This Booklet Is Intended to Act As a Guide for Staff Who May Have to Deal with a Student
Advice manual for Personal Tutors and
School staff
2007/8
This booklet has been produced by staff in the Centre for Learning and Student Support
The Centre is open 09.00 to 16.30, Monday to Friday
It is closed between 13.00 and 14.00 during vacation.
Introduction
Support on campus
Academic Guidance and Support
The Careers Service
Disability Services
International Student Support
English Language Unit
Student Support
Chapel
Health Centre
Dentist
Mosque
Nightline
Residential Managers/Resident Tutors
Security/24-hour Reception
Student Accommodation Services
Housekeepers
Student Counselling Service
Student Financial Support
Students’ Union - Independent Advice Unit
Practical advice for Personal Tutors and School staff
Support staff within Schools
Identifying when there is a problem
Referrals
Responding to more complex issues
Urgent situations
When to consult others
Common Problems and Sources of Help
CLASS leaflets
Advice: From (A)buse to (S)exually Transmitted Diseases
Introduction
Most students find their experience at University exciting and rewarding. Inevitably some will encounter difficulties at one time or another, some of which will be directly related to their academic work, whilst others are more personal or may be practical. Difficulties in one area can have an effect on other areas of a student’s life. They may be reluctant to ask for help and try to struggle on but problems may become apparent. For instance, a student may appear agitated or distressed, or stop attending lectures and stay in their room. Friends may come to you and express concern.
This advice is intended to act as a guide for you, as a member of staff encountering such students, most particularly in situations where more support is needed than you feel you can offer. It is not a replacement for professional help, but is intended to help you access appropriate advice and support you in your work with individual students, and/or point them in the right direction.
What you do about students with problems will depend on several factors:
- whether you have specific responsibility for supporting students
- the seriousness and urgency of the situation
- your skill and experience in helping others
- the amount of time and resources available
Some staff members - Personal Tutors, School student support staff, staff in the Centre for Learning and Student Support, Resident Tutors, Residential Managers, Student Counselling Service, etc - have a defined role in supporting students. Those who do not have this formal role but who have contact with students may notice that something is wrong or be approached by students with personal difficulties.
This guide is intended to help you to:
- clarify your responsibility towards students in difficulty
- work out when (and when not) to intervene
- identify problems
- decide what to do about them
Support on campus
The Centre for Learning and Student Support is based in the Walter Moberly Building and comprises:
Academic Guidance and Support
Room WMO.16 (Reception)
Supports and advises students with their academic work and other issues related to their studies by providing
Individual guidance and practical advice about studying at University
General advice about academic course requirements, including progression and appeals
Information about options open to students who may be experiencing difficulty with their studies, including changing course, periods of leave of absence, deferral or withdrawing from Keele
Access to a range of resources aimed to enable students to further develop their study skills
Advice about examination results
Individual drop-ins and workshops
Work with schools
Students who need general advice about their programme of study or who wish to confidentially discuss any concerns should make an appointment. Any students who may be considering leaving the University should make an appointment to discuss their options with the Academic Guidance and Support Adviser and complete the required paperwork.
It may also be possible to arrange a deferral, leave of absence, or change of course.
For an appointment call 01782 584347 (internal 4347)
Claire Slater-Mamlouk (Academic Guidance and Support Adviser)
4365/c.v.slater-mamlouk
Susan Hughes (Academic Guidance and Support Administrator)
4347/s.m.hughes Fax 01782 584285
The Careers Service
Room WMO.35
The Careers Service gives guidance, information and support to all students seeking to secure employment, undertake further/higher study or pursue other opportunities after graduation. Assistance is also given to students who are thinking of changing or leaving their course and those who are looking for work experience.
The Careers Service provides informal drop-in sessions and individual guidance interviews with Careers Advisers. It houses a comprehensive careers library, complemented by a well-developed website. It also delivers a programme of events each semester featuring information sessions, training workshops and presentations on a variety of career-related topics.
The service also has links with academic departments and graduate recruiters. Details of all these activities are available from the Careers Service and on the website:
http/
Sandie Dorrian (Careers Information Officer) 3023/s.e.dorrian
Deborah Butler (Careers Information Asst, t/t only) 3523/d.butler
Patrick Greenhalgh (Careers Adviser) 3858/p.j.greenhalgh
Sarah Longwell (Careers Adviser, p/t) 3859/s.f.longwell
Lisa McWilliams (Careers Adviser) 3021/l.h.m.mcwilliams
Disability Services
Room WMO.16
Disability Services aims to support and advise any Keele student or prospective student on issues related to their disability and to support staff in schools and departments who are working with students.
Students may need to:
Find out about what is provided to support their studies
Discuss their application for the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)
Put support structures in place
As an Access Centre, Keele is able to give disabled students a professional assessment of assistive technology, study strategy and their human academic support needs. The Centre can be contacted through Disability Services.
The type of support offered may include, although may be subject to funding:
Note takers
Readers
Mobility assistance
Library and computer assistance
Signers
Lip speakers
Some help with daily tasks
The Service is also able to offer assistance with the screening, diagnosis and support for students with learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and Asperger’s syndrome.
The following resources are available on campus:
CC-TV
Supernova in the Library which can also be installed on appropriate machines in different departments
Scanner
Braille embosser
Zy-Fuse standard heater (tactile diagram machine)
Text help
Inspiration
Hearing equipment
Tape library of institutional documents
On-campus screening for dyslexia
Referral for full diagnostic dyslexia testing
On-campus specialist dyslexia tuition
ASFEDC tuning centre
Support worker scheme
This scheme enables academic support to be provided to those students who need it. Support workers are recruited and their workload managed on behalf of the students who need this service. Many of the support workers are students.
For an appointment call 01782 4105 (internal 4105)
Nicola Birch (Disability Services Adviser) 4364/n.j.birch
Jane Higgins (Disability Services and Access Centre Administrator)
4105/j.higgins : Fax 01782 584285
International Student Support
Room WM0.17
The International Student Support Officer is concerned with any issues that affect the academic performance of international students and their enjoyment of their stay at Keele and welcomes contact by international students with any questions or comments about any issue. Specifically the International Student Support Officer organises the welcome of new international students and runs the Mentor Scheme which pairs new international students with experienced students to help them settle in to life and study at Keele.
For an appointment call 01782 584347 (4347 internal)
John Morris (International Student Support Officer) 3801/j.d.morris Fax 01782 584285
English Language Unit
Room WM0.09
The English Language Unit is the point of contact for international students at Keele seeking either English Language modules or individual, as-needed language guidance and assistance in connection with their academic work. For undergraduates, the ELU offers:
- Modules in English for academic purposes (e.g. academic writing, grammar, seminar skills) through CSP
- One-to-one tutorials (20-minute private sessions, by appointment) for individual, as-needed language guidance and assistance in connection with their academic work
- General advice/assistance: study skills, external exams, suitable self-study materials
- WebCT noticeboard with resources and links
- Resource library of reference, language and exam-preparation materials for loan
- General English conversation sessions
As part of their general induction, international undergraduates have their language skills tested and assessed by the English Language Unit, and are then registered through CSP for English Language modules (prefixed ‘ENL’) where recommended. Recommendations for future support are also made at that time, but students can be referred to or approach the ELU for help and guidance at any point in their studies.
The ELU also provides dedicated taught sessions and services to international postgraduate students.
For more information or an appointment call 01782 584237
Dan Harding (ELU Administrator) 4237/d.harding
Jody Harlowe (Head, ELU) 4011/j.harlowe
Student Support
Room WMO.16C
Student Support offers a comprehensive and well-established support system which ensures that students get the most out of their time at Keele and is responsible for the overall well-being of students during their time at Keele. Referrals are made through the Residential Managers, Resident Tutors, Schools, relatives, friends, and students themselves.
Student Support
- Provides a
- welfare service to residential and off-campus students
- Offers daytime support to all Keele students (office is open from 9.00am to 4.30pm)
- Takes referrals from anyone in the University
- Sees students who self-refer
- liaises closely with Residential Managers and Resident Tutors
Main problems dealt with are
- Disputes/bullying among students living together
- Depression/self-harm
- Other mental health issues
- Accidents and illness
- Family problems
- Domestic problems
- Relationship problems
- Theft/assault
- Drug and alcohol problems
- Bereavement
How we work with the student:
- Appointments – length depends on nature of problem
- Also email and phone contact
- Confidentially - share information only as necessary or with permission of the student
- Help the student to understand their options and to make decisions where necessary
- Keep in contact
How we plan support:
- Addressing problems through discussion
- Arranging mediation
- Referring or liaising within and outside the university
- Following up or monitoring
- In focus students will have regular contact with Centre staff
How we work with others:
We're good at finding out what is really happening with a student and using that information to help them and those around them. We take direct referrals or coordinate with other sections of CLASS; Residential Managers, Resident Tutors and Housekeepers; Schools and academic services; Health Centre and Student Counselling; Student Financial Support; mental health organisations and other external agencies.
Working with Schools and Programmes
The community of Keele supports students during their time here both in their residences and throughout their studies. Student Support and academic staff are an integrated part of that support network. You may have more contact with a student than we do and therefore could spot potential problems and we value your input. Often an enquiry to a School is a first step to getting a better picture of a student’s situation.
Contacting us might seem like a drastic step – it needn't be.
We will:
Hear what your concerns are
See if we have already had contact with the student
Find the best way to approach them
Help the student approach their tutors if necessary
Keep in contact with the student, and you
Support a student who decides the best option is a leave of absence, course change or even withdrawal.
There's no easy way to know that a student is in difficulties but some pointers might be:
Decline in academic performance
Going from engaged to withdrawn in tutorials
Disappearing or not communicating
Classmates expressing concerns
Decline in personal hygiene
Excessive need for guidance
Strange ideas of obsessions
Writing about their distress in written work or exams
For an appointment call 01782 584347 or 583995 (4347 or 3995 internal)
Ian Ronald (Student Support Officer)3912/i.ronald
Angela Merryweather (Student Support Administrator)3995/a.merryweather
Chapel
Location: Campus chapel
There are Anglican, Roman Catholic and Free Church chaplains; the Free Church chaplain only works in term time, the others throughout term and vacation. The chaplains are available to talk to students and staff, individually or in groups and will talk with anybody of any faith, or none.
Chaplains:
Rev. Catherine Lack (Anglican) 7163/c.m.lack/01782 627385 (home)
Mr Ray Bayliss (Lay Chaplain Roman Catholic) 7162/r.f.bayliss/01782 628352 (home)
Father Stephen Cochrane (Visting Priest Chaplain (RC))
01785 850302 (home)
Rev Ruth Maxey (Free Church) 7161//r.c.maxey/01782 615775 (home)
Health Centre
Location: Adjacent I Block, Horwood Hall
It is important that students register with a general medical practitioner near to where they live and the Health Centre will accept students as patients if they are resident on campus or live within the Keele area.
Keele practice has both a male and a female doctor (Dr Evan O’Byrne and Dr Julita Shahab) and provides a comprehensive primary medical care service, including specialised clinics; for example, minor surgery, psychiatry and many more. The surgery operates an appointments system only and a reduced service is in operation during vacations. In case of emergencies outside normal hours, the usual number should be rung and a recorded message will inform the student of the doctor on call. Please note the surgery uses a deputising service for out-of-hours calls.
Sick notes
Keele practice does not provide sick notes for absences from classes for less than one week. Sick notes as evidence for extenuating circumstances or academic work are charged at £6.00; this is because issuing such sick notes does not form part of the NHS, but is done privately. Sick notes cannot be provided if the student has not been previously seen by a doctor in the Health Centre. Students should obtain a self-certification form from Student and Course Information, for illnesses of less than one week.
Appointments:
Phone : 3189 / 01782 753550
Surgery hours: semesters
Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday : 08.30 to 13.00/14.00 to 17.00
Thursday: 08.30 to 13.00/afternoon, closed
Dentist
The dental practice offers an NHS dental service to registered students, by appointment only.
Opening hours: Semesters and vacation 09.00 to 17.00
Appointments:Mr W Urwin3190
Mosque
Location: Barnes Hall, general block
The Mosque has ablution facilities available and there is a well-stocked library. To gain access, students need to take their Keele card to 24 hour reception where it will be activated.
Nightline
Nightline is a confidential listening service run by students, for students. The aim of Nightline is to provide a service which allows all students to talk about any aspect of their lives they wish to talk about and/or find information on any issues which may concern them.
Any student wishing to contact Nightline can do so by phoning (18) 4999 or externally on 01782 583999. Nightline is entirely student run and all of the trained volunteers are happy to discuss anything.
There is also information available on exams, taxi and takeaway numbers and staff are there for a chat if students feel the need to talk.
Nightline is open between 21.00and 03.00 every night where possible or you can email
.
Nightline4999
Residential Managers/Resident Tutors
In House 82 and Halls of Residence
Support to students in halls of residence is provided by Resident Tutors, who are managed by Residential Managers.
Residential Managers
House 82 (opposite S block, Lindsay)
Paul Connell4621/
Robert Dicker4620/
Ursula Reeve 4622/
Neil Whitehurst4622/
Resident Tutors
(on duty from 17.00 to 08.45 weekdays and from 17.00 Friday to 08.45 Monday)
Barnes Hall3782
Hawthorns Hall3783
Horwood Hall3784
Lindsay Hall3785
Oaks/Holly Cross3786
Security/24-hour Reception
Location: Security Lodge, Darwin Building
There is always a member of Security to deal with emergency situations and more routine problems on a 24-hour basis, 365 days a year. Duties include watch room operations, general enquiries and maintaining surveillance of the campus by security cameras, along with foot and vehicle patrols. The postal team also falls within this department and has responsibility for student mail.
Enquiries about student vehicle parking permits should be made at Reception in the Chancellor’s Building.
**TO CONTACT THE SECURITY WATCH ROOM USING A MOBILE PHONE, STUDENTS SHOULD RING 01782 583004**
Emergencies 888
Ray Brayford (Security Manager)4440 /
Duty Supervisor/Enquiries3004
Postal enquiries 4468
POLICE0845 302010
***There will be a police post on campus in 2007/8 – in House 82 (opposite S Block Lindsay)***
Student Accommodation Services
Location: Darwin Building reception
SAS is part of Commercial and Facilities Management. Staff offer help with housing, both on and off campus. Students living on campus who have queries or complaints about their accommodation, including requests for maintenance work, should be directed in the first instance to the Housekeeper in each hall of residence.
Students living in privately-owned, off-campus accommodation should contact their landlord in the first instance. If this is unsuccessful then they should either contact Student Accommodation Services staff or the Independent Advice Unit in the Students’ Union.
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday 09.00 to 17.00
Rosemarie Bradshaw (Accommodation Services Mgr) 3086/r.bradshaw@kfm
Julie Best (Assistant Accommodation Services Mgr) 4150/j.r.best@kfm
Sue Bowdery (Accommodation Services Administrator) 4152/s.j.bowdery@kfm