Academic Appeals

A student may appeal the result given in any item of assessment when he/she believes that some error in grading has been made or when there are concerns about the grade awarded.  In the first instance the student would raise this matter informally with the tutor/lecturer concerned.  Where the tutor/lecturer cannot be contacted the student should notify the Academic Dean.

After this informal dialogue if the student still believes there are grounds to appeal the grade awarded, he or she may formally request a review by the tutor/lecturer.  This request will be made in writing to the Academic Dean and received within 15 days of the result being announced and will state the specific reason(s) for contesting the result given.  The tutor/lecturer, once requested by the Academic Dean will carry out the review and respond in writing to the Academic Dean within five working days.  In the case where the Academic Dean is the tutor/lecturer, the Principal will assume the function of the Academic Dean.

If the student is still not satisfied that the review has addressed his/her concerns, a request may be made for a review of the previous decision.  Such a request will be made in writing to the Academic Dean within seven working days of the result of the previous review being communicated.  The letter will state clearly the reasons for requesting this review.  The Academic Dean will appoint a second assessor who will address the issue(s) raised in the student’s letter and will communicate the result of this review to the Academic Dean within five working days.  The student may continue in the course unit pending the result of the review.

The Academic Dean will provide a copy of the report to the student, subject coordinator, and relevant lecturer(s) within five working days of receiving the assessor’s report.  The report will specify the outcome of the review; process undertaken during the review and reasons for the decision.

Where a student believes that the review procedures of The Broken Bay Institute (BBI) have not been followed with regard to an appeal against a final grade of N (Fail), the student may appeal to the Academic Board of the Sydney College of Divinity.  This is the only ground on which an appeal can be made to the Academic Board.

The appeal must be submitted in writing to the Dean of the Sydney College of Divinity within ten working days of receipt of the determinative outcome of the appeal from BBI.
 
The student must provide the Dean with documented evidence that the regulations of Reviews and Appeals have not been complied with by BBI. The decision of the Academic Board will be final.

Academic Misconduct

All BBI students receive a copy of the Academic Misconduct Procedures, which covers allegations of plagiarism, cheating, fraud, improper behaviour, misrepresentation, and unethical behaviour (c.f. Student Manual).  BBI has an Academic Misconduct Committee set up according to SCD guidelines which will determine complaints that have been brought forward. Students are advised to acquaint themselves with the BBI Academic Misconduct Procedures.