Tips for Student Rights @ RMIT

Survive RMIT - Tips for Student Rights @ RMIT

The following is a collection of our BEST advice on how to avoid student rights issues during your time at RMIT. Prevention is always better than cure!

Check your student email regularly

RMIT now makes almost all of its communication with students by email so you're expected to check it at least once a week. Don't expect important stuff (like Exclusion notices, Special Consideration decisions, etc) to be sent by post! Play it safe and become an email-aholic.

Apply Early

If you think you're going to need it, apply for Special Consideration earlier rather than later. This gives everyone more time to adjust and you'll have more time to appeal if you need to. Plus, you'll save yourself a lot of stress that you probably could do without!

Make sure you know when all the important student calendar dates are and triple highlight them in your diary

We're talking Census dates (31 of March for Semester 1 and 31 August for Semester 2), last dates to add/withdraw classes without academic penalty, Swot Vac, release of results, etc… (check with your School Admin or Program Coordinator if you are not sure). These dates are already marked out in the RMIT student diary and it's crucial that you keep tabs on them. Census dates are the big ones here - your uni fees are based on what you're enrolled in on this date so if you drop a class even the day after census, you'll still get billed for it.

Make use of the services for students that RMIT has to offer

They're free, helpful and can help get you out of a tight spot if you're struggling. Check out the Services for Students section of the RMIT website for details on services such as RMIT Counselling and RMIT Housing. You'll be treated with confidentiality and respect, and your case will be stronger if you're applying for Special Consideration or Appealing Against Assessment / Exclusion. Remember, the earlier you seek help the better!

Always treat other people with respect and courtesy

As a student, you have rights, but also responsibilities to the university and other people, so don't be a hater (or hated!) Things at uni can sometimes get tough enough, so don't make it harder on yourself by being an a**hole. If you're struggling with anger or anxiety issues, make sure you seek counselling from RMIT Counselling (see above).

Have a look at the Student Charter

The Student Charter clarifies your rights and responsibilities while you are a student at RMIT.  It can be useful to refer to this if you are having trouble with a lecturer or fellow student, or if you are not sure what is expected of you as a student at RMIT.  You can find the RMIT Student Charter here.

Make sure you're clear on what plagiarism is

(and is not), and always clarify with your lecturer how they expect work to be divided up for group work assessments.  Also make sure you know how you are expected to reference your source material. RMIT takes Plagiarism seriously.  Have a look at the Plagiarism Policy and the online RMIT information on Plagiarism.

Wherever relevant - Get It In Writing

Having a paper trail is so important if things go wrong, so by sending a friendly email to confirm that important discussion with your lecturer/Head of School/School Administration Officer, you'll be able to clarify what was said as well as score brownie points by appearing really organised. This advice includes saving email requests for meetings with academic staff such as teachers.

Read your Course Guide

Not just once, but for every course you're enrolled in.
Do this several times throughout the semester and every time you want to check up on an aspect of the course -such as assessment tasks, what you're expected to learn and how much extra work you're required to put in outside of class time. The Course Guide is a really important resource for students and, used wisely, can be your friend if you later want to appeal against an assessment result or make a complaint about the course. Don't forget that the Course Guide can't be changed by your lecturer without 70% of the class agreeing to the changes, and written confirmation of the changes being provided to the class.

Find out who's on your Student/Staff Consultative Committee (SSCC)
This Committee (one for each Program at RMIT) is concerned with continuous improvement of the Program and should welcome feedback on improving students' experiences of RMIT. The students on this committee are your representatives and they can help resolve issues that students have with the delivery and design of courses within your Program and things like availability of School resources.  If you are interested in being part of an SSCC, you can look at the RMIT SSCC page here.

Lastly, come to see a Student Liaison Officer at RUSU...

...if you're unsure of how to follow a particular process at RMIT, or you think your rights may be violated in any situation within the University. RUSU has a lot of experience and resources to help students in need and can help advise you on RMIT policies and processes that may affect you. If your case is urgent and/or complex, they may be able to refer you to a Student Rights Officer who can provide more involved representation and advocacy on your behalf within the University.