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Misconduct

Deakin has rules that prohibit students from engaging in inappropriate behaviour.

Inappropriate behaviour may be:

  • Related to your studies. This is called Academic Misconduct, and includes behaviour such as:
    • cheating in exams
    • plagiarism and collusion, copying assignments or essays without authority
    • submitting fraudulent medical certificates or academic transcripts.

    Further information is available on Academic Misconduct.

  • Generally inappropriate behaviour. This is called General Misconduct, and includes behaviour such as:
    • misuse of University resources, including information technology
    • threatening, bullying or intimidating students or staff
    • damaging University property.

    Further information is available on General Misconduct.

Consequences of Misconduct

The consequences of misconduct can be serious. The rules allow Deakin to impose penalties on you if you engage in misconduct. The rules allow for penalties such as:

  • allocating a zero mark for a piece of assessment or unit
  • imposing a fine
  • exclusion from your course or a university service.

Making an Allegation of Misconduct

Students and staff who believe that a student has engaged in misconduct should make a report to the student's Faculty Committee Chair.

Investigation of Misconduct

If an allegation of misconduct is made against you, your Faculty's misconduct committee may investigate the allegation. If the Faculty Committee does investigate the allegation of misconduct, the Committee must:

  • notify you of the allegation (usually by letter or email) and
  • give you the opportunity to respond to the allegation or communicate your side of what happened.

If you receive an allegation of misconduct, you should:

  • read the allegation letter very carefully. It details what you must do and when you must do it by
  • contact the Deakin University Student Association (DUSA) Advocacy Service for free advice and support
  • contact your Faculty Committee secretary to clarify anything in the letter that is unclear to you
  • lodge your written submission and supporting documents by the deadline.

When the Faculty Committee has completed its investigation, it must decide either that:

  • you did not engage in misconduct, that will be the end of the matter; or
  • you did engage in misconduct, then the Faculty Committee will decide on the penalty for you.

Further information is available regarding penalties for Academic Misconduct and General Misconduct.

Appealing a finding of Misconduct

If the Faculty Committee decide that you did engage in misconduct, you can appeal the decision to the University Appeals Committee. You must lodge an appeal within 20 working days. Information about how to appeal and the appeal form are in the letter from the Faculty Committee.

If you have been found guilty of misconduct you should read the decision letter very carefully. It details what you must do and when you must do it by. If you want to appeal the Faculty Committee's decision, you should:

Appeals Hearing

The University Appeals Committee may hear your appeal. If the University Appeals Committee hear your appeal against a finding of misconduct, you will have the opportunity to present your case. When the University Appeals Committee has heard your appeal it may decide to:

  • confirm (or uphold), vary or set aside the Faculty Committee's decision
  • confirm (or uphold), vary or set aside the penalty imposed by the Faculty Committee.

The University Appeals Committee decision is final and binding.

If you think that the University did not follow it's misconduct processes or procedures, you can make a complaint to the Victorian Ombudsman.