If you receive a Notice of Allegation (SMP Hearing), this means that a responsible officer has referred your case to a Student Misconduct Panel, and you’ll be asked to attend a hearing. Evidence supporting the allegations will be attached to the notice.

You’ll need to submit a Student Response to Notice of Allegation (Student Misconduct Panel) form to let us know your intentions for the hearing (e.g. you plan to attend the hearing, you’d like to request a witness to attend and/or you’d like to bring along a support person). Email the form to us no later than four University working days before the hearing.

It’s important to attend the hearing as it gives you another opportunity to address the serious allegations against you. Understand that, if you don’t attend the hearing, it will still go ahead and the panel will make a decision without the benefit of hearing your side of the story.

Objection to a panel member

You may object to a panel member if you believe that they’re biased. You must submit your objection in writing within four University working days of the date of receiving your Notice of Allegation (SMP Hearing). Make sure to give full details of the perceived bias and any evidence you have to support it. If your objection isn’t resolved before the day of the hearing, the hearing will be rescheduled.

Where and when

Your hearing will be held on Zoom so you won’t need to come to campus. Generally, it will last up to one and a half hours.

You’ll receive a Notice of Allegation (SMP Hearing) once the panel members and hearing date have been confirmed – at least 10 University working days before the hearing date.

What to bring

We recommend that you bring your Notice of Allegation (SMP Hearing) and any documentation not already included in the evidence that may support your case.

Also, you can bring a support person and/or witnesses to the hearing.

Who attends the hearing

Three panel members will attend the hearing. A support person and some witnesses may also be present.

Additionally, at least one administrative staff member will be there to take notes on the proceedings. They have no decision-making role.

Sometimes a panel may ask an adviser to attend the hearing, for example, when there’s a need for specialised knowledge or discipline expertise. They have no decision-making role.

The Student Misconduct Panel Hearing is conducted in English. Translators are not allowed to attend.

What happens at the hearing

At the hearing, the panel chair introduces everyone and outlines the hearing process, allegations and evidence. They’ll also cover administrative procedures, such as privacy protection, recording of the hearing and use of the evidence that you give.

The chair is responsible for conducting an orderly, fair and respectful hearing. They’ll also ensure that you have sufficient opportunity to respond to all allegations and evidence before the panel makes a decision.

During the hearing, you’ll be:

• invited to respond to the allegations, present your case (orally and/or in writing) and provide evidence
• given a chance to ask questions of any witnesses
• asked questions by the panel (e.g. to clarify your evidence or other information).

How the panel makes a decision

The Student Misconduct Panel uses the evidence included in your Notice of Allegation (SMP Hearing), as well as the evidence you provide in your Student Response to Notice of Allegation (Student Misconduct Panel) form, to determine whether you’ve engaged in academic misconduct. If more evidence emerges before your hearing, we’ll send it to your Monash email address. Please make sure you check that email.

If a majority of the panel finds that you’ve engaged in academic misconduct, they’ll generally impose one or more penalties. Their decision is final.

The panel will not learn about any prior academic misconduct – or warnings that you may have received at Monash – until after they’ve made a decision, and only if they find that you’ve engaged in academic misconduct.

Notification of the panel’s decision will be sent to your Monash email address within seven University working days of the decision being made.

Get support

A hearing of this kind can be challenging and stressful so we strongly recommend that you seek advocacy and support as soon as possible. A student rights officer can help you understand the allegations of academic misconduct and advise you on how to respond to them. They can also attend the hearing as your support person.