Rights and Responsibilities of Students

As a student at Curtin University you are part of the Curtin community, and have certain rights and responsibilities.

For links to information on a range of key issues, refer to: students.curtin.edu.au/rights

University policies and procedures

All students must observe Curtin’s statutes, rules, policies and procedures.

These can be found at: policies.curtin.edu.au/home/

Compliance with relevant legislation

All Curtin students have a responsibility to ensure their actions and behaviour at the University complies with applicable law. Students are expected to be aware of common areas of legislation that apply to their study or research activities, or to their relationship with fellow students and staff. These legislative requirements extend across a number of areas such as occupational safety and health, the criminal code, appropriate use of computer facilities, and equal opportunity and anti-discrimination provisions.

Copyright

As a Curtin student you are subject to the provisions of the Commonwealth of Australia Copyright Act 1968 and are obliged to abide by the University's policies on copyright. Students who deliberately disregard copyright requirements will be liable to disciplinary action under the student disciplinary statute and leave themselves open to prosecution by individual copyright owners. If you are copying material in a location outside of Australia you will also need to make yourself aware of the copyright legislative requirements of that location.

Fair dealing

Under copyright fair dealing provisions, you are permitted to make copies for the purpose of research and study, criticism or review, but certain limits apply. For example:

• Books - you may copy up to 10 per cent of the pages or one chapter, whichever is the greater
• Periodicals/journals/newspapers - you may copy one article per issue (more than one if they are required for the same course of study or research project)
• Artwork, television, radio broadcasts and audio-visual material - specific requirements and limits apply.

You should normally only make a single copy, for your own individual use.

Material (including music, films, unlicensed software) that does not support the educational purposes of the University cannot be downloaded, copied or communicated using University computer networks or equipment. It may be permissible to copy materials from an internet site but make sure you comply with any terms and conditions shown on the site. Copying of software and pre-purchased or rented videos or DVDs is NOT permitted except with the express permission of the copyright owner.

Further information

For more information on copyright for students, refer to: copyright.curtin.edu.au

A handy guide for students titled, Copyright Do’s and Don’ts is available at: copyright.curtin.edu.au/resources

Appropriate use of Curtin information and Information Communication Technology (ICT) facilities

Curtin’s policies and procedures are binding on staff upon employment, on students after enrolment, and on any other person recognised as a University Associate.

If your association with Curtin falls into any of the above categories, you are obliged to become familiar with Curtin’s policies and procedures, including those relating to ICT. These guidelines provide examples for some of the main aspects of Curtin’s ICT Acceptable Use policy.

You are reminded that all information and data processed by or stored on Curtin University ICT facilities and services remains the property of the University. The University actively monitors the use of its ICT facilities and services, including the content of all electronic communications, and reminds you that a contravention of University ICT policies could result in disciplinary action.

University Information and ICT facilities and services are provided for the purpose of academic and University related business. When using University information and ICT facilities and services, users are responsible for ensuring these are used in a responsible and appropriate manner.

For further details, read the University policies and procedures in detail. You can view Curtin’s ICT policies and procedures from any computer connected to the internet, including computers in Curtin offices and student laboratories.

For ICT policies refer to: policies.curtin.edu.au/

The ICT Appropriate Use policy applies to all those using Curtin ICT facilities and services, including people using their own computers or portable electronic devices connected to the Curtin ICT network. The following examples demonstrate some appropriate and inappropriate uses of Curtin ICT facilities and resources.

Appropriate use:

• Using only those ICT facilities and services for which you have authorisation
• Using ICT facilities and services only for their intended purpose
• Abiding by applicable laws and University policies, and respecting the copyright and intellectual property rights of others, including the legal use of copyright software
• Respecting the privacy and personal rights of others
• Using Curtin ICT facilities and services in a manner that is ethical, lawful and not detrimental to others
• Using Curtin ICT facilities and services for teaching, learning and academic purposes
• Personal use of ICT facilities where such use is incidental and does not impose upon or adversely affect the University, such as using ICT facilities and services for occasional emails and web browsing.

Inappropriate use:

• Accessing, copy, altering or destroying information, electronic mail, data, programs, or other files without authorisation
• Using resources you have not been specifically authorised to use
• Using someone else’s username and password, or sharing your username and password with someone else
• Uploading, downloading, distributing or possessing pornographic or pirated software
• Sending unsolicited emails (spam)
• Using electronic resources for harassment or stalking
• Possessing any “hacking tools” such as packet sniffers, password crackers or vulnerability scanners without written authorisation from the chief information officer (contact the Information Security team for assistance)
• Wilfully wasting resources associated with Curtin’s ICT facilities and services.

Exemptions

Users may be granted an exemption to particular aspects of the ICT Appropriate Use policy by the chief information officer where it can be clearly demonstrated that it is required for teaching, learning, or research purposes. Users wishing to apply for an exemption should contact the Information Security team by email to: info-security@curtin.edu.au or on telephone extension 9750.

Unsolicited emails (spam) and phishing

It is important you do not respond to or click any links in spam, phishing or suspicious emails, in particular emails that ask you to provide your username and password details.

Phishing emails often try to create a sense of urgency by saying things like:

• ‘your account will be closed down unless you log on’,
• ‘a recent security upgrade means that you have to log on to be protected’ or
• ‘there has been a problem with processing your pay roll and you need to provide your account details to confirm that they are correct’.

If you receive a spam or phishing email, please forward the email to: spam@curtin.edu.au and promptly delete the email from your inbox.

Reporting a security incident

All suspected information security incidents or activities involving inappropriate use of ICT facilities must be reported by completing the Information Security Incident Response form at: cits.curtin.edu.au/itsupport/incident_report.cfm

If you are a staff member, you may also call the CITS Service Desk on 9000; if you are a student, you may also call the Student Helpdesk on 1222.

Questions and queries

Questions and queries regarding the appropriate use of ICT facilities and services should be directed to the Information Security team by email to: info-security@ curtin.edu.au or on telephone extension 9750.

Guiding ethical principles

In general, the responsibilities of Curtin University as a community are to:

• Encourage and promote ethical behaviour
• Defend the rights of individuals within the University community
• Observe the duty of care to each member of the University community, with equity and justice
• Provide an appropriate environment for all its members so that they may express ideas, theories and beliefs freely
• Foster individual abilities and enterprise
• Provide equity of access to the learning environment, career development and University management
• Ensure the working environment of the University is safe and healthy
• Provide mechanisms for safeguarding human rights
• Provide fair and open government of University operations
• Provide appropriate mechanisms for achieving corporate and individual goals
• Promote positive changes in University structure to enhance the wellbeing of individuals, groups and society
• Consider the impact of decisions on the wellbeing of individuals, groups and society
• Respect the intellect and humanity of others
• Respect the individual’s right to privacy, and undertake to keep personal information in confidence unless a legislative or regulatory authority requires disclosure
• Encourage individuals to conduct themselves conscientiously
• Encourage members to consider the impact of actions on others, on the University and on society
• Foster recognition of obligations both as a member of the University and, where relevant and appropriate, as a member of a profession/discipline
• Encourage research and teaching according to accepted ethical principles
• Acknowledge and encourage equity and justice
• Encourage members to defend the rights and dignity of others
• Foster loyalty to one’s colleagues and co-workers, and encourage collegiability among members of the University community.

You should inform yourself of the full Guiding Ethical Principles and Curtin policies relating to guiding ethical principles at: policies.curtin.edu.au

Ethics, equity and social justice

Curtin is committed to the application of ethical principles and socially just practices, including equal opportunity in education. This commitment aligns with Curtin’s core values of integrity, respect, fairness and care. Refer to: eesj.curtin.edu.au

The University recognises the right of individuals to be free from discrimination and harassment while engaged in activities undertaken as a student, staff or community member associated with the University.
Discrimination means denial of opportunities on the grounds of appearance, sex, marital status, pregnancy, potential pregnancy, breast feeding, sexual orientation, gender history, race, nationality, colour or ethnic origin, age, religious or political conviction, impairment or disability, family responsibilities or family status. It can occur when the aggrieved person is treated less favourably, in circumstances that are the same or are not materially different, than another person on one of the above grounds or when the aggrieved person is required to comply with a set of conditions, with which they are unable to comply because of one of the above grounds.

Harassment consists of unwelcome, offensive, abusive, belittling or threatening behaviour directed at another person, whether a student or a member of staff. It is usually based on some real or perceived difference such as sex, race or disability that may lead to the person harassed being offended, humiliated, intimidated or disadvantaged.

As an educational institution and an employer, the University will take all reasonable steps to ensure that students and staff are able to study and work in an environment free from discrimination and harassment.
You should inform yourself of Curtin policies relating to Equal Opportunity and the Elimination of Discrimination and Harassment at: policies.curtin.edu.au

In the unfortunate circumstance where students believe discrimination or harassment has occurred, Curtin has provision for the resolution of complaints. Refer to: complaints.curtin.edu.au

Further information about resolution procedures is available from the Curtin Student Guild, University Counselling and Disability Services and Student Central.

Safety and Health Representatives (SHRs)

A network of almost 90 Safety and Health Representatives, covering all Curtin University campuses, assist the University in being proactive in the prevention of incidents and injuries, and promote consultation on safety issues at a local level.

SHRs are available to assist students and staff with health and safety matters in their areas. You should make yourself aware of the SHR for your area.

Incidents, hazards and injuries

All incidents (accidents, injuries and near misses) and hazards MUST be reported immediately to the relevant lecturer, unit coordinator or school office. This can be done in person or by using the University’s online Incident Reporting system. The University is legally obliged to report certain serious injuries that occur on campus to WorkSafe regardless of the employment status or other standing of the affected individual(s).

Emergency response

Emergencies include medical, fire, bomb threats, security, assault and harassment. All Bentley buildings, Northam and Kalgoorlie campuses must Dial 5 from an internal phone for all emergencies, or +61 8 9266 4444 from a mobile or off campus line. All other locations must call 000.

Emergency evacuation

On hearing the evacuation tone or alarm bell, you MUST immediately leave the building by the first available emergency exit and go to the building’s assembly area. The University has trained fire wardens to assist building occupants and emergency services personnel in the safe evacuation of the building. It is important to familiarise yourself with your building’s emergency exits, evacuation routes and assembly area.

Class size

The University has a responsibility to observe occupational safety and health and fire regulations. These specify the maximum number of people who can be accommodated in any teaching area. All large teaching spaces in the University have signs indicating their maximum capacity. In the case of laboratories, the maximum number is established through risk assessment in respect of experiments being conducted. Classes are assigned to rooms of the appropriate size. If a class is conducted in more than one venue, or repeated at different times, students should only attend the session to which they have been allocated. This will help the University to observe the regulations and ensure that students learn in a physically comfortable and safe environment without overcrowding.

Personal accident insurance and public liability insurance

The University provides personal accident insurance and public liability insurance cover for students on authorised, course-related work and field experience. The insurance is subject to the school or department approving the work or field experience, and must be credited towards a course of study. Students who receive remuneration for the work or field placement are not covered by this policy. Such students should be covered by the host organisation’s workers’ compensation policy. This applies to all students at all campuses and education centres.

For more information, refer to: healthandsafety.curtin.edu.au

General rules on smoking

It is proposed that smoking is prohibited on all University land in Western Australia as of 1 January 2012 under the Curtin Land and Traffic by-laws. Smoking is banned in buildings and outdoor eating areas under the Western Australian Tobacco products and Control Act. The sale of tobacco products is prohibited on all University property under the Curtin Land and Traffic by-laws.

Assistance to quit smoking

Curtin’s health and counselling services offer access to suitable counselling services and programs to help staff and students quit smoking. Assistance to quit smoking is also available via the Quit line 131 848 (Australia-wide) or the 24-hour alcohol and drug information service on +61 8 9442 5015 or 1800 198 024 for country callers in WA.

Alcohol consumption

Alcohol may not be consumed on campus, outside of licensed premises unless a permit has been issued in accordance with the Curtin Land and Traffic by-laws and the provisions of the Liquor Licensing Act 1988 (WA).

For more information, refer to: healthandsafety.curtin.edu.au

Traffic control

The information below pertains only to parking on the Bentley, Shenton Park and Northam campuses. For parking arrangements at all other campuses or education centres, please refer to the local administration.
Parking and traffic facilities are regulated by the Curtin Land and Traffic by-laws. A speed limit of 40 km per hour currently exists with periodical checks conducted throughout campus. Infringement notices are issued for breaches of the by-laws.

Every member of the Curtin community who wishes to park a vehicle on campus must obtain a parking permit or visitor’s ticket. A parking permit does not imply a parking bay will be available at all times. While ensuring all due care is taken, it is deemed a condition of every parking permit or visitor’s ticket issued that the university is not liable or responsible in any way for the safe custody of a vehicle or its contents.

For more information, refer to: properties.curtin.edu.au