Policy on Student Induction

Manual of General Regulations

1. Aims and Scope of the Policy

We regard student induction as one of the key elements supporting our corporate objective of welcoming, introducing and settling down our students, so that they are able as quickly as possible to benefit from university life.

We recognise that induction plays a critical role in shaping student perceptions of what we offer and our commitment to deliver high quality provision. We also recognise that induction often forms our students' first experience of our university.

This Policy identifies the components of induction for all incoming students (at all levels). It is consistent with the commitments made in our Student Charter and our other corporate plans. The policy is also in line with our commitments to enhance the quality of the total student experience and to embed all students into Schools, connecting them with named Personal Tutors.

This Policy is committed to ensuring continuous quality improvement and will seek to evaluate, receive feedback and monitor effectiveness of its implementation and will fine-tune policy and its implementation where appropriate.

2. The Purpose of Induction

The main purpose of Induction is to welcome and introduce students joining our University, so that we can celebrate and value their choice to come and join our diverse and vibrant learning community. We wish to ensure that our students settle down as quickly as possible, are aware of the support and services available to them and enter into a partnership with us to shape their learning programmes and to gain the most out of life at the university.

The main elements of induction should include:

Welcoming , by providing opportunities for social interaction among staff/students and signaling the value we place upon and our appreciation of their decision to study with us
Orienting , by providing a comprehensive introduction to our services and facilities, necessary regulatory information, the student hardship fund, residential services, student charter and complaints procedure
Building a learning partnership , by providing an introduction to and/or reinforcement of the programme of study, the methods of assessment, appeals mechanisms, availability of additional learning support, opportunity to undergo assessment of learning needs and related information and guidance on postgraduate and employment opportunities. These objectives will be achieved through a programme of regular tutorial reviews
Establishing effective administration , by providing an opportunity for each student to engage with the necessary administrative procedures so that s/he is accurately and efficiently enrolled on his/her course of study, registered for appropriate modules

3. Responsibility

3.1 We will ensure that all new students are programmed to be personally welcomed by the Vice-Chancellor, the Pro-Vice-Chancellors, Heads of School or other members of the Corporate Management Team.

3.2 Heads of School have overall responsibility for ensuring adequate planning, allocation of resources and implementation of induction programmes within their Schools.

3.3 Each School will be responsible for assessing the quality and effectiveness of delivering induction and its personal support/tutorial arrangements.

3.4 Personal Tutors will play a lead role in providing regular academic reviews which identify and monitor student progress, barriers to effective learning and provide academic and personal support, which may include referring students to appropriate internal services, such as Student Services, Learning Resources Centres, Facilities (for residential, security and catering services) and the Students' Union.

3.5 The Director of Student Services has responsibility for ensuring that an appropriate and effective induction programme is in place for all students, for disseminating good practice and making arrangements for appropriate Student Services to be available to contribute to induction programmes.

3.6 All university staff will be expected to treat new students as well as continuing students with courtesy and professionalism.

3.7 The Students' Union will play a key role in welcoming and introducing students to the range of extra-curricular, representational and support services available through the Union

3.8 Schools (and the Fields within them) are responsible for:

Planning and organising programmes of induction
The timely circulation of First Week programmes to new students
Verifying that the student has met the conditions of the offer - including checking achievement of qualifications
Registering UDS students on units of study
Where appropriate, checking students' ability to meet the demands of the course, particularly in respect of English Language proficiency and numeracy.

3.9 The enrolment operation is responsible for:

enrolling students
confirming student identities
issuing ID cards
collecting the first instalment of fees
collecting information for HESA (on nationality, ethnic origin, disability and special needs, term-time accommodation, educational background, next of kin).

3.10 The Counselling and Advisory Service is responsible for the institution-wide international student welcome day and coach tour of London .

3.11 The Student Finance Unit is responsible for giving advice on matters concerned with student financial support.

3.12 Information Technology Services are responsible for the allocation of network log-in codes

4. Monitoring of the Policy

4.1 Implementation of the policy will be monitored by each Head of School, supported by the Director of Student Services.

4.2 A cross-institutional ‘induction task force' will review the success of induction for each major intake and make recommendations mid-way through each semester.

4.3 The Students Union will be invited to assess the effectiveness of induction and feedback from students through evaluation forms, focus groups and individual responses will be sought.

4.4 The Corporate Management Team will receive an annual overview report on induction each December.

5. Minimum Components

The following components will be found in all induction programmes:

Welcome

Welcome and congratulations on choosing UEL
Ice-breaker and bonding activities
Social event with teaching staff (distance learning programmes to supply information on staff)
Meeting other students (distance learning - via conferencing)
Student Union activities - Freshers Fayre
Advice on accommodation, money-management, time-management
Introduction to social events, the Students' Union and subject-based and other clubs and societies
Information about sports and recreational facilities and spiritual services

Orientation to the University

Essential information about the University
Tour of the campus
Library tour and introduction to information searching
Introduction to using IT facilities
Introduction to counselling and health services
Introduction to careers advice
Location of programme of study, campus map(s)
UEL Regulations
Student Charter
Student Complaints and Appeals Procedure
Introduction to and information about service areas
Transport links to and between campuses (where appropriate)

Academic

Aims and objectives of programme of study
Opportunity to discuss aims of the course
Assignment of named member of staff to each student
Meeting with named member of staff to discuss programme construction
Academic Calendar/Academic Framework/programme timetable
Course structure - core, options
Discussion about expectations of higher education
Diagnostic testing for English and numeracy
Self-assessment of key skills
Discussion about referencing and plagiarism
Introduction to Study Skills Handbook
Assessment methods and assessment criteria
Credit accumulation, AP(E)L
English language threshold requirements - referral opportunities
Advice on study skills - identify support available
Use and availability of ICT
Reading lists and guidance on private study
Identification of special needs - referral (where appropriate) to Disability and Dyslexia services
Health and Safety regulations - particularly for laboratory and studio-based courses