Student Development

"Show Cause Hearing"

Higher Education, University of Ballarat - IIBIT

Preparation is the Key

If you are reading this it is likely that you have not done well this semester. Your school has doubts about your suitability to continue your course and wants to hear what you think. Read the School's letter to yourself carefully.

If you feel you have circumstances that prevented you from doing well during the semester, you have two options. Firstly you may write a letter of appeal. This letter must be handed in to the Academic Co-ordinator at IIBIT by the due date specified in the "show cause" letter. The letter will be forwarded to the Academic Progress Committee of Ballarat for decision. Ballarat will inform you of the outcome within 7 days.

Alternatively you may wish to ask to "meet the Appeals Committee" in person. This is usually done via a "teleconference" link up at IIBIT with the members of the Appeals Committee.

Before you prepare your letter of appeal, or go along to the "in person" appeal there are several points you should consider.

Why did you Fail?

Try to think honestly about what went wrong:

Is the course really for you?
Personal/family dilemmas.
The course is not what you thought it would be?
Accommodation is a problem?
Exam anxiety.
Caught up in the mad social whirl.
Uncertainty about the standard of work required.

What do you need to do to make sure you pass the next Teaching Period?

Extra tutoring.
More balance between study and social life.
Work harder or smarter.
Speak to the appropriate person at IIBIT regarding family, personal or financial problems.

Can these things be sorted out or should you take time off and come back when things have settled down?

Where can you go for Help?

Your UB Program Co-ordinator can help you to plan your approach to the "show cause " hearing and answer your questions about it.
Further information can be found in the Handbook or at: http://www.ballarat.edu.au/vco/legal/legislation/Legislation_pdf/Chapter2/r2%272appealscomm.pdf

Can you Appeal?

Your School will let you know the outcome of your hearing within 7 days of making the decision.

If you are unhappy with the outcome of your appeals to the School, you are entitled to appeal to higher authorities but only under the following circumstances:

You have new evidence, not known to you at the time of your appeal to the School;
You believe that there were irregularities in the procedures followed by the School.

You should write your appeal to the Secretary, Appeals Committee within 7 days of receiving notification from the School.

It is a good idea to talk to the UB Program Manager if you are planning an appeal to the Academic Board.

What Next?

Being asked to "show cause" gives you an opportunity to review where you're going with your studies and, perhaps, your life. It can be the start of something new, if you can make the necessary changes to the way you've been doing things.

Your UB Program Manager can help you to think your way through what you need to do differently, and support you in making the changes. If your study skills need improving, the Student Learning Support Centre will be able to help you too.

Let's make your "show cause" hearing an opportunity for a fresh start.

Contacts

University of Ballarat Program Manager: Isabel Costabile tel: (02) 92696922.