S.L. 327.557 Art. 4Scope. S.L. 327.535 S.L. 327.88

(1) Students’ responsibilities in relation to suitability to practise have a broader scope and application than the purely academic aspect of a course. They encompass all behaviour including that outside the academic or placement setting which may reflect negatively on the given profession or on the University, whether such behaviour is exhibited within University premises or elsewhere.

(2) Suitability to practise, in relation to professional work, includes qualities such as honesty, integrity, resilience, patience and the ability to help people face difficult situations. Evidence of clear thinking, professional skills (including clinical and technical skills), sound judgement, sensitivity and tolerance is required, together with the ability to establish and maintain appropriate personal and professional boundaries. This demands sound inter-personal and communication skills as well as both physical and mental ability to carry out the role appropriately.

(3) On occasion, students may be the subject of concerns about their suitability to practise in relation to the profession they wish to pursue. It must be clear to all parties (including students, academic staff, Placement supervisors or mentors, Placement examiners) what kinds of concerns or information will trigger proceedings by the University under these regulations, how the proceedings will be undertaken and what the possible outcomes can be.

(4) In relation to courses as defined in regulation 1, the following shall apply:

(a) the University shall, while first and foremost safeguarding the welfare and wellbeing of students and other third parties (including patients under the care of students), also have regard to the suitability of students to practise the profession they wish to pursue;

(b) the University shall strive to ensure that only such persons who demonstrate that they are likely to be suitable to practise are permitted to undertake a given course and to graduate therefrom, keeping in mind the welfare of the potential clients of such persons during their coursework and once they become warranted, licensed or registered professionals, the reputation of the University and the reputation of the respective profession;

(c) students enrolled on such courses are responsible to conduct themselves in such a manner that is in keeping with the applicable standards, thereby demonstrating their suitability to practise the profession they wish to pursue;

(d) each Faculty is responsible to publish such standards as may be applicable to students enrolled on a given course in such a manner that students are made aware of such standards.

(5) Professional suitability to practise procedures as established by these regulations are distinct from University disciplinary procedures under the University Student Discipline

Regulations, and from the University Assessment Regulations, the applicability of which may lead to the imposition of a disciplinary sanction. This notwithstanding, there may be situations where more than one set of University regulations may be utilised to consider the University’s position and the professional implications of a student’s behaviour, conduct or suitability to practice.