Prepare for an Academic Progress Committee hearing
Hearings are usually in January or February.
You will get a Details of Hearing letter, giving you at least 7 day's notice.
How to prepare
Prepare yourself
You will be more confident if you prepare yourself.
You should:
- Think about how you will make your presentation
- Practise what you will say
- Talk to a counsellor about managing your emotions
Prepare your case
The Committee is likely to ask about:
Reasons for poor performance
- Why was your performance poor?
- What challenges did you face during the year?
- What problems or issues interfered with your studies?
Attendence and study habits
- How many hours a week did you spend studying?
- Were you part of a study group?
- Did you go to all the lectures and tutes?
- Did you hand in all your assignments?
- Are you involved in extra-curricular activities? (successful students usually have a good balance of activities in their lives)
Other committments
- How many hours a week did you spend doing paid work?
- What other activities took time away from your studies?
Efforts made to overcome difficulties
- What steps did you take to improve during the year?
- Did you speak to your course adviser, lecturer or tutor? If not, why not?
- Did you see a learning skills adviser for help?
- Did you seek counselling or other advice?
You should:
- Think about how you would answer these questions
- Write down things you want to say
- Get copies of documents or information you will take with you
It is important to be honest and open. The Committee sees many students, and they are sympathetic and understanding.
Prepare to bring someone with you
You can bring a support person to your hearing. This could be a student rights officer, Monash student or staff member, family member, or anyone else if you get the faculty's approval.
If you bring someone with legal qualifications, you will need to give the Committee 5 days' notice.
How the Committee works
Committee members
Voting members:
- Chairperson - an academic who chairs the hearing
- 2-6 faculty academics (1 from your department)
- 1 student union representative whose role is to make sure the process is fair
Non-voting members:
- 1-2 faculty administration staff (1 acts as secretary to the committee)
- Sometimes a counsellor who acts as a consultant to the committee
- Sometimes a special faculty representative
Information the Committee will have
- A copy of the information you sent when you replied to the first notice
- Your academic transcript
- Details of any previous conditions set by an Academic Progress Committee
- Other relevant information from your central file
You can ask to see this information before the hearing, but you must give your faculty 2 day's notice.
The hearing
You will sit at a conference table with the committee. The chairperson will introduce everyone, and make sure you:
- Are happy with the choice of people on the Committee
- Understand why you are there
Committee members will ask you questions, and you will get the chance to present your case. The Committee treats all information as confidential.
You will then wait outside while the Committee makes a decision.
Committee decisions
The committee can:
- Take no further action because you have shown that you have a plan to improve your results
- Allow you to continue your studies under enrolment conditions. They often arrange for a mentor or for someone to help you
- Exclude you from your faculty or course for up to a year
