Background
Pursuant to the Wesley College Incorporation Act 1910 and By-Laws, admission to the College is a matter for the determination and sole discretion of the Master. It is important to maintain good academic progression with university studies throughout a student's residency at College. Wesley College expects that all students will progress through their degree with success.
Policy Objectives
The academic progression of students as individuals, and as representatives of the wider College community, is an important element in shaping the culture of the College community and maintaining alignment with the values of the College to ensure the unique characteristics of Wesley College are sustained over time.
The following College Values in particular will guide academic progression decisions:
- We strive to be the best we can be
- We pursue our studies with enthusiasm and endeavour
- We recognise achievement comes in many guises
Ultimately, the objective is to achieve a student community of diverse academic pursuits, backgrounds and interests and encourage a culture that supports and encourages individual academic excellence.
Definitions
Academic Progression - Means that a student receives all 'pass' or above grades in each semester and is able to progress to the next semester.
Academic Probation - Refers to when a student has failed (or absent failed) more than one subject in a semester and their SAM is below 50.
Academic Suspension - Refers to the exclusion of a student from residency following a second semester of failure to progress academically.
Academic Warning - refers to when a student has failed or absent failed one subject only and has a SAM of 55 or more.
Back on Track - This refers to a Wesley College program run to assist students who need guidance to re-establish their academic goals. All students on academic probation will be placed in this program.
Fail - refers to a FAIL, being 49% or below, or an ABSENT FAIL, being a non-attendance or failure to meet minimum attendance requirements.
Full Time - refers to the number of units that Sydney University requires to be considered full time and may vary from time to time and from course to course.
SAM - stands for Sydney Average Mean, as defined by and referred to in the academic results from The University of Sydney.
Special Consideration - This is granted by the University in relation to misadventure or medical illness. In the event that special consideration is granted for an exam or subject, by the University, Wesley will take this into consideration in applying its academic progression policy.
Principles
The following principles will apply:
Academic Enrolment
- Students must be enrolled at The University of Sydney in a degree full time or be in a degree which is structured to include an internship to make up the full time load.
- Students must sign an 'academic release form' each year which allows the college access to results for the purpose of monitoring academic progression.
- It is the student's responsibility to inform the college if there is any change to their academic enrolment during the semester. This includes the academic load, the enrolled course or the subjects enrolled in. Failure to inform the Master in writing may lead to termination of residency.
- If, for any reason, a student's enrolment varies and does not meet the full time criteria, permission in writing must be sought from the Master to remain in residence at Wesley College.
- At all times, it is a student's individual responsibility to plan and achieve academic progression and to seek assistance as needed from the faculty advisors at the University or the Associate Director-Academics at Wesley College.
Academic Progression
- It is expected that students pass (at the minimum) all subjects enrolled in each semester. In the event that this does not occur, a student will be placed on academic warning or academic probation for the following semester.
Academic Warning and Probation
- Students on academic warning or academic probation are required to pass all subjects in the next semester in order to remain in residence.
- All students on academic probation must meet initially with the Associate Director-Academics.
- If a student has failed one subject only and their SAM is at 55 percentile or above, then they will be placed on 'academic warning'. It is the student's responsibility to consult relevant University or College staff for guidance, as required. Academic warning is for one semester only. At the end of this time, it is expected that all pass grades will be achieved.
- If a student has failed one or more subjects and/or their SAM is below 50 percentile, then they will be placed on academic probation and the 'Back on Track' program. Failure to meet the requirements of this program will mean that they will not be able to remain in College at the end of the semester.
- Any student whose SAM is less than the 50 percentile, for any reason, will be placed on academic probation and all requirements of academic probation will apply.
Academic Suspension
- Any student who has been placed on academic warning or academic probation and fails one or more subjects in the following semester is unable to remain in residency. It is the student's responsibility to be prepared for this outcome as they know their own progress.
- Students who find themselves in the above situation (1) can, if they choose, write a letter to 'show good cause' as to why they should remain in residence. This will be considered by the Master.
Special Circumstances
- Special Consideration granted by the University is considered in all decision making in relation to academic progression within the College.
- In the case of exceptional circumstances, the Master may review the situation. In these circumstances it is most likely to be referred by a member of the Pastoral care team. These will be considered on a case by case basis.
Policy Review
This Academic Progress Policy is to be reviewed annually by Wesley College Council (next review end of 2024).
Document Information:
Last Updated: March 2024
Next Review: End of 2024