Rules Regulations Frequently Asked Questions

• What is defined as sexual harassment? 
  Sexual harassment is any verbal or physical act of a sexual nature that is unsolicited, unwanted, unreciprocated, serious and/or persistent.

• What is Southern Institute of Technology’s stance on sexual harassment?
  It is SIT policy that sexual harassment is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

• What behaviour is recognised as being sexual harassment? 
  Such behaviour includes: 
  • Unwelcome and deliberate physical conduct/ contact
  • Verbal comments or abuse
  • Contact or activities including text messages, of a sexual nature, either overt or subtle, which may be accompanied by threats
  • The abuse of power to gain sexual advantage
  • Open display of sexist material

• What should I do if I am being sexually harassed? 
  If you consider that you are being sexually harassed, you should let the harasser know immediately. If this is not possible and/or the unwelcome behaviour persists, then you should contact one of the contact people listed below. 
  • SIT Invercargill Campus and Queenstown and MAINZ
    • Student Services - 0800 40 3337 -  Lois McMurdo
    • SIT Christchurch Campus - 0800 867 883 - Peter Healey
    • SIT Gore Campus -  03 208 9833 - Margie Halford  
    • SIT Auckland Campus - 0800 265 526

You have the right to learn in an environment that is safe and free from coercion and discrimination.

• What happens if you break any of the outlined rules? 
  If you break any of the outlined rules: 

1.  Your tutor will generally talk to you about your unacceptable behaviour and this action will be recorded.
2. If misconduct occurs again, you will be given a final written warning. Your actions will be recorded, and your Programme Manager/Head of Faculty notified.
3. If the misconduct occurs again, you are liable to be withdrawn from your programme of study.
4. If misconduct is deemed serious enough on the first occasion, you will be stood down from class, directed to leave the campus or (in serious cases) directed to withdraw from your programme of study immediately.

Students enrolled at Southern Institute of Technology shall at all times behave with consideration towards fellow students and members of staff and other SIT stakeholders.

In particular, students are required:

1. To complete enrolment procedures and make arrangements for the payment of any applicable fees, before attending classes.
2. To comply with the stated provisions of the Zero Fees Scheme in order to retain their eligibility (where applicable).
3. To attend all scheduled classes in which they are enrolled. Any student who is unable to attend a class should telephone the teaching staff member concerned, the Faculty Administrator, or other designated person. Any student missing a scheduled class without prior notice and/or a genuine reason, will be recorded as absent from that class.
4. Not to engage in any behaviour which disrupts the study or campus environment or affects the physical or emotional wellbeing of other students, staff or members of the community.
5. To observe all regulations governing the use and misuse of computing equipment, including software piracy, after-hours laboratory use, and e-mailing, accessing or downloading any prohibited or offensive material.
6. To abide by the health and safety procedures established by SIT, including the wearing of designated protective clothing (including footwear and safety glasses) for specified areas or activities.
7. To refrain from using cellular phones for any purpose during any timetabled class or assessment.
8. To comply with all expectations of conduct during assessments and examinations, and not to engage in any malpractice, which may misrepresent results or otherwise give one student an unfair advantage over others.
9. To respect the intellectual property of others and throughout the course of study avoid plagiarism through use of appropriate referencing and acknowledgements.
10. To conduct themselves appropriately during any field or study trip or participating in any off-site activity arranged by SIT. Alcohol is not to be consumed on any field trip or in any SIT vehicle.
11. To act responsibly and follow supervisors’ directions, whilst undertaking off-site practical or workplace activities, or participating in any off-site activity organised by SIT.
12. To return all SIT property in their possession – including library books – upon completing a course of study.
13. To respect the environment by refraining from littering, and by not damaging or defacing any SIT property.
14. To comply with the non-smoking regulations governing all SIT buildings and vehicles.
15. To obey all directives while driving on SIT property, including speed limits and parking restrictions.
16. To refrain from bringing alcohol onto SIT property, and not to attend any class under the influence of alcohol.
17. To observe current legislation which prohibits the use or possession of drugs. Any student suspected of carrying or using illegal drugs on SIT property, will be reported to the police.

Students may expect:

1. Accurate advice about programmes of study prior to commencement.
2. Clear information at orientation to a programme of study on the subject content, objectives, assessment procedures, assignment requirements, timetable, textbooks and learning mode(s).
3. Competent teaching in a safe and supportive learning environment.
4. Respect for personal dignity which includes sensitivity towards meeting cultural needs, and freedom from any form of harassment or coercion from others.
5. To be consulted as required on matters relating to programme operations that may affect students.
6. Reasonable access to appropriate members of staff to discuss course related matters and concerns.
7. Sufficient access to information, advice and other support services that may facilitate a student in the successful completion of their programme of study.
8. Assessments which are valid, reliable and timely.
9. Regular feedback on achievement, including the return of marked assessments within a reasonable timeframe.
10. Appropriate supervision and appraisal of staff. (Such records are not available to students.)
11. Complaints and appeals procedures that are accessible to all students.
12. Privacy of personal information held by SIT, and access to personal information held by SIT in accordance with regulations for such access.
13. Institutional quality assurance processes, including SIT’s Self Assessment process and External Evaluation and Review by external quality assurance agencies.

Right of entry into courses of study is restricted by SIT and apparent eligibility may not lead to automatic acceptance. Applicants must demonstrate attributes which, in the assessment of SIT, should lead to success.

Where the number of students for enrolment exceeds the number of places, or where such a limitation applies, the criteria for selection shall be academic merit, order of receipt, and suitability for admission to that course of study.

Eligible students not admitted to their chosen course of study may be placed on a waiting list and / or referred to another course/intake.

The Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) has many events and activities that we encourage our students to participate in. 

As part of our promotional activities, SIT will occasionally have a photographer at these events and activities as we are always looking at opportunities to showcase our students, their achievements and information about student life that can be experienced at our campuses. We feel that the best way to showcase this is through imagery of our students, of which you are now a part of.

If you feel that you would not like photos and/or images of you in our marketing collateral which includes, but is not limited to, the SIT prospectus, posters, fliers, handbooks, profiles, mailbox drop mailers, e-newsletters, billboards, Facebook posts or other social media campaigns and/or videos, please contact the Marketing Department and let the team know your preference. The Marketing Team can be contacted on info@sit.ac.nz, or phone 0800 4 0 FEES (0800 4 0 3337).
For full details on the conditions of the Rights of Release please email info@sit.ac.nz for a copy.

The ONLY place you may park your bike on campus is in the bike stands provided. Failure do so may result in your bike being impounded. It is your responsibility to lock your bike up safely and SIT cannot be held responsible for any loss.

If you find any property that is not your own, it should be handed into Administration.

Some of our campuses offer parking.

• Invercargill Tay St campus: there is free student parking available on Forth St. Parks are also available for students with a disability. Offence notices and wheel clamps are used on campus for illegal parking, including parking in staff car parks. A fee will be charged to remove clamps.
• Invercargill Downtown campus: No parking available.
• Gore: Free parking on campus.
• Christchurch: Free parking on campus.
• Queenstown: Parking in Remarkables Park Town Centre is limited to 3 hours and strictly enforced. Students are to park in the Remarkables Park Staff Parking at the top of Cherry Blossom Ave (the road behind the campus) where they can park all day for free. SIT are not responsible for any parking tickets received by students for parking in the Remarkables Park Town Centre.
• MAINZ Auckland: Free student carparks opposite the main entrance to Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
• MAINZ Christchurch: No parking available.
• All vehicles are parked at owners’ risk

The use or carrying of prohibited drugs on campus is illegal. If you carry or use drugs, or are suspected of doing so, you will be reported to the police immediately.

All applicants/students may be required to undergo a drug and alcohol screening test before being accepted, or during the programme of study. If an applicant/ student fails the test, their programme of study may be terminated.