Special Consideration

Who is eligible?

You may be eligible for Special Consideration if:

• you have been seriously affected by unexpected and extenuating circumstances beyond your control; and
• you have been prevented from preparing or presenting for part or all of a piece of assessment (including examinations); or
• you were significantly adversely affected during the performance of a piece of assessment (including examinations).

Students should note that the submission of an application does not mean that the application will be automatically approved. As such, students are strongly advised to sit the examination or continue to complete work until advised of their outcome.

What is considered serious?

The following are examples of serious and extenuating circumstances beyond a students control:

• hospitalisation
• a serious illness
• a death in your immediate family.

Students are expected to plan around regular life events such as family life and work, as well as minor interruptions and disruption to routine that might result from minor illness, mishap or change resulting from normal life events.

Managing your studies outside the Special Consideration process

Extensions
If you are unable to complete an assignment by the due date due to circumstances outside your control, you should apply for an assignment extension in the first instance. Applications for extensions should be made to the Commerce Student Centre using the Assignment Extension Request Form (PDF, 33kb).

Please note that assignment extensions can not be granted after the assignment due date.

Alternative Exam Arrangements (AEAs)
The Commerce Student Centre can also make alternative exam arrangements for students with temporary or ongoing disabilities, for example, an injury which necessitates the use of mobility aides or affects writing ability.

Students should direct queries about alternative exam arrangements to the Commerce Student Centre by email at commerce-courseadvice@unimelb.edu.au with as much advance notice as possible to discuss requirements for AEAs.

Ongoing conditions

Students with ongoing conditions are advised to access specialised support services in order to make tailored arrangements to support their studies.

If you have an ongoing condition, you should contact the Commerce Student Centre by email at commerce-courseadvice@unimelb.edu.au in the first instance, but you may be referred to the Disability Liaison Unit, counselling or health services.

The Commerce Student Centre, in conjunction with these support services, will make alternative arrangements as required to assist in the management of ongoing conditions.

Missing exams or other assessments

You are strongly advised to attend your examinations unless you are physically incapable of doing so. Missing an examination does not automatically entitle you to Special Consideration or a special examination.

How to apply

Applying for Special Consideration is a two-part process. You must complete the online application via the Student Portal, and return the Health Care or Appropriate Professional (HCAP) form to the Commerce Student Centre. You should include the date of assessment in the online application.

Postgraduate Students should contact the Graduate School of Business and Economics regarding applications for Special Consideration.

Before completing an online application, you must read the Special Consideration Guidelines for Submission (also available via the Admin tab in your Student Portal).

When to apply

The following time limits apply to all applications for Special Consideration:

• you must submit your online application no later than 3 working days after the due date for submission or examination of the particular component of assessment to which you application refers; or
• if you are submitting one application for multiple subjects, you must submit the applications no later than 3 working days after the submission date for the last piece of assessment; and
• you must submit your HCAP form to the Commerce Student Centre no later than 5 working days after submitting your online application. Applications lodged without supporting documentation can not be considered.

Applications lodged after these timeframes will be considered late. When the Student Centre receives late applications for Special Consideration they are forwarded to the Office of the Academic Registrar. The Office of the Academic Registrar (or nominee), who will determine whether a late application will be assessed.

Supporting documentation

You must provide supporting evidence of the circumstances for which you seek Special Consideration. Applications submitted without supporting documentation can not be assessed.

Supporting documentation should be submitted using the Health Care or Appropriate Professional (HCAP) form, which can be completed by a medical practitioner, counsellor, minister of religion or other appropriate professional. If you are unsure as to the most appropriate person to complete your HCAP form, please contact the Commerce Student Centre by email on commerce-specialconsid@unimelb.edu.au for advice.

Please note that in order to make an appropriate assessment of your application, we need to know the impact, severity and timing of the circumstances that have affected you. As such, students are responsible for providing this information in a full and accurate manner in any supporting documentation.

Considering your application

The Special Consideration Committee will assess applications for all subjects taught by the Faculty of Business and Economics.

The Committee will then make one of the following recommendations:

• that no action be taken
• that the marks for the assessment be re-weighted to another piece of assessment
• that a special exam be offered.

Mark adjustments without re-examination are not offered.

Subject coordinators and tutors do not administer Special Consideration or determine the outcomes of applications.

How and when will I be notified of the outcome of my application?

All notifications regarding your outcome will be sent to your University student email account. Where the notification relates to a special exam, you will receive a minimum of 48 hours notice before being required to sit the special examination. The Special Exam period for Summer Semester 2010 is 2 - 5 March.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you complete the following:

• if you have submitted an application for Special Consideration, check your email account regularly for any notifications
• be available during the special exam period if you are applying for an end of semester assessment. This means that you should remain in Melbourne and contactable until after the final date for the release of results
• attend any special examinations. If you do not attend your special examination, your original mark for the assessment will stand as special exams must be held within the special exam period and can not be rescheduled.

Can I appeal the outcome of my application?

Objections to decisions must be submitted in accordance with University grievance procedures.

Grievances should be lodged within 10 working days of the Special Consideration outcome notification being sent. Additional supporting documentation will only be considered if it is demonstrated that such information could not reasonably have been provided at the time of the application.

If you have read the Grievance Policy and wish to submit an appeal you can do so in writing.  Please include your full name and student number and please sign the letter. The letter should be addressed to:

Prof. Paul Kofman
Deputy Dean (Faculty)
Faculty of Business and Economics
Level 12, 198 Berkeley Street
University of Melbourne 3010

Questions?

Email commerce-specialconsid@unimelb.edu.au or telephone 03 8344 5317 to speak to a Commerce Student Centre staff member.