What is Unsatisfactory Progress?
In accordance with The University of Melbourne Statute 11.5, undergraduate Arts students who have failed 50% or more of their enrolment and postgraduate coursework Arts students who have failed 25% or more of their enrolment in a given semester of study will normally be required by the Faculty of Arts Unsatisfactory Progress Committee to attend an interview with a Faculty Adviser or in some cases, attend an interview with the Committee.
The attitude of the Committee is constructive and every effort is made to help students cope better with their studies.
In considering a student's progress, the Committee will work with the students to identify specific difficulties which have contributed to unsatisfactory performance. The Committee will determine whether the student can be reasonably expected to successfully complete his/her course if permitted to continue.
In considering a student's progress the Faculty would normally take into account typical factors which may have contributed to unsatisfactory performance such as:
- personal difficulties which stem from personal and family relationships
- practical difficulties such as ill-health, financial burdens, and excessive load of part-time employment
- distress which accompanies such events as bereavement or serious personal problems.
In determining the likelihood of future success for a student affected by these sorts of difficulties, the Committee will require some evidence, or commitment from the student that the difficulties either have been, or will be, overcome.
The Committee may permit a student to continue, and if so may wish to propose to the student that he or she undertake to:
- apply for a leave of absence for one or two semesters, perhaps to save enough money to overcome financial difficulties or to address personal problems;
- discuss with a course adviser or an appropriate member of the academic staff the problems which have been encountered; or
- seek help from the Student Counsellors or Study Skills Advisers in relation, for example, to study techniques.
The Committee may impose as a condition of the student continuing in study a specification on the number and nature of subjects to be taken, for example, subjects totaling not more than 25 points, or that the student must meet with a Faculty Adviser once or twice a semester for the purpose of monitoring the student's progress.
If the Committee determines to recommend to the University Academic Board for termination, the student will be given the opportunity to appeal to the Academic Board. Where the Faculty has offered a student the opportunity of making a written submission and an interview and no response has been forthcoming, the Unsatisfactory Progress Committee will discuss and recommend on the case from the evidence available to it.