Guide to 'Show Cause' Appeals

Show Cause - Stage 3 'Student at Risk'

If you have been asked to Show Cause then you are at ‘Stage 3’ of the University’s student at risk procedures. You can find more details of these procedures and stages on the University website www.usyd.edu.au/secretariat/students/riskstudents.shtml. The University has serious concerns that you cannot make it through your degree and is asking you to write a letter showing good cause why you should be permitted to continue.

A: Read the letter from University closely
It has most of the information you need. Pay special attention to the date of the letter and the due date for your response.

B: Do you want to re-enrol?
Some students decide University or that particular course is not for them. There are other options – talk to an SRC caseworker. Deferring may be an option for you, HOWEVER you MUST show good cause or else you will be excluded.

C: What can the SRC do for you?

The SRC hosts workshops that can help you to write your show cause letter.
These are run in the meeting room at the SRC. Places in the workshop are
granted on a first-come first-served basis. Late arrivals will not be
permitted to enter the workshop. So to book your place or to ask any
questions just call the SRC on 9660 5222.

Writing your ‘Show Cause’ letter:

Read the Sample Letter

Look at your academic record. Your letter should explain the reasons for your unsatisfactory progress, the effects on your study and your solutions.

Email your first draft to c.long@src.usyd.edu.au and an SRC caseworker will usually give you feedback within 1 working day (note the SRC is closed Saturdays and Sundays).

1. REASONS
Think carefully about the reasons why you have not done well in your studies. Consider all past semesters where you have not been academically successful, not just the last year. Use this checklist to help you identify your reasons. Address problems that you had this semester first, followed by problems in previous study sessions, if this is relevant.

Some reasons for unsatisfactory progress include:

• poor health
• financial difficulties
• relationship and family problems
• accommodation problems
• transport difficulties
• harassment/assault etc
• language or study skills difficulties
• disability
• lack of support
• lack of suitable place to study
• pregnancy and other family/carer commitments

NOTE: Where possible provide evidence of your problem (eg, doctor’s certificate, letter from a counsellor, etc).

2. EFFECTS - How these reasons impacted on your study
It is vital that you can clearly explain how each of the reasons you identify impacted upon your studies. Each reason must affect your study in some way. It may also help you to point to semester/s where the reason didn’t exist to show that you can be a successful student.

Remember that what may seem obvious to you will not be to the University and the people deciding whether you can re-enrol. If you don’t make the connections now, no one will.

3. SOLUTIONS
You must be able to demonstrate that you have solved each of the reasons that you have identified. Include documentation of this (again doctor’s certificate, letter from counsellor, study timetable, etc). Both you and the University must be confident you can past next semester and onwards

4. Always keep copies
Keep copies of your letter and any attached documentation.

Want to leave the University of Sydney?
Having an exclusion on your record is generally best avoided. If you would like to leave your degree because you have chosen the wrong path, you may wish to ask for a ‘lapse of candidature’.

A lapse of candidature means you have decided to leave the degree, rather than the University excluding you from it.

It is important to understand that taking a lapse of candidature means you cannot return to your degree. Your candidature is permanently cancelled. If you ever wish to come back to the degree you will need to apply for admission through the normal channels again – UAC or the international student admissions process.

This is different from an exclusion which is ordinarily for two years, at which point you can normally apply for readmission – although this is not guaranteed.
Your faculty may explicitly suggest a lapse of candidature as an option. If they do, this option may not be offered again. If they don’t, it may be possible to discuss this option with an academic advisor. Note that different Faculties may approach this issue differently.

It is a good idea to talk through your options with people, such as the SRC or the Faculty, especially if you don’t think you understand the processes.
If you are thinking of studying elsewhere it is advisable to start looking at other study options as soon as possible.

International Students
If you are an international student and are excluded from the University of Sydney you will be considered not to have made satisfactory progress and may be in breach of Mandatory Condition 8202 of your Student Visa. This may have serious implications on your Student Visa status with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), even if you are enrolled elsewhere.

Students who decide to take a lapse of candidature and are not excluded (see above) should not be in breach of their Student Visa.

Talk to the Compliance Coordinator at the International Office compliance@io.usyd.edu.au for visa information.