2. Important Information for All Students

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2. IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL STUDENTS

2.1. University Handbook

The University Handbook provides definitive information for students in a number of important areas. These include: plagiarism; the implications of non-attendance or non-payment of fees; suspension of studies; student progress; special cases for exam classification; the appeals procedure; the University Learning and Teaching Strategy; the Code of Practice on Assessment; Student Representation; and student support services. The University Handbook can be found at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/studenthandbook.

2.2 The Student Web (SPIDER)

This is a most important facility for students. It provides a PIN protected access to important personal and academic information. As well as being able to view their current registration details, students can also view a transcript of their studies showing the modules previously taken and the marks obtained for those modules. It also provides the means whereby students are informed of their examination timetable and the amount of fees payable by them in each session and it facilitates the requirement that students keep the University informed of their term-time, permanent and next-of-kin’s addresses and telephone numbers. It is thus extremely important that students familiarise themselves with this facility as soon as possible and ensure that they register any changes immediately via the web.

Registration for new students takes place during the introductory period immediately before the start of the session. Students who wish to modify their options choice must make their requests through the departmental office as soon as possible. They will not normally be permitted to change their module registration for a semester after week 3 of that semester. Some options may have already been withdrawn in a particular year because of insufficient student numbers.

2.3. Communications

Increasingly, the University uses email as one primary form of communication with students. You have, or will be, allocated an email account and you should visit it at least every few days. Since most staff read their emails several times per day when they are in the University, it is a quick and convenient way of contacting them to make or re-arrange an appointment, etc. You should consider linking your University account to any personal account that you visit frequently. Global Email Access: http://webmail.liv.ac.uk University Email Database and Telephone Directory: http://www.liv.ac.uk/cgi-bin/people/

Many staff use VITAL (Virtual Interactive Teaching at Liverpool)/Blackboard software to communicate module information to students. See section 3.2.

2.4. Attendance

From the University Handbook, section 2.3: Students are permitted to proceed with their approved programme of study only if they maintain acceptable progress as evidenced by their regular attendance, satisfactory results in relevant formative and summative assessments and the proper completion of any other such work that may be allotted to them. Boards of Study and Boards of Examiners as well as Faculties will review student progress and attendance on a regular basis. Students who fail to maintain satisfactory levels of attendance will be interviewed, and, in more serious cases may be referred to the Faculty Progress Committee or excluded from taking their examinations. Students who exhibit good practice in attendance etc. are generally successful in their studies.

2.5. Fees

The Schedule of Fees can be found in Section 3 of the University Calendar (http://www.liv.ac.uk/commsec/calendar/section3.html) 5 For information on how to pay your fees, see the University’s leaflet on Fee Payments (www.liv.ac.uk/SED/Feepayment.doc).

2.6. Students with Financial Difficulties

Students experiencing difficulties in making payments or who have any questions regarding payment of fees are encouraged to seek advice from the following offices:

Tuition Fees Office (Ground Floor, Senate House) Telephone: 0151 794 6777 (from outside the University) 46777 (internal) Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.liv.ac.uk/sed/Feesoffice.htm

Accounts Receivable Office (Ground Floor, Senate House) Telephone: 0151 794 2558 or 2323 (from outside the University) 42558 or 42323 (internal) Web: http://www.liv.ac.uk/finance/pages/ar.htm

Student Services (Financial Support and Advice): the following can particularly advise students who are experiencing financial hardship. Telephone: 0151 794 5860 or 5861 (from outside the University) 45860 or 45861 (internal) Email: [email protected] [email protected] Web: http://www.liv.ac.uk/studentservices/finance.htm

Guild Advice Centre (Guild of Students) Telephone: 0151 794 4172 (from outside the University) 44172 (internal) Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.advice-centre.info

2.7. Absence from studies for medical or non-medical reasons

If a student needs to be away from Liverpool (for instance, to attend the funeral of a close relative) and will miss any classes or assessments, he/she must apply in writing for permission (in advance if practicable) to the Dean of the Faculty using an Absence Form obtainable from the departmental office.

If a student is absent or unable to study for any period during term time, he/she must complete and submit an Absence Form. It will be accepted only if it is received not more than two calendar weeks after resumption of studies. However, if a student wishes a Board of Examiners to take account of some evidence, it must be submitted to the Head of Department within FIVE working days of the examination(s) affected. Evidence received after a meeting of a Board of Examiners will not normally be accepted as a basis of appeal against a decision of that Board.

A student may self-certify for absence through illness provided that:

(a) the duration was of not more than FIVE consecutive working days; and (b) the absence was not from examinations or other forms of assessment which count for more than the equivalent of 1.5 credits (ie, 10% of a 15-credit module or 20% of a 7.5-credit module); and (c) he/she has not already submitted more than two self-certification Absence Forms in the same semester (more than one absence relating to the same reason, eg, hospital appointments, may be approved as constituting only one self-certification).

Serious disciplinary action will be taken against students found abusing self-certification.

For absences that do not meet one or more of the requirements (a), (b) and (c) above, students are required to submit Absence Forms supported by official medical certificates or other appropriate formal evidence. Students should ask the doctor to ensure that the certificate clearly states that the patient was unfit to study or take an examination and that it shows the first and last dates of absence. Certificates 6 containing wording such as “This student tells me that he was ill” or “only anecdotal evidence of illness” will not be accepted.

A student is not formally excused his/her absence until the Absence Form has been validated by the Programme Director (self-certification only) or the Faculty Academic Sub-Dean; the absence will then be shown on the ‘Dean’s List’ which will be made available to examiners and the Board of Examiners.

Even though a student’s absence is excused, he/she is not normally excused the associated work; if requesting to be excused absence from a class test, laboratory class or other assessed activity, he/she is required to make arrangements with the staff member responsible as soon as possible after return.

Factors affecting studies over longer periods

If a student feels that his/her studies have been seriously affected over a long period by medical or non- medical factors (such as serious personal problems), he/she should discuss these, in confidence, with the personal tutor, Programme Director, departmental or Faculty Senior Tutor, Head of Department or a member of the Welfare Services. They will not pass on to anyone else anything told to them unless the student gives permission. They may however be able to offer advice and support, and will be able to ensure that the Board of Examiners is made aware that something significant may have affected performance. Where appropriate, the student may be advised to notify the University formally using the Absence Form, so that the evidence can be validated and reported to the Board of Examiners. They may also suggest that the student should consider suspending studies.

2.8. Suspension of Studies

Voluntary Suspension If a student is unable to attend classes in his/her degree programme for a significant period because of personal, medical, financial or other substantial reasons, he/she should consult the personal tutor, Programme Director and/or the Head of Department. Students are not normally permitted to start suspension during an examination period. If he/she then wishes to request suspension, he/she should complete a Suspension of Studies form (obtainable from Faculty or departmental offices), request written support from the Programme Director and/or the Head of Department and submit it to Faculty Office. If approved, the student will be permitted to leave the programme and to restart at the beginning of, or during, the following academic year. Suspending students must inform their funding local education authority and make their own provision for finance for the following academic year. Before being allowed to resume their studies, they must provide evidence that the reasons for their suspension have been adequately resolved. They may also be required to provide a suitable financial guarantee before being allowed to re-register. While suspended, students are not allowed to use the library or computing facilities, and they may be ineligible for certain social benefits.

Financial Suspension (Compulsory) Students who default on any due payment of fees will, after a warning period, be barred from access to library and computing facilities until the outstanding fee is paid or suitable arrangements to pay are put in place. Students who fail to respond within 30 days of the due date of any payment will have their studies suspended (in addition to being barred from library and computing facilities, they will be excluded from lectures and other teaching activities; they will be permitted to take their examinations but all marks will be withheld). They will not be allowed to resume their studies until the outstanding amount has been paid. After a suspension is lifted, there may be a few days’ delay before full facilities are restored. Suspension inevitably causes considerable disruption to studies and coursework marks may be lost. You should ask for advice as soon as you foresee problems, before suspension is imposed.

2.9. Students wishing to w ithdraw from the University

It is very important that students who are considering leaving the University should as soon as possible consult their tutor and/or Programme Director and/or Head of Department. If, after consultation and consideration of all alternatives, the student is resolved to withdraw from the programme at the University, a withdrawal form (available from the departmental or Faculty offices) should be filled in and sent to the Head of the appropriate Department as soon as possible, giving reasons for the withdrawal. 7 The date at which withdrawal becomes effective is the date on which the form was received by the department or Faculty; the Student and Examinations Division, Senate House, will be notified by the Faculty Office and they in turn will inform the funding body concerned. Students will be charged fees up to the date of withdrawal (not the last date of attendance).

2.10. The University approach to disability issues

The University is taking steps to encourage a supportive and accessible environment for disabled students. We would encourage disabled students to discuss their individual needs with their academic department and the Welfare and Disability Team in the Student Services Centre in order that appropriate arrangements can be made. On request, information in this Handbook can be made available in your preferred format.

2.11. Student representation

All students are encouraged to stand for election to the departmental staff-student liaison committee and information on the election process and dates will be made available by email, through lectures and on the departmental notice-boards (Harrison Building Floor 2).

All Student Representatives on Staff-Student Liaison Committees are offered training by the Guild of Students and may have an opportunity to represent the department at the Student Senate, on faculty committees, or at the University Senate. The departmental contact for student representation is Prof RC Pond.

2.12. Health and Safety

Your safety is important to us. Ensuring the health and safety of students, staff and visitors is one of the University’s highest priorities. The University is responsible for providing a safe environment and safe systems of work, but safety cannot be achieved without the full co-operation of everyone.

University Ordinances require every student whilst on University premises  to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others;  to act in accordance with University safety rules.

In all departments, students are required:  to read the fire procedure notices and familiarise themselves with the alternative fire exits;  to report accidents, near misses or dangerous conditions to a responsible member of the department;  to co-operate with health and safety instructions.

On the University telephone system, the emergency number for fire, police or ambulance is 2222.

In practical/laboratory departments there is a safety code/handbook which sets out departmental safety arrangements in detail.

If you have any problems or questions about safety, raise them with a member of teaching staff or with your Departmental Safety Coordinator, who is: Mr R Seamans ([email protected]).

2.13. The Guild of Students

The Guild of Students is run for students, by students, and exists to:  represent students at both a local and national level  develop students through activities such as volunteering, clubs, societies, committees and LUSTI (free skills training for students)  cater for students commercially with food, bars and entertainment offers  provide welfare advice through the Advice Centre, which offers free, confidential and non- judgemental advice on issues ranging from housing to academic affairs and finance 8 The full-time Guild Officers are based on the first Floor of the Guild and are:  President, tel: 794-4122  Communications Officer, tel: 794-4128  Student Activities and Services Officer, tel: 794-4124  Welfare & Equal Opportunities Officer, tel: 794-4123

2.14. The University Library

The University Library contains approximately 1.7 million books and journals. It subscribes to over 5,000 journals and also provides access to a large number of electronic journals, databases and networked CD ROMS.

There are two main sites: The Harold Cohen Library contains the main collections in Dentistry, Engineering, Life Sciences, Medicine, Veterinary Science and Mathematics. The main collections in Chemistry, Geology and Physics are housed in departmental libraries in the respective buildings. There are also branch libraries at the Veterinary Field Station on the Wirral and at the Marine Biological Station on the Isle of Man. The Sydney Jones Library contains the main collections in the Arts and Social Sciences, except for Archaeology, Civic Design, Education, Law and Music, which are housed in departmental libraries in the respective buildings. This library also houses the Special Collections and Archives and the library of the Science Fiction Foundation.

The libraries provide about 1,000 study spaces and the two main buildings are equipped with PC workstations, scanners and wireless/plug-in connections for laptop computers; photocopying facilities are also available. The online catalogue (OPAC) can be accessed in the Library, from any PC connected to the University network or via the web. The Library homepage provides comprehensive information about the Library and the services it provides. Printed guides are also available.

Library Homepage: http://www.liv.ac.uk/Library/ Catalogue (OPAC): http://library.liv.ac.uk/ Engineering Resources Homepage: http://www.liv.ac.uk/Library/subjects/engineer/eng/enghome.html

2.15. Computing Services Department

The Computing Services Department (CSD) provides central computing and information technology services to assist the University in carrying out its learning, teaching, research and administration.

There are a number of PC Teaching Centres, which are primarily used for teaching but, when not booked for classes, are available for individual student use. These are located in centres across the Precinct, at the Leahurst Veterinary Centre and in the Port Erin Marine Biology Laboratory. There are also a number of Learning Centres, not bookable for classes, on the Precinct and in some of the Halls of Residence. The Teaching and Learning Centres each contain PCs linked together by a network. To use the PCs, you need to self-register by going along to one of the Centres with your student identity card.

The PC Teaching Service is based on Windows XP and provides access to a wide range of services, including electronic mail, the Internet, word processing, spreadsheets and databases.

There are a number of locations within the Precinct where you may use either WiFi (wireless) or a wired connection to connect your own portable computer (or PDA) to the University's network.

The main CSD Helpdesk is located in the Brownlow Hill Building (with satellites in the two main libraries) and provides a full range of support services including problem solving, software sales and registration queries.

Full details of the services provided by CSD are at http://www.liverpool.ac.uk/csd/