Formal Student Complaint - Charles Darwin University 

I/we claim that Charles Darwin University’s Faculty of Nursing has performed multiple breaches in providing the minimum acceptable requirements for the provision of higher education in or from Australia by higher education providers registered under the TEQSA Act, Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021.

We are asking that no one can fail this unit (It is the last time this theory unit is offered to students on the old course code BNRSG) due to lack of communication and support by CDU. It is unacceptable that they have performed multiple breaches and still no communication to the students. We are asking that CDU look at the student’s grade average for other units, i.e. If their average is a High Distinction or Distinction, then the final grade in this unit should be changed accordingly. This unit is bringing down students GPA scores that they have worked hard to achieve. We are also requesting that all students receive a 50% refund of unit fees.

Please sign this petition if you are one of these students and/or you think the University has performed multiple breaches in providing the minimum acceptable requirements for the provision of higher education in or from Australia by higher education providers registered under the TEQSA Act, Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 

The unit NUR367 'Leadership for Nursing Practice' is no longer offered to students in the course code BNRSG as this course code has been phased out and students need to complete studies by the end of 2023. They have been given no answer as to what will happen if they fail this unit. For many students this is their last theory unit or last unit completely. No one should fail this unit, because of the breaches outlined below, it will destroy lives. Students have nursing jobs to go to and are waiting on these final marks for their AHPRA registration. Students in this subject are suffering mentally and physically and CDU are ignoring their pleas for help in this final unit. It is unacceptable for students who have paid for this degree to be put in this position due to the lecturer having an unmanageable workload and therefore could not provide communication and support to the students. As you will see below HD/D students are barely passing the unit as the external markers are not reading the Assessment outline provided on Learn line. We have asked for remarks on our Assessments. We have waited up to 2 months for assessments to be marked and then disheartened by the harsh comments and mark. HD/D students work extremely hard to get these marks to increase their GPA. Time spent studying away from family and friends. Some students have asked for a remark and the mark went from a Pass to a Distinction. There is obviously an issue here. We should not have this stress put on us. We are worried about the mental health status of many students in this unit. Students need their final grade by June 30 to apply for their AHPRA registration to start their career as a Graduate Registered Nurse. We do not think this is going to happen as there needs to be remarks and no assessment has been marked in a timely manner. Students are suffering and we need your help to fight for Justice.

Please sign this petition to help all students in this final unit and future students studying with Charles Darwin University.

Particular breaches involve.

Part A 1.3.3 (timely feedback which assists in achievement of learning outcomes)

‘Methods of assessment or monitoring that determine progress within or between units of study or in research training validly assess progress and, in the case of formative assessment, provide students with timely feedback that assists in their achievement of learning outcomes’.

Evidence of breach:

Some students are waiting over two months to receive their grading on assessments this semester. Many students fail assessments or get low marks because they are mismarked. There needs to be communication with the markers on what the lecturer has told us to do in the assessments.

The students pleaded for help on assessments as the outlines were highly vague. The students needed guidance and clarity. Students are talking in the unit discussion and the Facebook group for NUR367. Many students are suffering from poor mental and physical health due to the lack of communication and support the university provides. They are paying for this unit and expect communication to help them understand the requirements.

After students received low grades or failed Assessment 3, they pleaded for support with Assessment 4. None was given. After hundreds of emails and calls, the unit coordinator spoke to the students. She was upset about letting the students down. She said she had pleaded with the Management of CDU for assistance with the unmanageable workload she was given.

Part A, Section 2.4.1 (access to resolving of grievances)

‘Current and prospective students have access to mechanisms that are capable of resolving grievances about any aspect of their experience with the higher education provider, its agents or related parties’.

Evidence of Breach:

The students have been told to complain to the university complaints department and the VC. No one is getting replies, and nothing has changed. Part A, Section 2.4.2 (timely resolution of formal complaint)

There are policies and processes that deliver timely resolution of formal complaints and appeals against academic and administrative decisions without charge or at reasonable cost to students, and these are applied consistently, fairly and without reprisal.

Part A, Section 3.2.1 (sufficient staffing for academic support)

‘The staffing complement for each course of study is sufficient to meet the educational, academic support and administrative needs of student cohorts undertaking the course’.

Evidence of Breach:

The unit coordinator for NUR367 Semester 1 2023 was given an unmanageable workload. She is the unit coordinator for two units and the Undergraduate coordinator. There are 742 students in NUR367, and she has 3000 students to support.

Since April 18, 2023, the unit coordinator has pleaded for assistance with her students. Her reputation as a unit coordinator and lecturer is now tainted.

After students received low grades or failed Assessment 3, they pleaded for support with Assessment 4. None was given. After hundreds of emails and calls, the unit coordinator spoke to the students. She was upset about letting the students down. She said she had pleaded with the Management of CDU for assistance with the unmanageable workload she was given.

Part A. Section 3.2.2 (academic and teaching capacity)

 ‘The academic staffing profile for each course of study provides the level and extent of academic oversight and teaching capacity needed to lead students in intellectual inquiry suited to the nature and level of expected learning outcomes.

Evidence of Breach:

The students pleaded for help on assessments as the outlines were highly vague. The students needed guidance and clarity. Many students are talking in the unit discussion and the Facebook group for NUR367. Many students are suffering from poor mental and physical health due to the lack of communication and support the university provides. They are paying for this unit and expect communication to help them understand the requirements.

Since April 18, 2023, the unit coordinator has pleaded for assistance with her students. Her reputation as a unit coordinator and lecturer is now tainted.

After students received low grades or failed Assessment 3, they pleaded for support with Assessment 4. None was given. After hundreds of emails and calls, the unit coordinator spoke to the students. She was upset about letting the students down. She said she had pleaded with the Management of CDU for assistance with the unmanageable workload she was given.

Part A. Section 3.2.5 (accessibility of teaching staff)

Teaching staff are accessible to students seeking individual assistance with their studies, at a level consistent with the learning needs of the student cohort.

Evidence of breach:

The unit coordinator for NUR367 Semester 1 2023 was given an unmanageable workload. She is the unit coordinator for two units and the Undergraduate coordinator. There are 742 students in NUR367, and she has 3000 students to support.

Since April 18, 2023, the unit coordinator has pleaded for assistance with her students. Her reputation as a unit coordinator and lecturer is now tainted.

The students pleaded for help on assessments as the outlines were highly vague. The students needed guidance and clarity. Many students are talking in the unit discussion and the Facebook group for NUR367. Many students are suffering from poor mental and physical health due to the lack of communication and support the university provides. They are paying for this unit and expect communication to help them understand the requirements.

After students received low grades or failed Assessment 3, they pleaded for support with Assessment 4. None was given. After hundreds of emails and calls, the unit coordinator spoke to the students. She was upset about letting the students down. She said she had pleaded with the Management of CDU for assistance with the unmanageable workload she was given.