Deakin exclusion appeal: deadline, grounds and first steps

What to do first

If Deakin has excluded or terminated you for unsatisfactory academic progress, the appeal route is to the University Appeals Committee. This includes appeals about an outcome of review or re-admission after exclusion.

1. Read your decision letter and note the original decision and the date you were notified.
2. Identify the ground or grounds for appeal that apply to your case.
3. Prepare a written appeal that identifies the decision, attaches a copy of the decision letter, explains each ground, and includes any other evidence you rely on.
4. Lodge it in writing and keep a copy of what you submitted.

The pages we read do not name a specific appeal form; confirm the lodging method on Deakin's appeal page or in your decision letter.

The deadline and late appeals

An appeal against an academic progress decision, including an outcome of review or re-admission after exclusion, must be lodged in writing within 20 working days of being notified of the decision. The clock starts when you are notified. Working days are not calendar days; count only working days. Do not assume the deadline runs from the date on the decision letter unless that is also the date you were notified.

The Student Appeals Procedure says the Committee Chair or nominee may accept a late appeal after the deadline if the student provides supporting material showing exceptional circumstances prevented them from applying by the deadline. If you rely on this, the supporting material must be true. The procedure uses a discretion; it does not say a late appeal must be accepted.

Grounds for appeal

Your appeal must be made on one or more of these grounds:

• a misapplication of process occurred that resulted in material disadvantage to you;
• the decision was manifestly wrong;
• the outcome imposed by the original decision maker was manifestly excessive, inappropriate or not available in the circumstances;
• new evidence that was not known or available at the time of the original decision is now available and could have affected the outcome.

Explain how each ground applies to your case. If you rely on new evidence, it must meet the timing condition: it was not known or available at the original decision, and it could have affected the outcome. Use true documents. Do not invent or exaggerate a reason, and do not alter a document.

What to include and where it goes

The Student Appeals Procedure says your appeal submission is to identify the original decision and attach a copy of the decision letter, specify the ground or grounds and explain how each applies, and include any other evidence to support the appeal. Write in plain language and link each ground to what happened in your case and to the outcome you are appealing.

The appeal goes to the University Appeals Committee. The pages we read do not state a specific appeal form or office address for lodging. Confirm that on Deakin's appeal page or in your decision letter. You can talk to the DUSA Student Advocacy and Support Service for support in submitting an appeal. Keep copies of your letter, attachments and any lodgement receipt.

Enrolment and readmission

The Student Appeals Procedure says your enrolment is maintained pending completion of the appeals process, except where clause 14 applies: emergency or exceptional powers, or where the original decision-maker had already suspended or excluded you. Check your own decision letter to see which situation applies to you.

For unsatisfactory academic progress, exclusion is termination of enrolment for a specified period of up to one year, beginning on the first day of the study period in which the decision to exclude is taken. After the exclusion period, students excluded for unsatisfactory academic progress, breach of academic integrity or general misconduct may be eligible to apply for readmission if they meet the readmission requirements. Any pending matters with the University Appeals Committee or any external bodies must be resolved before a readmission application can be processed. For a readmission decision, the readmission page says to refer to Deakin's academic progress policy.