CQU Policies
Please consult the Registrar and Chief Compliance Officer on 07 4930 9575 for approved legislation at any time, or for a full copy of Central Queensland University Statutes. University Statutes are also available from the website http://www.cqu.edu.au/council/statutes/index_statutes.htm.
A full list of academic policies and procedures relating to CQU students and staff can be found on the CQU Policy Portal ( http://www.cqu.edu.au/policy/).
Responsibilities of students
It is the responsibility of students to read and understand the rules and policies relating to students. Refer to the Responsibilities of Students Policy in Academic Policies and Procedures Manual ( http://www.cqu.edu.au/policy/).
Student misconduct & cheating
Student misconduct
Cheating, plagiarism, or other academic misconduct is a very serious offence. Intellectual honesty demands the contribution of others be acknowledged.
The University views the process of attempting to circumvent, or circumventing assessment requirements very seriously. Consequently conduct of that sort may result in the suspension or exclusion of the student.
A full list of academic policies & procedures is available from the CQU policy portal ( http://www.cqu.edu.au/policy/). Refer to the following policies regarding student misconduct and cheating:
- Plagiarism Policy
- Suspension or exclusion resulting from attempts to circumvent assessment requirements (including plagiarism) policy
Cheating
Cheating in tests or examinations includes, but is not limited to:
- dishonest or attempted dishonest conduct such as speaking to other candidates or communicating with them under any circumstances whatsoever;
- bringing into the examination room any textbook, notebook, memorandum, other written material or mechanical or electronic device not authorised by the examination;
- writing an examination or part of it, or consulting any person or materials outside the confines of the examination room without permission to do so; and
- leaving answer papers exposed to view, or persistent attempts to read other students' examination papers.
Other Academic Misconduct
Other academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:
- tampering or attempts to tamper with examination scripts, class work, grades or class records;
- failure to abide by directions of an instructor regarding the individuality of work handed in;
- acquisition, attempted acquisition, possession, or distribution of examination materials or information without the authorisation of the instructor;
- impersonation of another student in an examination or other class assignment;
- falsification or fabrication of clinical or laboratory reports; and
- non-authorised tape recording of lectures.
Complicity
Any student who voluntarily and consciously aids another student in the commission of one or more of these offences is also guilty of the offence of academic misconduct.
Penalties for Academic Misconduct
Downgrading of Marks for an Assessment Item(s)
A student may have marks or grades for particular assessment item(s) downgraded for cases of plagiarism as an initial corrective procedure.
Failing Grade
A student may be given a 'Fail' in either an exercise or course in which that student is found to have committed plagiarism, cheating or other misconduct. Except in circumstances in which leniency is warranted, this penalty will be applied only in conjunction with one of the other penalties mentioned in this section. In situations in which a student is enrolled in a faculty other than that in which the course is offered, this is the maximum penalty, which shall be applied by the host faculty.
Disciplinary Probation
When students are placed on disciplinary probation, they are entitled to proceed with a degree or other academic program, but only on the condition that if they are found guilty of a further academic offence, suspension or expulsion will be applied. A student who is placed on disciplinary probation is eligible to continue in the Faculty in the normal way after the satisfactory completion of the probationary period. This penalty shall be recommended by the Faculty, in which the student is enrolled at the time of the offence, with final determination being made by the Exclusions Committee.
Suspension
Suspension takes place when a student is denied enrolment at CQU for a specified period of time. This penalty shall be recommended by the Faculty in which the student is enrolled at the time of the offence, with final determination being made by the Exclusions Committee. Suspension may also be applied in the case of a breach of Disciplinary Probation.
Upon satisfactory completion of currently enrolled courses a student may be eligible for an award, however, that award will not be conferred until the period of suspension has been completed.
Expulsion
Expulsion is a termination of enrolment on disciplinary grounds (not academic grounds) where, because of the serious or repeated nature of the offence, a penalty greater than suspension or exclusion is called for. It may be applied in the case of a breach of Disciplinary Probation. Expulsion is the strongest penalty that can be applied by the University.
Exclusion
Exclusion takes place when a student is denied enrolment within an award program and/or from the Faculty for a specified period of time. This penalty shall be recommended by the Faculty in which the student is enrolled at the time of the offence, with final determination being made by the Exclusions Committee. Exclusion is also applied as a result of unsatisfactory progress.
Specific exclusion rules
Faculty of Arts Health & Sciences
Chemical Science
A student enrolled in the Bachelor of Chemical Sciences will become eligible for exclusion if the student fails either CHEM11007 Introductory Concepts of Chemical Sciences or CHEM11008 Essential Principles of Chemical Sciences twice.
Biology
Students enrolled in the Advanced Diploma of Biological Laboratory Techniques and the Advanced Diploma of Aquatic Resource Management in the distance education or part-time modes will be eligible for exclusion if the student's average program progression is less than 25% of the normal student load in any two consecutive years of enrolment.
Health Science
A student becomes subject to exclusion if the student:
- does not successfully complete courses which constitute a specified percentage of the normal student load;
- fails to meet the requirements of a re-structured program of study.
Additionally, students enrolled in Health programs are subject to exclusion if the student fails the same course twice. Further, students enrolled in Health programs may be subject to exclusion if they fail to meet the requirements of practicum courses, including practice blocks, after two attempts.
Faculty of Education & Creative Arts
A student becomes liable for exclusion if they fail any Professional Practice, Portal Task or Teaching Practicum course.
James Goldston Faculty of Engineering & Physical Systems
A student enrolled in the Bachelor of Engineering degree becomes eligible for exclusion if any course is failed twice. Students who fail to meet the progression rules for the cooperative education program become eligible for exclusion from that program.
Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music
Students who have failed more than two courses in one year, or one course in two consecutive years, or fail to achieve an overall program average of more than 60% in each year, shall be asked to show cause why they should be allowed to continue the program.
Student discipline
The full Statute on student discipline can be viewed at http://www.cqu.edu.au/council/statutes/index_statutes.htm.
This Statute applies to all misconduct committed by a student in or on CQU lands or by using CQU services, property or facilities, whether or not as part of or as incidental to enrolment as a student, or, if committed otherwise than on University lands or by using CQU services or facilities, committed whilst performing tasks as part of an academic program.
Workplace Health and Safety
Central Queensland University's policy aims to achieve the optimum attainable level of workplace health and safety as far as is practicable for all staff, students and other persons throughout all areas of its activities.
It is the responsibility of all CQU personnel to ensure the implementation of safety systems appropriate to their delegated operational authority.
It is the responsibility of supervisory staff at every level to ensure that safe working procedures are clearly understood and consistently observed. Supervisors shall also ensure that all plant and equipment in use is in safe working order and workplace conditions are maintained at a high standard.
All members of CQU including students have an obligation for their personal welfare and the welfare of their fellows. To meet this commitment, each person must follow safe working procedures at all times, and take all reasonable care to prevent personal injury or injury to others and damage to plant and equipment.
CQU will achieve this by careful attention to all aspects of workplace health and safety in accordance with the Queensland Workplace Health & Safety Act 1995, the Workplace Health & Safety Regulation 1997 & (Misc) Regulations 1995 and the relevant Codes of Practice.
This shall include:
- mandatory health and safety inductions for all staff and information provided to students;
- sound workplace planning and operation;
- positive and consistent example at all levels of supervision throughout CQU;
- training based on standard, proven work methods and operational and maintenance problems;
- education, counselling and, where necessary, assistance in rehabilitating those involved in its activities;
- the provision of responsible financial support for these activities;
- enforcement of statutory and CQU safety regulations and procedures; where necessary.
In support of this policy, CQU has created Health and Safety Committees, appointed Health & Safety Officers and established the necessary systems.
Participation of and consultation with staff and students takes place through the University Health & Safety Committees. A Health and Safety Unit, staffed with qualified personnel, acts as the University's management arm to provide guidelines on, and training in, safe work practices and control of hazards in the workplace.
The University is conscious of its responsibilities and seeks cooperation and commitment from all staff and students to create a workplace environment aimed at accident prevention and health promotion. The University has adopted a policy of NO SMOKING within its buildings. Copies of the policies and guidelines on various issues such as First Aid, Fire Evacuation, HIV, Hepatitis B & C, etc. can be obtained from the University faculties, divisions and the Health & Safety Unit.
The University's Procedures for Reporting Accidents and Hazards are available from the Health & Safety Unit.
In case of need, students are encouraged to contact Health & Safety workers or representatives in their faculties. Contact 07 4930 6418, or visit the website on http://www.cqu.edu.au/health_safety/home.htm.
Student insurance
Central Queensland University provides students with a range of insurance coverage's from Public Liability to Personal Accident. The coverage's provided by Central Queensland University are in excess of those provided by other Australian universities. Details of the Insurances provided may be obtained from the following web page http://www.fsd.cqu.edu.au/taxrisk.htm that contains a summary of the University's Policies and a Question and Answer Section focusing on student needs.
Students should note that they are not employees of the University and as such are not covered by the University's WorkCover Policy.
Students undertaking Voluntary Work Experience, which has been arranged by the University and is related to their course of study may be included under the University's Voluntary Work Experience WorkCover Policy however, this is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Students undertaking work experience which forms an assessable or mandatory component of their course are not able to be covered under this policy as they are specifically excluded under Queensland government legislation. Students are provided however, with limited coverage under the University's Personal Accident Policy where this occurs. The Personal Accident Policy of the University provides for Death and Capital Benefits only. The Central Queensland University Student Association Policy provides its student members with a more comprehensive Accident Policy, details of which should be obtained from the Student Association.