(1) This procedure applies to situations where students have a conscientious objection to a learning activity in a subject or course involving the use of animals. It provides detailed guidance on handling students’ conscientious objections to the use of live animals, animal tissue or animal products in learning activities at the University. (2) This procedure does not require changes to learning activities where a student has a conscientious objection. The learning activity may be essential to subject and course learning outcomes. In such cases the onus is on students and prospective students to consider their career and study choices. (3) This procedure meets the requirement of section 2.1.5(iv) of the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes 8th Edition 2013 (Updated 2021) (the Code) that the University will have policy provisions on how it will handle conscientious objections to a use of animals in teaching. (4) This procedure has the same scope as the Course and Subject Policy. (5) This procedure supports: (6) Students will make themselves aware of course and subject requirements as stated in the University Handbook and other information and identify any learning activity involving animals to which they have a conscientious objection. Students should note that a learning activity to which they have an objection may be essential to the learning outcomes of some subjects and courses. (7) The Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes 8th Edition 2013 (Updated 2021) requires the University to seek alternatives to animal use for teaching and assessment, applying the principles of replacement, reduction and refinement to achieve humane experimental techniques. Alternatives include computer simulations, supervised clinical experience, ethically sourced tissue, surgical and anatomical models and mannequins. (8) Academic staff will include information about animal use for learning activities in the relevant University systems for providing curriculum information, as set out in the Course and Subject Procedure – Information and Representation. (9) For a school to consider making alternative arrangements for a learning activity, to accommodate a student’s conscientious objection, the objection must be based on a conscientious belief held by the student. (10) Australian courts have defined a conscientious belief as a belief founded on a serious and deeply held moral conviction, whether or not part of a religious doctrine or creed. The University accepts that a conscientious belief may have the following elements: (11) A student who has a concern about, or conscientious objection to, a learning activity in a course or subject in which they are enrolled must raise the matter with the relevant staff member at the earliest opportunity. They should raise it with: (12) The staff member to whom the student expresses the concern or objection will respond respectfully and handle the matter with sensitivity. (13) When a student raises a concern but cannot articulate ethical, religious or cultural reasons for it, they may be offered support such as referral to counselling or other support services or resources, to help them clarify their concern and whether it is a conscientious objection. (14) A student’s conscientious objection will not be accommodated if they raise it after they have undertaken the activity. However, students who have concerns about activities that arise during or after the activity should raise their concerns with the Subject Coordinator or Head of School. (15) The staff member who receives the concern will determine whether it meets the conscientious objection criteria at clause 10. They may require the student to provide a written statement or supporting documentation, and may consult with others if necessary to help them decide. (16) The student can ask for an alternative learning activity or assessment task but cannot demand that an alternative be provided or that the alternative take a particular form. (17) As soon as possible after the student has raised the concern or objection, the staff member assessing it will contact the student to clarify: (18) The staff member will consult the Course Director and Head of School or delegate (as relevant) as to whether an alternative arrangement is possible. (19) Factors to be considered when deciding whether alternative arrangements are possible include: (20) Alternative learning activities or assessment tasks will not be provided if they involve a substantial added workload for teaching staff. (21) Where an alternative arrangement is made to accommodate a student's conscientious objection, it will apply only to the individual student in question, not to other students enrolled in the course or subject. (22) The University is not obliged to accommodate a conscientious objection. (23) The University will not act in any way that violates the law and the University is not obliged to accommodate a conscientious belief which puts it at risk of violating any law to which it is subject. (24) For some activities, it may not be possible to make alternative arrangements to accommodate a conscientious objection. (25) Students with a conscientious objection that cannot be accommodated may consult the Course Director about other enrolment options prior to week 2 of the teaching period. Students who remain enrolled in subjects past the census date are bound by applicable financial liabilities, grades and special consideration policy requirements. (26) If the student’s conscientious objection cannot be accommodated and they choose to remain enrolled in the relevant subject or course, they must participate in the activity or assessment to which they hold the objection to meet the relevant subject or course requirements. (27) The staff member who has assessed the concern or objection will: (28) A student who has raised a conscientious objection, and believes it was not handled in accordance with this procedure, can make a complaint by the process stated in the Complaints Management Procedure. (29) Nil. (30) This procedure uses terms defined in the Course and Subject Policy as well as the following:Course and Subject Procedure - Conscientious Objections
Section 1 - Purpose
Scope
Top of PageSection 2 - Policy
Top of PageSection 3 - Procedure
Information about learning activities
Where learning activities involve using animals
Conscientious beliefs as a basis for conscientious objection
Raising a conscientious objection
Assessing a conscientious objection
Alternative arrangements
Conscientious objections that cannot be accommodated
Outcome
Complaints
Section 4 - Guidelines
Section 5 - Glossary
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Not every conviction, genuine though it may be, will constitute a sufficient reason for claiming a conscientious objection to a particular activity.