The bid for funding for a new post of International Students Support Officer, in Student Welfare and Guidance in the last round of the Budget considerations had not been successful. The International Office in Student Recruitment and Admissions, was, however, now operational.
It had not been necessary to increase the allocation of £50K from the Access Fund towards the Project.
It was noted that the implementation of the Human Rights Act in October 2000 gives disabled people the right to sue in the County Court for perceived discrimination against them because of their disability.
The University will, by autumn of 2000, be expected to demonstrate that general principles of good practice (covered by the Quality Assurance Agency code) are in place, in order to facilitate access for disabled students.
It was agreed that a Working Party be established to discuss compliance with the QAA codes and to formulate a University Code of Practice to be in place by autumn 2000. The Working Party will need to examine current practice across the university regarding provision for disabled students and work with specific departments and services to ensure the university fulfils its obligations to the QAA code.
The membership of the working party will be Mr D Jackson, Head of DANS (Chair), Mr H E Jones (Student, Recruitment and Admissions), Mr D R F Walker (Student Services Committee) plus one each from the following: Students' Union, Estates Organisation, and the Residential Organisation. The Working Party will also invite persons with specific expertise or knowledge to attend meetings to advise and inform on issues, as required. A draft of the CoP will be brought to the next meeting of the Committee.
An Assessment Policy for students, who have a disability, will form part of the compliance with the QAA code and will need to be in place by the end of the current academic session. The University recognises that in accepting a disabled student on to a programme of study some adjustments may need to be made with respect to formal examinations and other assessments to accommodate the particular support needs of the individual. It will be necessary, however, to ensure that approaches and practices are standardised across the University. It was agreed that the appropriate vehicle to take these issues forward was the Teaching and Learning Committee and that the Policy should be available in the Academic Quality Procedures Handbook. The Head of DANS to take these issues forward with the Secretary of the Teaching and Learning Committee. A draft CoP will be brought to the next meeting of the Committee and of Teaching and Learning Committee for subsequent consideration by Senate.
In order to comply with forthcoming legislation it will be necessary to have a clear Admissions Policy. The University recognises that particular processes and procedures may need to be initiated in order to ensure that a disabled applicant's application is judged on the same academic grounds as non-disabled applicants.
The University has a higher than average percentage of disabled students and a good record of being able to meet the support needs of a disabled applicant. However, if the needs of a particular student could not be met the University would have a clear responsibility to say so at the outset.
It was agreed that information for disabled applicants should be made available in the University's prospectuses. Departmental tutors need to be informed which special needs can be supported and should consult DANS in all cases. The Head of DANS was asked to: consult the Student Recruitment and Admissions Officer regarding entries in the undergraduate and postgraduate prospectuses, advise him regarding the provision of appropriate information for admissions tutors, and report progress at the next meeting.
The HEFCE Report 99/50 : 'Access Funds for higher education institutions 1999-2000', was received and it was noted that the allocation of Access Funds for 1999-2000 was £460,361, an increase of 30% on the previous year.
The Committee received and noted the monitoring return to HEFCE for Access Funds for 1998/99.
A financial statement of Access and Hardship Funds to 1 November was presented. 9 students received further education bursaries and 39 students were awarded local mature students bursaries. Following a meeting of the Access Funds Committee on 28 October, grants from the Access Fund had been made to 68 undergraduates and 4 postgraduates.
Since August, apart from the departmental secretary there has been a complete change of staff and the Service has re-located to more central and spacious accommodation in the Herbert Manzoni Building. A successful funding bid to HEFCE, in conjunction with three other local HE institutions, has enabled the development of provision for students with mental problems for a period of three years.
The Service is now well established and has good links both internally and externally. It will continue to develop and strengthen existing provisions as well as meeting challenges that lie ahead including mental health provision and the response to the new Human Rights legislation.
Mr Jackson was thanked for his report and the achievements of his team in the short time they have been with the University. The Committee also recorded the debt owed to Dr Ron Hinton, who created the Service now in place for students with additional needs. Dr Hinton's recent retirement followed by his untimely death was a great sadness to colleagues in the University.
The practice had had a challenging year. Building modifications have resulted in additional consulting room and office facilities. New patient registrations hasincreased by nearly 6%. Workload has increased by almost 5% for doctors and 18% for nurses. Despite this the quality of service has been maintained and a no-appointment low-level walk in casualty service is available.
A recent voluntary review by Leicestershire Health Team resulted in the Centre being one of only two practices in Leicestershire being 'highly rated' by the External Assessors. In addition, the Centre has been involved with the Local Primary Care Group, which, it is anticipated, will benefit GP practices for the locality as a whole and improve services and facilities for patients.
Of the 2000 new student registrations, so far, 1,500 had received the new meningitis vaccine before arriving and 500 had been vaccinated on campus.
Patient satisfaction questionnaires continue to be monitored. Questions regarding transportation to Leicester Royal Infirmary and Campus Pharmacy are being followed up with the Students' Union.
The Director of Student Support and Welfare was thanked for the Report and it was recommended that the results of the Review from the Leicestershire Health Team be posted in the Medical Centre Waiting Area.
The Counselling Service team is complete and although workload has increased, staff morale has remained high. The high level of service to individual students and staff has been maintained throughout the year. An increase in staff counselling of about 10% has been accommodated by a proportionate increase in staff counselling provision, however, that service is now seriously under threat.
The number of workshops, group work and training has increased and it is hoped to develop this area of expertise further. Awareness of external events has led to a decision being taken to monitor ethnic usage of the service from next year. Increasing trends of psychological disturbance in students in higher education nationally has been noted and steps have been taken to monitor this and build on recommendations in the HUCS report, "Degrees of Disturbance: The New Agenda".
It was noted that the tutorial and personal tutor system, which provided a degree of counselling in the University a few years ago, has declined particularly as demands on staff time have grown. It was felt this interaction with students was of value and should be re-iterated to Tutors.
Ms Bell was thanked for her attendance and for the work of her team in a sensitive and demanding area.
Miss J E L Harvatt had been prevented from attending several meetings during the last year due to ill health and other commitments and had regretfully decided to resign from the Committee. The Secretary was asked to place on record the Committee's grateful thanks to Miss Harvatt for the contribution she had made. The Chair will write to her thanking her for her services.
Author: K.A.Alexander.
Date: 19 November 1999
Copyright © Loughborough University. All rights reserved
.