The University is a community of scholars, students, administrative and support staff who are committed to the pursuit of excellence in research, scholarship, teaching and learning and academic support. This statement sets out the expectations students can reasonably have as they participate in their education at the University. It also documents what the University expects of students while undertaking their studies in order for them to gain full benefit from the Melbourne Experience.

Students can expect that the University of Melbourne will seek to provide the following :

• Admission and selection criteria, policies and procedures which are valid, explicit, fair and reliable.

• A guarantee that changes to courses, administrative procedures and regulations will not be made without appropriate notice and will not disadvantage currently enrolled students provided satisfactory academic progress is made.

• Protection for students to their legitimate share of intellectual property rights.

• Assurance that complaints and grievances will be dealt with quickly and satisfactorily through a clear set of procedures.

• A physical and study environment in which OH&S standards are maintained and safety and security issues addressed.

• Assurance that the University complies with the Privacy Act and the Freedom of Information Act and that students have access to information held about them in accordance with these acts.

Statements of the objectives, goals and assessment details of all subjects offered at the commencement of study in those subjects.

• Access to accurate and clear information about financial costs and available support services to enable students to make an informed choice about their application for study.

• Access to accurate and timely information about subjects and courses including subject objectives, course content, assessment, workloads and attendance requirements.

• Dissemination of results within a reasonable time of completion of subjects or units of study and feedback on those results by teaching staff.

• Course and subject content that is up-to-date and informed by current scholarship.

• A teaching and learning environment that meets international best practice in the quality of its courses, its teaching and in its physical and academic infrastructure.

• A study environment in which students are able to engage in rational debate and freely express alternative points of view in that debate.

• Reasonable access of students to academic staff for individual consultation, support and guidance.

• Students with the opportunity to provide considered feedback on their teaching and learning experience in subjects and courses.

• Assurance that feedback provided by students will be incorporated into the University’s accountability cycle of continuous improvement.

• Student representation on major decision-making committees.

• A study environment that is free from harassment, discrimination and abuse of power, and one which respects the privacy of individuals.

• Treatment of students with courtesy and respect.

• Equitably treatment irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, cultural background, disability, marital status, age or political conviction.

• The right to express dissent or political and religious views and the right to engage in peaceful protest, subject to complying with the laws of Australia and not endangering the safety of other students, staff or members of the community.

During their enrolment, the University of Melbourne expects students to assume the following responsibilities :

• To be aware of the policies and procedures concerning their enrolment and use of University facilities and to obey the statutes and rules of the University.

• To respect all University property and facilities, including the library, computing and laboratory resources and to respect the rights of others to use these facilities.

• To maintain academic integrity and to respect and comply with the conventions of academic scholarship.

• Not to engage in frivolous complaints or grievances.

• To attend classes and submit work in a timely manner.

• To supply accurate personal and other information to the University according to the deadlines set by the University, recognising that the University is required to comply with the Privacy Act and the Freedom of Information Act.

• To be well informed about course and course requirements and to plan a course that satisfies course requirements.

• To take joint responsibility for their learning and to accept responsibility for moving towards intellectual independence.

• To prepare for and actively participate in learning experiences such as discussion and debate.

• To incorporate feedback into their learning experience, and be aware ofthe specific rules and course requirements applying in the Faculty of their course of study.

• To conduct themselves in a professional manner while undertaking professional placement and fieldwork and respect the confidentiality of patient, client or commercial information made available to them as part of their placement.

• To provide considered and honest feedback to the University and it staff on the quality of teaching and University services.

• Participate actively in and contribute to the committees on which they are representatives or members.

• To treat staff and other students with respect and courtesy.

• To treat other members of the University community equitably irrespective of cultural background, disability, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age or political conviction.

• To respect the rights of other members of the University community to express dissent or different political or religious views , subject to those actions or views complying with the laws of Australia and not endangering the safety of other members of the community

• To show awareness of and sensitivity towards other cultures.

• To respect the opinions of others and engage in rational debate in areas of disagreement.