PResident's RePORt 2009/2010 - University College Cork

Foreword
UCC at a Glance
Academic Developments
Teaching and Learning
Research
College Reports:
Arts, Celtic
Studies and Social
Sciences
Business and Law
Medicine and Health
Science, Engineering and
Food Science
Events
Student Experience
Sports and Recreation
Buildings and Estates
Cork University Press
Finance
Governing Body
IRIS Appendix
66
Student Wellbeing
Student Counselling and Development
• UCC’s Student Mental Health Policy was launched by Minister
John Moloney TD, the Minister for Equality, Disability and
Mental Health (January 2010).
• Members of staff responded to increased demands by
students for counselling by undergoing professional training in
a brief therapy model and by offering sessions every second
week except for students in crisis. Four final-year trainee
counsellors and three qualified but pre-accredited counsellors
provide counselling with supervision within the service.
• Online multimedia self-help programmes were made available
to students covering anxiety, depression, stress, insomnia and
substance misuse.
• ‘Speaking confidently’ workshops, increasing self-confidence
and presentation skills, were offered.
• 1,947 students availed of individual counselling or workshops.
• 4,558 individual counselling appointments were offered.
Student Health
• 19,500 consultations were provided during 2009/2010.
• All incoming first years were offered a new “healthy living
module” that promoted positive lifestyle choices, jointly
presented by the Students’ Union and Student Health, as part
of orientation.
• A peer-led STI-education service was piloted in the expanded
Sexual Transmitted Infection Service in partnership with the
SU.
• Research on alcohol and drug use amongst students in UCC
was conducted and published in 2009/2010.
• A three-year PhD Fellowship in the Department of Epidemiology
& Public Health was established to conduct a needs analysis
of student lifestyles.
• A full suite of multi-media health education and health
promotion material for students was developed and provided
on plasma screen in the waiting room.
• Pre-departure risk assessments, travel immunisations and
travel-health seminars were delivered to students departing
on overseas clinical electives and work placements.
• The Student Health Department collaborated with the HSE,
student societies and other student services to establish
a group to promote healthy living and a more responsible
approach to the use of alcohol amongst students.
Student Accommodation
Greater Choice
• Student housing grew 9 per cent to 1,454 student houses
providing 6,229 rooms supplied by 950 landlords, through the
accommodation service.
• Two new student complexes opened, providing increased
accommodation options for half-year students.
• 154 grade ‘A’ properties were made available to students.
• 352 postgraduate student houses, as well as postgraduate
sections in our student complexes are now available. Campus
Accommodation’s postgraduate apartments in Dennehy’s
Cross are in particularly high demand.
Reduced Costs
• Prices of student complexes fell by 15-21 per cent with many
rooms below €100 (inclusive of bills) per week with all bills
included.
• Prices of rooms in student houses fell by 17-25 per cent with
many rooms available for less than €70 per week.
Improving Standards
• Service level agreements were put in place with all private
complexes.
• Information and training nights for landlords on new housing
legislation were organised. These sessions complement the
quarterly Landlord News letter that highlights issues in student
housing
Careers
• 3,743 students sought career advice
• 2,061 students participated in careers employability modules
• 1,597 students attended our open careers talks
• 4,000 students attended our recruitment fairs
• 1,441 job advertisements placed on our website
• 637 work placements were organised for students by our team
of Placement Managers.