Subject: Report of the 20th Meeting of Student Services Committee held on 2nd June 1999
Origin: Unconfirmed Minutes
It was noted that the University Disability Statement embraces the HEFCE recommendations and this will continue to be monitored.
A meeting had been arranged to discuss the Code of Practice. It was agreed that a 'University Code of Practice' should be drawn up and presented at the next meeting. In the meantime, it was confirmed that the University is conforming to the standard level of procedure recommended in the HECFE Guidance Notes.
There were still some areas/buildings on campus which are unsatisfactory for access for disabled students and it was noted that the whole issue is under consideration. It was also noted that LUSAD site presented particular problems of which the University is aware.
Data relating to disability was voluntarily supplied by students and the information lodged on a 'back screen' on the computer record, which was not visible to persons visiting the Records Office Counter. No personal disclosure of information was given to third parties and the Admissions Officer was satisfied that the University was not breaching confidentiality in any way. Access to the Student Admissions Data Base will be made available to Mr Jackson the Head of Service (Disability and Additional Needs) and Hall Wardens.
The outcome of the bid for funding for this new post were awaited. The latest round of Budget considerations had only just been completed and the recommendations will come before the next Resources and Planning Committee and University Council.
Mrs Llewellyn presented the Careers Service Report for 1997-98. Attention was drawn to the sixth annual increase in job prospects and to a national trend to leave job searches until after graduation. Although Loughborough students tended to apply for jobs sooner than many other students, the Careers Service had, nevertheless, introduced as number of initiatives, which had proved very successful. Mrs Llewellyn was congratulated on the success of the Careers Service, which was reflected by the fact that the graduate employment rate at Loughborough was very much higher than the national average.
50 students had been interviewed for Hardship Grants since the last meeting. Of these, 42 had received grants between £150 and £1,000. A further 2 had been given loans of £100 and £500 and no award was made in 6 cases.
In addition a further 30 interest free loans for amounts between £50 and £130 had been made between February and May 1999.
The Manager of the Students' Advice Centre, Ms C Harby, attended the meeting to present the Annual Report and to seek an allocation from the 1998/99 Access Fund for the continuation of the Project to provide financial advice to students.
It was estimated that there had been a 19% increase in financial casework alone this session and this was expected to increase with new marketing initiatives and the forthcoming re-location of the Centre to new premises in the Students' Union. The Committee noted the increased caseload undertaken by the Students' Union Advice Centre and thanked them for their continued commitment to the Project. It was agreed an allocation of £50,000 from the Access Fund towards the Project be sanctioned. It was further agreed that the Chair be given executive power to increase this sum if changed circumstances led to a demonstrable demand before 31 August 1999.
The Report of the meeting of 19 May 1999 was noted
The Report of the meetings of 4 March, and 29 April 1999 were noted.
The Report of the meeting of 9 February 1999 was noted.
Author: K.A.Alexander
Date: 3 June 1999
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