ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION CENTRE = The ARC

What is the ARC

• • • • • • • Student Union department Independent Free Confidential Non-Judgmental Professional Experienced

INDEPENDENT

• • • • Not part of the University or Local Government It’s a Student Union service Can advise and represent students without “conflict of interest” Conflict of interest- arguing against our own position

FREE

• • • No charge for any of the services we provide No added cost to your tuition fees It is always free, no matter how many times you will need our help

CONFIDENTIAL

• • • We won’t report anything that you’ve told us to anyone We will not contact anyone after you have visited us We will not even tell anyone if you came to see us • UNLESS you ask us to do so • We keep all information very secure; documents are double locked and electronic information is protected by two sets of passwords

NON-JUDGMENTAL

• • • • • We will listen without criticising you Whatever you tell us, we are not here to make you feel bad You can be completely honest with us; we will always provide best service You do not have to be embarrassed; we have seen thousands of students and we have heard all kinds of stories Whatever you say, we will remain calm and helpful

PROFESSIONAL AND EXPERIENCED

• • • • We employ professional advisers, who have many years of experience We do not employ student staff so you will not be in a position to have to talk to someone who is for example on the same course as you All our senior advisers are highly trained We have experts on academic procedures, housing problems and other issues

WHAT WE DO

• • • • Academic procedures; mitigating circumstances, failed assessments, appeals, complaints, academic and non academic disciplinaries, other problems with your course, for example difficulties with supervisor Housing problems; difficult landlords, things that need repairs, withheld deposits, relationship breakdown with other tenants Budgeting, debt negotiations, student funding, welfare benefits, disability benefits and financial hardship We can refer you to another reputable organisation, for example for employment law enquiries or problems with goods or services you bought

WHAT WE DO NOT DO

• • • Advice on immigration issues, like visas, working in UK, staying after studies, inviting relatives. Visit Student Centre instead.

Counselling or advice on emotional problems. Visit Counselling Service instead. Criminal offences; we can help to find a solicitor for you and help you deal with the impact on your studies

HOW WE DO IT

• • • • When you contact us, your case will be first considered by an Adviser The Adviser may ask you further question The Adviser will either help you straight away or refer your case to a Senior Adviser Senior Advisers are experienced and able to deal with more complex cases

HOW YOU CAN CONTACT US

• • • • • • You can come and see us during drop-in We are open every day between 10 and 3 pm (closed on Wednesday between 12 – 1 pm) We are located next to the Locos bar, ground floor of the Hamilton Centre (quad side) You can email us on [email protected]

You can call us on 01895 269 169 You can find a lot of information at www.brunelstudents.com/advice

USEFUL LINKS

download from brunelstudents.com/advice • • • • • Senate Regulations http://www.brunel.ac.uk/about/administration/senate-regulations – Senate Regulation 2- undergraduate programmes – Senate Regulation 3- postgraduate programmes – Senate Regulation 4- Mitigating Circumstances Policies and Guidelines http://www.brunel.ac.uk/about/quality-assurance/a-z – Late Submission Penalties – Student Misconduct Guidance Academic Skills Service http://www.brunel.ac.uk/services/library/ask-ltt/ask – Workshops calendar http://libguides.brunel.ac.uk/ask#ASK%20workshop%20calendar – FAQs http://libanswers.brunel.ac.uk/search/?g=472&topics=academic%20skills%20%28ask%29 Plagiarism http://www.plagiarism.org/plagiarism-101/what-is-plagiarism/ Housing Advice http://brunelstudents.com/advice/housing/

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE FROM US

• • Any specific subjects you would like us to prepare a guidance about?

Email suggestions to [email protected]

QUESTIONS?

• • • You can ask us now You can email your questions to [email protected]

You can also download this presentation from the Student Union’s website www.brunelstudents.com/advice