Chapter 2 – Student and general information
Rules and policies

This information is current as at January 2008. The latest information is available from Legislation, rules and policies.

What students need to know
Rules relating to students
Policies particularly relevant to students
Assistance for students

UTS is committed to providing an education that enables students to reach their full intellectual, personal and career potential, and to offering a wide range of support programs and services that optimise students' academic success and employability.

This goal can only be met if all students honour their responsibilities to their studies and respect the rights of other students and staff.

All students should read and be familiar with the following information.

What students need to know

The Rules and policies of the University provide guidance on what is required of all students and staff. These should be read in conjunction with the Student Charter which outlines the rights and responsibilities staff and students have to each other and to the University community.

All students are responsible for their actions while attending UTS. Students should know the Rules that affect them and seek advice if in doubt. As a guideline, all students need to:

respect each student's freedom to learn

respect others' beliefs and values

learn how to present their work without plagiarising (i.e. unacknowledged copying, paraphrasing or summarising)

not misuse UTS computers or equipment

take care of library books and other UTS property and equipment.

Rules relating to students

All students should read and understand the Rules of the University.

Breaching the rules

Some of the consequences of breaching the Rules include:

disciplinary action

zero (fail) grades for assignments or subjects

suspension from class, library, labs, etc.

permanent or temporary exclusion or suspension from the University.

Using student ID

Students are responsible for their student identification (ID) and computer login. Student ID cards should not be lent to anyone for any purpose, but especially must not be lent for:

borrowing UTS library material

using UTS computers

accessing UTS educational or recreational and sporting facilities

student concession benefits.

Students must not share their computer password with anyone else.

If a student lends their ID card or allows anyone else to use their computer login, and misconduct occurs, both parties will face UTS disciplinary penalties.

Further information is available from the rules relating to the use of student ID.

Using UTS property

While studying at UTS, students are using UTS property. This includes:

library books and material

computing equipment

laboratory equipment and tools

chairs, desks and projectors.

Serious negligence or intentional damage or misuse of this equipment will result in UTS disciplinary penalties.

Further information is available from the rules regarding UTS Equipment Loans and the rules regarding the use of the University Library.

Seeking special treatment

In certain circumstances, students may seek special consideration (e.g. where illness or misadventure has affected a student's studies).

However, students must not seek special treatment, favouritism or advantage in a way that breaches UTS Rules. For example, students must not:

offer gifts, benefits or money to UTS staff

threaten, harass or intimidate any member of the UTS community.

Submitting academic work

All students must respect other people's work and avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism occurs when a student copies other people's work. This includes unreferenced copying, paraphrasing or summarising from any source (e.g. any document, audiovisual material, computer-based material or artistic piece). Plagiarism is cheating.

If using other people's work in assignments, students must make sure it is not presented as their own work by giving a clear reference to the work and its author. This includes work done by fellow students, published and unpublished material, computer data, etc.

Students will face UTS disciplinary penalties if they plagiarise from any source or cheat in any other way.

The faculties can advise students on guidelines for the preparation of assignments.

Further information on referencing is available from the Bell Program referencing guide.