The constitution of the Student Appeals Panel (SAP) is explained in Part 5.5 of University of Sydney (Student Academic Appeals) Rule 2021 and section 5.5(3) states that “At least six members of the Student Appeals Panel will be undergraduate or postgraduate Students of the University”. The role of the SAP is to provide one student member to sit on the Student Appeals Body (SAB) at hearings. SABs hear University-level appeals against academic decisions, and this provides an opportunity for student SAB members to participate in deciding the appeal outcomes of fellow students.

The appointment is for a minimum of one calendar year. SAP members can also be called upon to sit on panels similar to SABs called Student Disciplinary Appeal Committees (SDACs) to hear appeals against student misconduct findings and/or penalties. This is explained in Part 5 of the University of Sydney (Student Discipline) Rule 2016.

What student SAP members can expect

SAP members will be regularly invited to participate in SABs, but never compelled. The only formal requirement to sit on a SAB is that the student is not from the same Faculty as the appellant and the appellant’s Faculty will be identified at the time of invitation.

A training session will also be provided and chaired by a solicitor either working for or commissioned by the Office of General Counsel (OGC). The training is scheduled to take place on Monday, 25 November and Wednesday, 27 November. Further details will be confirmed to successful candidates in early November.

Please note that it is mandatory to attend one session to become an SAP member. A member could expect to be invited to attend, approximately, one to five sessions in 2025. At the completion of a student’s term on the SAP, the student may request a letter noting their commitment and involvement with SAB and SDAC hearings signed by the Registrar for inclusion on their resume.

Eligibility

• Strong and consistent academic standing
• No progression issues
• No misconduct findings or warnings
• At least two semesters or research periods of study completed (part-time accepted).

How to apply

You need all the documents listed below when you apply:

• Your resume
• Your current transcript reflecting good academic standing
• A brief reference from an academic member of staff
• A brief statement (fewer than 200 words) on why you believe that you are suited to this task.

Please send an email to sau.appeals@sydney.edu.au with the subject 'Expression of Interest in SAP membership 2024 [surname/SID]'.

The deadline to apply is Friday, 4 October 2024.