91ÊÓƵ

To oversee the review of its Student Disciplinary Framework, the University has established the Student Disciplinary Framework Review (SDFR) Project Board.

Project Status

Phase 2 consultation is now complete. Feedback is under review and draft recommendations are being established. Phase 3 consultation is planned to commence in mid-October and will consist of the draft recommendations report opening for feedback. The recommendations report will then be finalised and made available at the end of 2025.

In June, midway through Phase 2 consultation, an Interim Consultation Report was presented to the Project Board, capturing some key learnings that could be actioned before the draft recommendations report is released. Five interim recommendations were endorsed. These are: 

1. Ensuring the Framework is covered in O-Week sessions and communication to students in first year campaign
2. Reporting on the number of cases, timeframes, and outcomes to be developed and available openly
3. Embedding guided workflow in Canvas to show options for a student who seeks to understand the process
4. Developing poster or postcards that clarify the framework and process
5. Ensuring that the reporting process provides an opportunity for victim survivors or reporters to identify their preferred outcome

The project team is actively working on the implementation of the interim recommendations which will also be embedded and expanded upon in the final recommendations report.

Background

The Australian National University (ANU) is committed to promoting safety and wellbeing in our community. As part of this commitment, the University is undertaking a review of its Student Disciplinary Framework. A routine process is aimed at continuous improvement ensuring the University’s policies remain effective, fair, and follow best practice principles.

91ÊÓƵhas established the Student Disciplinary Framework Review (SDFR) Project Board (the Project Board) to oversee the current review which will be informed by:

• institutional learnings since the 2021 review;
• broad consultation with the University community; and
• incoming regulatory changes relating to harmful behaviours on university campuses, including the ‘’, the establishment of the , and the outcomes from the forthcoming National Student Safety Survey.

The Project Board will consider how the University's disciplinary practices continue to adhere to regulatory requirements in a fair and equitable manner.

Phases

The Project Board’s review will comprise three key phases:

Phase 1 – Resource base development: This will consist of benchmarking and developing a resource base from which the review will draw findings and recommendations. This will involve broad consultation with University stakeholders, collating feedback and consolidating the resources necessary for phase 2.

Phase 2 – Preliminary recommendations & consultation: This will involve drafting recommendations, if any, for changes to the Student Disciplinary Framework and conducting further consultation opportunities, if deemed necessary.

Phase 3 – Final recommendations report: The final report containing the Project Board’s recommendations will be referred to the relevant approval authorities and University teams responsible for implementation.

Governance

The Project Board provides governance, strategic oversight, and decision-making support for the successful delivery of the Student Disciplinary Framework Review. The Project Board comprises:

• University leadership
• Internal experts
• Student representatives
• Legal and governance experts
• External experts

For a full understanding of the Project Board’s role and composition, please refer to the Terms of Reference provided under ‘reference documents’.