Code of conduct for students
1. Principles
This Code of Conduct has been formulated to provide a clear statement of the University's expectations of students in respect of academic matters and personal behaviour.
Study at the University presents opportunities for interacting with other members of the University community. The University recognises and values the diversity of student experiences and expectations, and is committed to treating students, both academically and personally, in a fair and transparent manner. All students, in return, are required to comply with the requirements set down in this Code of Conduct.
The University reaffirms its commitment to:
- high academic standards, intellectual rigour and a high quality education
- intellectual freedom and social responsibility
- recognition of the importance of ideas and the pursuit of critical and open inquiry
- tolerance, honesty and respect as the hallmarks of relationships throughout the University community, and
- high standards of ethical behaviour.
All students are required to be aware of and act consistently with these values.
2. Coverage
This Code of Conduct applies to all students of the University of Sydney, in respect of all actions and activities (including inaction or inactivity) relating to or impacting on the University or its students and employees. It must be read in conjunction with the statutes, rules, and resolutions of the University.
3. Definitions
In this Code of Conduct:
Student means all students of the University of Sydney, including but not limited to fee paying students, HECS students, PELS students, audit students, Centre for Continuing Education students, Centre for English Teaching students, exchange students, Study Abroad students, Summer School students and Winter School students.
Employee means all staff of the University of Sydney, (including full-time, part-time or casual staff).
4. Personal conduct
All students must:
- treat all employees, honorary appointees, consultants, contractors, volunteers, any other members of the public and other students with respect, dignity, impartiality, courtesy and sensitivity
- maintain a cooperative and collaborative approach to inter-personal relationships
- act honestly and ethically in their dealings with University employees, honorary appointees, consultants, contractors, volunteers, any other members of the public and other students
- respect the privacy of employees, honorary appointees, consultants, contractors, volunteers, any other members of the public and other students
- ensure that they do not act in a manner that unnecessarily or unreasonably impedes the ability of employees, honorary appointees, consultants, contractors, volunteers, any other members of the public and other students to carry out their study, research or work at the University, including in the University of Sydney Library, lecture theatres and laboratories
- ensure that they do not act in a manner that unnecessarily or unreasonably impedes the ability of employees, honorary appointees, consultants, contractors, volunteers, any other members of the public or other students to access or use the resources of the University, including the University of Sydney Library resources, lecture theatres and laboratories, and
- ensure that they do not become involved in or encourage discrimination against or harassment or bullying of employees, honorary appointees, consultants, contractors, volunteers, any other members of the public or other students.
5. Academic conduct
All students must:
- ensure that their enrolment and progress in their award course is lawful and consistent with the statutes, rule and resolutions of the University of Sydney. Students must not enrol in additional units of study outside the degree resolutions even if the student information system allows it when enrolling online. It is a student's responsibility to maintain current information in the student information system, and observe key dates and deadlines
- read all official correspondence from the University, including email
- act ethically and honestly in the preparation, conduct, submission and publication of academic work, and during all forms of assessment, including formal examinations and informal tests
- avoid any activity or behaviour that would unfairly advantage or disadvantage another student academically
- conform to the University's requirements for working with humans, animals and biohazards
- behave professionally, ethically and respectfully in all dealings with the University's learning partners during extramural placements and practicums, and
- use University resources, including information and communication technology resources, in a lawful and ethical manner and for University purposes only, unless express permission has been granted for non-University or private usage.
6. Authority
This Code of Conduct was approved by the Academic Board pursuant to the University of Sydney (Academic Governance) Rule 2003 on 2 February 2005.
7. Useful references
For a list of policies and guidelines applying to students at the university visit the Graduate Studies Office homepage at sydney.edu.au/graduate_studies_office/policies/index
The full set of University policies is available from Policy Online at sydney.edu.au/policy