Policy overview
1 Purpose
To promote the principle of mutual respect by defining the standards of behaviour expected of Students and the consequences of failure to meet these standards.
2 Scope
This Policy applies to Students:
- while on University premises (including University Student accommodation) or using University facilities and services; engaging in University activities, including placements, field trips, conferences, events and functions, and activities organised by University-affiliated clubs, sporting and Student associations; or
- while interacting with other Students, Employees or members of the University Community.
3 Policy Statement
The University aims to provide a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning and working environment for the University Community and expects each member of that community to behave responsibly and ethically.
This Policy aligns with the:
- Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021: Standard 2.2 Diversity and Equity, 2.3 Wellbeing and Safety; 2.4 Student Grievances and Complaints
- National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students (2018): Standard 10: Complaints and Appeals
4 Principles
4.1 Student general conduct
Students must always while on University premises, using University facilities and services, engaging in University activities, and interacting with other members of the University Community behave in a way that:
- respects the rights of others to study, Research, work and engage in University activities in an environment of Academic Freedom, and critical and open inquiry, where every person has the right to hold an opinion without interference and has the right to freedom of expression in accordance with the Academic Freedom and Freedom of Speech Policy;
- promotes a safe and inclusive learning and working environment and refrains from behaviour which is abusive, threatening or intimidating of another person or which a reasonable person would regard, in the circumstances, as likely to harass, humiliate or intimidate another person;
- complies with directions given by Employees to promote the good order and management of the University;
- ensures the proper use of University facilities, Information and property, and the property of other persons on its campuses and sites;
- demonstrates a professional manner while representing the University in any capacity, including while participating in Student mobility programs, events, conferences, functions, placements, practicums, field trips, study tours and other forms of work integrated learning, and maintains the highest standards of professional ethics relevant to the profession or industry for which they are being trained;
- complies with all health and safety requirements and instructions given by the University, including attending any relevant training if required by the University; and
- complies with University Policies and Procedures that relate to Students.
4.2 Student General Misconduct
Student behaviour which is contrary to Section 4.1 may constitute General Misconduct and the Student may be subject to Disciplinary Action, in accordance with the Student General Misconduct Procedure.
5 References
Nil.
6 Schedules
This policy must be read in conjunction with its subordinate schedules as provided in the table below.
7 Policy Information
| Accountable Officer | Provost |
| Responsible Officer | Associate Provost |
| Policy Type | Governance Policy |
| Policy Suite | |
| Subordinate Schedules | |
| Approved Date | 5/12/2022 |
| Effective Date | 5/12/2022 |
| Review Date | 5/12/2027 |
| Relevant Legislation | Age Discrimination Act 2004 (QLD) Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (QLD) Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 Information Privacy Act 2009 (QLD) Public Interest Disclosure Act 2010 (Qld) |
| Policy Exceptions | |
| Related Policies | Academic Freedom and Freedom of Speech Policy Acceptable use of ICT Resources Policy Fraud and Corruption Management Policy Prevention of Discrimination, Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy Public Interest Disclosure Policy Research Code of Conduct Policy Student Academic Integrity Policy |
| Related Procedures | Commercialisation of Intellectual Property Procedure Employee Complaints (Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault and Sex Discrimination) Procedure Intellectual Property Procedure Public Interest Disclosure Procedure Research Code of Conduct: Management of Potential Breaches Procedure |
| Related forms, publications and websites | Feedback, Complaints and Appeals |
| Definitions | Terms defined in the Definitions Dictionary |
| Academic Freedom comprises: the freedom of Employees, in the course of their academic activities, to educate, discuss, or research and to disseminate and publish the results of those activities; the freedom of Employees and Students, in the course of their academic activities, to engage in intellectual inquiry, to express their opinions and beliefs, and to contribute to public deba...moreAcademic Freedom comprises: the freedom of Employees, in the course of their academic activities, to educate, discuss, or research and to disseminate and publish the results of those activities; the freedom of Employees and Students, in the course of their academic activities, to engage in intellectual inquiry, to express their opinions and beliefs, and to contribute to public debate, in relation to those activities; the freedom of Employees and Students to express their opinions in relation to the University; the freedom of Employees, without constraint imposed by reason of their employment by the University, to make lawful public comment on any issue in their personal capacities; the freedom of Employees to participate in or speak on behalf of professional or representative bodies and associations; the freedom of Students to participate in or speak on behalf of student societies and associations; and the autonomy of the University in relation to the choice of Academic Programs and Courses, the ways in which they are taught and the choices of research activities and the ways in which they are conducted. Public comment is not made in a personal capacity where: the comment includes a reference, express or implied, to the University; or the Employee identifies their employment or any affiliation with the University, refers to their position in the University. Action by the University to discipline an Employee for misconduct or serious misconduct and includes: formal censure or counselling; demotion by one or more classification levels or increments; withholding of an increment; suspension with or without pay; or termination of employment for serious misconduct only....moreAction by the University to discipline an Employee for misconduct or serious misconduct and includes: formal censure or counselling; demotion by one or more classification levels or increments; withholding of an increment; suspension with or without pay; or termination of employment for serious misconduct only. A person employed by the University and whose conditions of employment are covered by the Enterprise Agreement and includes persons employed on a continuing, fixed term or casual basis. Employees also include senior Employees whose conditions of employment are covered by a written agreement or contract with the University....moreA person employed by the University and whose conditions of employment are covered by the Enterprise Agreement and includes persons employed on a continuing, fixed term or casual basis. Employees also include senior Employees whose conditions of employment are covered by a written agreement or contract with the University. Behaviour or conduct which is contrary to expected Student conduct outlined in the Student General Conduct Policy....moreBehaviour or conduct which is contrary to expected Student conduct outlined in the Student General Conduct Policy. Harassment includes, but is not limited to, treating a person less favourably because of a person's characteristic such as their sex, race, age, disability, sexuality, religious or political belief or activity, or some other characteristic protected under anti-discrimination laws. Harassment may include Bullying a person and may also breach human rights legislation....moreHarassment includes, but is not limited to, treating a person less favourably because of a person's characteristic such as their sex, race, age, disability, sexuality, religious or political belief or activity, or some other characteristic protected under anti-discrimination laws. Harassment may include Bullying a person and may also breach human rights legislation. Any collection of data that is processed, analysed, interpreted, organised, classified or communicated in order to serve a useful purpose, present facts or represent knowledge in any medium or form. This includes presentation in electronic (digital), print, audio, video, image, graphical, cartographic, physical sample, textual or numerical form....moreAny collection of data that is processed, analysed, interpreted, organised, classified or communicated in order to serve a useful purpose, present facts or represent knowledge in any medium or form. This includes presentation in electronic (digital), print, audio, video, image, graphical, cartographic, physical sample, textual or numerical form. A high level strategic directive that establishes a principle based approach on a subject. Policy is operationalised through Procedures that give instructions and set out processes to implement a Policy....moreA high level strategic directive that establishes a principle based approach on a subject. Policy is operationalised through Procedures that give instructions and set out processes to implement a Policy. An operational instruction that sets out the process to operationalise a Policy....moreAn operational instruction that sets out the process to operationalise a Policy. Research is the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way to generate new concepts, methodologies, inventions and understandings. This could include the synthesis and analysis of previous research to the extent that it is new and creative....moreResearch is the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way to generate new concepts, methodologies, inventions and understandings. This could include the synthesis and analysis of previous research to the extent that it is new and creative. A person who is enrolled in a UniSQ Upskill Course or who is admitted to an Award Program or Non-Award Program offered by the University and is: currently enrolled in one or more Courses or study units; or not currently enrolled but is on an approved Leave of Absence or whose admission has not been cancelled....moreA person who is enrolled in a UniSQ Upskill Course or who is admitted to an Award Program or Non-Award Program offered by the University and is: currently enrolled in one or more Courses or study units; or not currently enrolled but is on an approved Leave of Absence or whose admission has not been cancelled. The term 'University' or 'UniSQ' means the University of Southern Queensland....moreThe term 'University' or 'UniSQ' means the University of Southern Queensland. Means all Students and Employees of the University, persons officially associated with the University, former Students and alumni at the University, as well as invitees, visitors and guests....moreMeans all Students and Employees of the University, persons officially associated with the University, former Students and alumni at the University, as well as invitees, visitors and guests. | |
| Definitions that relate to this policy only | |
| Keywords | general conduct, behaviour, Academic Freedom, Student, University Community, General Misconduct |
| Record No | 14/2753PL |