London
GCU London
Student Handbook 2016-17
Scottish Charity no. SC022887
CONTENTS
Page FULL TIME Officers
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Students’ Association & ideas
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Class reps & GCU London rep
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Advice & Support
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London Leadership Programme
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Events, Events Team & Societies
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Sport & Gym, The Edit & Radio Caley
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Living & Studying in London
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About Us
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Strategic Plan
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Impact 14
/GCUstudentsLondon
@GCUstudents /GCUstudents
@GCU_students
As a GCU student you are automatically a member of GCU Students’ Association. Primarily we are here to represent you to improve your GCU student experience. We also provide lots of services and activities that are explained in this handbook. We want you to feel part of the GCU community and Be part of something… Bigger. Use your GCU username and password to login our website to buy tickets for events, join a club or society, volunteer, submit an idea, vote in our elections and change your email communication preference.
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Full Time Officers
Every year we elect four full time officers. These officers are paid positions based at the Glasgow Campus and represent all GCU students to the University and Nationally, through the National Union of Students (NUS). The elections take place in March and information about them will be available from December. Any GCU student can stand in the elections. Lauren Ramage, Student President, is the Full Time Officer with responsibility for overseeing the student experience at GCU London and works alongside the GCU London Rep. If you have any questions or comments please don’t hesitate to contact Lauren.
Student President Lauren Ramage
Vice President GSBS Jodie Waite
E: President@GCUstudents.co.uk T: 0141 273 1601 @GCUStudents_SP /GCUStudentsSP
E: VP.GSBS@GCUstudents.co.uk T: 0141 273 1602 @VP_GSBS /GCUStudentsGSBS
Vice President SEBE Chris Daisley
Vice President SHLS Kevin Campbell
E: VP.SEBE@GCUstudents.co.uk T: 0141 273 1616 @VP_SEBE /GCUStudentsSEBE
E: VP.SHLS@GCUstudents.co.uk T: 0141 273 1612 @VP_SHLS /GCUStudentsSHLS
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Students’ Association
The Students’ Association Office is located on Level 1 next to the Reception Desk in the Student Office. The Students’ Association employs the Students’ Association Co-ordinator at GCU London who will be happy to chat to you if you need support or want to get involved.
Scarlett Hooper Students’ Association Co-ordinator (GCU London) T: 0141 331 8943 E: London@GCUstudents.co.uk Office Hours Mon to Thu: 11am to 7pm Fri: 9-5pm
Ideas
We’re always open to embracing new initiatives, projects and causes that help GCU students, so your new ideas are always welcome. You can make a difference by sharing your ideas for improving the student experience. Whether it’s a small change that would improve your day to day experience at GCU London or something much bigger you think we should be campaigning for, we want to hear about it so that we can work with you to make it happen. www.GCUstudents.co.uk/ideas
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GCU London Rep
The GCU London Rep is responsible for representing the views of GCU London students and taking part in high level meetings at the London Campus, campaigning to improve your student experience while working closely with the Students’ Association Co-ordinator and the Full Time Officers. If you are interested in becoming this years GCU London Rep, contact the Students’ Association Co-ordinator.
Class Representatives
We’re here to make sure that as a student your needs are represented at every level. Every programme within the University should have Class Representatives at every level – usually two but sometimes more. Class Reps are there to let lecturers know when there are problems so that things can get fixed quickly rather than turning into a bigger problem. They are also there to let lecturers know what students like about the course so that they will know to keep doing them! In the first few weeks of term, your lecturers should ask students on your programme if they are interested in becoming a Class Representative. If they don’t, then ask your lecturers about it. Anyone can be a Class Representative – you don’t need any experience and it doesn’t take up a lot of time (only two meetings a year). Full training and support provided. Being a Class Representative is a good way to develop communication skills, make useful contacts within your department and add something to your CV. www.GCUstudents.co.uk/classreps
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Advice and Support
The Students’ Association provides a free non-judgemental and confidential service to all GCU students. If you experience difficulties during your studies we are here to help. We are independent to GCU and provide confidential advice, guidance and representation to students on academic procedures such as Mitigating Circumstances, Academic Appeals, Student Disciplinary, Complaints and Harassment issues.
Advice and support is available from the Students’ Association Co-ordinator. Contact her by phone, email or face to face by dropping in to her office (Level 1 next to the Reception Desk in the Student Office). Monday to Thursday: 11am to 7pm, Friday: 9-5pm Call: 0141 331 8943 london@GCUstudents.co.uk
We also offer advice on a wide range of other issues including: • Problems on your course: Difficulties with fellow students or tutor? Do you feel your course is not right for you? • Representation for Disciplinaries: Information on your rights and responsibilities including minor and major offences e.g. plagiarism, cheating, and anti-social behaviour. • Listening and support: Coming to a new University can be daunting and
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challenging. If you just want to talk and need someone to listen in complete confidence or you might be worried about a friend, then pop in, as we are here to help. • Financial worries: Why not come in and talk us about it? If appropriate we can refer you to other services. • Sexual Health: Do you want information about your sexual health? We can provide confidential advice and have links with sexual health organisations in London.
London Leadership Programme
The London Leadership Programme is open to all GCU London students. We will help you identify the leadership competencies you want to develop and support you to become an effective leader and develop the attributes sought by employers. Your hard work and completing the programme will be recognised both by GCU and the Students’ Association through a celebration event and a certificate of completion. This straight-forward programme provides you with the opportunity to become a socially responsible leader and transform the lives of others. We are the University for the Common Good. www.GCUstudents.co.uk/London
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Events
The Students’ Association runs loads of exciting and fun events throughout the academic year. Going along to one of our events is great for expanding your social circle, trying something new, relaxing with friends, having some fun and de-stressing from studying. See our Trimester Calendar of Events at www.facebook.com/GCUstudentslondon
Societies
Every society is run by students so activities can be shaped by you and your fellow members. These are course based, culture, faith and liberation groups as well as social, interest and hobby based societies. If you can’t see the society for you then it’s really easy to start your own. Many societies hold weekly activities and regular events. JOIN NOW Visit www.GCUstudents.co.uk/groups and click on GCU London tab or visit the Students’ Association Co-ordinator. START YOUR OWN Come and visit the Students’ Association Co-ordinator or email: London@GCUstudents.co.uk about starting your own society.
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Events Team
We are looking for students to volunteer on our Events Team. You will work with the Students’ Association Co-ordinator to arrange the events for GCU London students and help decide the activities and events we run. Find out more information by visiting the Students’ Association Co-ordinator.
Play Sport / Gym
There are plenty of local gyms, health clubs and sports centres which offer student rates and discounts. We have lots of information and can help you get started. London@GCUstudents.co.uk
The Edit Magazine
The Edit is the Students’ Association award winning magazine written by GCU students for GCU students. It is published in print and online. You can get involved and contribute to the magazine while you study. Topics include fashion, arts, student news, music, writing reviews or any other subject of interest to students. www.GCUstudents.co.uk/theedit
Radio Caley
Radio Caley is the Students’ Association online radio station; it’s organised and co-ordinated by GCU student volunteers. Use the link below to listen in. www.GCUstudents.co.uk/radiocaley
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Living and Studying in London Transport GCU London is located at the heart of London. You can connect with the following Underground lines: District, Circle and Hammersmith & City Lines, Central Line and Overground. Alternatively you can also use National Rail or Bus and Bike Routes. Local stations include: Aldgate East, Aldgate, Liverpool Street, Shoreditch Highstreet and Whitechapel.
Places of Worship in London There are a huge number of places of worship local to GCU, no matter your religion we can support you to find somewhere locally to suit you! If you want a tour of the local area, need help finding your way around or want ideas for places to visit contact the Students’ Association Co-ordinator Tel: 0141 331 8943 Email: London@GCUstudents.co.uk
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Places to check out in London Spitafields Market: Located less than 5 mins from campus, this is one of London’s oldest markets with an impressive array of shopping, restaurants and cafés. Look out for bespoke vintage, art and stalls. Shoreditch: A unique area located in the triangle of Old Street, Great Eastern Street and Shoreditch Highstreet. Full to the brim of ramshackle bars and clubs, independent shops and urban gritty edge! Westfield and the Olympic Park: Head to Europe’s largest urban shopping mall and wonder out into the impressive Olympic Park full of arts and culture events and get access to the Olympic grounds (Aquatic Centre and Velodrome) all at reasonable costs! West End and the theatre district: The possibilities are endless in London’s West End: See London’s Luxury market on Bond Street and Covent Garden, see a world renowned musical or play in the West End theatre district or head to Leicester Square for some of London’s best Nightclubs. Southbank: Located off of London’s Embankment and only a short distance from Parliament and the London Eye, walk alongside the Thames and visit one of London’s most cultural and must visits sites.
About Us
All GCU students are automatically members of GCU Students’ Association. www.GCUstudents.co.uk/aboutus
Mission
Vision
To represent and enable GCU students to enhance all aspects of their student experience.
That GCU students will have an outstanding experience that will live with them forever.
Community Diversity
Participation
Our Values Leadership
Fun
Support
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Strategic Plan
We have undertaken comprehensive research with our members to create our Strategic Plan. It sets out what we will be focussing on over the next four years so that every student at GCU (and valued member) gets the most out of university life. It’s about working together with our student members, not just for them. It’s what being a student-led democratic charity and membership organisation is about. www.GCUstudents.co.uk/strategicplan
Where everyone belongs
Where you can try new ideas
Where everyone can grow
Where everyone can work together
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Impact
The difference we have recently made for GCU students, our members. www.GCUstudents.co.uk/impact
We campaigned to ensure that current and prospective students were consulted about changes to course programmes (called Portfolio Refresh).
We doubled the number of student reps on Senate (GCU’s highest academic committee) to ensure the student voice is listened to when important decisions are made.
We stopped GCU from increasing the cost of re-sitting a module from £40 to £300.
We stopped GCU from introducing exam resit fees of £40. (In August 2014 we saved students £88,000 from not having to pay these fees).
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Course timetables are now produced and available to students significantly earlier than in previous years, for instance 2 ½ months earlier in Trimester 2 2015/16.
London
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