YOU READ YOUR SUBJECT (UNIT) GUIDE!

It is your right to be informed at the start of a subject of:

• the assessment methods,
• the scheduling and format of each assessment task,
• any optional forms of assessment available,
• the weight of each piece of assessable work,
• the general criteria for assessment,
• any school policies relevant to the subject, and
• any special requirements (e.g. attendance or minimal performance levels in specific parts of the subject).

You should take careful note of any attendance and other requirements and ensure that these are clear to you. Issues that can be of concern include whether each piece of assessment must be passed or the total cumulative “mark” is the basis of a pass.

A copy of any general school assessment policies, like re-marking of work, should be available from your school or handed out in the first class. If you can't find it just ask at your School's Administration office.

You are expected to attend ALL examinations for your subjects. Misreading timetables, deadline dates or any other information you are sent on exams is no excuse for non-attendance! Make sure you don't blow it!

You need to make sure that you are aware of the relevant exam conditions. Such things as whether you are allowed to use books or not are things that usually cause problems. If you have experienced serious illness or trauma throughout the semester you can apply for Special Consideration

Adequate Teaching
As a 'consumer' of education you have rights to a reasonable level of performance. If you are concerned about your progress in a subject you may request individual academic counseling. If you are not happy about the quality of teaching presentation or materials, unfair treatment, excessive workload, lack of assistance with study problems or similar individual concerns you should first attempt to find others that share your concern.

You should then approach the staff member concerned. Clearly this is easier if there is a group of you involved, but you can take a friend or a Union Officer with you if you are nervous or feel at all intimidated (REFER TO THE GRIEVANCES PROCEDURES PAMPHLET).According to the University's Code of Practice for Learning and Teaching, staff of the university have to develop students' knowledge, understandings, skills and attitudes as defined in the objectives of the university, course, major and subject, by providing them with teaching programs, course materials, activities and tasks appropriate to the development of these attributes.

If your concern is broader in nature, such as assignments not being returned in a reasonable amount of time or within stated turn around times, timetabling or exam clashes, general course administration, and changes to course requirements these should be raised at School Forums (or at least with the Union's Education Vice President). School Forums should be held at least once during semester, and as well as being an opportunity for dealing with these sorts of student concerns, are an opportunity for discussion and information exchange.

The Union will assist in dealing with issues in between Forums, and can assist you in preparing materials to present to them if required. Your student representative on the School or Faculty committees are also keen to help, by at least raising the matter with these committees.

Library
The library is one of the most important resources for your studies and like most key things is specifically regulated. Most of these regulations are intended to make the distribution of limited resources equitable rather than make life hard for you (believe it or not!).

It is important that you are aware of the policies of the library, particularly those controlling loans. You may be denied re-enrolment or your academic transcript if you have any outstanding debts to the University — including any late fines so avoid them by returning or renewing in time. You can find out about the library's policies at www.lib.monash.edu.au/loans/ugLoans.html

You have the right to access all the University's branch libraries and you can register for access to a wide range of other libraries. Make sure you know what different conditions may apply in libraries outside of Monash University.

Photocopying is an important part of using library resources, but you should be aware that the words you are copying are the 'intellectual property' of the author. The copyright fees an author receives is the only way they have any chance to make a living from the work that is put into a book!

Authors and publishers are very sensitive about protecting their rights, so you should be aware of the restrictions imposed — THESE ARE EXPLAINED ON NOTICES NEAR ALL PHOTOCOPIERS in the University. Don't think that you'll never get caught — it has happened — and can be VERY expensive.
To photocopy anything you need to get a photocopy card. These are sold through the vending machines at the entrance to the campus' library.

Student Intellectual Property

Undergraduates own any original work or invention. Despite the University's best efforts to claim otherwise this appears to be a clear legal position. See the Student Support Coordinator if you have a particular case.

The position of Postgraduates and Staff can vary depending on the particular relationship to the University, or any Research Grant conditions. Through its regulations the University generally claims intellectual property rights (for copyright or patent purposes) to all original research or other postgraduate work submitted for assessment or produced using their facilities (subject to any specific, prior agreement between the University, the Student or Staff member doing the work, and any funding body which may be involved).

This claim may not be as absolute as it might appear — it is wise to clarify this at the start of any postgraduate work.

Three Steps to Empower Yourself

Step 1.
Keep every bit of correspondence that you send the university and that the university sends you — this includes email that you send to your lecturers, tutors or to administrative staff. Make sure that you keep the correspondence in one place that is easy to find. This information is invaluable if you ever have to clear up any misunderstandings.

Step 2.
Whenever you have a telephone conversation or a face-to-face meeting with a lecturer, tutor or administrative staff make sure you follow up with an email. This way if there is any confusion you have the documentation to back yourself up. Make sure you print these out (refer to Step 1).

Step 3.
The university has a range of policies that outline your rights and responsibilities. Above all, it is your responsibility to know your rights and responsibilities. Reading material such as policies and by-laws is boring stuff, but you can't protect your rights if you don't know what they are! The Student Union publishes a number of leaflets that covers your rights and responsibilities.
Your Student Union is here to help you with academic and non-academic problems while at university. The Student Union has dedicated student rights officers to help you.

Contact your Student Union
Or visit the Student Union on the opposite side of the Student Lounge.