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Support for students

Orientation and transition

Orientation week or “O” week is the period before the commencement of semester where new students are familiarised with the university and are provided with advice about study in the Faculty and University as a whole.

Tutors of first year students may be involved in first week transition tutorials, designed to familiarise students with a number of study skills and to prepare them for study within the Faculty. The unit coordinators usually manage the first week transition tutorials and liaise with the first year unit leaders to avoid duplication.

Teaching students from diverse backgrounds

The Student Equity Office can assist you in the provision of a learning environment which is open to the perspectives and experiences of individuals and groups from different backgrounds and which is supportive of all students. Teaching staff should become familiar with the resources of the Equity and Diversity unit who provide guidelines for academic staff in teaching for equity.

Equity refers to fairness, or principles of justice, aimed to redress inequalities in opportunity experienced by some students. Equity does not mean treating everyone in the same way. Rather, equity means treating people in a fair and flexible way, recognising that all people have different needs and that some groups experience disadvantage, which impedes educational progress.

It is likely that your students will have a diversity of backgrounds, experience, socio-economic status, age, language, culture, race, gender and sexuality. It is important as a teacher that you are sensitive and responsive to this diversity.

Teaching students with special needs

The Equity and Diversity Unit provides guidelines for academic staff in teaching students with special needs.

Language and Learning Services (LLS)

Language and Learning Services provides programs free of charge to students wishing to improve the quality of their academic English and approaches to study. Staff who are concerned about a student's ability to cope with any component of their course should take steps to refer them to the appropriate LLS service.

Counselling

The University Counselling Service is free and confidential. As a teaching staff member, students may seek advice and guidance from you regarding problems and difficulties that they may be encountering. You should remember that your primary role is to provide academic support and guidance and to refer students for professional assistance where the matter is beyond your professional scope.

Student complaints and grievances

Teaching staff should be aware of the University process for complaints and grievances.

A complaint may be in relation to an academic, administrative or other matter, including exclusion, discipline or harassment. The University has separate processes for academic and administrative grievances.

Academic grievance policy and procedures