Responsible officer:  Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Designated officer:  Director, Student Administration
Approving authority:  Academic Board
Approval: 19 August 2008 (Council, C08/56 and C08/57)
Last amended: N/A
Effective starting date: 20 August 2008
Any policies replaced by this policy: Policy for the Award of University Medals
Policy number: AB3.
Related policies:

• Award of a Distinguished Academic Record Institutional Operating Policy
• Award of Dean's Commendation Institutional Operating Policy
• Award of Faculty Medals Institutional Operating Policy

Due date for next review: 19 August 2013

Part A: Preliminary

1. Purpose of policy

This policy provides an operational framework for the identification and formal recognition of the highest achieving undergraduate student graduating across all Faculties. The policy also serves to demarcate recognition of highest academic achievement at the University-wide level from the identification and formal recognition of highest academic achievement at a Faculty level, which is provided for in the Policy for the Award of Faculty Medals.

2. Application of policy

This policy applies to all graduating students enrolled in a three or four year undergraduate degree program who have completed at least two-thirds of their program of study, or 192 credit points, whichever is less, at the University.

3. Definitions

In this policy the following definitions apply:

Graduating Student means a person who is enrolled in an undergraduate degree program offered by the University who has satisfied requirements for the award of that specific program. For the purposes of this policy students completing a one year Honours Program or Associate Degree are excluded.

Faculty refers to any of the Faculties as determined by the University.

Academic Excellence means a cumulative Grade Point Average of at least 6.8 on the University’s 7-point grading system

Combined Degree means concurrently undertaking two separate programs of study as formally approved by Academic Board.

Part B: Policy

4. A University Medal may be awarded each year to one or more graduating students in a three or four year Bachelor’s degree, in recognition of academic excellence.

5. For the purposes of the award of the University Medal, “academic excellence” means the achievement of the highest Grade Point Average across the University, provided the Grade Point Average is 6.8 or more (refer to Calculation of Grade Point Average – Institutional Operating Policy).

6. Where two or more people achieve the same highest Grade Point Average the University will award Medals to each of these students.

7. To be eligible for consideration the student must have undertaken at least two-thirds of their program of study, or 192 credit points, whichever is less, at the University.

8. The recipient of the University Medal will also be eligible for the award of the Medal for the Faculty/ies in which they were enrolled.

9. The recipient of the University Medal will be determined by the Director, Student Administration in accordance with this Policy and verified by the Vice-Chancellor.

10. A notation shall be made stating the award of the award of the University Medal on the recipient’s statement of academic record.

11. In any year when a University Medal is not awarded, the Director, Student Administration will advise the University Council accordingly.

12. The University Medal will normally be awarded at a Graduation Ceremony.

END