The Student Code of Conduct outlines the standard of behaviour expected of students of the University, and gives clarity about students' rights to be treated fairly and respectfully. It is written to assist students to understand their responsibilities and obligations and provide guidance on how to behave in a way that supports a fair, safe and positive university environment. The Student Code of Conduct should be read in conjunction with the Equal Opportunity and Valuing Diversity Guidelines.
This Code of Conduct applies to all enrolled students of the university (including those on leave of absence) at any location and for any mode of study whether on campus, online, at a partner institution or on international or national placement.
The university community includes all students, staff, visitors to campuses and members of the public who are interacting with Federation University either in person, in writing or online.
This Code of Conduct supplements the following Federation University statutes and regulations:
- Federation University Australia (Students) Regulations 2022
- Part 5 - Student Misconduct
Federation University is committed to the lawful right to freedom of speech, whereby students have a genuine voice and feel safe to challenge ideas and stimulate discussion.
Federation University is committed to providing a positive, safe and fair learning and working environment for all students, staff and the broader university community. All members of the university community are responsible for creating and upholding standards and behaviours of inclusion, safety, honesty and respect.
Students of Federation University must:
- Communicate respectfully with all members of the university community refraining from offensive, discriminatory or aggressive behaviour or language in person, by phone, in messages, in writing and online including social platforms.
- Conduct themselves in a manner that does not endanger the safety or wellbeing of self and others; or cause harm to others while on campus, University premises or engaged in off-campus University authorised activities.
- Respect university property and the property of the university community, including intellectual property, refraining from damage or theft.
- Conduct their studies with honesty and integrity, and not engage in fraudulent behaviour, plagiarism, contract cheating or collusion.
- Respect the privacy of other students and staff and not access, copy or share private information or confidential university information.
- Treat all members of the university community with respect and not engage in bullying, threatening or harassing behaviour either in-person or online OR coerce or incite another person to engage in those behaviours.
- Uphold principles of equity and equality, respecting the diversity of the university community and not behave in a discriminatory way against any person or group on the basis of disability, gender, race or cultural background, religious or spiritual belief, sexual orientation or physical appearance. Discriminatory behaviour can include behaviour in-person, comments made in class and written in academic papers, in email, message or online platforms including social media. Please refer to the Discrimination Complaints (Students) Procedure.
- Not engage in gender-based violence or sexual harm. Sexual harm includes sexual harassment and sexual assault and can include threatening, controlling, stalking behaviour or image-based abuse (sharing of intimate images without consent). Please refer to the Sexual Harm (Students) Procedure.
- Not engage in criminal activity or commit an unlawful act while on university premises or in connection with university activities.
- Provide proof of identity or student identity card upon request by an authorised University staff member to support safety, security, academic integrity, or university operations.
- Act in accordance with university legislation, policy, guidelines, procedures or rules that apply to students. These may include academic policies or rules relating to accommodation or use of university services or facilities.
Acting in a way, or demonstrating behaviours that breach the Student Code of Conduct can result in student disciplinary action as outlined in the Student Misconduct Procedure. The University is committed to treating all reports of potential misconduct sensitively, respectfully and confidentially.
Each matter will be treated individually, but behaviour that places members of the university community in danger, such as threats, stalking, sexual harassment, assault (including sexual) or for behaviour that may be criminal in nature may result in immediate exclusion from university activities.
Actions that the university may take include:
- Giving a verbal or written reminder about expected behaviour
- Seeking a meeting as an informal resolution to discuss inappropriate behaviour and request to adhere to agreed outcomes (agreed future behaviours)
- If the behaviour is considered Academic or General Misconductreferral to the InstituteExecutive Dean or Student Misconduct Committee to hold a misconduct hearing
- Following a hearing, the university may:
- Give a formal warning or reprimand in writing
- Require a written behaviour agreement (to not engage in harmful behaviour)
- Require the student to undertake training or counselling
- Exclude the student from university premises and/or activities
- Suspend the student from studies for a specified period of time
- Terminate the enrolment of the student
- In cases where behaviour may be criminal, the university may report to police or support a victim to report to police.
Students have the right to a fair process, to support and advice, to timely communications and to be kept informed about their matter. A student can request and has the right to:
- Information in writing about their matter
- To be kept informed about their matter
- Respond to their matter and provide their view of the events
- To know timelines and when decisions may be made
- To receive advice from the Student Advocacy (note this may be via phone or video conference if the student has been temporarily excluded from campus)
- To bring a support person to meetings or to a misconduct hearing
- To access the University’s Counselling Service (note this may be via phone or video conference if the student has been temporarily excluded)
- To appeal a decision
- Academic Freedom and Freedom of Speech Policy and Procedure
- Students and Support for Students Policy (ST2073)
- Discrimination Complaints (Students) Procedure
- Equal Opportunity and Valuing Diversity Guidelines
- Complaints Management Procedure
- Student Misconduct Procedure
- Sexual Harm Response Procedure (Students)
- Academic Governance Policy
- Federation University Australia (Students) Regulations 2022
- Chief Learning Experience Officer(as the Approval Authority) is responsible for monitoring the implementation, outcomes and scheduled review of this Code of Conduct.
- Director, Student Services and Registrar (as the Document Owner) is responsible for maintaining the content of this Code of Conduct and scheduling its review as delegated by the Approval Authority.
The Student Code of Conduct will be communicated throughout the University via:
- A FedNews announcement and on the ‘Recently Approved Documents’ page on the University’s Policy Central website
- Distribution of e-mails to Head of School / Head of Directorate for cascading to University staff; and
- Distribution to Student Senate members
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