• Section 1 - Purpose
• Section 2 - Scope
• Section 3 - Approval and Administration of Reservist Support
• Requests for Special Consideration
• Learning Materials
• Special Consideration
• Section 4 - Full-Time Service
• Requests for Special Consideration
• Remits and Refunds

Section 1 - Purpose

(1) Charles Sturt University (the University) supports students who are members of the Defence Reserves and has adopted special provisions to ensure they are not disadvantaged academically or financially as a consequence of participation in Defence Reserves activities.

(2) A student who is a volunteer member of the Defence Reserves and as such is required to attend one or more compulsory camps of continuous training in a year and occasionally a non-compulsory camp or course, may be granted special consideration under the Special Consideration Regulations with regard to attendance and assessment requirements. Such activities are considered Extenuating Circumstances (refer to clauses 8-9 of the Special Consideration Regulations).

(3) This Policy details the process for special consideration to be granted to students in the Defence Reserves with regard to attendance, availability of study materials, assessment requirements and refund of fees.

Section 2 - Scope

(4) The provisions described in this policy apply to all students who are members of the Defence Reserves.

Section 3 - Approval and Administration of Reservist Support

Requests for Special Consideration

(5) Refer to section 4 of the Special Consideration Regulations for the processes for lodgement of requests for the various purposes listed in clause 8 below.

(6) The student shall provide a statement signed by an authorised officer of the Defence Reserves detailing the times when attendance at the camp or training course is to take place.

Learning Materials

(7) Where possible the School shall arrange to provide learning materials and associated assessable tasks in alternative formats if the student is unable to attend face-to face classes during their Reserve activity.

Special Consideration

(8) Types of special consideration will include:

1. an extension of time to submit assessment tasks;
2. approved withdrawal from a subject after the census date;
3. refund of payments and liabilities for a subject after withdrawal;
4. extended leave of absence;
5. extension of time to complete a subject; and
6. permission to sit for a supplementary examination.

Section 4 - Full-Time Service

Requests for Special Consideration

(9) Refer to section 4 of the Special Consideration Regulations for the processes for lodgement of requests for the purposes listed in clause 8 above.

(10) A student Reservist who is called upon for full-time service (e.g. as part of a peacekeeping or humanitarian aid operation) shall provide with a statement signed by an authorised officer of the Defence Reserves detailing the expected duration of the call to service.

Remits and Refunds

(11) In the event a student reservist is forced to defer or withdraw from study in order to undertake full-time service, the University will remit the student's liability for the relevant subjects.

(12) If a student is enrolled in a full fee-paying course and is forced to withdraw in order to undertake full-time service, the University will refund the student's fees for the relevant subjects.