College Guide 12-13

College Advisors
Each College has a Personal Advisor system which is intended to
provide support for each student independently of their academic
departments. In Cartmel, each student is allocated to a Personal
Advisor on the basis of residential blocks. A Personal Advisor is
a senior member of Cartmel College (either a member of staff or
postgraduate student) and will be available for help and advice
throughout your time at Lancaster but especially in your first year.
The Personal Advisor is there to act as an impartial advisor and
guide should the need arise and – let us hope that the need does
not arise – to represent your best interests should you be involved
Vicki Haslam
Senior College
Advisor
in any disciplinary proceedings within the University. Fortunately, this need is rare.
Perhaps more important is that your Advisor is someone you can talk to. The first
few weeks of University can be confusing as you confront what can seem to be an
intimidating new environment. Your Advisor, however, will know the system and be
able to provide answers to most of your queries.
Cartmel uses a ‘Block Rep’ system. The Block Reps are second or third year
undergraduates who live in your accommodation block and also provide help and
support, particularly in the first weeks as you find your way around. They are
members of the Cartmel JCR Exec and are therefore easy to contact. Your initial
meeting with your Personal Advisor will be in your kitchen early in Freshers Week –
please check the wallet you were given with your room keys for the date and time
of your meeting and the contact details for your advisor.
Advisors are encouraged to have regular meetings with their students so that you
have an opportunity to discuss your progress and raise any queries you may have.
Even if you are not experiencing any major difficulties, it is still important that you
maintain regular contact with your Advisor. If you are asked to attend a meeting
with your Advisor, please make every effort to attend, and let him or her know if you
are unable to do so. These meetings are intended to be friendly and informal.
During the academic year, your department will send an early warning to the
College Administrator (Cath Gorton) who will then contact your Advisor if you
appear to be falling behind in your studies. This is not a punitive measure but an
attempt to warn you in sufficient time so that the situation can be remedied.
Fortunately, most students do keep up with their studies.
The Senior Advisor is Vicki Haslam who also works in Linguistics. Vicki can be
contacted via Tel +44 (0)7527 941 341 or (01524) (5)93040 or by E-mail
v.haslam@lancaster.ac.uk
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