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.

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 these categories, you are obliged to become familiar with 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, visit the Curtin IT Service website, and the policies website.

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 calling the CITS Service Desk on ext 9000 if you are a staff member, or by calling the Student Helpdesk on ext 1222 if you are a student.

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.

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 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.

Safety and Health Representatives are available to assist students and staff with health and safety matters in their areas.

Incidents, hazards and injuries

All incidents (accidents, injuries and near misses) and hazards MUST be reported immediately to the relevant teaching or administration staff, and/or through the University’s Incident and Hazard Reporting system. The University is legally obliged to report certain incidents, hazards and 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. Students should be aware of the emergency contact number at their campus. On the Bentley campus, Dial 4444 from an internal phone or 9266 4444 for all non-life threatening emergencies. For life-threatening emergencies call 0000 from an internal phone, or 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

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited on all University land in Western Australia as of 1 January 2014 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.

Curtin’s health and counselling services offer access to suitable counselling services and programs to help staff and students quit smoking.

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).

Parking and Traffic

Parking and traffic facilities are regulated by the Curtin Land and Traffic by-laws. Speed limits exist, and periodical checks are 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. A 'Pay as You Go' parking system is available at some of Curtin's campuses. For parking arrangements at your campus or education centre, please refer to the local administration.

Find out more about parking at Curtin.

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