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Student Support & Accommodation Director : Derek Davidson Settling into University Life Slide 2 What I will talk about: Why do students need this help? What Government help is provided in UK? Disability v Special Educational Needs My background Which students get help? What help is provided? Even more help Help provided by Academic Departments How is it provided? Is it easy to set up? Slide 3 Additional Topics Assistive software on PC Teaching and Learning adjustments Disclosure of disability/special educational needs Staff Training Out sourcing/external suppliers of services Mental Health Additional Helpers Scribe Test Slide 4 Background My Department My University My experience of other European Universities China, Australia and USA Slide 5 UK Universities and Special Needs/Disability Similar across UK 8-10% Over of these are dyslexic Slide 6 Heriot Watt University General Information 25% non Scottish students 20% international Students Slide 7 Legal Requirements Disability Discrimination Act etc Equal Opportunities Legislation Slide 8 MY Role I am Manager of: Accommodation (2,100 beds) on Campus Off Campus flats Special Needs & Disability International Student Support Student Counselling Also Complaints & Academic Appeals Careers Sport & Recreation Slide 9 Most common needs Insert Chart Slide 10 How we try to help students Computer assisted learning Slide 11 Why we try to assist (other than legal) Progression Rate Retention rate Drop Out Rate Financial Slide 12 International Students 20% International Not entitled to UK Gov. support Funds for International and other students who are not covered Slide 13 Disability Team at Heriot Watt How long estabilished How many Slide 14 Obligations of Academic Departments (Schools) Slide 15 Socio Economic Disadvantage Aim - effort to get disadvantaged into education Give them an Opportunity Recovery from early education Recovery from family environment Oxford/Cambridge to open doors Slide 16 Students with Special Needs Slide 17 Disability Service If you have extra support needs such as: physical disability or long term health problem Visual Impairment Hearing Impairment Autism or Aspergers Dyslexia The service is here to help you Slide 18 Top tips Get as much information as you can Get involved with societies, the Chaplaincy, the Centre for Sports and Exercise Get involved in halls communities through the Students Association Register with the University Health Centre Remember we are all here to help support and advise you Slide 19 Student Support & Accommodation We offer support and advice to all students The service is not just for students with problems We offer support, information and advice on a variety of issues to help you get the most out of your time here Slide 20 Student Support and Accommodation Worrying about money -Funding advice Stressed out and Struggling? Thinking about leaving? - Counselling and support Looking for accommodation or having problems with your flat mates? - Accommodation service Extra support needs? -Disability service Slide 21 Funding Service: Advice on Student Loans Hardship Fund Applications Child Care Funds Budgeting Advice Debt Control Slide 22 Basic Budget: on campus HALL FEES 100.23 ( AVERAGE PER WEEK)x 40 weeks 4009 INCLUDES INTERNET AND ALL BILLS FOOD 40 x 40 WEEKS 1600 LAUNDRY3 PER WEEK x 40 WEEKS 120 CLOTHING per year (varies according to taste!) 300 BOOKS & EQUIPMENT- variable 250 ask department to confirm amount SOCIAL 35 PER WEEKx 40 WEEKS 1400 MOBILE PHONE 7.50 PER WEEK 300 TOTAL 7979 Slide 23 Basic Budget: off campus RENT 325 a month x 12 months 3900 GAS/ELEC 40 a month x 12 months 480 FOOD 160 a month x 9 months 1440 INSURANCE variable depending on level of cover 90 CLOTHING a year (varies according to taste!) 300 TRAVEL 40 (approx) for 4 weekly bus pass (or 1.30 per journey) 360 BOOKS & EQUIPMENT- variable ask to confirm amount 250 SOCIAL 140 per MONTH x 9 months 1260 MOBILE PHONE & INTERNET CONNECTION 35 a month x 9 m 315 TOTAL 8395 Slide 24 Hardship Fund Money in the form of GRANTS is available to eligible UK students who are in financial difficulty You cannot rely on getting these as the fund is limited and discretionary Postgraduates are also eligible Application forms are in the SSA office There is also a Hardship fund for international students Slide 25 Finance Advice If you are getting into difficulty then ask for help as soon as possible You can approach us or the Students Union If you have not yet set up a payment plan please contact the Student Service Centre The deadline to set up payment plans is 14 th October Slide 26 Counselling and Support Counselling sessions are on an appointment basis Students self refer The service is free The counsellors are professionally accredited There is a balance of male and female students Slide 27 Common Issues Homesickness Fitting in Culture shock Lack of routine Everything is new Problems form the past Exam stress and pressure Slide 28 Stress help Slide 29 Support for Students We also offer support and advice to students on many issues If you are worried about another student please let us know We will only pass on information to other University staff if there is a serious risk of harm to you or someone else Slide 30 Accommodation Office Provide advice on any problem related to staying on campus General information for students seeking accommodation outside the university University also rents flats in the city Advice on legal implications of leases Slide 31 Disability Service helps with: Assessing your support needs Applying for additional funding Arranging exams if you need extra time or facilities Study Skills advice if you are dyslexic Access to assistive technology e.g. software such as Text help Support to talk to your School Slide 32 Ahhhh..Student Life Slide 33 If things go wrong. Running out of money Worried about dropping out Feeling lonely and homesick Having family problems Feeling bullied or harassed Or anything else come and see us Slide 34 Student Support and Accommodation Location: opposite the Student Shop in the Hugh Nisbet Building studentsupport@hw.ac.uk halls@hw.ac.uk Office open 9.30 - 4.30 Monday Friday