A standard of proof established by a preponderance of evidence that suggests that something was more likely to have occurred than not occurred.

Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays, and excluding any notified University closure, such as the closure typically announced between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.

Document (or object) that from the outset has been created in a digital form.

The physical location from where a course of study is being delivered. This location may or may not be owned by the Higher Education Provider which enrols the student. For e-learning (online) or other distance education courses this would be the location at where the electronic course material is maintained. (TEQSA definition 2012) UniSC refers to its larger sites as a 'campus' (i.e. Sunshine Coast, Gympie, Fraser Coast, SouthBank and Moreton Bay). Some of UniSC's smaller sites are referred to as 'study nodes'. See also third-party managed campus.

The effective enrolment date and charges liability date for the course. A student cannot enrol or withdraw from units after census dates without significant academic and/or financial penalties.

An examination that is timetabled within a centrally scheduled examination period or Supplementary/Deferred Examination Periods.

Student places which are available to non-international students, that is, Australian citizens and permanent residents, New Zealand citizens and Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders and which are funded partly on the basis of funding from the Commonwealth Government to the University and partly through the fee the student is charged, which is called the Student Contribution.

Student who is an Australian citizen, or a New Zealand citizen or a holder of an Australian Permanent Resident visa who has been offered a Commonwealth supported place and who has sufficient student learning entitlement.

A type of student academic misconduct when a student engages another party, whether paid or unpaid, to produce an assessment piece on their behalf. It could involve a student purchasing an assessment item online, engaging an online company to write a custom assessment piece, or asking a friend or family member to produce their assessment piece.

A term used in the General Data Protection Regulation, which means the natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data; where the purposes and means of such processing are determined by Union or Member State law, the controller or the specific criteria for its nomination may be provided for by Union or Member State law.

A course that enables students to gain skills and knowledge for successful tertiary study and lifelong learning, and provides a foundation for the graduate attributes.

A course that must be studied before, or at the same time as, another specified course.

The most senior officer or member of staff responsible for the management of a faculty or a management or support service or administrative area or sub-section of which that is specifically identified for allocation of funding within the University's budget framework.

The Council of the University of the Sunshine Coast constituted under the University of the Sunshine Coast Act 1998 (Qld).

A discrete element of a program, normally undertaken over a single teaching session, in which the student enrols, and on completion of which the student is awarded a grade.

The academic staff member who is responsible for the course.

The document that represents the statement of course requirements that are authoritative for both the University and the students undertaking the course. It is prepared in accordance with the requirements specified in the Program Accreditation and Course Approval Procedures and includes: graduate attributes, learning outcomes, details of assessment tasks, details of the minimum essential requirements necessary to pass the course, and any required attendance and/or participation.

A method of teaching and learning that leads to the acquisition of skills and knowledge that does not include a major research component. (AQF definition 2011)

The value assigned for the recognition of equivalence in content and learning outcomes between different types of learning and/or qualifications. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to achieve a qualification and may be through credit transfer, articulation, recognition of prior learning or advanced standing. (AQF definition 2011)

A process that provides students with agreed and consistent credit outcomes for components of a qualification based on identified equivalence in content and learning outcomes between matched qualifications. (AQF definition 2011)

The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS ) is the register prescribed under section 10 of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000. (TEQSA definition 2012)

An enrolment in a course(s) in another institution, which, on successful completion, may be credited to a program at the University.

Data refers to raw, unprocessed facts and figures that have not been organised or analysed to reveal any specific meaning. It encompasses a broad array of formats and types, including numerical figures, textual characters, symbols, images, graphics, audio etc which can be generated or captured from a multitude of activities and processes.

While it can exist in a raw or unstructured format, data serves as the foundational element from which information and records are derived. It is the most granular level of detail in the data hierarchy, capable of being transformed into meaningful insights or preserved as part of an organisational record, therefore the term data can also be used to describe information and records.

An individual unit of data that holds value that may include files, databases, documents, websites, physical records, learning materials, web pages, videos, audio recordings, and assessment materials.

An individual or role responsible for managing and safeguarding specific data assets within a data domain or subdomain.

Is the same meaning as given in section 23(2) of Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld).

A high-level category that organises related data by common purpose, function, or concept, such as student data, research data, or financial data.

A focused category within a data domain that organises related data assets with shared characteristics or purposes.

A knowledgeable individual with specialised expertise in a particular area of data.

Is the same meaning as given in section 23(3) of Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld).

 An individual or entity that accesses or consumes data for various purposes.

A person’s permission or agreement to collect, use, share and/or transfer their personal data. The person has the capacity to consent and this is:
• voluntary
• informed
• specific; and
• current.
Express consent is when consent is given openly and obviously, either verbally or in writing. For example, when you sign your name (by hand, or by an electronic or voice signature).

Is the responsible management of an organisation's data through defined policies, roles and standards. It aims to guarantee data quality, literacy, accountability, visibility, accessibility, protection, organisational and legislative compliance, and ethical responsibility.

Stages that data and information transitions from its initial capture through to its archive or disposal.

The process of relocating data between systems, formats, servers, databases and repositories.

A term used in the General Data Protection Regulation, which means the identified or identifiable living individual to whom personal data relates.

The central location of data, which is integrate across organisational systems, databases and repositories.

A course that is coded at 200 and is normally associated with the second or third full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

A defined branch of study or learning. Refer to also field of study, work and/or learning. (AQF definition 2011)

Is the same meaning as given in Part 1 Definitions of the Evidence Act 1995 (Cth). Any record of information, and includes:

• anything on which there is writing, or

• anything on which there are marks, figures, symbols or perforations having a meaning for the person qualified to interpret them, or

• anything from which sounds, images or writings can be reproduced with or without the aid of anything else, or

• a map, plan, drawing or photograph.

Student places which are available to non-international students, that is, Australian citizens and permanent residents, and New Zealand citizens and Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders, in which the student pays a tuition fee.

According to the eSafety Commissioner this means the intentional online exposure of an individual’s identity, private information or personal details without their consent. Sharing the information publicly undermines the target’s privacy, security, safety and/or reputation. Often those responsible for doxing urge others to use the information to harass the person targeted. Unlike defamation, doxing does not have to reveal something untrue or damaging about an individual — the information is usually accurate, whether or not it has been sourced lawfully.

Task that provides students with feedback on their progress early in the teaching session. It is usually linked to later assessment tasks and has no or low (equal to or less than 30 percent) weighting in terms of the summative assessment.

UniSC’s Enterprise Content Management (ECM) system is T1ECM or TechnologyOne ECM. It is a content management system endorsed for the storage of staff, student, legal, contractual, and administrative records at UniSC.

One Equivalent Full-Time Student Load is a measure of the study load, for a year, of the student undertaking a course of study on a full time basis. (TEQSA definition 2012)

Involves electronically designed use of any digital technology or resources to deliver and support specific teaching and learning aims and outcomes. Also referred to as ‘online learning’. (TEQSA definition 2012)

An automated software application designed to facilitate the creation, management, use, storage and disposal of a range of both physical and digital documents and records. Essentially it manages unstructured records and information. An EDRMS may also automate business processes such as workflows and approvals and be integrated with other business systems.

Interference, misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure of personal information in control or the possession of the University, of which the access or disclosure is likely to result in serious harm to individual/s of that personal information.

Enduring value

The ongoing usefulness or significance of records, based on the evidential, administrative, financial, legal, informational and historical values that justify the permanent retention of records as State archives.

Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000

The booklet provided by the University in which the student records answers to the examination question paper.

The paper prepared by the Course Coordinator or examiner consisting of a set of questions or exercises to be completed in a supervised environment to evaluate knowledge or skill in a particular course.

In the case of a central examination this is the Chief Invigilator and for a Faculty examination the Course Coordinator.

Exclusion from the University, usually for unsatisfactory academic progress, is a cancellation of enrolment for a specified period, after which the student must reapply for admission if they are seeking re-enrolment.

Expulsion from the University, means cancellation of enrolment and prohibition from enrolling in any courses or programs at the University, and may involve the removal of access to the University’s premises and facilities for a period of time or on a permanent basis. An application for re-enrolment following expulsion may only be approved by the University’s Council.

An examiner for higher research degrees who is not connected to the university or student’s research. (AQF definition 2011)

The total of the results for all summative assessment items, normally expressed as a percent.

The learning that takes place through a structured program of learning that leads to the full or partial achievement of an officially accredited qualification. Refer to also Informal and Non-formal learning. (AQF definition 2011)

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is an international privacy law that came into effect from 2018 and requires organisations to safeguard personal data and uphold the privacy rights of persons in the European Economic Area (EEA) and United Kingdom (UK). The regulation includes principles of data protection to be upheld and privacy rights that must be facilitated.

The processes by which the University is directed, controlled and held to account. It encompasses authority, accountability, stewardship, leadership, direction and control exercised in the organisation. (Standards Australia AS80002-2003)

A representation of the overall level of attainment achieved by the student in a course as recorded on the student’s official statement of academic record.

Grade Point Average: refer to Grades and Grade Point Average (GPA) - Academic Policy

A course that is coded at 300 or 400 and is normally associated with the third or fourth full-time year of an undergraduate program.

A Research Doctorate or Research Masters program, for which at least two-thirds of the student load for the program is required as research work. (source: Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Research) 2017)

A scheme that provides loans to help eligible Commonwealth supported students pay their student contributions. (TEQSA definition 2012)

A record not required to meet immediate business needs, but which must be kept (in accordance with retention and disposal authorisation) to support business activities, legal or regulatory requirements.

Learning gained through work, social, family, hobby or leisure activities and experiences. Unlike formal or non-formal learning, informal learning is not organised or externally structured in terms of objectives, time or learning support. Refer to also formal and non-formal learning. (AQF definition 2011)

Is data that has been organised, or structured, or processed, in a way that it now has meaningful context and can be understood and interpreted by people or systems. It represents data that has been given significance through relational connection, analysis, or interpretation, turning it into a valuable resource.

those fundamental skills, capabilities and knowledge that students must be able to demonstrate in order to achieve the learning outcomes of a program without compromising the academic integrity of that program.

A student who is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen and does not have Australian Permanent Residency status and who has entered into a current written agreement with the University to undertake a course or program of studies with the University.

A course that is coded at 100 and is normally associated with the first full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

An Examination Supervisor who is physically or virtually present and responsible for overseeing the conduct of the examination.

A higher education degree (as described in the Australian Qualifications Framework awarded through an agreement between two or more higher education providers. (TEQSA definition 2012)

A program delivered concurrently by two or more institutions and upon completion of the program the student receives either a single award testamur conferred jointly badged by those institutions or receive award testamurs from each of the participating institutions on which the contribution of the other institution(s) is acknowledged on the testamur by way or inclusion of a logo.

Is the same meaning as given in Schedule 5 Dictionary of Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld).

The expression of the set of knowledge, skills and the application of the knowledge and skills a person has acquired and is able to demonstrate as a result of learning. (AQF definition 2011)

A stipulated set of courses that has a total unit value of 96 units (usually eight 12-unit courses) that in scope and sequence provide coherence, depth and breadth of study within a specific discipline, field or professional area within an undergraduate program.

A person responsible to the Course Coordinator for marking and providing a result for assessment tasks.

The process of assigning a numerical score to a task that has been graded to represent a standard of achievement.

The engagement with journalists and media outlets. This engagement can be proactive and reactive in nature. It spans any contact with reporters on topics that relate to UniSC, including media interviews, as well as any news publication via print, online or TV that relates to UniSC.

refers to the relationship between a person’s qualities (knowledge, skills, abilities and experience) and those qualities required for the performance in a particular position.

Distinct attributes that help describe and categorise other data within a database.

A stipulated set of four courses that in scope and sequence provide breadth of study within a specific discipline, field or professional area within an undergraduate program.

Term

Definition

Offer

The formal notification from the University or the Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre on behalf of the University, offering an applicant a place in a nominated program.

Official Statement of Academic Record

The document that provides an accurate statement of the information about the student's academic and academic related activities at the University. This document satisfies the University's responsibilities to the student and other third parties (including other universities) for adequate and appropriate representation of relevant information about the student's academic and academic related activities.

Organisational unit

A faculty or a management or support service or administrative area or sub-section that is specifically identified for allocation of funding within the University’s budget framework.

Overall Position (OP)

A tertiary entrance score (1 – 25) awarded by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority to eligible students who have completed Year 12 in Queensland.

One of the following grades: Pass (PS), Pass in a Limited Grade Course (PU), Credit (CR), Distinction (DN) and High Distinction (HD).

A term used in the General Data Protection Regulation, which means any information relating to a person (a ‘data subject’) who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that person.

A way to inform persons of the University’s practices in handling their personal information, including the type of personal data collected, the purpose of the collection, how the data is used and whether it is shared across international borders or with any third parties.

A statement of principles or position that is intended to direct decision-making and operations.

Includes any document that is part of the Policy Framework and includes policies, procedures, and guidelines.

A course that is coded at 500, 600 or 700 with the first digit of the coding, generally indicating a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master level course, respectively.

The specified minimum requirements an applicant must satisfy in order to be considered eligible for admission to a particular program. (TEQSA definition 2012)

A course that encompasses specific knowledge the student needs to possess in order to progress to a subsequent nominated course. As such, it must be completed prior undertaking the subsequent course. If a minimum grade other than a Pass is set for a prerequisite course this requirement must be approved by Academic Board.

A tool to identify, assess and address privacy risks to personal information in relation to a business process, technology or infrastructure following privacy by design principles.

see Natural Justice

A term used in the General Data Protection Regulation, which means a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which processes personal data on behalf of the controller.

The management of multiple related projects that are mapped to UniSC’s strategic objectives to achieve its vision. This includes prioritising strategic initiatives and ensuring resource and funding capacity and availability.

 A temporary endeavour undertaken to create a unique product, service or result. A project can create: a product or enhancement; a service or a capability to perform a service; an improvement in existing product of service lines; or a result such as an outcome or document.

A common, rigorous approach to assessing projects at critical stages in their lifecycle, from the initial assessment of the proposal, through to delivery. At each stage of a project, the project’s progress and quality is assessed to ensure that the project (and associated investment) meets strategic objectives and achieves value for money.

A comprehensive, consistent method of controlling the project and ensuring its success by defining and documenting and communicating reliable, repeatable project practices. It includes a framework for making project decisions, and related roles and responsibilities.

A series of phases that a project passes through from its initiation ideation to its closure, and provides the basic framework for managing the project.

The application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to project activities to meet the project requirements (focus is on doing projects right).

The University’s portfolio of projects and the process in which they are selected and managed. The project portfolio is strategically selected to advance the University’s organisational goals (focus is on doing the right projects at the right time).

A task that is specifically designed to meet a stated professional competency standard/s in an externally accredited program and which must be successfully completed (for example practicum, professional placement, professional portfolio, skills/practice competencies).

Staff appointed to a position which reflects the operational requirements and core areas of responsibility for administrative, professional, and technical occupational groups. Formerly referred to as Administrative, Professional and Technical (APT) Staff.

A set of coherently scoped, sequenced and structured studies or courses undertaken by the student in order to meet the requirements for award of a qualification, including a program of study with a major research component.

A coherent set of courses that develop a particular academic theme which is formally recognised on the Official Statement of Academic Record and University testamur.

This includes a lawyer or notary public, a commissioner for declarations or a justice of the peace (JP), or for prisoners a Corrective Services Officer.

The management and organisational processes in place for checking that the standards and quality of higher education provision by the University meet higher education sector requirements and norms.

The Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre is the organisation established in Queensland to coordinate the admission processes of participating institutions for specified programs.

RecFind is a system endorsed for the storage of legal, contractual, and administrative records at UniSC.

Is information that has been designated for retention by legislative requirement, or because of its value or necessity to the organisation. A record is a document or piece of information that serves as evidence of an organisation's actions, decisions, or transactions, and is maintained to meet legal, regulatory, fiscal, operational, or historical requirements.

The process of eliminating or deleting records, beyond any possible reconstruction. The process includes destroying all copies of the record.

A range of processes associated with implementing records destruction or transfer decisions.

A course that is mandatory for all students to complete to be eligible for graduation from a program.

Systematic experimental and theoretical work, application and/or development that results in an increase in the dimensions of knowledge. (AQF definition 2011)

A Commonwealth Government scheme which provides block grants, on a calendar year basis, to higher education providers to support both domestic and overseas students undertaking Research Doctorate and Research Masters degrees, known as higher degrees by research (HDRs). Students can be offered RTP Scholarships for stipend or living allowance, tuition fees offset and allowances relating to the ancillary costs of research degrees. (Department of Education and Training 2016)

The numeric mark the student receives on an individual assessment task.

A student is progressing through their study such that: they have maintained a Cumulative GPA above 3.0; they have not failed the same course three or more times; and they have not failed or received a withdrawn final notation for the same workplace integrated learning (WIL) placement course two or more times.

A designated academic unit, usually based on discipline groupings, including the Thompson Institute.

Refers to any examination or test administered by a School.

A score (0 – 99) allocated through an admission schedule to represent particular qualifications, education or other experience of an applicant and used to determine the applicant’s eligibility for an admission offer and to rank applicants for competitive selection.

Named teaching periods within Study Period 1 and 2, consisting of a variable number of weeks of teaching.

A subset of personal information with a higher-level risk of harm to individuals.

Authentic community-based learning experiences which can result in both meaningful community service and student achievement of course learning outcomes.

A broad term that encompasses interactive online communication channels that enable users to create and share content, opinions, experiences, and knowledge. These can be written comments, video, photographs, or audio files. Social media channels can include, but are not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok and Snapchat.

A person enrolled in a formal program of learning in an educational institution. (AQF definition 2011)

A coherent set of courses that develop a particular academic theme which is formally recognised on the Official Statement of Academic Record. This includes Majors, Extended Majors, Minors, Specialisations and Dean’s Scholars.

The academic year is organised into two study periods, each spanning half a calendar year. Study Period 1 covers the period 1 January – 30 June; Study Period 2 covers the period 1 July – 31 December.

A University of the Sunshine Coast facility which is not referred to as a 'campus', e.g. Noosa, Caboolture, North Lakes, the Sunshine Coast Health Institute (SCHI), etc. See also Campus.

In the context of a research project (e.g. a thesis as part of a Higher Degree by Research or Bachelor Honours), a supervisor is the member of Academic staff with responsibility for providing advice, direction and oversight for a research student, i.e. supervision of the student.

Supervisor (Human Resources)

Suspension from the University, usually for misconduct, is a cancellation of enrolment for a specified period, after which the student may seek re-enrolment. Suspension may also involve removal of access to the University’s premises and facilities for a period of time.

The specified duration for the delivery of a course and these are categorised as semester, trimester and session.

The University defines a set of teaching sessions within a Study period. A teaching session is the period within which courses are delivered.

The week in the 13 week (semester) teaching session; an equivalent time should be equated for teaching sessions of different lengths.

Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency, the body established by section 132 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011. (TEQSA definition 2012)

An official certification document that confirms that a qualification has been awarded to an individual. (AQF definition 2011; TEQSA definition 2012)

These are completed documents that comprise information generated in the course of doing business and does not have value to the organisation beyond the immediate business need or have longer term retention requirements specified by the applicable Archive Regulator. These records do not possess archival and enduring value.

Term

Definition

USC Central

UniSC Central

The website provided for students to undertake a range of self service options including enrolment.

UniSC brand

The tangible and intangible elements of the university’s identity. This includes our visual elements such as logos, fonts, colours, illustrative style, photography and videography style, and our non-visual elements such as our tone of voice. These brand elements are captured in the university’s brand guidelines document.

UniSC corporate websites

The University’s official website, which sits on the usc.edu.au domain, subdomains connected to the official domain and all other websites controlled by UniSC.

UNiSC logo

The approved corporate icon and accompanying names.

UniSC merchandise

The clothing, promotional items and publications used to promote the University.

University premises

Any buildings or grounds which are under the control and management of the University and which are used for, or in connection with, the purposes of the University.

Unit

A numerical value associated with a course or program.

Term

Definition

VET

Vocational education and training, which includes government colleges of technical and further education (TAFE) and private registered training organisations (RTOs).

Visitor

Any person who visits the University and is not classified as a worker of the University. Visitors to the University may include, but are not limited to: students, family and friends of staff and students, users of University facilities, attendees at conferences and functions, tenants.

Term

Definition

Worker

As per the meaning given in section 7 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld), a worker includes employees, contractors, subcontractors, students gaining work experience, and volunteers in the workplace.

Work integrated learning

Educational activities that integrate theoretical learning with its application in the workplace, profession, career or future employment.