Explanatory memorandum

University of Canberra (Academic Progress) Amendment Statute 2005 (No 1)

DI2005-192

Section 40 of the University of Canberra Act 1989 gives the University Council the power to make Statutes.

The Academic Progress Statute 1995 (the Principal Statute) empowers the Council to make rules regulating the academic progress of students. It defines ‘appropriate review authority’, outlines the scope of action available to that authority, and provides for possible review by the University’s Academic Board of its decisions.

The University of Canberra (Academic Progress) Amendment Statute 2005 (No 1) seeks to amend the Principal Statute in two ways:
(a) to give students whose academic progress is below the standard expected the opportunity to continue for a probationary period and improve their academic performance before action is taken to exclude them from the University;
(b) to ensure that a finding of unsatisfactory academic progress is not made until after the probationary period. This is particularly important for overseas students whose visas are subject to cancellation under the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (Cwlth) if their academic progress is not satisfactory.

Section 42 of the University of Canberra Act 1989 requires that a Statute, once made by Council, be submitted by the Chancellor to the Executive for approval.