Welcome Back 2019 | Returning Students Newsletter

Welcome back to your university

WELCOME BACK􀌢 THIS PLACE HASN’T BEEN THE SAME WITHOUT YOU

ONTENT

Contents

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Welcome back

6 Infozone 7

Campus updates

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Students’ Union

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Estates team

12 Finance 13

Course Administration team

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IT Services

15 MySuffolk 16

Learning Services

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Student Ambassador Scheme

19 Chaplaincy 20

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

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Student Services

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Suffolk Life Mentor Scheme

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University of Suffolk Learning Network

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WELCOME BACK Welcome back

Welcome back and to the start of the new academic year. I hope you’ve had a wonderful summer and are refreshed and ready for all that the coming academic year has to offer.

Last year I really enjoyed meeting many of you at various events in the life of the University. This year I am also looking forward to engaging with many of you formally in committees and meetings, as well as informally around campus. If you bump into me, please do stop me and say hello and feel free to tell me what you are enjoying as well as where we could improve.

Over the summer we have been working to improve your experience.

This includes renovation to the Library roof and windows and the Arts building. We have also been working on a fabulous new social learning space, including a student shop. This is something that your union has been campaigning for on your behalf for a while and I really encourage all of you to make good use of this excellent facility. The new development, called ‘The Hold’, is developing well and is going to be a great addition to our facilities during the coming academic year.

published in July 2019. It is very important that we work to ensure you have a great learning experience and I am sure that you also wish to graduate from a university that is recognised for providing that great experience too. So let’s keep working together to ensure your learning experience is brilliant and you can continue to be proud of being a University of Suffolk student.

Welcome back

I am keen that the experience you have with us becomes truly transformational for you as you achieve more than you ever dreamt you could and work in partnership with our staff to demonstrate what you are capable of. Your university experience is one that I hope you will look back on with real pleasure over many years to come and I would encourage you to work with us to ensure this is the case.

Our institutional mission is to help you to lead and succeed in a changing world where nothing stays the same.

Whatever challenges you face, try to see the opportunity—to learn, to change and to improve.

An increasing number of students will be joining us this year on a wider range of courses as we grow our provision.

I hope that you will remember how it was to start at university and join me in welcoming them to our community.

So welcome back, enjoy the year, work hard and do yourself justice.

Professor Helen Langton Vice-Chancellor

This is the second term of office for your Students’ Union President and Vice-President—they championed for you as students very effectively last year and I am sure that they will do the same again in the coming months.

I encourage you to get involved and support the SU and encourage the team as they work to give you a fantastic year with wider services and entertainment.

Finally, I am pleased to report that our National Student Survey scores increased significantly, which were

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INFOZONE As you move into the next year of your course, remember the Infozone team are still here to help with any questions or queries you may have.

Our opening times are now clearly displayed on the glass doors at the entrance to the Infozone.

Please be aware that the Assessment Office is located at the first front desk for all assignment submissions and collections. Enquiries regarding travel/ accommodation expense claims can be made at this desk. If no one is sitting at this desk, please go to any of the other advisers, who can assist.

Infozone

Our plasma screen has a range of useful information on display, including drop-in sessions that take place in the Infozone on a weekly basis.

Please remember the importance of bringing and wearing your student ID card whilst on campus. Security checks are regularly carried out. If you forget your student ID card, please register your attendance at the Waterfront Reception or Infozone and request a temporary student ID card.

Please be aware that all students need to sign in at the Waterfront Reception if they are working in the building outside of the hours of 8.00am–6.00pm, Monday to Friday, and if on-site at weekends.

We recommend that you regularly check MySuffolk announcements and read your emails for useful updates and information from us and other departments.

If you have any comments/suggestions or feedback about the Infozone or need to leave a message for us outside office hours, we would love to hear from you.

You can contact us on 01473 338833 or infozone@uos.ac.uk. Alternatively you could complete a feedback card located at the entrance and then post in the white box. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too.

Opening hours Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 8.45am–5.15pm Tuesday 8.45am–6.30pm Friday 8.45am–4.45pm

Campus updates

CAMPUS UPDATES Health and safety Students using the Waterfront Building out of normal business hours must sign in with security for fire evacuation purposes.

Please remember that safety on campus is the responsibility of everybody, so if you see anything suspicious on or around campus, it is vital that you report this to security straight away or email fmhelpdesk@uos.ac.uk Visit the ‘Safety on Campus’ pages on MySuffolk for more details.

Car parking permits Car parking permits for the 19/20 academic year are now available.

Everyone who now applies for a new car park permit or renews their permit, will automatically get a 19/20 permit which is valid until 31 August 2020.

All 18/19 permits expired at 23:59 on 31 August 2019—they will no longer be recognised by the Ipserv ANPR system, therefore, all students and staff who use the car parks will need to have obtained a new permit before using the car parks from 1 September 2019.

Please note that ANPR is operational in all University car parks including The Wharf, Athena Hall and the University Car Park.

This means that any vehicle parking there, that does not have a valid car parking permit, or has a valid car parking permit but has not paid, may receive a parking charge notice.

Please ensure that you apply for your permit here

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Students’ Union

STUDENTS’ UNION

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Re-elected officers Just before you left for summer, we had our annual elections where you re-elected your President and Vice President. Returning and new school and liberation officers have also settled in very well at your SU. Georgia, your President, and Amy, your VP, are getting stuck into their second term in office.

Freshers’2019 ‘Freshers’ is only for 1st years’. Not true. We have the biggest variety of events ever this year with a varied programme including comedy, social sport, bar crawls, sober socials and lots more. Whatever your interests, age or year of study, we think there will be something to suit you. Visit uosunion.org or find us on Facebook to find out more.

Students’ Union

Representation A lot of work is going on in partnership with the University to improve student representation at all levels. We are introducing a new online feedback tool that records all types of feedback, SOFIA (Suffolk Online Feedback In Action). Your course rep will have exclusive access to SOFIA so make sure you know who yours is.

Social space You told us that you needed somewhere on campus to relax/ socialise. Thanks to your VP, you now have a newly developed area to do just that, not to mention the pool table and table tennis.

Your President also managed to tick off a manifesto point by campaigning and succeeding at getting an SU shop in the social space, selling drinks, food, study supplies and clothing. This is run by the SU with any profits going back into supporting the student experience so make sure you shop with us.

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ESTATES TEAM

Estates team

We are delighted to inform you about the exciting changes and upgrades across campus in preparation for the coming academic year. Over the summer period, we have been working on a number of projects.

The Arts Building

The Library Building provides exemplary learning facilities and its ideal location presents an academic and social experiential physical environment, through the architectural bridge that connects the Atrium, Arts and East buildings. Given its prominence on campus, it was proposed to reinvigorate the fabric of the building including new roofs and windows. In addition to these, there will be an upgrade to the fire alarm system, decoration and signage.

The Arts Building has undergone several phases of spatial refurbishment works over the years, but retains its original fabric, fire alarm systems, mechanical and electrical services with IT Infrastructure becoming obsolete. The University’s long term intention is to improve the condition of the Arts Building. The upgrade to services includes new IT infrastructure, new electrical services, new heating, ventilation and cooling via air conditioning throughout the building. Further to these, the scope of works includes the following: Improvement to internal environment Maximise space utilisation Reduce energy consumption Provide modern teaching rooms Provide modern IT suites Provide open plan office accommodation for academic and support staff Address acoustic issues to teaching rooms Upgrade Film specialist editing suites New Audio Visual equipment New toilets

Student social space The creation of this space looks to build upon the growth of the University and its facilities, as it aims to reinvigorate the northern part of the campus. The goal of creating a social and a Grab&go commercial outlet is to significantly improve student experience using existing estates through reconfiguration, refurbishment and rationalisation to make the spaces work better.

The design concept is to provide a flexible semi-defined space which can be dispersed as required. The aim is to break-up the space using branding and open-up walls where possible to create a clear view. The airport style shop is to be positioned alongside the north facing solid wall constructed with glazed partitions at both sides with a diagonal shutter fixed above for security.

Estates team

The Library Building

The upgrade will result in an extremely efficient building equipped with fit for purpose facilities to enhance the student experience.

Computer workstation to VERT Suite A1.08 The Atrium Vert Suite will be equipped with 10 workstations to improve teaching.

The proposed furniture can be moveable with a mixture of cafe style chairs and tables with soft seating units. Modular systems from companies such as Senator Group and Orangebox have been included, these types of furniture are easily adaptable to accommodate users demands.

The creation of this space will offer the University a fantastic opportunity to develop a learning and social HUB centred around the Library Building.

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Where your tuition fees are being paid by your employer/sponsor, you must complete an Invoice Authorisation Form (IAF) and return this to Finance. Tuition fees will remain your personal liability until Finance receive a signed and completed IAF.

FINANCE

Finance

If you are applying for a Tuition Fee Loan from Student Finance England (SFE) to cover your tuition fees, you must make an application directly to SFE. Continuing students must print, sign and return your Online Declaration in the post to SFE. New students will be able to sign the declaration online by signing into their SFE account.

Tuition fees will remain your personal liability until an approved Tuition Fee Loan for 2019–2020 is in place.

If you are paying your tuition fees yourself, invoice terms are 30 days from date of invoice.

You can make payments through our online payment portal If you would like to discuss the possibility of a payment plan you can contact finance@uos.ac.uk You may be eligible to apply for a Bursary, details of the Bursaries we offer can be found on MySuffolk

Further information is provided within the Tuition Fee Policy which is available on MySuffolk If you have any queries regarding payment of your tuition fees, please contact University of Suffolk Finance department on finance@uos.ac.uk

Course Administration team

COURSE ADMINISTRATION TEAM The Course Administration Team supports students and academic staff in all administrative aspects of their studies and programmes.

We are able to assist you with the following queries: Timetable Module change Online assessment submission Understanding assessment results Extenuating circumstances Attendance monitoring General queries relating to your course You will find all of the relevant contact details here

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IT SERVICES We’re here to help with any technical queries you may have as you continue your studies at the University of Suffolk.

IT Services

We launched our new IT Services website earlier this year, so please visit its.uos.ac.uk and let us know what you think. You’ll find information about: Connecting to eduroam Wi-Fi Setting up email Topping up your printer credit Installing Office (for free) We’ve also been working on improving the Wi-Fi service this year, to offer consistent coverage and a stable connection to eduroam. This work is part of a long-term continuous service improvement plan, and we hope you’ll benefit from the changes we’ve made so far.

If you need help and you can’t find the information you need on our website, you can contact the IT Service Desk on 01473 338222 or by email on itservicedesk@uos.ac.uk You can also visit us in person in the Infozone.

Follow us on Twitter for service updates and information @UOS_ITServices IT Service Desk opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 8.45am–5.15pm Friday, 8.45am–4.45pm

MySuffolk

If you log on to a computer on campus, you will soon see that MySuffolk has had a facelift over the summer.

With the refresh you should be able to find content much easier and navigate around the site better.

MYSUFFOLK

We have a big banner on the home page as your ‘go to’ for important information, you then have some ‘quick links’ underneath, these should be quick access to the pages you use most frequently. The six boxes underneath are then your main port of call for content you would usually find on MySuffolk. Announcements have now moved to the News section.

If you have any queries about content or need assistance finding something, then please pop into the Infozone or email infozone@uos.ac.uk for guidance.

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LEARNING SERVICES

Learning Services

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Library opening hours and extended opening hours We are excited to be running an extended opening pilot throughout the new academic year, which means we are open for longer time periods, including 24/7 access at key assessment times.

We will be collecting your feedback around this pilot throughout the year. You will see a touch screen device for offering instant feedback whilst in the library and library staff visiting different parts of the campus, but please do get in contact at any point to tell us your thoughts via our Have your Say forms.

Semester 1 1 August 2019 to 29 September 2019 Monday to Friday 8.30am–9.00pm Saturday to Sunday 9.00am–5.00pm 30 September 2019 to 3 November 2019 Monday to Friday 8.30am–12.00am Saturday to Sunday 9.00am–12.00am 4 November 2019 to 1 December 2019 Monday to Friday 8.30am–9.00pm Saturday to Sunday 9.00am–5.00pm 2 December 2019 to 19 December 2019 7 days a week | 24 hours 21 December 2019 to 1 January 2020 CLOSED Semester 2 2 January 2020 to 12 January 2020 7 days a week | 24 hours

13 January 2020 to 29 March 2020 Monday to Friday 8.30am–12.00am Saturday to Sunday 9.00am–12.00am 30 March 2020 to 31 May 2020 7 days a week | 24 hours Summer 1 June 2020 to 30 August 2020 Monday to Friday 8.30am–9.00pm Saturday to Sunday 9.00am–5.00pm Bank Holidays and Exceptions 20 December 2019 8.30am–12.00am 10 April 2020 9.00am–9.00pm 11 April 2020 9.00am–9.00pm 12 April 2020 CLOSED 13 April 2020 9.00am–9.00pm 8 May 2020 9.00am–9.00pm 25 May 2020 24 hours

Workshops

Throughout the year and over the summer period, several projects have been undertaken to improve the library space as a result of your feedback. They include: Link to the Atrium established Windows throughout the building are currently being replaced More plug sockets have been introduced to large group study area and a rework of the layout Replacement MAC’s X 12 have been installed in the group study mezzanine, the silent study area and in our PC suite

Don’t forget our programme of workshops that run across the year. This year we have amended our calendars so there are more opportunities to attend our most popular workshops at a time that suits you. Take a look at the calendar to see what is coming up next.

Academic support Academic skills drop ins We are here to answer any referencing or assignment support question you may have.

Every Wednesday, 1.00pm-3.00pm Study skill drop in’s Our tutors can help you with IT skills including Office 365, using word and excel, formatting and layout of your essay and time management.

Learning Services

The Library Building

One to one’s We are also trialling some evening bookings on Wednesdays this year.

We hope this will mean that we can see more of you when it is convenient for you. Remember that this can be face to face, over the telephone or Skype, so you don’t actually have to be on campus to speak with one of our advisers.

If you want to book a workshop or a 1 2 1 with an academic skills adviser, you can do so on our website.

If you are studying at one of our partner colleges, you will need to contact the Library at that location if you need one-to-one support.

Contact details for all our Libraries can be found here

Every Wednesday, 10.00am-11.30am Information skill drop in’s Librarian’s can help you with finding and evaluating information, referencing, using e-books, using Refworks and more.

Digital learning

First Wednesday of the month, 1.00pm–3.00pm

Guidance on how to do this and understanding your report is available here

You will now be able to submit draft submissions into Turnitin and download a plagiarism report for review.

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STUDENT AMBASSADOR SCHEME

Student Ambassador Scheme

if you are interested in earning money around your studies, you can apply to become a Student Ambassador. Please email sas@uos.ac.uk for further information.

Chaplaincy

CHAPLAINCY The Multi-faith Chaplaincy serves both staff and students at the University.

Our team of male and female chaplains represent a variety of faiths and religious perspectives, but you don’t need to be ‘religious’ to make use of the chaplaincy.

Anyone can access the support our team offer—whether or not you are a person of faith.

Our chaplains are here to listen, support, encourage and, where appropriate, to advise or signpost to further avenues of support.

If you would like to make an appointment with a chaplain from a particular faith perspective, please contact us on chaplaincy@uos.ac.uk and we can arrange that for you. Alternatively you can call on 01473 338833.

We aim to have a chaplaincy representative in the office every day Monday to Friday and are situated in L0.08, by the Students’ Union in the Library Building.

Monday 9.00am–11.00am (Muslim) Tuesday 9.30am–12.00pm (Christian) Wednesday 11.00am–1.00pm (Christian) 2.00pm–4.00pm (Jewish) Thursday 9.00am–11.00am (Jewish) 2.00pm–4.00pm (Christian) Friday 12.00pm–2.00pm (Quaker) For an informal introduction to the chaplaincy, why not come to Toasty Tuesday, our weekly Tuesday morning breakfast, with free tea, coffee and toast available from 8:30am–9:30am.

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DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE (DBS) The DBS team will continue to process applications, certificates and annual declarations as required.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

You can contact us on 01473 338710 or dbs@uos.ac.uk Our drop-in sessions remain the same and are run in the Infozone: Tuesday, 12.30pm–1:30pm Wednesday, 3.00pm–4.00pm Thursday, 3.00pm–4.00pm If you are not able to attend our drop in sessions, please continue to use the Silver DBS post box located just by the Infozone.

If you have questions regarding the DBS process please contact us using the contact details above.

Student Services

STUDENT SERVICES As you enter a new academic year, remember that the Student Services team offer a range of information, advice and guidance services to students that include matters relating to: Counselling Careers and Employability Disability and Wellbeing Finance Learning Differences and Accessibility Suffolk Life Mentor Scheme International and Study Abroad Opportunities Students can book one-to-one appointments with an adviser or attend one of the regular drop-in sessions and workshops run by the team.

FutureMe and FutureMe Award Want to know more about yourself; your personality, strengths and motivations?

Want to know how to explore your options and where your future might lead? The FutureMe Award is an online learning award designed to support you in your personal and professional development.

Find out more at uos.ac.uk/futuremeaward The Award is designed to complement the other services and events offered by the Careers and Employability Team. If you want to discuss anything related to the Award, or speak to a Careers Adviser, contact us on careers@uos.ac.uk or book an appointment.

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SUFFOLK LIFE MENTOR SCHEME

Suffolk Life Mentor Scheme

Would you like to be a Suffolk Life Mentor?

A Suffolk Life Mentor is an experienced student who forms supportive relationships with fellow students here at Suffolk.

experience to employers. In interviews, our current Suffolk Life Mentors have already been told by employers that their mentoring experience demonstrates the skills needed for graduate roles.

This is also a fantastic opportunity for you to demonstrate your skills and

To apply, check out what you need to send us here

West Suffolk College

Suffolk New College

As you begin the new term, please remember that support is available from the Higher Education Support Tutor and Learning Mentor at West Suffolk College.

Please remember that as well as being able to take advantage of the Student Services facilities available on the main Ipswich Campus, please also feel free to contact the Higher Education Course Administrators if you have any course related questions or issues.

The Support Tutor is located in the HE Common Room and is available 8.30am–5.00pm between Monday– Thursday, 8.30am–4.30pm on Friday and can be contacted on 01284 716542.

The Learning Mentor can be contacted on 01284 716361.

University of Suffolk Learning Network

UNIVERSITY OF SUFFOLK LEARNING NETWORK Tel: 01473 382254 Email: sophiesmuk@suffolk.ac.uk

Tel: 01284 716341 Email: uos@wsc.ac.uk

East Coast College - (Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft) Welcome to East Coast College! Following the merger of Lowestoft College and Great Yarmouth College, both campuses have undergone recent, substantial capital investment and boast modern study and leisure facilities, industry standard equipment and dedicated undergraduate resources.

Tel: 0800 854 695 Email: he@eastcoast.ac.uk

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