Policies and procedures
Approved: May 2005
Amendments: October 2011
Reference Authority: Director: Student and Academic Services
In 2004, the University of South Australia was endorsed by the Australian Sports Commission as an Elite Athlete Friendly University.
This means that UniSA supports the Australian Institute of Sports (AIS) Guiding Principles for Implementation of the National Network of Athlete Friendly Universities.
In addition, the University recognises that elite artistic performers also have performance/competition requirements that impact on their studies.
UniSA recognises and promotes the value of combining sporting and performing, and academic aspirations, especially for elite athletes and elite performers. As such UniSA will arrange, where appropriate, for students to progress in their program of study while participating in sport/performance at an elite level
Elite athlete is defined according to the Australian Institute of Sports guiding principles, and someone who competes on a state, national or international level in a University approved sport.
Elite performer is a student who has demonstrated excellence through performing arts, scholastic achievement or leadership on a national or international level.
An international student who is an elite athlete or elite performer, and is required to represent their own country, will be considered for eligibility to UniSA's elite athlete and elite performers provisions, as set out in this document, provided all Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship requirements are met.
1.1 An athlete or performer is eligible to gain access to UniSA's
elite athlete and performers provisions if they meet one of the criteria
set out in Appendix A of this document.
1.2 Athletes and performers, who fall outside of the
organisations/criteria listed in Appendix A, can apply direct to the
University's Director: Student and Academic Services for consideration.
(See clause 2.1 below).
2.1 Students who do not meet the eligibility criteria set out in Appendix A, and international elite athletes or elite performers may apply for consideration to the Director: Student and Academic Services via e-mail, together with supporting documentation. Supporting documentation is to be in the form of letters by:
2.2 The Director: Student and Academic Services will review the application and
will notify the student whether the application has been approved or otherwise
(The National ACE manager will act as a representative from the Australian
Sports Commission to investigate, verify and make a recommendation to the
university.)
2.3 Approval for elite athletes and performers who fall outside of the approved
organisations listed in Appendix A, and international elite athletes or
performers, is only valid for 12 months. These elite athletes and performers
need to reapply for consideration for each subsequent year of study.
2.4 The Australian Sports Commission provides the University with a list of
elite athletes from the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), the South
Australian Sports Institute (SASI) and other Academies of Sport such as the
Australian Football League (AFL), via the Director: Student and Academic
Services, on an annual basis. These athletes automatically qualify; however are
required to contact the Director: SAS (see clause 2.5 below).
2.5 The Director: Student and Academic Services will maintain a register of
elite athletes and performers enrolled at the University. To be included on this
list and access support available to elite athletes and performers, all elite
athletes/performers must e-mail the following information to the
Director:
Student and Academic Services:
The nature and extent of commitments to elite activity can be unpredictable and outside of a student's control (e.g. selection into a team or cast).
3.1 A student is expected to plan for known commitments, for example regular training commitments or rehearsal/performance, well in advance.
3.2 Students are required to seek assistance as soon as possible to ensure the best outcome, as the timing of requests may have an impact on the University's capacity to provide assistance.
4.1 Student and Academic Services will coordinate all applications for entry to UniSA programs and will liaise with the relevant program director and academic division to ensure appropriate consideration is given to their academic record in light of their sporting and performing commitments.
4.2 The Director: Student and Academic Services will coordinate the support arrangements required by elite athletes and performers. The types of assistance that would be provided include:
4.3 In order to provide elite athletes and performers with the most productive learning experience, personal consultations will be arranged as required. The Director: Student and Academic Services will inform the various areas of the University listed below, by e-mail, of the identity of the elite athletes and performers:
A list of key contacts at UniSA is provided in Appendix B.
5.1.1 Prior to applying, applicants will be invited to discuss program/course options, entry criteria, special consideration, flexible delivery options, remote access, examinations, academic progress, and any other issues which may impact on program choice or progress.
5.1.2 After entry, and prior to enrolment, a study plan will be negotiated. This will be retained as a reference for administering the elite athlete's and performer's academic program.
5.1.3 The study plan might include the following:
UniSA recognises prior learning which includes an assessment for credit and exemption or studies-in-lieu of a range of prior learning from:
See the University's Recognition of prior learning policy, A-13.
UniSA policy provides for flexible arrangements under special circumstances for students wishing to take extended periods of leave of absence and/or extend the maximum time required to complete a study program (such as elite athletes and performers with sporting/performing commitments). See the University's Enrolment policy, A-48.
Depending on the course selection, students can undertake study as part of a program of another Australian university, through a cross-institutional arrangement with credit arrangements in place, to ensure that those courses are appropriately credited to their UniSA program. See the University's Enrolment policy, A-48.
5.5.1 UniSA has a commitment to developing flexible delivery options which allow students to study in a variety of modes including the ability to move between 'off' and 'on' campus modes.
5.5.2 UniSA offers a number of courses in a variety of areas throughout the academic year. A full list of courses and their timetables can be viewed on the University website.
UniSA acknowledges the need to provide a flexible framework to enable elite athletes and performers to study and perform to the best of their ability. The need of elite athletes and performers to undertake and/or complete an assessment task and make alternative arrangements for exams is provided for in UniSA's Assessment Policies and Procedures Manual (see sections 3 and 7).
1. To be accepted as an elite athlete at UniSA, the student must be identified and recognised as an elite athlete by one of the following organisations:
2. To be accepted as an elite performer at UniSA, the student is operating at the highest level in their field of activity as a contracted artist/performer, for example:
For an international student to be accepted as an elite athlete or elite performer, they must be formally recognised by their home country if representing their country, or Australia if representing Australia.
| Name and Position | Phone and Email | Contact For |
|---|---|---|
| Allan Tabor Director: Student and Academic Services |
08 8302 2244 allan.tabor@unisa.edu.au |
|
|
Kim Murphy Manager: Graduate Research Centre |
08 8302 3956 |
|
| Carmen Bastian
Campus Support Officer (Disability Services) (City East campus) |
08 8302 2162 carmen.bastian@unisa.edu.au |
|
| Kate Borrett Campus Support Officer (Int Student Services) Learning and Teaching Unit (City West) |
08 8302 0491 kate.borrett@unisa.edu.au |
|
| Narelle Walker Campus Support Officer (LC Data Management) Learning and Teaching Unit (Magill) |
08 8302 4662 narelle.walker@unisa.edu.au |
|
| Greg Moran Campus Support Officer (Orientation & Transition) Learning and Teaching Unit (Mawson Lakes) |
08 8302 3417 greg.moran@unisa.edu.au |
|
| Ryan McEachen Team Leader: Campus Central (Mawson Lakes campus) |
08 8302 3448 (direct) 08 8302 3511 or 1300 301 706 (Campus Central) ryan.mceachen@unisa.edu.au |
Information about student administration and services including:
|
| Adrian Gaunt Team Leader: Campus Central (City West campus) |
08 8302 0340 (direct) 08 8302 0511 or 1300 301 708 (Campus Central) adrian.gaunt@unisa.edu.au |
|
| Jasson Worrall Team Leader: Campus Central (Magill campus) |
08 8302 4613 (direct) 08 8302 4511 or 1300 301 703 (Campus Central) jasson.worrall@unisa.edu.au |
|
| Matt Golotta Team Leader: Campus Central (City East campus) |
08 8302 2667 (direct) 08 8302 2511 or 1300 301 704 (Campus Central) mattg@unisa.edu.au |
|
|
Barbara Murphy Team Leader: Campus Central (Whyalla Campus) |
08 8302 6055 or 8647 6055 from Whyalla barbara.murphy@unisa.edu.au |
|
| Christine Cother Manager: Academic Library Services |
08 8302 6810 christine.cother@unisa.edu.au |
|
| Julian Rimmer Help Desk Team Leader |
08 8302 3161
(direct) 08 8302 5000 or 1300 558 654 (Help Desk) julian.rimmer@unisa.edu.au |
|
| Natalie Grant or Michelle Quilliam International Coordinator: Compliance |
08 8302 0968
(direct) natalie.grant@unisa.edu.au michelle.quilliam@unisa.edu.au |
|
