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Elite Athletes and Performers Policy

This is not a current document. It has been repealed and is no longer in force.

Section 1 - Purpose and Scope

(1) The purpose of this Policy is to establish processes to identify:

  1. elite athletes and performers; and
  2. the flexible study options and support available to elite athletes and performers to help them achieve academic excellence at Southern Cross University.

Scope

(2) This policy applies to all staff and students.

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Section 2 - Definitions

(3) For the purposes of this policy:

  1. Elite Athlete – means a person who participates in sport at the level of national or international competition as identified in accordance with Section 4 - of this document; and
  2. Elite Performer – means a person who participates in significant state, national or international performances, productions, installations, competitions or events as identified in accordance with Section 4 - of this document.
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Section 3 - Policy Statement

(4) Southern Cross University supports the Elite Athlete University Network.

(5) The University recognises the unique challenges that elite athletes and performers face as they pursue their sporting, performance and academic goals. SCU will support elite athletes and performers in these pursuits, while ensuring the University's academic standards are rigorously applied.

(6) Students identified as Elite Athletes or Elite Performers in accordance with the procedures at Section 4 - are eligible for:

  1. special admissions provisions (refer Rules Relating to Awards Rule 2);
  2. flexible study and assessment options (refer Rules Relating to Awards Rule 3); and
  3. additional administrative support.

Special Admissions Provisions

(7) Special Admissions Provisions apply to Elite Athletes and Performers under the Rules Relating to Awards Rule 2 – Section 2.

Flexible Study and Assessment Options

(8) Subject to the limiting provisions of any applicable Specific Award Rules (Course Requirements), for elite athletes and performers:

  1. Student Administration Services (timetabling staff) where possible will incorporate individualised study sequences, which take into account sporting or performing commitments to enable students to achieve their highest academic potential;
  2. Course Coordinators, in consultation with Unit Assessors, will provide alternative timeframes and modes of study for completion of units where possible;
  3. Special Consideration in the form of extensions or variation of time normally required to complete a program of study, including provision for numerous or extended periods of absence and waiving of minimum attendance requirements, will be provided where possible (under the Rules Relating to Awards – Rule 2 Section 7 and Section 15):
  4. Interim grades such as 'Not Available' and 'Incomplete' will be extended to cover approved absence (under the Rules Relating to Awards Rule 3 Section 9);
  5. Course Coordinators will approve the substitution of units within a course structure for other units where sporting or performing requirements prevent standard completion;
  6. examinations may be undertaken at approved alternative external venues under approved supervision where sporting or performing requirements prevent them from attending scheduled examinations (refer Rules Relating to Awards Rule 3 Section 6);
  7. Special Consideration in the end of unit examinations will be granted where sporting or performing requirements have negatively impacted examination performance (refer Rules Relating to Awards – Rule 3 Section 5 and Section 5);
  8. where commitments at National or International level negatively affect their attendance and assessment performance, they may apply for Special Consideration to withdraw from the unit without academic penalty (that is without a grade of fail on their academic record for units being undertaken in the current study period). Such a request must be submitted before the end of the study period and include relevant documentation (refer Rules Relating to Award Rule 2 Section 6).

Additional Administrative Support

(9) UniLife will:

  1. provide an initial point of contact for applicants and the University's recognised sporting associations or performing bodies;
  2. coordinate the provision of advice regarding admission requirements and procedures;
  3. liaise with Course Coordinators regarding matters of academic planning;
  4. provide support to elite athletes and performers within the university environment;
  5. maintain adequate records as outlined in this Policy;
  6. coordinate the provision of advice about cross institutional study and credit transfer options; and
  7. communicate and promote the flexible arrangements enshrined in this policy and its associated documents;

(10) Course Coordinators will provide students with:

  1. advice and guidance about academic planning;
  2. support in negotiating flexibility to meet academic requirements and ensure that such decisions are communicated to other academic staff within the program, and to Student Administration Services. The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Students) will ensure that University stakeholders are made aware of and implement the support principles and flexible approaches provided for within this policy.

Record Keeping

(11) UniLife staff will identify and maintain the following details of elite athletes and performers within:

  1. the Student Management System:
    1. personal and contact details;
    2. course and enrolment details;
    3. a flag identifying elite status within eRewards;
  2. the Customer Relationship Management System (CRM):
    1. details of an approved non-standard study plan (if applicable);
    2. details of approved special arrangements for study and assessment to provide for sporting or performing commitments (if applicable);
  3. UniLife files:
    1. a full record of correspondence relating to requests for special needs and support and corresponding recommendations; and
    2. details of affiliations with peak sporting or performance organisations, coaches / teachers and activities.

(12) Course Coordinators will maintain a diary of known sporting or performance commitments and representation across the span of the course.

(13) UniLife and Marketing Media and Communications will maintain a record of elite athlete and performer achievements, commendations and activities.

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Section 4 - Procedures for Identifying Elite Athletes or Performers

(14) The prospective or current student must self-identify as an elite athlete or performer.

Elite Athletes

(15) The University will confirm an elite athlete's status if they can demonstrate their endorsement by one of the following organisations:

  1. Australian Institute of Sport;
  2. State and Territory Institutes or Academies of Sport;
  3. AFL Players' Association;
  4. Australian Cricketers' Association;
  5. Rugby Union Players' Association;
  6. Rugby League Players' Association;
  7. Australian Basketball Player’s Association; or
  8. National squad members from Australian Sports Commission funded sports;
  9. Senior/head coaches from state and territory institutes/academies of sport, national teams from Australian Sports Commission funded sports or participating professional sports

(16) If an athlete cannot demonstrate their endorsement by one of the organisations at clause (15), they may submit a request to be considered an elite athlete. In these cases Unilife will contact the Australian Sports Commission, who will be asked to investigate, verify and make a recommendation to the University as to the applicant's elite athlete status.

Elite Performers

(17) The University will confirm an elite performer's status if they can demonstrate their endorsement by a State, National or international level performance organisations in one or more of the following fields:

  1. Art;
  2. Culture;
  3. Orchestra;
  4. Opera;
  5. Music;
  6. Dance;
  7. Theatre;
  8. Film; or
  9. Television.

(18) If a performer cannot demonstrate their endorsement by state, national or international level performance organisations, they may submit a request to be considered an elite performer on the basis of having:

  1. achieved significant success in a major artistic performing arts competition (outside of the applicant's HSC curriculum);
  2. undertaken a major role in commercial arts production as a performer and/or producer;
  3. contracted with a major commercial music label or producer or equivalent commercial partner in any of the fields listed at clause (17); or
  4. achieved significant success as an independent artist/producer with a documented track record in any of the fields listed at clause (17).
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Section 5 - Guidelines

(19) Nil.