Current Students

Please click the following links for relevant information

The conduct of all students is expected to reflect the Sydney Institute of Higher Education’s core values. It is a condition of enrolment that students adhere to the Code of Conduct.

Academic excellence

• Students must respect the principle of academic freedom and free and open intellectual inquiry, for themselves, fellow students and staff.
• Students must have a profound respect for the truth and academic honesty in their approach to their study. Cheating, collusion, plagiarism, falsification of research is expressly forbidden and penalties under the Misconduct Policy will apply to students found to have engaged in academic dishonesty.
• Students are expected to participate in good faith and to the best of their ability in their education.

Inclusion and equity

• Discriminatory behaviour or language of any kind is not acceptable. Students must never engage in discrimination against individuals or groups due to their race, nationality, ethnicity, gender, intersex or transgender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, religious or political beliefs, employment, age, physical appearance, disability or medical or mental health issues.
• Students are expected to demonstrate respect for Australian Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander people and cultures
• Students must never engage in violent or threatening behaviour to other students or staff, including verbal or physical.
• Any instances of sexual harassment or assault are strictly forbidden and will be addressed as per the Sexual Harassment and Assault Policy.

Global citizenship and partnership

• As a condition of enrolment students must have respect for the Sydney Institute of Higher Education’s property and resources
• The use of IT resources is subject to the IT Resources and Online Conduct Policy. The use of the Sydney Institute of Higher Education’s internet provision for illegal activity, downloading copyrighted materials or pornography or objectionable material is strictly forbidden
• Students are expected to behave with professionalism and respect in their interactions with the Sydney Institute of Higher Education staff, academics, fellow students, visitors, and any potential external partners, such as those engaged for work-integrated learning activities
• Students are expected to abide by all the Sydney Institute of Higher Education policies and procedures applicable to them as published on the Sydney Institute of Higher Education website and to seek clarification where necessary.

Lifelong learning

• Students should seek further advice on program requirements and assessment activities wherever necessary and ensure they are aware of what is required of them to progress through a program of study
• Students are expected to take constructive criticism on their work from teaching staff in the spirit of learning and teaching that is intended
• Students are invited to contribute to the teaching feedback process for continual improvement of the Sydney Institute of Higher Education programs and to engage in the teaching feedback process in good faith.

Ethical leadership

• Students are expected to read and understand all official notices and communications to them, to seek clarification wherever necessary, and to attend to all administrative processes required of them, including informing the Sydney Institute of Higher Education whenever their situation changes.
• Students must respect other students’ abilities to participate fully in their education, including by valuing and respecting a multiplicity of perspectives and viewpoints in an academic environment that cultivates learning and teaching
• Students are expected to notify the Sydney Institute of Higher Education of any breaches of this student code of conduct that they witness or are a party to.

It is mandatory to attend a new student orientation program within the first year of enrolment. The program will be run before the commencement of each teaching term.

It will equip you with the tools you need to succeed, including information about studying at the Sydney Institute of Higher Education, and social connections to last for the duration of your degree.

The Orientation Program for new students is held one week prior to the commencement of each semester. Details about the format and location will be emailed to students.

The Orientation Program will include the following:

• President’s Welcome
• General information sessions, covering key areas for students such as:
  • The behaviours expected as a condition of students’ enrolment, as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct
  • Important dates
  • Key locations on campus
  • Sydney Institute of Higher Education facilities
  • Available student academic and wellbeing services
  • Health and safety on campus, including emergency procedures
  • Health and safety online
  • Staff contact details, particularly for Student Administration.
• General question time
• Social activities
• A tour of the Sydney Institute of Higher Education facilities, including the library
• Orientation information specifically for international students, covering the following:
  • Key locations off-campus
  • Australian culture and customs
  • How to access emergency and health services
  • Health and safety tips for living in Australia
  • How to access academic and non-academic support services
  • Costs of living in Australia
  • How to access accommodation support services
  • Internal and external complaints and appeals processes
  • Information about program progress and attendance
  • Information about visa conditions and maintaining compliance as a visa holder
  • Facilities and resources on campus
  • Key staff contact details.
• Academic preparation sessions covering:
  • Understanding learning outcomes
  • Software and materials required for programs
  • Ideas for study techniques
  • Key staff contact details
  • Time for general questions.

Academic staff

The Sydney Institute of Higher Education’s academic staff are the best source of support you will have during your studies. They are highly qualified, experienced, and dedicated to your academic success.

Academic staff have standard office hours for each week in which you can consult privately about your progress through the program. Teaching staff will make their availabilities known, including how (and whether you need) to make an appointment to see them in the first class for the term. Please contact Student Administration Coordinator if you still need to contact a relevant teaching staff member and are unsure how to.

Academic Skills Advisor

The Academic Skills Advisor coordinates academic support services, including group workshops and one-on-one consultation. You can contact the Academic Skills Advisor at [email protected]

Email

Upon enrolment, you will be issued with a student email address and password that also acts as a login for the online resources, such as student portal and the Learning Management System.

Library

The Sydney Institute of Higher Education library contains digital and hard copies of all the required and recommended readings for programs.

All staff and students with valid Sydney Institute of Higher Education staff or student identification will be permitted to use and borrow items. Access to library and information resources will be free of charge.

Borrowing limitations are:

• One library loan spans 14 days, with the option to renew
• Late fees apply if library loans are not returned
• Students cannot borrow more than five items at a time
• Staff cannot borrow more than ten items at a time.

Computer labs

The Sydney Institute of Higher Education’s computer labs are available for use during lectures and may also be accessed by students outside of class times. They include computers equipped with internet access and all software required to complete your studies at the Sydney Institute of Higher Education.

All classrooms at the Sydney Institute of Higher Education contain electronic teaching infrastructures, such as computers with projectors for document display, Wi-Fi for online connectivity and AV systems for accessing media.

Student Portal

The student portal, accessible only by current students, includes the following information for all students:

• Assessment and examination information
• Program details
• Program timetables
• Enrolment tools
• Contact information for staff
• Fee and invoice information for students
• Information about accessing academic and wellbeing support services
• Accessing the learning management system and library resources.

Learning Management System (LMS)

The Learning Management System (LMS) is an essential resource for all students at the Sydney Institute of Higher Education. You will have a unique login and ID linked to your student email address that enables you to access program forums and e-learning materials. The LMS is:

• Available for use by students at all times, with reasonable exceptions for maintenance.
• Designed for maximum accessibility in accordance with best practice for web content
• Regularly updated to ensure accuracy and relevance of information.

Special consideration

The Sydney Institute of Higher Education will grant special consideration to students who have experienced extenuating circumstances such as:

• Medical conditions
• A severe and sudden change of domestic circumstances
• Emotional trauma and loss
• Falling victim to crime
• Legal duties
• Misadventure
• Attending academic competitions
• Sporting Commitments at state level and higher
• Attending jury duty or other legal matters
• Birth or adoption of a child.

Non-Academic

The Sydney Institute of Higher Education provides non-academic support services including:

• Free on-campus counselling for all students
• Advice and support regarding day-to-day and administrative matters
• Advice and support for international students, including referral to external services where appropriate

The Student Counselling and Wellbeing Officer is responsible for organising these support services. The Student Counselling and Wellbeing Officer organises and is available for:

• Workshops
• External resources
• One-on-one consultations and counselling sessions

Additionally, student support staff will be able to refer students to external non-academic support services depending on the nature of the query.

Student administration

Student administration staff are available to provide support and referrals to internal and external support services. They are equipped to answer your enquiries and assist you in booking sessions with the Academic Skills Advisor or counsellor. If they do not know the answer to your question, they will find someone who does!

Student administration will be available at all times during business hours at:

• Address: Level 3, 695-699 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000
• Phone: +61-2-8098-1288
• Email: [email protected]

Accessibility

The Sydney Institute of Higher Education has measures in place to ensure that all students have full and comprehensive access to all aspects of program delivery and associated activities at the Sydney Institute of Higher Education, including online activities. Both academic and non-academic support services will be fully accessible to all students.

The Sydney Institute of Higher Education’s infrastructure is designed to ensure accessibility, and reasonable adjustments will be granted to students as required. This will ensure full accessibility for students with disabilities.

Accessibility is embedded in various policies, including the Disability Support Policy, IT Resources and Online Conduct Policy, Library and Information Resources Policy, and Information for Students Policy.

All students have the right to make complaints and appeal decisions made by the Sydney Institute of Higher Education or a Sydney Institute of Higher Education employee at no financial or academic cost to the student. If you are unhappy with a decision that has been made about an aspect of your enrolment, you may lodge a complaint or appeal that will be investigated further, including aspects provided by a third party or contractor.

A student should first attempt to resolve any matter informally by commencing the process with an informal grievance with the General Manager, Customer Experience as soon as possible. Where the matter cannot be resolved informally, students may submit a formal complaint, within 15 business days of the incidents. Complaints must be submitted in writing, detailing the issue and attaching any relevant evidence using the Formal Complaint or Appeal Form. Where the complainant is not happy with the outcome of the complaint, an appeal may be submitted using the Formal Complaint or Appeal Form withing 15 business days of the outcome of the complaint. Forms should be submitted to the General Manager, Customer Experience at [email protected].

An appeal against a decision should be submitted within 15 days of the date of the decision.

On receipt of a formal complaint, an investigating officer will carry out an investigation into the matter. The parties involved may be asked to attend a meeting or hearing, and if so, will be given 14 days’ notice.

The decision and rationale behind it will be communicated in writing, along with information about further avenues through which you can pursue the matter if you choose to do so.

An appeal against a decision should be submitted within 30 days of the date of the decision.

For full information about making a complaint or appeal, including access to forms, please refer to the Complaints and Appeals Policy.

General safety

All students have the right to a safe, supportive, and fair higher education learning environment.

The Sydney Institute of Higher Education works to ensure that the campus is safe and secure at all times through the following:

• Monitoring physical spaces to ensure that hazards to safety and wellbeing are identified as per the Work Health and Safety Policy. This includes ensuring that spaces are well-lit at all hours.
• The use of CCTV at the campus building entrances.
• Training staff in responding to injury, illness, and emergencies.
• Having clear emergency response procedures as per the Critical Incident Response Policy.
• Prominently displaying throughout campus details of emergency plans including evacuation and
  emergency contact numbers.
• All staff and students on campus taking part in periodic evacuation and emergency drills.

On-campus security

On-campus security is available to assist you at all times during business hours.

Emergencies

In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) – Police, Ambulance and Fire Brigade.

For matters less than an emergency, call or contact the Provost.

An emergency includes:

• any suspected offence in progress, being witnessed or just committed
• any situation where life or injury is threatened
• motor vehicle accident where persons are injured
• air, rail or water accident
• any event which might cause danger to persons or property
• explosion or bomb incident/threat
• a disturbance or breach of the peace, for example, domestic violence incident or anti-social
  behaviour.

For 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Poisons Information Centre: Phone 13 11 26

Sydney Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital: Phone +61 2 9382 7111; 8 Macquarie Street Sydney NSW 2000 https://www.seslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/sydney-eye-hospital

Online safety

The Sydney Institute of Higher Education actively promotes student online safety, security, and wellbeing, as per the IT Resources and Online Conduct Policy students are introduced to the protocol they can take to ensure their own safety online during the new student orientation program.

The Sydney Institute of Higher Education’s IT systems are designed to protect student safety and confidentiality.

The Sydney Institute of Higher Education’s strict online conduct rules ensure that the learning environment remains safe and secure for all students. As with the Student Code of Conduct, the responsible use of IT resources is a condition of your enrolment in higher education programs at the Sydney Institute of Higher Education.

The Sydney Institute of Higher Education has deemed the following to be inappropriate usage of the internet, and may impose disciplinary consequences upon those who commit the following whilst using the Sydney Institute of Higher Education’s internet:

• Gaining unauthorised access to accounts belonging to the Sydney Institute of Higher Education, or external organisations
• Sharing unique Sydney Institute of Higher Education login details with others
• Peer to peer file-sharing; use of file-sharing programs such as Bittorrent or U-Torrent
• Illegal activity; conducting activities that have been deemed illegal through legislation
• Activity that, in addition to contravening Australian law, goes against the Sydney Institute of Higher Education’s  values, codes of conduct, and policies
• Viewing and/or downloading pornography
• Playing games (unless the game is part of a student’s program progression).

For more information see the Sydney Institute of Higher Education IT Resources and Online Conduct Policy.

Sexual Harassment and Assault

The Sydney Institute of Higher Education acknowledges that the high prevalence of sexual harassment and assault in higher education settings in Australia needs to be proactively addressed in order to ensure the safety and wellbeing of staff and students. The Sydney Institute of Higher Education implements a range of measures to create conditions in which the likelihood of sexual harassment and assault occurring is reduced.

The Sydney Institute of Higher Education has a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment and assault by students or staff. No matter where an incident occurs, the Sydney Institute of Higher Education considers it a serious contravention of the Student Code of Conduct.

The following actions constitute harassment and sexual assault (crimes under Australian and New South Wales law) and will not be tolerated under any circumstances at the Sydney Institute of Higher Education:

• Any unwanted or unwelcome sexual behaviour, which makes a person feel offended, humiliated or intimidated, including:
  • staring or leering
  • unnecessary familiarities, such as deliberately brushing up against you or unwelcome
    touching
  • suggestive comments or jokes
  • insults or taunts of a sexual nature
  • intrusive questions or statements about your private life
  • displaying posters, magazines or screen savers of a sexual nature
  • sending sexually explicit emails or text messages
  • inappropriate advances on social networking sites
  • accessing sexually explicit internet sites
  • requests for sex or repeated unwanted requests to go out on dates
  • behaviour that may also be considered to be an offence under criminal law, such as
    physical assault, indecent exposure, sexual assault, stalking or obscene
    communications.
  • Forcing, coercing or tricking someone into sexual acts against their will or without
    their consent
  • Exposing a child or young person under 18 to sexual activities.

For more information see the Sydney Institute of Higher Education Sexual Harassment and Assault Policy.