Purpose |
The purpose of Special Consideration is to give a student, whose work for a particular piece of assessment has been adversely affected by exceptional circumstances beyond their control, a further opportunity to demonstrate their ability.
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Scope |
• all campuses
• all undergraduate and graduate/postgraduate coursework programs
• all staff and coursework students
Students whose work is affected by chronic conditions are to refer to section E of the Unit Assessment procedures - Alternative Arrangements for Assessment . Students availing themselves of Alternative Arrangements for Assessment are not prevented from also applying for special consideration where appropriate. |
Policy Statement |
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:
- acute illness – e.g. hospital admission, serious injury, severe asthma, severe anxiety or depression. This 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 special consideration.
The relevant Faculty’s Board of Examiners or delegates will determine the most appropriate outcome for the special consideration application, depending on the student case and the piece of assessment affected, but a mark adjustment shall not be made under any circumstances.
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Supporting procedures |
Special Consideration Procedures
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Supporting guidelines |
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Responsibility for implementation |
University wide - Deputy Vice Chancellor (Education)
Faculty wide - Deans, Associate Deans (Teaching), Chief Examiners, Student Service Officers. |
Status |
Revised |
Key Stakeholders |
Disability Liaison Unit
Student and Community Services Division
Faculty academic staff
Faculty student service staff
Student representative organisations
University Counselling Service
University Health Service
University Ombudsman
University Solicitor’s Office |
Approval body |
Name: Academic Board
Meeting: 7/08
Date: 19-November-2008
Agenda item: 15.1
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Endorsement body |
Name: Education Committee
Meeting: 6/08
Date: 15-October-2008
Agenda item: 10.2.1
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Definitions |
Alternative and equivalent form of assessment: Where Faculty policy and procedure permits, a special assessment task designed to replace the required assessment task as listed in course and unit information. Not available in every Faculty. Board of Examiners: Faculty committee responsible for determining the results of the performances of all candidates enrolled in the faculty. The composition and duties of the Board of Examiners are specified in the Examination Regulations. Deferred Examination: Also referred to as a special examination: may be granted to students whose work during the academic year or performance in an examination or other assessment has been gravely affected by illness or other serious cause. See the Examinations Regulation. Mark adjustment: The alteration of a mark using a subjective judgement of the impact of illness or other hardship on a student’s performance. |
Related legislation |
Statute 6.1.2 Courses and Degrees
Statute 6.1.5 Examinations
Examinations Regulations
Monash University Act 2009 |
Related policies |
Grading Scale Policy and Procedures
Assessment in Coursework Programs Policy and Unit Assessment Procedures |
Related documents |
Special Consideration Forms: in semester application form, end-of-semester application form
Special consideration webpage |
Date Effective |
15-February-2009 |
Review Date |
15-February-2011 |
Owner |
Education Policy and Programs Committee |
Author |
Education Policy and Programs, Office of Planning and Quality |
Content Enquiries |
policy-education@monash.edu
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University Policy Use |
Version Number: 1.0 Contact: adm-PolicyBank@monash.edu |
