Special Consideration Procedures

Parent Policy

Special Consideration Policy

Definition of terms

Mark adjustment: A definition is to be provided.

Eligibility

A student whose work during a teaching period or whose performance in an examination or other assessment has been affected by acute illness or other exceptional cause beyond their control may apply in writing to the relevant Faculty for special consideration.

The accepted causes are:

• serious illness or psychological condition – e.g. hospital admission, serious injury, severe asthma, severe anxiety or depression. Does not include minor illness such as a mild cold.
• loss or bereavement – e.g. death of a close family member, family relationship breakdown.
• hardship/trauma – e.g. victim of crime, sudden loss of income or employment, severe disruption to domestic arrangements.

In addition,

• those students demonstrating relevant obligations to military or jury service or service to emergency services such as the Country Fire Authority, and
• elite athletes registered with Monash Sport's athlete support program participating in a key event

will be eligible to apply for deferred exams.

Responsibility

All students and staff

Application Process

All applications for special consideration must be made using the University’s standard application form.

The original application form plus one copy for each unit applied for accompanied by the appropriate evidence are to be submitted to the relevant office. The application form is to be stamped by designated Faculty staff, with the stamped cover sheet returned to the student as verification. Appropriate evidence and documentation must be provided by the applicant. Documentation can include:

• written statements and statutory declarations from students or relevant people;
• evidence provided by professionals who are registered with a professional body, such as social workers, medical practitioners, lawyers and psychologists;
• death notice or certificate; or
• a police report.

Certificates signed by family members are not acceptable.

Students must lodge applications for special consideration, with the appropriate documentation and evidence, at the relevant office (see below), no later than two working days after the due date of the affected piece of assessment. When the special consideration covers the examination period, the application must be lodged no later than two working days after the student’s last scheduled examination.

Responsibility

Examinations Unit, students, student services staff

Faculty-Specific Procedures

Faculties shall develop additional procedures relevant to their own needs and consistent with University policy and procedures.

Faculty procedures, including where to lodge application forms, and other information must be available on the Faculty website and in unit guides.

Faculty information must specify potential outcomes resulting from a successful request for special consideration. These are a matter of academic judgement and will depend on the piece of assessment affected, and  may include granting a deferred examination, additional assessment, or an extension to the submission deadline.

Responsibility

Faculties’ Board of Examiners

Implementation

Applicants that are granted special consideration will be notified, according to the procedure of the relevant Faculty.

It is the responsibility of students to ensure that they are available to sit a deferred examination or submit an alternative assessment task. If a student is granted a deferred examination, additional assessment or extension of submission date, and then submits a new special consideration application for one or more of these outcomes, further special consideration will not normally be granted.

Responsibility

Student services staff, students

Confidentiality

Staff members must be aware that information related to special consideration is private and confidential and should be treated accordingly.

Responsibility

Student services staff, students

Dissemination of Information throughout the University

The University will disseminate information on definitions, regulations and University policies and procedures in the Student Resource Guide.

Responsibility

Policy and Publications Unit, Student and Community Services Division

Contact Person: Education Policy