DkIT Student Services Handbook

DkIT Student Services

n Dealgan Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Dhú

College is not just about studying, lectures, assignments, project work and exams. College is a place to call home, it’s about discovering new interests, and it’s about communities, friendships and opportunities.

We understand that going to college can be a challenging time. That’s why we provide a wide range of support services.

Whether you need help settling in, guidance on achieving your potential, a reference for a job or just a friendly listening ear, there is always someone for you to talk to in DkIT. DkIT Student Support Services - support you can depend on.

Student Services Centre The Staff in Student Services work closely with all other areas of the Institute, including staff and students to ensure that the welfare of students is paramount. We also assist students in providing information and practical supports in a wide variety of circumstances. Appointments for all Student Support Services can be made through this office.

The Student Services Centre is situated in the Faulkner Building just past the AIB bank.

CONTACT DETAILS T E

+353 42 9370240 studentservices@dkit.ie

The Student Services Centre also administrates the Student Assistance Fund and the Hardship Fund.

Linda Murphy

Academic Administration & Student Affairs Manager

Student Assistance Fund The Student Assistance Fund is intended to tackle educational disadvantage by providing financial support to disadvantaged students who require additional support to enable them to fully benefit from their third level studies. All registered students of the Institute are eligible to apply for assistance under the fund. It is important to note that, as the Fund is limited, students are not automatically entitled to assistance based on their circumstances.

Hardship Fund The Hardship Fund is available to assist students who face a crisis or an emergency and need immediate financial assistance. The Hardship Fund is administered by the Chaplaincy. The Fund is limited and is only available in exceptional circumstances. In many cases, assistance is provided in the form of a loan.

Sinead Dunne

Student Services Officer

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Anne-Marie

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Student Health Unit The Student Health Unit within the Institute offers a professional confidential health and medical service. The health centre provides a full medical service and can advise on all health-related matters. The health service includes a free nursing service and a doctor attends the Institute each day at times which are published within the Institute.

The Student Health Unit is located upstairs in the Faulkner Building next to the Fitness Suite.

Students needing to see the doctor must be referred by the nurse, and should come to the Unit as early as possible on the morning of the surgery to make an appointment.

CONTACT DETAILS T E

+353 42 9370245 health@dkit.ie Briege Rust

Institute Nurse

Patricia Smyth

Institute Nurse

Dr. Shane Gleeson

Institute Doctor

n Staff io t a r t is in m d A an gh Brenda Murna ng it & Counselli

Health Un inistrator Services Adm it.ie urnaghan@dk E

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CONTACT DETAILS Gertie Rafferty

Student Counsellor T +353 42 9370247 E counsellor@dkit.ie gertie.rafferty@dkit.ie

Francis McGivern

Student Counsellor T +353 42 9370247 E counsellor@dkit.ie francis.mcgivern@dkit.ie

s Opening Hour y to Friday 9am – 5pm Monda

Opening Hours

Health Unit Doctor in Attendance

9.30am – 4.30pm Monday to Frid ay 12noon – 2pm daily

Student Counselling Service The counselling service is operated by one full-time and one part-time counsellor who are both fully trained counselling psychologists. The Counsellors are here to help you with any personal difficulties you may have during your time here in college.

Some of the issues students often look for help with include: Isolation, Relationship difficulties, Loneliness, Sexuality / Sexual Identity, Sexual Abuse, Depression, Family Breakdown, Bereavement, Study Problems, and Concentration Difficulties. The counselling service is confidential and free for students. The Student Counselling Service is located upstairs in the Faulkner Building beside the Student Health Unit.

Chaplaincy Services The Chaplaincy provides pastoral care and responds to the personal needs of students in providing a faith presence in the Institute. The Institute’s Quiet Room offers a space for quiet reflection, mediation and prayer. The Chaplaincy service is provided by a Roman Catholic Chaplain and visiting Church of Ireland and Presbyterian Ministers. Mass is provided daily during term-time in the Institute’s Quiet Room at 1.05pm.

CONTACT DETAILS Roman Catholic Chaplain

Fr. Clement MacManuis

M +353 87 750046 6 T E

+353 42 9370246 chaplaincy@dkit.ie

9am – 5pm Monday to Friday Church of Ireland

Rev. Sandra Pragnal M.A.,B.Th.Re T E

+353 42 9321402 dundalk@armagh.anglican.org

Presbyterian

ctor Rev. Stanley Millen T

+353 42 9321520

Access Office The Access Officer promotes access to the Institute and co-ordinates support for groups that are underrepresented in third level education. These groups include students from a background of socioeconomic disadvantage, mature students, students from the Traveller community and ethnic minorities.

If you wish to meet with the Access Officer, please arrange an appointment by email.

The Access Office is located on the First Floor, Whitaker Building – near Library.

CONTACT DETAILS Eileen Lynch Access Officer T +353 42 93 70236 E eileen.lynch @dkit.ie

Opening Hours 9am – 5pm Monda y

to Friday

Disability and Student Quality Office

CONTACT DETAILS Gerard Mc Hugh

Disability and Student Quality Officer T +353 42 9370237 E gerard.mchugh@dkit.ie

Opening Hours 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday

The Institute provides support and advocates on behalf of any student with a physical, sensory or learning difficulty, or has a mental health condition that interferes with the learning process. The Disability and Student Quality Office works with students to ensure that their disability does not hinder them from achieving their full academic potential.

The Disability Office is located in Room L211 (1st Floor, Whitaker Building – near Library).

Careers Service The Careers Service within Dundalk Institute of Technology is available to all students and recent graduates of the Institute in exploring their career interests, in evaluating and assessing their career opportunities and in effectively implementing their career or further study sessions. The Careers Service supports students in realising their career aspirations.

The following are some of the activities, resources and services available from the Careers Service: * * * *

* *

* * * * *

‘Taking Control of your Future’ workshops for final year students Graduate Talks and Further Studies Options Company Presentations and interviews Access to The Graduate Careers Fair and to the Post Graduate Studies Fair held annually in the RDS One to one guidance and support if you are concerned about programme choice Careers Information Area - contains invaluable resources on further study, vacancies, and general career information Careers Awareness Days for different disciplines / vocational areas C.V. preparation and Interview skills seminars Help with job applications Research skills - exploring career options and opportunities on the Internet Careers Website including our Careers Newsletter featuring current job vacancies;

The Careers Office is located in the Student Services Centre, in the Faulkner Building just past the AIB bank.

CONTACT DETAILS Amanda Kirk

Careers Officer T +353 42 937024 3 E careers@dkit.ie W www.dkit.ie/car eers

Anne-Marie Gillespie

Careers Information Off icer T +353 42 937024 0 E careers@dkit.ie W www.dkit.ie/car eers

Opening Hours 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday

Sports and Societies DkIT Sports & Societies Office gives you the opportunity to participate in some form of extracurricular activity, whether you are interested in competitive sport or becoming a member of our many active societies, it is our aim to provide something for everyone. There are over 70 active Sports & Societies available to students in DkIT, so make sure you get involved and get active and ensure your time at DkIT is a thoroughly enjoyable and a beneficial experience that will stay with you for many years after you graduate.

CONTACT DETAILS Ciara Patterson Sports & Societies Office r

T

E

+353 42 9370244 sports@dkit.ie societies@dkit.ie

Opening Hours 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday

Sports Facilities Dundalk Institute of Technology has facilities for a variety of sports within the campus, these include: Fitness Suite The Fitness Suite is situated just above the MPC. The facility is open to all students from 12.30 pm – 8:30 pm daily. There is a qualified fitness instructor there to assist, and a specialised programme can be designed and planned around your needs.

Students are charged a minimal membership fee for use of the fitness suite.

There is also a Multi-Purpose Centre (MPC) for indoor activities and outdoor playing fields which cater for all main sports.

Sports Scholarships The Sports Scholarships are a reflection of Dundalk Institute of Technology’s commitment to the development of our top athletes so they are in a position to achieve sporting success, during and after their time at DkIT. This programme supports athletes who have the talent and dedication to combine an academic course with excellence in sport.

These Scholarships allow students the following benefits: * Sports Science Support * Free Use of Facilities * Free Sports Clothing * Vouchers for canteen, photocopying, printing * Financial Assistance – funding towards your given sport Applications are welcome from elite athletes who participate at international, national, interprovincial, inter-county or senior club level and who are full-time registered students in DkIT. The closing date for applications is normally late October. Further information on the Sports Scholarship Programme can be obtained from the Sports and Societies Office.

Students Union All full-time registered students in Dundalk Institute of Technology are automatically members of the Students Union. The Students Union is the representative body for the students of DkIT. It is an organisation run by students to represent student views, protect their rights and provide the services that make college life run smoothly.

CONTACT DETAILS James Clarke Union President E

DkIT Students Union has three main aims: * To represent students views * To protect students rights * To provide vital services for students The Union also represents its members on college committees to outside organisations as well as running major campaigns. There are two elected sabbatical officers who run the various aspects of the Union on a day to day basis along with other union staff. If you come to DkIT remember, it’s Your Union, Your Voice, so get involved from day one! The Students Union is located on the Ground Floor, Faulkner Building opposite the AIB ATM machine.

prez@dkitsu.ie

David Branigan Union Vice-President E

viceprez@dkitsu.ie

Geraldine Byrne

Student’s Union Sec

retary

+353 42 9370390 +353 86 8223861 E info@dkitsu.i e W www.dkitsu.ie T

M

Opening Hours 9am – 5pm Monday to Fr

T +353 42 9370 240 E studentservices@dkit.ie

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Student Support Services

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