The Hope Charter

The Hope Charter sets out the expectations and responsibilities both of the University to each student and of each student to the University. It also sets out the responsibilities of the Students’ Union to both individual students and to the Student Body as a whole. The Charter focuses on the student journey and reflects the expectations of both Students and the University at each stage of this journey.

This Charter is underpinned by the commitment of students and staff of the University to the Mission and Values of Hope.

The following points reflect the key messages of Hope’s Mission Statement as they apply to the Charter:

Liverpool Hope University is an ecumenical Christian Foundation which strives:

  • to provide opportunities for the well-rounded personal development of students, educating the whole person in mind, body and spirit;
  • to be a national provider of a wide range of high quality programmes responsive to the needs of students, including the education and training for the professions;
  • to sustain an academic community, as a sign of hope, enriched by Christian values and worship, which supports teaching and learning, scholarship and research and promotes religious and social harmony;
  • to contribute to the educational, religious, cultural, social and economic life of Liverpool, Merseyside, the North-West and beyond.

Liverpool Hope’s Values

The values to which Hope aspires and which are integral to the fulfilment of the Mission are to strive to:

  • be open, accessible and inclusive,
  • take faith seriously, being fully Anglican, fully Catholic, fully ecumenical, fully open to those of all faiths and beliefs,
  • be intellectually stretching, stimulating, challenging,
  • be hospitable, welcoming, cheerful, professional, full of Hope; creating collegial, aesthetically pleasing environments and supportive communities,
  • be well-rounded, holistic, integrated, a team, a community of communities, collaborating in wider partnerships.

Applying to Hope

When you apply the University shall:

  • Provide you with up to date information about its courses and details of study related costs to help you make an informed choice;
  • Provide information about the range of facilities available to you;
  • Give a wide range of information about student funding, accommodation and support services;
  • Consider your application fairly, efficiently and by staff members who are experienced and knowledgeable about UK or international students as appropriate;
  • Provide you with information about accommodation on campus.

As an applicant, you are expected to:

  • Ensure that you have all the information needed to make an informed choice of programme;
  • Let the University know about anything which might affect your application/studies;
  • Inform the University, at an early stage or as it arises, of anything that may affect any part of your University life such as a disability or difficult personal issues;
  • Undertake any preliminary tasks that your department asks of you;
  • Ensure that you research the programmes before you apply so you can make an informed choice.

Studying at Hope

Throughout your course the University shall:

  • Treat you fairly and with respect;
  • Communicate information to you clearly and in a timely fashion;
  • Provide appropriate and adequate standards of teaching, learning support, advice and guidance;
  • Offer you welfare support or signpost you to external support systems where necessary;
  • Offer well-structured academic courses of study designed to challenge you to reach your full potential and increase employability;
  • Provide feedback on your work in a timely manner;
  • Create learning facilities and an environment in order to help make your experience as a student positive and memorable;
  • Where appropriate, provide students on professional courses with well organised placements;
  • Welcome you to the institution and provide a comprehensive induction programme;
  • Provide equality of treatment for all in line with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.

As a student you are expected to:

  • Engage actively in your programme of study especially attending all timetabled sessions;
  • Show respect and sensitivity for the whole community, staff and fellow students;
  • Behave as an ambassador for the University at all times both on and off campus;
  • Check your University emails daily and communicate with the University with respect and maturity and in a courteous manner;
  • Bring your needs for support to the University’s notice in good time;
  • Make a full commitment to your course and sustain high levels of effort throughout your student experience including submitting all assessments in a timely manner;
  • Be proactive and take responsibility for your own education;
  • Treat your surrounding environment with care and respect;
  • Be a positive and proactive member of your community.

Studying as a Postgraduate Student at Hope

With particular reference to Postgraduate students the University shall:

  • Meet those expectations listed in this document under 'Throughout your course' and 'When you have concerns and difficulties';
  • Offer you a wide range of research-informed teaching and learning support;
  • Provide you with supervisors who are active researchers;
  • Help you to arrange any placements or work experience necessary to supplement your course;
  • Offer you full use of the academic facilities available at the University that may assist you in your post graduate course;
  • Give you appropriate educational and welfare support.

As a student you are expected to:

  • Meet those expectations previously listed in this document under 'Throughout your course';
  • Communicate regularly with your tutors for any guidance that you may need;
  • Take advantage of the facilities that the University offers you in support.

Addressing Student Concerns

When you have concerns / difficulties the University shall:

  • Provide concise objective advice and guidance for academic concerns and signpost where appropriate to the Students’ Union advice and advocacy service;
  • Treat all of your matters with concern and sensitivity and deal with them fairly and without discrimination;
  • Offer or direct you to appropriate help and support that you may require;
  • Provide you with clear information about procedures for complaints and appeals;
  • Take your issues seriously.

As a student you are expected to:

  • Communicate any concerns or difficulties to the University as early as possible;
  • Approach your tutors, course representatives and/or SU for advice on any concerns or difficulties;
  • Be pro-active in seeking support and assistance;
  • Follow the University procedures carefully;
  • Not make any malicious or false complaints or allegations;
  • Take advice given to you by advisors seriously;
  • Act with respect.

Being a Hope Graduate

After You Graduate the University shall:

  • Offer you continued support in career development through the Careers and Employability service;
  • Provide you with access to career development seminars and workshops;
  • Provide guidance relating to postgraduate opportunities;
  • Make every effort to keep in touch with you as a full member of our alumnus association;
  • Treat you as a partner in a lifelong process of personal development, keeping you informed about developments at Hope, and enabling you to continue your association with the University after you leave.

As a Graduate, you are expected to:

  • Seek support for job applications and CV advice from the career development team;
  • Keep the University up to date if you change your contact information so we can keep in touch with you;
  • Act as an ambassador and advocate for the University across both your social and work-related networks.

The Students’ Union shall:

Representation

  • Make positive changes for students by representing the views, needs and concerns of the student body to the University, local/ national government and external organisations such as the National Union of Students.
  • Empower students to make positive change through supporting student communities
  • Promote student interests at University meetings (Sabbatical Officers) and feedback the issues of students to the University
  • Support students to ensure that all receive fair and respectful treatment and are aware of their rights and responsibilities.
  • Champion the student voice through the election, development and training of student representatives.
  • •Facilitate the course-representative system by promoting it to all students and supporting the representatives through training and building networks throughout the year.
  • Ensure the democracy of the Students’ Union.
  • Ensure that the Students’ Union Trustee Board is run in an effective manner and all members are aware of the decisions made.

Advice

  • Offer an independent advice and advocacy service for students particularly those facing academic or disciplinary issues.
  • Signpost students to University support systems that are available. Promote University services such as counselling and careers.
  • Run awareness events throughout the year to highlight issues students may face and how they can seek advice, such as issues with exam stress or mental health.
  • Provide students with information about accommodation which meets appropriate standards.

Opportunities

  • Facilitate the running of sports teams and societies.
  • Run cultural and recreational activities for students.
  • Have elected positions so that all students have the opportunity to shape the organisation. In a democratic manner we will allot funding (where available)for a wide range of extra-curricular activities.
  • Organise and facilitate social events on and off campus.

This Charter was reviewed and amended by the Students’ Union and the University in June 2015 and approved by University Council in July 2015.