Academic Grievance Policy
The Policy
All students of Harvest West Bible College or those seeking to enrol in a course of study with the College are entitled to access the grievance procedures set out in this policy. They can use these procedures to submit a grievance about an academic matter, regardless of the location of the campus of the College at which the grievance has arisen, the student’s place of residence or the mode in which they study.
The procedures set out in this document do not replace or modify procedures or any other responsibilities which may arise under other higher education provider policies or under statute or any other law.
This policy covers, but is not limited to, grievances which may arise as a result of:
Academic progress decisions, Assessment matters, Curriculum and awards in a course of study.
This policy is published on the College website (www.harvestwest.edu.au) and is set out in the Student Handbook.
This policy is communicated to academic staff through the Lecturer’s Handbook and the Policy and Procedure Manual.
The Principal is responsible for the training of academic staff in the application of the policy.
The Registrar is responsible for the train of support staff in its application.
Non-academic grievances should be actioned through the Non Academic Grievance Policy.
Procedure
Students or people seeking to enrol in any accredited course of Harvest West Bible College have three stages at which a complaint may be addressed. Each stage is free of charge to the complainant.
Any and all charges will incurred by Harvest West Bible College.
The complainant and respondent will not be victimised or discriminated against in any of the three stages set out in this policy.
At all stages of the process, the complainant and/or respondent have the right to be represented by a third person (such as a family member, friend, counsellor or other professional support person) if they so desire.
At all stages of the process, reasons and a full explanation in writing for decisions and actions taken as part of the procedures must be given if so requested by the complainant and/ore respondent.
Stage 1
In the first instance, complaints should be discussed with the person/s involved in the spirit of Christian love and maturity. (Matthew 18:15; Galatians 6:1).
However, if this is impracticable, complainants should communicate with one of the following staff:
- Pastor or Location Supervisor (in the case of External Students).
- The Registrar.
- The Principal.
This arrangement is free of charge. Every effort will be made to make a decision within 14 days.
Stage 2
The second stage of the process at which a complaint is addressed is as follows:
If unsatisfied with the response to the complaint or the time taken to resolve the matter, the complainant may submit the complaint in writing to the Academic Committee (this Committee is made up of three members of the Governing Board). This arrangement is free of charge. The Academic Committee will deal with the complaint within a reasonable time, normally within 30 days of receipt of the complaint. The grievance at this point will be documented by the Committee in the Grievance log book.
Stage 3
The third stage of the process at which a complaint is addressed is as follows:
If not satisfied with the decision of the Academic Committee, the complainant may request that the matter be dealt with through an external dispute resolution process provided by the Australian Council for Higher Education and Training (ACPET). This arrangement will attract charges as specified in the attached ACPET Policy and Procedures for Resolution of Student Complaints or Disputes under the heading “Fees Charged by Mediators”. All cost will be incurred by HWBC.
The complainant may lodge an application for external mediation through the Office of the Principal or directly to the:
Australian Council for Higher Education and Training (ACPET).
Suite 12, Level 1,123 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW Australia
Box Q1076, QVB PO, Sydney NSW 1230
Ph: (02) 9299 4555,
Fax: (02) 9299 4221, TAS Fax: 02 9262 0963
E-mail acpet@acpet.edu.au
Website www.acpet.edu.au
Documentation provided by ACPET on the mediation process will be supplied to the student within five working days of receipt of the student application by ACPET to have their complaint mediated on. Application must be made within 20 working days to ACPET as per their guidelines attached. Complaints will be addressed within 30 days.
If ACPET makes recommendations in relation to a grievance they have reviewed, ACPET will forward those recommendations to the Principal of Harvest West Bible College Inc. who will ensure that the recommendations are implemented within 45 days of receiving them.
Records of all grievances and applications for review of decisions must be kept and accessible to all interested parties for a period of five years. Such records will remain confidential.
Records of grievances and their outcomes will be kept strictly confidential and filed in a separate file (not kept on the student or staff file) and stored in the office of the Principal for a period of five years. Parties to the complaint will be allowed supervised access to these records.
