This site is no longer updated and will not be available after December 2010. Unsatisfactory Progress Rules 2009
These Progress Rules apply to all coursework degrees in the School of Music – Parkville,
except courses being phased out.
The School of Music – Parkville Unsatisfactory Progress Committee normally meets twice annually in July and December.
Its function is to consider the academic records of students in coursework music programs and:
- to determine whether progress is judged unsatisfactory,
- to investigate the circumstances of such students' performance,
- to elicit any fact which may weigh in favour of the students, and
- to consider whether any action should be taken, or any opinion given for the purpose of Statute 11.5. This Statute (http://www.unimelb.edu.au/Statutes/s115.html) sets out the principles governing student progress in the University.
Progress rules for students enrolled in coursework degrees in the School of Music – Parkville, except courses being phased out, are:
The progress of a student will be deemed to be unsatisfactory if the student:
- Student with At Risk1 or Probationary2 status passes 50% or less of the points attempted in the current teaching period; OR
- Student with At Risk1 or Probationary2 status in an undergraduate course fails a compulsory or core subject; OR
- Student with At Risk1 or Probationary2 status in an undergraduate course withdraws from a compulsory subject previously failed; OR
- Student with At Risk1 or Probationary2 status withdraws from all subjects in the current teaching period without approved leave of absence for a second time, OR
- A student in a postgraduate course fails any subject, OR
- A student in an Honours degree fails to achieve an Honours grade in any subject
Such a student will be advised in writing at least seven days prior to the Committee meeting and given an opportunity to explain their performance in writing and/or in interview. Students appearing before the Committee may attend alone or may bring a support person with them. A support person cannot participate during the meeting itself.
After investigating the circumstances and giving the student concerned an opportunity to be heard, the Committee may:
- Award supplementary assessment;
- Restrict enrolment to a certain number of points/subjects in the following teaching period;
- Specify subjects to be undertaken in the following teaching period;
- Specify area or level of subjects in which the student may enrol in the following teaching period.
The Committee may also make the following recommendations to the Academic Board:
- Suspension from degree (normally for no more than one year);
- Termination from course (re-admission subject to approval of the body responsible for selection into the relevant degree and the Academic Board).
Students will be notified promptly of the Committee's decision in writing. Students reported to the Academic Board will be advised of their right to appear before the Board and of the expected date/s the Board meetings will be held. Students will receive further information directly from the Academic Board regarding this process.
1 At Risk status
Students are defined as At Risk where:
- Student passes 50% or less of points attempted in the current teaching period for the first time; OR
- Student in an undergraduate course fails a compulsory or core subject for the first time; OR
- Student withdraws from all subjects in the current teaching period for the first time without approved leave of absence.
Students designated At Risk retain this status for the following teaching period. Students must demonstrate satisfactory progress during this period, therefore At Risk duration periods do not include periods of leave of absence from the course. At the end of this period, a student with At Risk status, having made satisfactory progress, will revert to Good Standing.
2 Probationary status
Students who are required to meet with the Unsatisfactory Progress Committee are assigned Probationary status which is retained for the following teaching period.
Students must demonstrate satisfactory progress during this period, therefore Probationary status duration periods do not include periods of leave of absence from the course. A student with Probationary status, having made satisfactory progress, will revert to At Risk status for the subsequent semester. After satisfactory progress in two, not necessarily consecutive semesters, the student will revert to Good Standing.