Annual Report 2009 - St Mary's University College

St Mary’s University College
Twickenham London
Annual Report 2009
www.smuc.ac.uk
St Mary’s University College
Twickenham London
Annual Report 2009
www.smuc.ac.uk
Student
Services
In the past year, Student
Services has begun carrying out
equality impact assessments
on its policies and procedures,
in order to ensure that they
do not discriminate in any way.
It is a requirement that this is
carried out every three years,
so it is an ongoing project.
All new policies will undergo
equality impact assessment
before they are approved.
The operation and staffing
of the Health Centre has also
been reviewed. When the
University College nurse retired,
a local Medical Practice took
over the management of the
Health Centre, as a branch
of their Twickenham practice.
This means that students are
automatically registered with
the main practice and can avail
of their full service to patients.
Student Services
–
Accommodation
–
Dyslexia and Disability
Support
–
Money Matters
The revised Student Charter
has been completed and has
led to work on identifying the
key elements of student
entitlement. Since variable fees
were introduced a few years
ago, we are trying to ensure
that all students are aware of
what they can expect from our
academic schools and services
in pursuing their studies.
A review of the role and
responsibilities of wardens in
halls of residence was initiated.
It is envisaged that the role
of wardens will, of necessity,
evolve into mentoring resident
students in order to enhance
their learning experience.
To this end, we have already
provided additional continuous
professional development.
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The Higher Education Funding
Council for England (HEFCE)
asked us to produce a Widening
Participation Strategic
Assessment. Student Services
convened a small team from
across the University College
to complete this task. This was
submitted in early summer.
The response from HEFCE in
the autumn was very positive;
they commended the clarity of
the submission and St Mary’s
commitment to widening
participation from underrepresented
groups in society.
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