Your campus guide: Colchester 2013

Your campus guide

Colchester Campus Second edition academic year 2013-14

Square 1

Welcome to Your campus guide

Contents Supporting your studies

2

Colchester Campus edition

Accommodation

6

IT services

8

We hope this guide gives you a full flavour of life on our Colchester Campus, and points you to the many services and facilities here to support you during your experience of living and learning at Essex.

Our Colchester Campus is one of three University campuses. All three are friendly and supportive so provide the perfect place for you to study, make friends, pursue new interests and enjoy yourself. Each campus is different, but they all share the same approach to delivering an exceptional learning experience.

Our Colchester Campus is set in beautiful parkland with an incredibly diverse community of students from more than 130 countries. Our Southend Campus, in the heart of Southend-onSea, and just a short walk from the beach, has outstanding modern facilities for students and business. Our Loughton Campus is home to the world-famous East 15 Acting School with fast links to central London.

Careers, employability and experience

10

Food and drink

12

Support and your wellbeing

16

Every map you could possibly need

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Emergency and useful telephone numbers

19

Arts, entertainment and clubs

21

Sport and societies

23

Money matters

25

Our parkland

27

Shops, banks and other useful places

28

Travel

30

Find out what’s going on – or make it happen! 34 Graduation and alumni

36

Southend Campus

Your campus guide 1

The new Student Centre and extension to our Albert Sloman Library is planned for completion late 2014

Supporting your studies Whatever level of study you are following at Essex, you are here to receive a high quality education. We are committed to research-led teaching and the personal development of all our students. During your time here, University staff and services will support you in demonstrating your academic potential, and in developing the knowledge and skills required for your future graduate career.

Departments, schools and centres

Albert Sloman Library

Our University has 25 academic departments centres and schools, within three faculties – Humanities, Social Sciences, and Science and Health. Each is responsible for teaching and research within a defined subject area, and there are also academic centres conducting teaching and research on a smaller scale. All are strongly committed to research and this underpins the design and teaching of all Essex courses. Every course is allocated to a home department, school or centre, and most have academic and administrative staff with specific responsibilities for new undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Our Albert Sloman Library on Square 5 is here to help and support you throughout your studies. Our library has long opening hours and is open for 24 hours a day in the weeks leading up to exam time. We provide access to a wide range of learning resources, including books, journals, British and foreign-language newspapers, databases, microfilms and audio-visual materials. With a variety of silent and group study areas, as well as access to networked PCs on all floors, our library offers a pleasant and safe environment in which you can work. For more information, pick up a copy of the library guide at registration. libwww.essex.ac.uk E libline@essex.ac.uk

Useful information in the online handbook

Vibrant new buildings underway

A good starting point to find out more about services for you at our Colchester Campus is to take a look at our online student handbook. www.essex.ac.uk/student_handbook Whether you’re a new or continuing student, these webpages provide essential information, including details about your campus, academic arrangements, academic and support services, facilities, and tuition fees, loans and bursaries.

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During this academic year we will be constructing and opening a number of new buildings on our Colchester Campus to enhance your experience here. These include The Meadows new student accommodation (autumn 2013), a state-of-the-art eco building to house our Essex Business School (winter 2013), and the biggest project, our new Student Centre and extension to our Albert Sloman Library (winter 2014), which will be situated next to the Library and the lake on Square 5. The Student Centre will include a

one-stop-shop for accommodation, payments, registry and student welfare, and many other vibrant new spaces including new IT learning hub facilities and a new media centre for our Students' Union.

Starting your course Registry staff are here to register you in your studies, provide documentation, support and guidance on matters such as changing courses or taking a break from your studies, module enrolment, registration cards, and transcripts and certificates once you have finished your studies. The Registry also provides examination results and evidence of sponsorship for overseas student visas. Find us by taking the entrance to the right of the Campus Shop on Square 4, go up to level 6, turn left and follow the signs for Registry, room 6.116. In addition to our extensive webpage, our student request portal lets you carry out many transactions remotely. www.essex.ac.uk/esf

Perfecting your study skills Our University has a very well-resourced skills centre that provides assessment, credit modules, training and one-to-one support for all students on a range of key academic and employment skills. These include academic literacy, numeracy, and English language to name a few.

Come and visit our Skills Centre in room 4.204. www.essex.ac.uk/skillscentre

Online learning support Each degree course has extensive materials that relate to it, such as reading lists, that can be found on our online course materials repository (CMR), available to you when you first log in to your University IT account. Our CMR also gives you access to course outlines, course materials, timetables and past exam papers. Moodle is also available to you. This online learning environment gives access to your course materials and allows you to make use of a number of useful built-in facilities to enhance your learning experience, such as discussion forums, chat facilities, quizzes, surveys, glossaries and wikis. Online coursework submission (OCS) allows you to submit digital copies of assignments to your department via the internet. Questionmark Perception is an online application that allows you to take online surveys, assessments, and tests. Your tutor may use it for delivering online exams. Our online student portal, myLife, lets you record thoughts and activities of any variety using a blog, as well as create work and social spaces that allow you to prepare academic work and keep in touch with fellow students.

Finally, our personal response system (PRS) handheld technology allows you to provide almost instantaneous feedback to your lecturer in the classroom or lecture hall.

Your campus guide 3

Finding teaching rooms

Listen Again

Personal development planning

So you have a map of all rooms on campus (see the Maps section of this guide) but do you know how to use it? Our University room numbering system can be confusing at first but it does follow a logical process. To find your room, first look at what square you need to be on, then what building you need to go into, then what floor you need to be on, and finally which room you need to find. For example, if your lecture or seminar is in room 4S.6.28, you need to go to Square 4, building 4NW or 4SW, floor 6 and then find the room 28 on that floor. Maps are located near stairwells and you can ask staff around campus for directions too; they will be happy to assist you – but make sure you leave enough time if you are using a room for the first time.

Some of your lectures may be recorded using our Listen Again service, which makes them available for you to hear again via Moodle or the Course Materials Repository (CMR) so you can go over what you may have missed the first time round. listenagain.essex.ac.uk/FAQstudent.aspx

A university education provides you with a unique opportunity to focus on enhancing your knowledge of a particular academic subject as well as explore your career interests and develop yourself personally. Personal development planning (PDP) is a very wellknown and widely used term – in industry, as well as in education – which describes the process of taking a proactive approach to planning your future, and not just in terms of your future career. To help you keep a record of your personal development progress, we have developed our myLife e-portfolio. https://mylife.essex.ac.uk

Find-your-way app Our popular Find-your-way electronic campus map is now online, and available as an app on smartphones and iPhones. findyourway.essex.ac.uk

Peer mentoring If you ever feel confused about where to find things on campus, how to use the library, who’s who in your department, or about getting to know other students – or just feel like having a chat with someone who’s experienced in adjusting to university life, and can give you tips about how to settle in, then a peer mentor is around to help. Many academic departments provide peer mentors; a fellow student who can provide informal support and information to help you settle in to student life. In addition our Students’ Union co-ordinates a peer mentoring scheme for specific groups of students, including mature students, LGBT students and students living off campus. www2.essex.ac.uk/stdsup/peermentoring E mentor@essex.ac.uk

Languages for All This innovative programme provides students with the ability to study a language alongside your degree. All Essex students are eligible for one year of language tuition at no additional cost and tuition in subsequent years is available at a moderate fee.

Languages for All encourages language learning among students to increase employability and intercultural awareness. It does not affect your grades in your core degree and is designed to fit alongside your busy schedule and offers two different modes of study: the Language Express, a taught evening class which takes place once a week, and the

Language Portfolio, online taught modules with tutor support.

In 2013-14 you can study Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Russian and Spanish. Apply for Languages for All modules through myEssex between 9 September and 11 October 2013. www.essex.ac.uk/ study/languagesforall

Study Abroad We value the international dimension of higher education at Essex, and we encourage our students to add a period of study abroad – either to your Essex course, or by attending Essex whilst you’re a student elsewhere. Essex students can include a term or a year abroad in their courses, students from other universities can spend a term or year abroad at Essex and we offer exchange programmes and other relationships with universities across the world. www.essex.ac.uk/ studyabroad/outgoing

A university should provide an experience of living as well as an opportunity for learning.

Square 4: central Colchester Campus is originally designed around five squares - replicated in the University's logo 4 Your campus guide

Sir Albert Sloman, founding Vice-Chancellor of the University of Essex, The Reith Lectures 1963.

Your campus guide 5

The Quays student accommodation

Accommodation The range of University-provided accommodation at our Colchester Campus is all within walking distance of academic departments and campus facilities. Living areas are shared with students from all over the world, giving you the opportunity to make new friends from many backgrounds. To see where accommodation is located, view our map in the centre of this guide.

In your accommodation All single study rooms are centrally heated and fully furnished. They contain standard bedroom furniture, together with a desk and bookshelves.

You need to supply your own bedding and towels. Each kitchen contains a cooker, refrigerator, freezer, microwave oven, kettle, iron, vacuum cleaner, ironing board and storage units.

You will need to bring your own cooking utensils, crockery, cutlery, saucepans and frying pans.

Your Essentials – eat, play, live To make moving in to your new home as stressfree as possible, we have grouped together some of our most popular products and services in one place so you can purchase them in advance of your arrival. Visit: www.everythingessex.co.uk/your-essentials, to purchase your meal plan, Passport to Sport membership, Students' Union entertainment pass, bedding, kitchen and food packs.

Internet and telephone The IT network in all University-provided accommodation is provided by CableCom. You can connect to the internet using the cable in your room, which opens a web browser, and a Studentcom welcome screen appears. If you have already registered for Studentcom you can now log-in using your username and password. If you have not already registered for StudentCom, you can select ‘sign up’ and 6 Your campus guide

complete the instructions to get connected.

Internet access is free of charge, and access to any University PC in our labs is free.

T 0844 943 1170 T 01275 793412 E support@studentcom.co.uk Voice over IP (VoIP) is available in your room for telephone calls, so you can make telephone calls from your PC. When you register for internet access you can register for the telephone service and download a softphone to make free phone calls to University departments and support services. For a small deposit you can request a digital handset from Accommodation and receive your personal telephone number. (If you require technical assistance please call or e-mail Studentcom, contact details above).

TV licence Studentcom provides a television service through the portal, and a selection of free-to-view channels are available. You will also have the option of paying for additional channels. If you use this service, have a TV in your room, or if you watch TV on your laptop, you must buy a TV licence. Some accommodation has aerial points, but others require a free-standing TV aerial which you will need to buy. www.tvlicensing.co.uk T 0844 800 6734

Collecting and sending mail Details of the full postal address for your accommodation can be found on your letter of allocation, or in the accommodation welcome book which was available in your room when you arrived, or at www.essex.ac.uk/accommodation.

Post is delivered to the residences during the week. Some larger items or items requiring a signature may need to be collected from the University Post Room, on floor two below our Campus Shop. You can send mail to the UK, Europe or the rest of the world from our Post Office on Square 4.

Residential support Our Residents’ Support Network is here to help you settle in and support you during your time living in University-provided accommodation.

Each Residents’ Assistant (RA) is assigned an area and will aim to get to know you, and organise a range of social activities. Plus they can help if you have concerns and complaints and they operate an on-call rota, from 5pm to 9am.

The Towers The four towers located to the north side of campus are William Morris, Tawney, Keynes and Rayleigh and the two towers located to the south side of campus are Bertrand Russell and Eddington.

The Houses Anne Knight, Isaac Rebow, Josephine Butler, Richard Wood, Swaynes and Thomas Hopper.

South Courts Alresford, Brightlingsea, Frinton, Harwich, Manningtree, Rowhedge, Thaxted and Walton.

University Quays Situated on the northern edge of the campus close to the Colne Estuary.

The Meadows New student accommodation opening autumn 2013, between the central campus and University Quays.

Wivenhoe House If you have family or friends coming to stay, Wivenhoe House is our luxury hotel on campus, which has been extensively refurbished and re-opened in 2012. www.wivenhoehouse.co.uk Your campus guide 7

IT services We provide a range of IT services and support to help you while you learn and study – from online coursework resources to a digital recording service that lets you listen again to your lectures.

Computers on campus

Shared IT space

E-mail access

There are more than 800 high-quality open access PCs, connected to our high-speed JANET University network located within 17 labs across campus, called Labs A – Q. You may use these for study or work-related tasks and for printing documents, and some are used for teaching purposes. Many stay open until late and some are open for 24 hours – you can view the availability of labs in real-time at www.essex.ac.uk/it/labs/usage. An extensive range of software is available and supported on the University’s lab PCs, from Adobe Reader to Zoomtext. www2.essex.ac.uk/cs/services/ software/showall.asp

IT workspaces are located in the Orangery (Square 3 within Zest cafe) and the Limehouse (floor three below our School of Law foyer, off Square 4) for working in groups. They are also used for some teaching, on a first-come-firstserved basis.

All registered students are given a University e-mail account. You can access your University e-mail account via the web at: https://email.essex.ac.uk/. E-mail remains an important means of communicating with students, and is used to tell you about important information relating to your studies and other issues such as welfare, so please check your University e-mail account regularly.

Further information about the use of e-mail at Essex, including FAQs and how to access your University e-mail on smartphones or via other programmes, is online. www2.essex.ac.uk/cs/services/email/default

The Limehouse, offering eight shared IT pods for creative groupworking

IT helpdesk Our IT helpdesk, along the corridor off the corner of Square 4 in 4SW.5.4, is open from 8.30am – 6.00pm Monday to Thursday, and 8.30am to 5.45pm Friday, closing between 9am and 10am Wednesday to replenish computer lab consumables. Our friendly IT helpdesk staff can help you with any computing problem you may have – from logging on to accessing the campus Wi-Fi network. Our helpdesk also stocks USB memory devices, blank CDR/RWs, blank DVDR/RWs, various HP laser printer and inkjet cartridges, printer cables, mice and keyboards. www2.essex.ac.uk/cs/help/helpdesk

Online coursework resources Links and information to further resources for your coursework are online at: http://courses.essex.ac.uk. The coursework materials repository (CMR), Moodle and other online learning support tools are highlighted in the Supporting your studies section of this booklet.

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E-mail lists As a student, you will be on a number of University e-mail lists. Some are mandatory and reflect your current course, modules, department, year and so on. You cannot unsubscribe from these lists but they will primarily be used to send out important information relating to your studies. You will also automatically be subscribed to a small number of opt-out lists, again, based on your course. These will be used to send useful

information and, while some of this may be about events, marketing or other opportunities, we try to avoid sending too much. To opt in or out of such lists, visit: www.essex.ac.uk/contact/mailinglists. We do not send out marketing information unless you have opted in to it.

Audiovisual and media services Our University has a wide range of audiovisual and media services available to support your studies, from teaching technologies to a new state-of-the-art Media Centre with adjoining tv studios and editing suites for film studies students, for podcasting and vodcasting use, and for hire. Our main audiovisual office is located at the back of the Lecture Theatre Building, off Square 3. Our Media Centre is located along the corridor two flights below the Students’ Union Bar, off Square 3.

You can access your University e-mail account via the web at: https://email.essex.ac.uk Your campus guide 9

It’s never too soon to start planning for your future

Careers, employability and experience During your time as a student it is important to start preparing for your future, and there are many services at Essex to help you; from identifying skills which can be developed within your course, to job hunting and professional development workshops, and activities and experience including work placements, internships, volunteering and studying abroad.

Visit our Employability and Careers Centre

frontrunners – the on-campus work placement scheme

Careers advisors and specialists are available to give you valuable advice throughout your time at Essex and beyond. We offer one-to-one advice and guidance, job-hunting workshops and online access to graduate job vacancies and part-time and temporary jobs – and local newspapers. We also offer employer presentations, careers fairs, placement and internship schemes, dedicated international careers advisors, help with work-related issues, information on rights within the workplace and the JobsOnline web search. www.essex.ac.uk/careers essex.prospects.ac.uk

One of the best ways to enrich your Essex experience and develop your employability profile is to get involved in the University’s unique placement scheme, frontrunners. This will give you the opportunity to undertake meaningful employment around campus and develop skills necessary to compete for the best jobs. The scheme is open to all University of Essex students, offering paid on-the-job training. Placements are between one and three terms in length and up to 10 hours per week during term time, and 15 hours per week over the summer. frontrunners will also help you to develop your ability to reflect on and articulate the skills you acquire. At the end of 2011, 100 per cent of students involved in Frontrunners said that they would recommend the experience to a friend! www.essex.ac.uk/frontrunners

e

The Big ssex Award The Big essex Award is an exciting initiative that helps you get more from your Essex degree. Being a graduate is a significant asset in the world of work, but having a degree alone is often not enough to secure the best jobs. The Big essex Award is about all the other stuff you get from university life – from experience and enterprise initiatives to engagement with activities such as volunteering – to help boost your employability on top of achieving your degree qualification. Don’t wait until the last few months of your study – find out more online. www.essex.ac.uk/bige

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Student ambassadors Our student ambassadors scheme invites current students to help to promote the University and higher education, get paid for it, and gain good experience. As a student ambassador you can get involved in a range of opportunities to support the work of our University, such as helping our student recruitment team with open days, campus tours, higher education fairs, school talks, clearing,

campus visits and summer schools and our events team with high-level University events such as Graduation. We also require student ambassadors to help our outreach team, to visit schools and tell potential students about the options available to them. Student ambassadors are normally recruited each year at the start of the autumn term. www.essex.ac.uk/students/ambassadors

Students’ Union jobs Essex Students’ Union is recognised as a world-class employer and is the first Students’ Union to be awarded the Investors in People Gold Standard. The SU employs more than 400 permanent, part-time and student staff and invests heavily in helping them to make a real difference to the student experience. Working for the Students’ Union provides a fantastic opportunity to excel in a vibrant, professional and fast-paced environment. www.essexstudent.com/jobs

Volunteering There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer during your time at Essex, which can benefit our University or the local community, as well as further boost your experience and employability.

The Students’ Union operates the vTeam, which offers students the chance to participate in volunteering activities. The vTeam provides training, CRB checks, monitoring and evaluation and advice – while making volunteering accessible, fun and enjoyable. From art to trampolining projects, the vTeam is involved in a number of initiatives, and is always looking for more volunteers to take part, have fun and boost their experience. www.essexstudent.com/activities/ volunteering/get_involved Other volunteering opportunities are offered through our Students’ Union Advice Centre, Residents’ Support Network and Nightline, so keep a look out for their recruitment publicity.

Other jobs on and off campus

Essex Abroad

As well as our University and the Students’ Union, there are lots of other places where you might want to explore to find part-time or seasonal work as you study – from local newspapers, the local job centre, Jobseeker Direct, and local recruitment and employment agencies. www.essex.ac.uk/careers/information_ work/other_places.shtm

We encourage all our students to add an international dimension to their studies and career plans. Opportunities include studying, working, volunteering and researching abroad. www.essex.ac.uk/careers/international

Your campus guide 11

Food and drink Our Colchester Campus has a wide and varied choice of venues to meet, eat and drink – catering for many tastes. Some are operated by our Students’ Union and others by our University hospitality team, but all aim to provide good quality produce and value for money, often using locally-sourced and Fairtrade products.

Zest café on Square 3

Top Bar and Fusion – Square 4 (above Barclays bank) Opened in January 2012, our refurbished Top Bar and new Fusion restaurant offer stylish venues to eat, drink, socialise and relax.

Showcasing our Students’ Union’s proud heritage, Top Bar is a laidback place to enjoy a drink, catch up with friends or study. Next to it, Fusion offers a wide range of authentic south east Asian cuisine from light bites to main meals, freshly cooked to order in our open wok kitchen with friendly, efficient table service.

A take away service is also available. Fusion can also be hired for larger group events such as birthday parties, with set menus available on request. www.essex.ac.uk/catering/colchester/ fusion.aspx www.essex.ac.uk/catering/colchester/ top_bar.aspx

SU Bar – Square 3 A legendary destination on campus, our SU Bar is the largest bar and restaurant on campus.

Serving as a social hub for students, our SU Bar offers a packed menu of quality food that doesn’t cost the earth, from full English breakfasts through to tasty salads and pizzas.

Our SU Bar also hosts popular night-time events like pub quizzes and karaoke, as well as showing all of the biggest sporting events on a giant screen and 14 plasma TVs, giving you the 12 Your campus guide

perfect view of the action, wherever you sit. www.essex.ac.uk/catering/colchester/ su_bar.aspx

Canteen – Square 3 Open seven days a week, Canteen serves ‘a taste of home’, offering traditional English breakfasts, roasts, fish and chips and dishes from around the world. Daily menu options feature meat, vegetarian and fish dishes, freshly prepared by our chefs. www.essex.ac.uk/catering/colchester/ canteen.aspx

Happy Days diner – Square 4 Happy Days is an American-style diner with vintage decor and a menu full of modern favourites including burgers, hot dogs, pizzas, jacket potatoes, bagels and wraps, chilli, shakes and sodas, cakes and pies plus a range of appetisers. There is seating for 112 plus additional outdoor seating, Sky TV on two large screens and a classic Wurlitzer juke box providing further entertainment. www.essex.ac.uk/catering/colchester/ happy_days.aspx

Blues Café – Square 4 (above Santander bank) A large bright, modern eating and social space overlooking Square 4, Blues Café has a warm

and relaxed atmosphere. It serves a range of ‘bean to cup’ coffee, speciality teas and cold drinks, tasty snacks and cakes. The Deli Bar provides freshly baked breads and rolls with a variety of fillings, as well as jacket potatoes, hot meals, a salad bar, a carvery and soups. www.essex.ac.uk/catering/colchester/blues_ cafe.aspx

Frango’s – off Square 3 next to the Lecture Theatre Building Frango’s serves a range of marinated chicken with spices from Europe, South America and Mexico. The menu also offers light bites, tapas and delicious vegetarian options. The restaurant also has a vibrant cocktail bar for night time events. www.essex.ac.uk/catering/colchester/ frangos.aspx

bagels, organic cereals and fruit compotes, jacket potatoes, soups, quiches, salads, pates, pastries and cakes plus freshly prepared paninis, flatbreads and sandwiches. Zest is also open for breakfast from 8.30am. www.essex.ac.uk/catering/colchester/ zest.aspx

The Bakery – Square 3 The Bakery is designed for those in a hurry, offering a great range of food and drink to take away throughout the day. Breakfast options include cappuccinos and hot croissants, while lunch onwards is amply covered with a mouth-watering selection of paninis, pasties, sandwiches and cakes, as well as a full range of speciality teas and coffees. www.essex.ac.uk/catering/colchester/the_ bakery.aspx

Zest – Square 3 Zest is a stylish, café with internet facilities and an adjoining group IT learning space, the Orangery. Specialising in locally-sourced food and drinks, and speciality teas and coffees, Zest is a comfortable venue for study or socialising in vibrant surroundings. Food includes filled

Did you know?

Inside Zest café is the orangery, which offers IT pods, open 24/7.

Your campus guide 13

Refresh – Square 3 A popular ‘grab and go’ outlet specialising in freshly filled sandwiches, baguettes, warm pastries and pies, and a selection of drinks all to take away. www.essex.ac.uk/catering/colchester/ refresh.aspx

Lakeside Café – Square 5

Frango's - opened in October 2012 serving chicken, light bites and vegetarian options

The Lakeside Café in our Lakeside Theatre foyer offers hot and cold drinks, paninis and pastries, sandwiches, cakes and snacks. From 6pm on show nights, the Lakeside Café becomes a bar run by the theatre, serving alcoholic drinks, soft drinks and bar snacks. It seats 20 plus additional outdoor seating, and offers excellent views of the lakes and landscape of Wivenhoe Park. www.essex.ac.uk/catering/colchester/ lakeside_theatre_cafe.aspx

SU Campus Shop – Square 4 Open 24 hours a day during term time, our SU Campus Shop is a convenient, affordable and quality mini supermarket on your doorstep. It aims to cover all of your daily needs, selling a wide range of student-focused products, including groceries, fresh fruit and vegetables, ready meals, sandwiches, sweets and drinks. There are also newspapers and magazines, toiletries, tobacco and alcohol.

In addition, our SU Campus Shop offers a mobile top-up service, a cash-back service and accepts all major credit and debit cards.

Lakeside Theatre café and bar is open during the day and for evening performances in the Lakeside Theatre

Nom Nom’s Nom Nom’s is the SU’s new late-night takeaway food outlet serving all those tasty treats after a night out – everything from burgers to baps. The Nomster makes sure

Top Bar – refurbished and re-opened in 2012

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you’re fed before you go to bed – staying open until 4am! www.essexstudent.com/eat_drink_ shop/nomnoms

Go-Go Global – off Square 3 (in the SU mini mall) Reflecting the global nature of our students, Go Go Global is our dedicated international shop on campus, selling an exciting selection of food, drink and ingredients from around the world.

We stock Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Greek, Mexican, Turkish and Kosher food products, and also sell woks and chopsticks. www.essexstudent.com/eat_drink_shop/ go_go_global

Limehouse – off Square 4 The Limehouse provides shared IT workspace, located from the School of Law foyer off Square 4, on level three. The Limehouse also has vending facilities serving hot and cold drinks and snacks, for late-night refreshment while studying. Other vending machines are also located across campus.

Special diets Our University aims to cater for all, including those with special dietary requirements that relate to health or other concerns. www.essex.ac.uk/catering/hospitalityessex/ special_diets.aspx

The Essex Experience Sign up to The Essex Experience mailing list and be kept up-to-date with the latest deals and offers on campus. www.essex.ac.uk/uecs/the_essex_ experience

www.essex.ac.uk/catering Your campus guide 15

Support and your wellbeing Living with people you don’t know, essay deadlines, a busy social life, making time for study, health issues, exam pressures – student life isn’t always easy. At times you may need a little help to reach your academic aims. A range of services are located at our Colchester Campus to support you when you need them – just find us and ask.

The campus parkland offers space for relaxation

Student Support Our Student Support team offers confidential advice on many issues including financial concerns, immigration issues and support to disabled students. We have help online, too, or call in during our opening hours – we are situated above the Campus Shop between Squares 3 and 4. Student Support also operates our Residents’ Support Network – see the Accommodation section in this booklet.

Opening hours – term time Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10-4pm, Tuesday and Thursday 1-4pm. www2.essex.ac.uk/stdsup T 01206 872365 E sso@essex.ac.uk

Students’ Union Advice Centre The SU Advice Centre offers free, confidential, independent and impartial advice on any issue that might be affecting you. Our friendly, trained staff are on hand to support you throughout your time at Essex, including help with education, health, housing, immigration and money. Our aim is to give you sound, studentfriendly advice so that you can get back on with enjoying student life. You can call into the SU Advice Centre on Square 3 (next to Lloyds TSB) any time between 10am and 4pm each weekday during term time. You can also check out online advice and support. www.essexstudent.com/advice 16 Your campus guide

T 01206 874034 E suadvice@essex.ac.uk

Security patrol officers Our Information Centre, situated on Square 3 is staffed by University patrol officers to help you 24 hours a day. Our officers are friendly, approachable and willing to assist and all are first aid trained. You can contact them externally on telephone: 01206 872125 or in University accommodation on StudentCom PC phone: 224 2125.

In an emergency, always call 224 2222 (from a University StudentCom PC phone) rather than police, fire or ambulance services direct – our patrol staff guide these services to the correct location on campus.

Information for international students Details about pre-arrival guidance, visas, useful information on living in the UK, and additional information and support for international students is online. www.essex.ac.uk/ish

Nightline Nightline is a friendly help and support service run by students, for students. Nightline at our Colchester Campus is open during term-time from 10pm to 8am, on the ground floor of Keynes Tower. Our team works under strict confidentiality that ensures anonymity for all, and is always willing to listen. From tea and toast to camp beds, whether you’re waiting for a taxi, need a revision break, or just want to chat, you’re welcome to visit or phone the Nightline flat. privatewww.essex.ac.uk/~nl/newsite/index.html www.essex.ac.uk/nightline

Your health As a student, you are required to register with a local doctor throughout your period of study, whether you live on or off campus. It is advisable to register as soon as possible after you arrive at Essex, in case you should suddenly need medical treatment. Our Colchester Campus has its own health centre offering NHS services including appointments with doctors, a nurse triage system for emergencies during opening hours, and specialist nurse clinics including asthma, diabetes, sexual health and contraception.

The centre is operated by our NHS partners Rowhedge Surgery and you can find out more online. www.rowhedgesurgery.co.uk T 01206 794484 (on campus ext: 3699)

Further information on medical matters, absence from tuition and medical certification, prescriptions and dental treatment is online. www.essex.ac.uk/support/health

Your emotional wellbeing University can be an exciting experience when you may leave home, make new friends and study in an academic environment. However, sometimes it can be a difficult time; you may feel homesick, worried about money and pressures of study, or feel that you are ‘not fitting in’. These emotions are very common and usually subside as you begin to settle into your new life. Sometimes, however, difficult feelings can become overwhelming and develop into anxiety, depression or other types of mental health problems. If you start to feel like you are not coping, the pressures of student life are getting you down or you have an emotional problem or difficulty that is interfering with your Square 3

Your campus guide 17

Every map you could possibly need studies then it is a good idea to seek help as soon as possible. At Essex, help and support is available for students who are experiencing emotional distress. We have specialist advisers within Student Support available to offer confidential counselling, mentoring and other support to any student experiencing mental or emotional health difficulties. We can also provide support to students with long-term mental health conditions, including help in applying for Disabled Students’ Allowance. If you want more information about support available, or to book an initial assessment please e-mail: mhc@essex.ac.uk.

Disabled students Our University has a strong tradition of encouraging and supporting disabled students including those with mental health difficulties or specific learning difficulties, long term medical conditions and temporary conditions (for example, broken limbs). We aim to create an accessible and enabling environment. We have extensive provision for disabled students which includes: needs assessment; advice on Disabled Students’ Allowance and other funding; advice on extenuating circumstances due to illness; study strategies tuition; mentoring; learning support (eg note-takers, taped lectures); individual exam arrangements; advice on accessible accommodation and parking. www.essex.ac.uk/access E disab@essex.ac.uk 18 Your campus guide

Harassment advisory network As an international community that is home to students from more than 135 countries, our Colchester Campus is multicultural and diverse, and we encourage a culture of dignity and respect. To that end, we are committed to upholding an environment that is free from any form of harassment or bullying. Though rare, these incidents can occur and if they do our network of trained harassment advisors is on hand to help. www.essex.ac.uk/eo/harassment/ currentadvisers.htm

Faith groups on campus Our University is a secular institution that recognises and supports the wide variety of religions and beliefs represented on campus amongst its student population. As part of this we seek to ensure the availability of facilities and opportunities for worship for our students, offering space for prayer or quiet reflection.

Among the groups you can join are: Anglican; Baptist Union; Catholic; Chinese Christian Fellowship; Christian Union; Congregational; Friends International; Greek Orthodox; Islamic Society; Jesus is Alive Fellowship; Jewish Community; Methodist; Society of Friends (Quakers); Unitarian, and United Reformed. www2.essex.ac.uk/chaplaincy

Finding your teaching rooms The University room numbering system can be confusing, especially for new students.

The best way to find your room is to first look at what Square you need to be on, then what building you need to go into, then what floor you need to be on and finally which room you need to find. For example, if your lecture or seminar is in room 4S.6.28, you need to go to Square 4, building 4NW or 4SW, floor 6 and then find the room .28 on the floor. Not all rooms are off Squares – so this map will also help you.

Room

Entrance

Level

1N1.4.1 2S2.3.02 2S2.5.06 2S2.5.20 2S2.5.26 2.404 2.405 2.406 2.407 2.408 2.409 2.410 2.411 3.008 3.105 3.108 3.318 3.320 3.405 3.406 3.407 3.408 3.409 3.410 3.411 3.412 3.413 3.501** 4.130 4.137 4.139 4.309 4.311 4.336 4.722 4N.2.3** 4S.6.28 4SB.5.3 5.300A 5.300B 5A.106 5A.108 5A.118 5A.120 5A.303 5A.324 5A.325 5A.330 5A.332 5B.105 5B.111 5B.111A 5B.114 5B.124 5B.126 5B.202 5B.330 5B.332 5N.3.2 5N.3.7 5N.3.10 5N.3.11 5N.4.6

1NW 3SW 3SW 3SW 3SW 2NE 2NE 2NE 2NE 2NE 2NE 2NE 2NE 4NW, 3NE 4NW, 3NE 4NW, 3NE 2NE 2NE 2NE 2NE 2NE 2NE 2NE 2NE 2NE 2NE 2NE 2SW 4NW, 3NE 4NW, 3NE 4NW, 3NE 2NE 2NE 2NE 1W 4NW, 3NE 4NW, 4SW 4SW 2NE, 3NE, 4NW 2NE, 3NE, 4NW 4NW, 3NE 4NW, 3NE 4NW, 3NE 4NW, 3NE 2NE 2NE 2NE 2NE 2NE 4NW, 3NE 4NW, 3NE 4NW, 3NE 4NW, 3NE 4NW, 3NE 4NW, 3NE 4NW, 3NE 2NE 2NE 4NE 4NE 4N 4N 4NE

4 3 5 5 5 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 2 6 5 5 5 5A 5A 5A 5A 5A 5A 5A 5A 5A 5B 5B 5B 5B 5B 5B 5B 5B 5B 3 3 3 3 4

Nearest lift L77 L84 L84 L84 L84 L16 L16 L16 L16 L16 L16 L16 L16 H5 H5 H5 L16 L16 L16 L16 L16 L16 L16 L16 L16 L16 L16 H5, L9 H5, L9 H5, L9 L16 L16 L16 L9 Stairs H3 H6 L16, H5 L16, H5 *H5, L9 *H5, L9 *H5, L9 *H5, L9 *L16, L9 *L16, L9 *L16, L9 *L16, L9 *L16, L9 *H5, L9 *H5, L9 *H5, L9 *H5, L9 *H5, L9 *H5, L9 *H5, L9 *L16, L9 *L16, L9 L58+ L58+ L58+ L58+ L58+

Room

Entrance

Level

5N.4.7 5N.4.8 5N.7.21 5N.7.23 5S.4.4 5S.3.8 5S.3.2 5S.3.4 5S.4.9 5S.4.11 6.106 6.126A 6.300 6.327 6.333 6.345 6.348 6.350 CB 12 VB1-VB14 TC2.6-15 Theatre Studio TC2.1

4NE 4NE 4NE 4NE 4SE 4SE 4SE 4SE 4SE 4SE 4NW 4NW 4NW, 3NE, 2NE 2NE 2NE 2NE 2NE 2NE Constable Building Valley Road Buildings Teaching Centre

4 4 7 7 4 3 3 3 4 4 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 2

Teaching Centre

2

TC1.6-17

Teaching Centre

1

Nearest lift L58+ L58+ L58+, H3 L58+, H3 L58+, H3 H3 H3 H3 L58+, H3 H3 H5 H5 H5, L16 L16 L16 L16 L16 L16 L64, L81, L82 L64, L81, L82 L64, L81, L82

Rooms in the Lecture Theatre Building Room LTB1 LTB2 LTB3 LTB4 LTB5 LTB6

Location Basement Basement Ground Floor Ground Floor First Floor First Floor

Room LTB7 LTB8 LTB9 LTB10 LTBB

Location First Floor First Floor Second Floor Second Floor Ground Floor

Rooms in the Ivor Crewe Lecture Hall Auditorium A Auditorium B LH.1.12 (IC seminar room)

PC labs on campus 4SW.3.6 2.403 4S.5.7 4N.3.9

Lab A Lab B Lab C Lab D

4N.2.6

Lab E

3.300 4N.4.3A

Lab F Lab G

3.403 3.402 4SB.4.14 4S.2.8** 4S.3.6 4S.2.4** 4SW.3.15 4SW.3.4 TC.2.16

Lab H Lab I Lab J Lab K Lab L Lab M Lab N Multi Media Lab O

4SW 2NE 4SW 3NE, 4SW, 4NW 3NE, 4SW, 4NW 2NE 3NE, 4SW, 4NW 2NE 2NE 4SW 4SW 4SW 4SW 4SW 4SW The Tony Rich Teaching Centre

* Wheelchair access through Entrances 4NW or 3NE to Lift H5. Descend to Level 3, and then follow the signs to Lift L9 - Ascend to required level. ** No wheelchair access + Lift is accessed from Entrance 4N

3 2 5B 3

H6 L16 H5

2

H5

3 4

L16 H5

3 3 4 2 3 2 3 3 2

L16 L16 L64 H6 H6 L64, L81, L82

Colchester Campus access map



If you have difficulty evacuating a building in the event of an emergency such as a fire because of a disability (whether permanent or temporary) please e-mail: safety@essex.ac.uk or call: (224) 2944/01206 872944 to arrange a meeting with the Fire Safety Officer, who will assist you in preparing a PEEP.

A guide to step-free routes and access information at the University of Essex (Colchester Campus) Colchester Campus was built in the 1960s in a valley surrounded by sloping parkland. Most limitations of age and terrain have however been successfully addressed over time and today the campus is: 



Well-populated and safe The campus design ensures that there should always be people nearby to direct or assist you if needed.

L81

Visitor car park and taxi rank Health Centre

The Tony Rich Teaching Centre

TAXI

Albert Sloman Library and Lakeside Theatre

L8

L64

North Towers

University Quays (accommodation)

■ Distance from Sq 4: 550m ■ Average gradient: medium (1:13)

■ Distance from Sq 4: 440m

over 100m

L83

■ Gradient: level access (via lift)

■ Maximum gradient: steep (1:8)

■ Surface: step-free; paved

■ Surface: paved; step-free

■ Distance from Sq 3: 1,650m ■ Gradient: mostly slight (note: one steep

N

L58

L9

section: average 1:10, maximum 1:7 over approx. 40m) ■ Surface: step-free; mixture of paved, light gravel and hoggin pathway (w/c accessible in dry conditions) ■ Ramped bridge over railway: 5-6 flights each side, with rest points and handrails.

Ramp gradient: medium (1:13)

5

N

L79

SW

H5

L16

R

4

NW

Valley car park

SE

SW

NE

L74

H3 NE

L22 NW

L77

NW

Podia Entrance

ad Valley Ro

2

Ivor Crewe Lecture Hall

L45

SE SW

S

TAXI

SE

3

SW

NE

SU AC

I

H6

Valley Buildings (temporary)

L17 L23

1

L10

E

W

Parking under podia by arrangement

L49

L84

Parking by arrangement

■ Average gradient: steep (1:10) ■ Maximum gradient: steep (1:9) ■ Surface: step-free; mostly paved

(light gravel on some routes)

R = Reception; I = Information Centre SUAC = Students’ Union Advice Centre

Toilets

■ Average gradient: lower section steep

(1:11), upper section medium (1:12) ■ Maximum gradient: steep (1:7) ■ Surface: step-free; paved ■ Handrails ■ Rest-points on lower section

■ Distance from Sq 1: 210m

Central lifts serving H5: 3, 4, 5, 6 different floor levels L9: 3, 4, 5B, 5A, 6 L16: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

(indicating left or right-handed transfer) ■ Distance from Sq 3: 275m

L80

Lifts All lifts are indicated by L or H numbers Rectangular icons indicate ‘super lifts’ (ie lifts linking square-levels)

Lecture Theatre Building (LTB)

L60 South Courts (accommodation)

Map key

Information Sports Centre and South Courts (accommodation)

L50 Wivenhoe

Warm and dry Wheelchair accessible routes are sometimes a little circuitous, but you can move between almost all departments on central campus without going outside.

Wivenhoe House and Edge Hotel School Constable Building (iLab)

Step-free Central campus has level access throughout, and our departments, teaching spaces, social facilities and most routes (with the exception of steeper outlying gradients) are independently accessible to all.

Compact Our main University buildings are set into the valley around a series of squares. From the centre, you will rarely have to travel very far to reach your destination.

E S

Boundary Road



W

North Towers and The Houses (accommodation)

Colchester



N

Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans

Note: location of changing bench toilet facility is given in ‘locations table’ Some toilets require a RADAR key (available from Information points and Campus Shop on Square 4)

Steps and gradients (direction of arrow indicates incline) Steps (up) Slight (1:20-1:40) Medium (1:12-1:20) Steeper than 1:12

Using the access map

Accessible routes to central locations from the main squares



Note:  Use together with Location of Teaching Rooms map: www.essex.ac.uk/about/campuses/ find_your_way/colchester.aspx and Colchester Campus Access Map: www.essex.ac.uk/access/guides/colchester_access_map.pdf  Only the main locations for each department (and academic centres with a physical location) are listed.

For others, ask in the relevant department office.  Facilities and shops located directly on the squares are not listed.



This map focuses on central campus – its squares, routes, information points, accessible parking and toilets. Access information for outlying destinations is given in information boxes, and online: www.essex.ac.uk/access.

This map is a square-level guide – it shows facilities and routes which are directly accessible at square-level. All other levels and facilities can, however, be easily reached via lift from square-level (see ‘locations’ table for access routes).

Three tips for negotiating central campus 5

Know your squares (and your square-levels)  Five squares dominate central campus, with Squares 3 and 4 at its heart. Most departments, social spaces and facilities are accessed directly from them.  The five squares are set at three different levels. Square numbers do not tally with level numbers, so it pays to know both! Here’s a guide: Sq 1 = level 3; Sq 2/3 = level 4; Sq 4/5 = level 5 Know your compass  The squares sit conveniently on a north-south-east-west axis; their corner entrances are all defined by compass reference points, for example: 4NE = the north-east corner of Square 4

H5

Know your ‘super-lifts’  Some lifts (marked as rectangles) are particularly important because they link different square levels and/or provide access to under-podia where accessible parking for registered student/staff disabled drivers is located.

Pathway information Accessible routes  Pathways which are not advisable as access routes are indicated on the map but not shown in full. The routes shown are those recommended.

Transport   

Accessible parking for visitors Valley car park (3 spaces), beyond Ivor Crewe Lecture Hall.

North Towers car park (2 spaces). Recommended for independent wheelchair access to central campus.

For enquiries about under-podia parking, contact the Security Office, telephone: 01206 872971 (Note: parking for registered student/staff disabled drivers is available by arrangement).

Buses Some low-floor buses run on routes to Colchester, Wivenhoe and beyond, but frequency/times cannot yet be guaranteed. There are bus shelters at all stops.  For more information contact First, telephone: 01206 366911 or online: www.firstgroup.com.

Contact information for key map locations (telephone: 01206 87…)  Reception: Sq 5, T 4321  Information Centre: Sq 3, T 2125  Students’ Union Advice Centre: Sq 3, T 4031 Departments and Centres

Level

School of Biological Sciences School of Computer  Networks Centre Science and Electronic Engineering  Computing Building

4 1,2,3,4 and 5

Economics

3,3A,4B, 4,5B, 5 and 5A 5B

Essex Business School Government

3 4,5, 6 and 7 5A and 5B 5

School of Health and Human Sciences History Human Rights Centre International Academy

4,5 and 6 7 and 8 5 and 6 4

Institute for Social and Economic Research

4, 5B, 5A and 6

Language and Linguistics

4

School of Law Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies

4,5,6 and 7 5A

Mathematical Sciences

6

School of Philosophy and Art History

5B and 6

Centre for Psychoanalytic Studies

6

Psychology (and Centre for Brain Science) Sociology

1,2,3 and 4 6 5A

UK Data Archive

4, 5B, 5A and 6

Advice, Support and Other

Level

Student Support

6

Equality and Diversity Estate Management helpdesk

6 6

Human Resources

6

Find out more

Occupational Health

3



Chaplaincy

3

Accessible toilet with adult changing bench facility

5A





On campus – ask at Reception or the Information Centre (see map).

Online – for further access information, or for a downloadable version of this map, visit: www.essex.ac.uk/access

 Constable building (iLab and Children’s Legal Centre) T 3838  Lakeside Theatre: Sq 5, T 3288  Sports Centre: T 3250  Health Centre: T 01206 794484 (on campus ext. 3699) Entrance Square Corner

Lift

Main Office Room Telephone (01206 87...)

R 3SW.4.06 T 4074 R 4.514 (Computing Building) T 2770

Sq 3 Sq 1 Sq 2 (via footbridge)

SW NW NW

L17 L77

Sq 2 Sq 3 Sq 4 Sq 4 Sq 4 Sq 3 Sq 4 Sq 2 Sq 3 Sq 4 Sq 3 Sq 4 Sq 4 Sq 3 Sq 4 Sq 2 (via footbridge) Sq 3 Sq 4 Sq 4 Sq 3 Sq 4 Sq 2 Sq 3 Sq 4 Sq 3 Sq 4 Sq 4

NW NE NW NW N NE NW NE NE NW SW N SE NE NW N

L22 H5 and L9 (via level 3) H5 L58 H5 and L9 (via level 3) L16 H5 Square-level L84 L58 H3 H5 and L9 (via level 3) L79

NE NW SE NE NW NE NE NW NE NW SW SE W NE NE NW N

H5 and L9 (via level 3) H3 H5 and L9 (via level 3) L16 H5

Sq 1 Sq 2 Sq 3 Sq 4 Sq 2 (via footbridge)

Entrance Square Corner

H5 and L9 (via level 3) H6 H3 L49/50 L16 H5 and L9 (via level 3) L79 Lift

Sq 3 NE H5 Sq 4 NW Sq 4 SE H3 Sq 2 NE L16 Sq 3 NE H5 Sq 4 NW Sq 3 NE H5 Sq 4 NW Sq 3 NE H5 Sq 4 NW Sq 3 NE H5 Sq 4 NW Access via: Social Sciences Research Building (Sq 2 and footbridge), or Department of Sociology (see above)

R 5B.212

T 2728

R 5N.5.6 R 5B.318

T 3072 T 2757

R 2S2.4.02 R 5NW.7.18 R 5S.6.2 R 4.117

T 2854 T 2190 T 2558 T 2842

R 2N2.5B.17

T 2957

R 4.324A

T 2201

R 5S.5.5 R 5A.201

T 2567 T 2626

R 6.311

T 3040

R 6.130

T 3485

R 4SB.6.2

T 3640

R 3.702 R 6.339

T 3802 T 3055

R 2N2.5B.25

T 2001

Main Office Room Telephone (01206 87...)

R 4N.6.2

T 2365

R 4SA.6.8 R 6.003

T 3507 T 2959

R 4SA.6.1

T 3433

R 3.109

T 2399

R 3.301

T 3108

R (nearest office) 5A.342

(Main Entrance)

Entrance 1

B

For information on access and parking arrangements, please contact Visitors’ Reception +44 (0)1206 874321 in advance of your visit.

Disabled Visitors

B1028 Wivenhoe

Main Entrance ad Ro

7 5

6

(Emergency/service vehicles only)

TAXI

Entrance 2

P Sports Centre

Car Park B

Car Park A

P

3

4

2

Bo un da ry R oad

1

South Courts

(Pre-arranged disabled parking only)

22 23 24 15 Wolfson Court

University Quays Sainty Quay Hawkins Quay Matthews Quay

11 12 13 14

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

North Towers Rayleigh Keynes Tawney William Morris

16 17 18 19 20 21 The Houses Anne Knight Isaac Rebow Swaynes Richard Woods Thomas Hopper Josephine Butler 9 10 South Towers Bertrand Russell Eddington

© University of Essex July 2013 Designed and printed by Print Essex at the University of Essex

22 23 24

South Courts Harwich Brightlingsea Manningtree Walton Thaxted Frinton Rowhedge Alresford

ay

ilw

Ra

Student Residences

New developments

Other buildings

Student residences

Central buildings Foot-bridge to University B&Q Superstore

University Quays

Entrance 3

ad Valley Ro

1

Square

P

Barrier control (buses only)

ad

University Quays

Ca

d oa nR po

1 10 9 8

2

Square

11 Health Centre

13

North Towers N

14 Day Nursery

New building to house Essex Business School (opens 2014)

h ro oug thr

Barrier control (buses only)

No

The Meadows

Barrier control (buses only)

Multi-decked car park

Tennis courts

South Towers 3

Square

4

Square

12

15

17 TAXI

P P

ers Tow rth oad No R

Synthetic pitch

Valley Car Park

P P

d

Visitors’ Reception

a Ro rk

5

Square

Student Centre and Library extension (opens 2014)

16

18 19

20

Entrance 4

North Car Park

d Roa ld sfie Ne

ar y nd ou

P P Sports pavilion and sports field

N

Pa

The Houses 21

West Lodge Parkside office village (opens 2014)

Access to Knowledge Gateway and Day Nursery only

Route to main campus

A133 Colchester

Cycle path

Accessible parking

Car parking

Bus stop

Traffic lights

Taxi point

Information/ Security Centre

TAXI

Lakeside House

P

Wivenhoe House hotel and Edge Hotel School

Constable Building

East Lodge

B1027 Brightlingsea

Entrance 5

A133 Clacton

(Pedestrians only)

Map of our Colchester Campus Your safety and security Our Colchester Campus offers a safe environment, but it is important to follow common sense tips to help you stay safe – whether you’re living on or off campus. We work closely with local police and Colchester Borough Council and in recent years have welcomed a Police Community Support Officer.

This officer can answer any questions about how to stay safe on or off campus.

Advice for staying safe on campus:  Avoid walking or cycling alone in isolated areas or along isolated and unlit or poorly lit footpaths.  Arrange to walk with others at night and keep to well lit streets.  Remember short cuts are not always the safest routes.  Avoid using mobile phones when walking alone or when in large crowds.  Always lock your accommodation when you leave and don’t let strangers into your buildings.  Use bank machines in daylight hours if possible, don’t use them if anyone suspicious is hanging around.  When carrying a bag, keep the opening in sight or against your body.  Don’t keep keys in your bag, and don’t carry large sums of money around – carry only what you need.  Colchester Campus runs a Students’ Union Minibus to and from off-campus residences at night.  Get a personal alarm, available at SU Advice Centre and Nightline.  Be vigilant and report anything suspicious to patrol officers or, if off campus, the local police, by calling 101, and 999 in an emergency.

Health and Safety is important. You can report concerns and find out more, online. www.essex.ac.uk/support/hsw

Emergency and useful telephone numbers Put these numbers into your mobile phone, or make a note of them, so they’re on-hand if and when you need them.

Emergencies T 01206 872222 (from your mobile) T 224 2222 (from StudentCom PC phone) University Security and Patrol Staff T 01206 872125 (from your mobile) T 224 2125 (from StudentCom PC phone) Student Support T 01206 872365 (from your mobile) T 224 2365 (from StudentCom PC phone) Students’ Union Advice Centre T 01206 874034 (from your mobile) T 224 4034 (from StudentCom PC phone) Nightline T 01206 872020/2022 (from your mobile) T 224 2020/2022 (from StudentCom PC phone)

Fire safety Remember three important things to stay safe in the event of a fire: shout out, get out, stay out. https://www.essex.ac.uk/support/ emergencies You should also complete the online safety course via Moodle, and as a student living in University-provided accommodation, enter your log-in details and watch our quick, helpful fire safety video online. www.essex.ac.uk/freshers/restricted/ fire_safety.aspx

Our University Your safety is our priority and to keep you safe from fire and electric shock, we have rules on the use of certain electrical items. Please read our electrical safety guidance online. www.essex.ac.uk/support/electricalsafety Your campus guide 19

Arts, entertainment and clubs Theatre, live music, films and exhibitions – at our Colchester Campus you can enjoy, and take part in, a variety of performances and events throughout the year.

Children from the University's Day Nursery visit the Meadows building site

Looking after your belongings

Childcare

Help to keep your valuables safe by getting them security marked. It takes just seconds and you can get it done on campus. Please ask at our Security Office, room 1.506, off Square 1, and we will security mark and register your new laptop, tablet, iPad, mobile phone, etc. In addition, please remember to secure your belongings and accommodation by closing windows and locking doors whenever you are going out. Do not leave valuables unattended in the library or computer labs.

Our on-campus Day Nursery offers excellent day care to children from three months to five years and welcomes any child whether their parent or guardian is studying at our University, employed at our University, or a member of the public.

According to our latest Ofsted report we have effective relationships with parents, and outstanding outcomes for children; our Day Nursery staff are described as dedicated and committed to ensuring progress of our children. www.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/findinspection-report/provider/CARE/EY414291 www.essex.ac.uk/nursery

Drugs and alcohol Our University has a drugs and alcohol policy that points to information and sources of help, with the aim of ensuring that the use of alcohol or drugs does not have an adverse effect on the working and social conditions of University students, staff and visitors. Our University recognises that alcohol and drugs will play a part in the lives of some people and will be sympathetic to problems arising from misuse of these substances whilst not condoning such misuse. This policy is designed to inform students of the University’s view in relation to these issues. www2.essex.ac.uk/stdsup/welfare/ drugs.shtm

In addition, the Wivenhoe Park Holiday Club offers enjoyable holiday childcare for primary school age children in its own dedicated space within our Day Nursery.

Support for student carers If you are a carer there is advice and support on campus for you. www.essex.ac.uk/eo/carers/student_ carers.htm

Find Student Support on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/UoEStudentSupport 20 Your campus guide

Music, dance and theatre

Actors rehearsing the world premiere of O Starry Starry Night by Derek Walcott at the Lakeside Theatre

Arts and entertainment Our love of the arts is reflected in the fact we are the only UK university to have our own theatre at each of our three campuses. We are also home to a renowned art gallery, Art Exchange, which is situated on Square 5 of our Colchester Campus, and has regular visiting exhibitions. Our University also houses a nationally important collection of Latin American art, called ESCALA – which you can view online at www.escala.org.uk. You can find out more about Essex art, including upcoming art exhibitions in Art Exchange online. www.essex.ac.uk/life/arts/exhibitions.aspx The firstsite art gallery, which opened in Colchester town centre in 2011, is also supported by the University of Essex and offers a spacious, modern building for art lovers to explore.

Our Colchester Campus offers a kaleidoscope of arts events for you to enjoy and get involved in. This includes Arts on 5, the team that coordinates activities at our Colchester Campus.

The Lakeside Theatre offers a range of professional, student and community productions. Students studying at Colchester are also encouraged to see shows at our Southend and Loughton Campuses, where fellow East 15 Acting School students perform plays throughout the year. In town, Colchester’s Mercury Theatre also offers a wide programme of theatrical and musical events throughout the year.

Sports clubs and societies There are more than 150 sports clubs and societies for you to choose from at Essex, all run by our Students’ Union. Our sports clubs cover everything from football, tennis and rugby, to dance, archery and mountaineering, and offer opportunities to keep fit, compete nationally and make new friends. Our societies offer you a ready-made network of like-minded students, covering topics as diverse as music, arts, religion and politics – whatever you are into, we are confident that there will be a society that’s perfect for you. And, in the rare instance that you can’t find a club that Your campus guide 21

Sport and societies Whether you are into competitive and elite sport, or just fancy knocking a tennis ball around with a few friends, sport at Essex welcomes everyone.

Weights in the Evolve gym

Unity Festival student volunteers promote dignity and respect on campus

covers your particular interest, then our Students’ Union will even help you set it up and find other students that share your passion! To help you find out more, the SU runs a massive Freshers Fair on the first Saturday of the autumn term. You can also find a full list of clubs and societies and sign up at any time online. Visit our SU reception on Square 3. www.essexstudent.com/activities

Nightlife Our Students’ Union provides an unrivalled schedule of music and club nights to suit lots of different musical tastes – from the best commercial tunes at Milk It and club night Flirt, to our lavish Summer Ball, which takes place during June and celebrates the end of the

Find Essex Sport on Facebook at:

academic year. Our Colchester Campus boasts a 1,200 capacity, award-winning nightclub, Sub Zero, as well as a stylish bar/club, Level 2, which host events almost every night of term.

Both venues are accessed via the main SU entrance on Square 3. A full diary of weekly events is online. www.essexstudent.com/nights_out

Join the Sports Centre Stay fit and healthy while you study by enjoying our extensive sports facilities including the £1.4m Evolve gym, which opened in 2010.

Access the facilities by buying a Passport to Sport membership which represents good value for money. Also consider joining a sports club – see Arts, entertainment and clubs in this guide – there are lots to choose from.

From aerobics to zumba Our Sports Centre, situated at the top of the hill beyond the two South Towers, operates like any other sports centre and through our Passport to Sport scheme offers members a vast programme of indoor and outdoor activities,

including squash, badminton, tennis, a climbing wall, and classes such as aerobics and zumba.

There are also opportunities to take part in sailing and watersports offcampus along the beautiful nearby Essex coastline. For the more serious sporting competitor, there are year-round sporting competitions and coaching programmes and the University is committed to investing in sport and attracting as many students as possible to take part, at any level. www.essex.ac.uk/sport www.facebook.com/UoEsport

Just Play All Essex students have the opportunity to get involved in our new social sport Just Play programme where you can play alongside fellow students, members of staff and members of the public in informal, friendly sporting activities throughout the year, on weekday lunchtime and evenings.

www.facebook.com/UoEsport 22 Your campus guide

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Sports clubs A-Z American football, Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Brazilian Ju jitsu, Cheerleading, Climbing, Cricket, Dance, Darts, Fencing, Football, Futsal, Gliding, Golf, Handball, Hockey, Horse riding, Jiu jitsu, Judo, Karate, Kickboxing, Lacrosse, Netball, Pole dancing, Pool, Rounders, Rowing, Rugby league, Rugby union, Snowsports, Squash, Sub-aqua, Swimming/waterpolo, Table tennis, Tae kwon do, Tennis, Trampolining, Ultimate frisbee and Volleyball.

Societies A-Z African Caribbean; Amnesty International; Anime and Manga; Arabic; Armenian; Asian; Azerbaijan; Barnardo’s; Believers Love World; Biological Sciences; British Cultural; Bulgarian; Carp Film; Catholic Charity; Chess; Chinese Christian; Chinese Student Scholars; Choir; Christian Union; Classical Music; Computer; Conservative Future; Cypriot; Czecho-Slovak; Debating; Economics; Environmental Protection; Essex Bright Futures; Essex Business School; Essex

Entrepreneurs; Essex Enterprise Group; European; ELSA Essex; Feminist; Fifa; Film; French; German; Hellenic; History; Hong Kong Chinese; Human Rights; Indie; Investment and Trading; Iranian; Islamic; Japan International; Jesus Alive Fellowship; Jewish; Juggling and Spinning; Kazakh; Labour; Latin American; Law; League of Legends; LGBT and Friends; Liberal Youth; Liberty League; Literature; Lithuanian; Malaysian; Marine Conservation; Mario Kart; Maths; Mature Students; Mauritian; Metal; Model; Modern Languages; Musoc; Nepalese; New Noise music; Nordic; Occupational Therapy; Origami; Pakistan; Palestine Solidarity; Philosophy; Photographic; Portuguese Speaking; Poetry and Short Stories; Poker; Politics; PPE; Psychology; ‘R and B’ Rock’; Role Play Gaming; Romanian; Rotaract; Russian; Saudi; Sci-fi Fantasy; Spanish; Socialist Worker Students; Sociology; St John’s Links; Stillwater Christian; Student Action for Refugees; Student Ambassador; Students 4 Free Tibet; Students for a Sensible Drug Policy; Study Buddy; Theatre Arts; Travelling; and Turkish and Turkish Cypriot. www.essexstudent.com/activities

Money matters Part of being a student means looking after your money and spending it wisely – as chances are you won’t have a lot of it. There are some simple steps you can take to budget wisely, and there is help on campus and beyond if you get into financial trouble.

Plan a budget Receiving a big cheque at the start of the year isn’t necessarily the easiest way to plan out your finances. The National Union of Students advises that you plan your budget very carefully.

Make sure you remember all your outgoings and be realistic – include rent, food, going out, books and other bills but also events like Christmas and birthday presents.

Online tips and advice A good place to start is by looking at average living costs for a student on the NUS website. www.nus.org.uk/en/advice/money-andfunding/higher-education/average-costs-ofliving-and-study There are also some further good money management tips on the NUS finance pages. www.nus.org.uk/en/advice/money-andfunding/info-and-advice/moneymanagement-tips

You will also find ‘top ten tips’ for better budgeting online. www.nus.org.uk/en/advice/money-andfunding/info-and-advice/top-ten-tips-forbetter-budgeting

Seek out help if you need it If you are encountering any financial difficulties, get help and talk to someone as soon as possible; the sooner a problem is identified, the sooner it can be solved. Our Student Support team and our independent SU Advice Centre, both of which have offices located at our Colchester Campus, will be happy to talk you through the issues. For further information, take a look at some money FAQs online. www2.essex.ac.uk/stdsup/funding/ faqs.shtm www.essexstudent.com/services/ advice_centre/money

Did you know?

Celebrations on Derby Day

24 Your campus guide

There is advice on-hand if you have money worries – contact the University’s Student Support team or the Students’ Union Advice Centre.

Your campus guide 25

Check your entitlements Student finance can get rather complicated but it’s important to make sure you’re receiving any monies you’re entitled to. Student Support will be able to talk you through what’s available and there is information online. www.essex.ac.uk/studentfinance/ ug/government_support/default.aspx You can also check the NUS website for information about benefits and entitlements. www.nus.org.uk/en/ advice/money-andfunding/other-sources-of-funding

Ways to make your money go further As well as funds you are entitled to, there may be other ways of generating income, such as charities and trusts, part-time employment and discretionary hardship funds. Our University has produced a lot of useful information on this subject. www.essex.ac.uk/studentfinance/ ug/current_students.aspx

You can also search for local jobs, and get information and advice about applying for work – see the Careers, Employability and Experience section of this booklet.

If your loan is late Contact your funding provider to see if there’s a reason why your funding is delayed. Student Support may be able to help explain what needs to be done and offer some short-term financial assistance until the problems are rectified.

NUS Extra Card You can save large amounts of money when you shop on campus, in Colchester and online by using the NUS Extra student discount card.

This card is available to all students and staff and offers amazing discounts on clothes, food, music, entertainment and travel from national and local companies including Amazon, Odeon, Pizza Express, Superdrug, Easyjet, ASOS, and Spotify. www.nus.org.uk/nus-extra

Our parkland Wivenhoe Park, in which our Colchester Campus is set, has a fascinating history. Today, its striking landscape of more than 2,000 acres provides a tranquil place for all to enjoy.

History

Parkland life and activities

For several centuries Wivenhoe House, situated in parkland to the south of the campus, was the home of the Rebow family, descendants of Flemish cloth weavers from Colchester – England’s oldest recorded town. It was designed for Isaac Rebow in 1759 by Thomas Reynolds, and the parkland, captured on canvas in 1816 by renowned painter John Constable, was designed by Richard Woods.

Alongside Wivenhoe House, the ViceChancellor’s residence Lakeside House, two lakes, 40 acres of sports fields, and a frisbee golf course, the vast area of parkland to the south side of central Colchester Campus is also home to many species of wildlife that are protected by law. Our University campus farm, was established in 2010 and offers allotments to volunteers who wish to grow seasonal produce. It is managed by a volunteer group of staff and students as a co-operative enterprise and anyone is welcome to join.

Wivenhoe House today Wivenhoe House was used for teaching, offices and social space when the University opened in 1964 and subsequently became a hotel and conference centre. Extensively refurbished and re-opened as a luxury country hotel in 2012, it is now also home to the Edge Hotel School. www.wivenhoehouse.co.uk www.edgehotelschool.ac.uk/edge-hotelschool/wivenhoe-house The campus farm was established in 2010 and students are encouraged to get involved

Square 3 is a hub of student activity

26 Your campus guide

Friendly wildfowl on campus – also protected by law

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Shops, banks and other useful places From doing your own washing to photocopying your work, lots of useful services are on your doorstep at our Colchester Campus.

Shopping in Colchester town centre

Banks Lloyds TSB bank – Square 3, with cash machine Barclays bank – Square 4, with cash machine on Square 5 Santander bank – Square 4, with cash machine

Post

Prescriptions – the SU Advice Centre off Square 3 offers a prescription service. If you provide your prescription before 12pm, you can pick it up the next day after 2pm Unique Hair and Beauty – off Square 3, hair and beauty outlet located in the SU mini mall

Supermarkets

The Burrow – on Square 3 is a mini-newsagent and home to The Rabbit

Tesco – large supermarket situated off the A133 St Andrew’s Avenue, around a 20-minute walk from our Colchester Campus

Post Office Square 4 selling postal items

Print Essex – ground floor below Square 3, offering a full graphic design and print service

Books, merchandise, other

SU Campus Shop – on Square 4, a mini supermarket selling essentials and a good range of groceries

everythingEssex – on Square 4, selling University merchandise, stationery, clothing and memorabilia Copy Centre – on Square 4 for printing and photocopying as well as selling paper and other print sundries IT helpdesk – off Square 4, providing a range of IT support and selling peripheral IT goods Launderette – in the Hexagon Building, off Square 4, with additional facilities in the South Courts and University Quays student residences

Nearby supermarkets and shops for other groceries or household goods that you cannot buy on campus, are only a short bus ride away – here’s a small selection of places you might need when you first arrive.

Sports Centre – near South Courts accommodation, selling sports equipment, balls and rackets SU Ticket shop – on Square 3, selling travel tickets for trains and buses locally and nationally as well as tickets for local attractions and Colchester United Football Club Waterstones Bookshop – on Square 5, selling books for your course, stationery, and other items such as gifts

Waitrose – large supermarket situated on the A133 St Andrew’s Avenue, a 30-minute walk from our Colchester Campus

Wivenhoe is a smaller town, situated about a mile away from our Colchester Campus, that has a small number of pubs, restaurants and shops in a riverside location.

For details of bus and train stations, see the Travel section of this booklet.

Did you know?

The campus shop on Square 4, run by the Students’ Union, provides a good range of groceries right on your doorstep.

Sainsbury’s – town centre supermarket situated on Priory Walk in Colchester town centre, and a massive store in Stanway, on the edge of Colchester Asda – large supermarket situated on Turner Rise, near Colchester North railway station Aldi – town centre supermarket situated in Magdalen Street

Colchester and Wivenhoe Colchester town centre is around two miles away from our Colchester Campus, and offers a full range of shops for food, books, music and clothes, plus a good range of places to eat and socialise.

Riverside refreshment in Wivenhoe

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The University provides excellent facilities for cyclists

Travel You can get to our Colchester Campus by bicycle, bus or car, while regular coach connections to and from Stansted Airport take just over an hour.

Harwich

M11 Luton

A12

Colchester Colchester Campus

Stansted

M1

Chelmsford M25 A12

Loughton Campus

Southend

A127

A12 M25

A130

A127

City

A13

A13

Southend-on-Sea

Liverpool Street and St Pancras International (Eurostar)

M25

Taxis

Colchester has three stations - the main station is Colchester North Station, and the other two are Colchester Town and Hythe stations. Trains run between London Liverpool Street and Colchester North Station approximately every 10 to 20 minutes, and the journey to London takes around an hour. Train services from Colchester North Station also run to Norwich, Ipswich, Felixstowe and Harwich.

A taxi from Colchester Rail Station to our University normally takes about 10-15 minutes outside rush hour, and will cost between £6 to £10. These taxi companies are local to our University – pre-booking is recommended. A taxi pick-up and drop off point is located by our North Towers car park.

Ebbsfleet International (Eurostar)

M20 M23

Dover Gatwick

Folkestone © University of Essex July 2012

Designed and printed by Print Essex at the University of Essex

This section provides information about the various travel options available and where you can find further information. Our University is committed to decreasing car parking demand on campus and reducing the impact of University generated traffic on the local

30 Your campus guide

environment. A long-term transport strategy has been developed to promote a sustainable and integrated approach to transport both on- and off-campus. There are a number of alternatives available which are designed to reduce all non-essential car journeys.



Buses Local bus and taxi services connect Colchester North Station to our University. There are also frequent buses between our University and Wivenhoe, and two buses per hour to Clacton.

Our main University bus stop is at Valley Road junction, near Square 1, and there are other stops for North Towers and South Courts.

Southend Campus

London

Heathrow

Trains

Did you know?

The University has a sustainable transport strategy, plus schemes and incentives to promote walking, cycling, car sharing and public transport use. www.essex.ac.uk/transport



VP Cars telephone: +44 (0)1206 825001 or mobile: +44 (0)7881 422967 (mobile – text messages accepted) Panther Cabs (Wivenhoe) telephone: +44 (0)1206 525525

Accessible travel and parking Information on accessible travel is available online. www.essex.ac.uk/about/getting_ here/colchester/accessible_guide.aspx E disab@essex.ac.uk

Cycling Cycling to our Colchester Campus is easy from Colchester and Wivenhoe and there is plenty of bicycle parking on campus, along with cycle routes off Boundary Road and Valley Road which let you park your bike at either end of our campus. Full details of travelling to and from our Colchester Campus, and further links to timetables and ticket information is online. www.essex.ac.uk/about/getting_here Your campus guide 31

The beach at Frinton-on-Sea is just 15 miles from Colchester Campus and you can get there by train

there using local buses or trains. Closer to home is Layer Marney Tower near Colchester, which was built in the reign of Henry VIII, and Colchester Zoo. A little further afield is Audley End House, a massive Jacobean house set deep in the Essex countryside near Saffron Walden, and Hylands House in Chelmsford, a neo-classical style villa, set within 500 acres which are home to the annual V Festival summer music event.

Car

Travel discounts

If you drive onto our Colchester Campus, you need to be aware that you will need to display a valid Pay and Display ticket inside your car when you are parking. Unfortunately if you fail to do so you may receive a parking fine.

Students living off-campus can register to obtain reduced rates. Further information on Pay and Display car parking, including updates to the scheme for 2013-14, is online. www.essex.ac.uk/transport/caruse www.essex.ac.uk/campus_updates

One of the biggest costs to any student can be travel. However, many travel companies offer discounts to students or young people. Make sure you take advantage of these, for example UniCard, which provides discounted travel in the Colchester area offered by First Essex Buses to students and includes travel to our Colchester Campus. www.essex.ac.uk/about/campuses/ colchester/UniCard0910.pdf

Please note that SATNAV directions to our University using our postcode can be misleading, as they will take you to the North Towers car park, not the main entrance. We recommend following roadside directional signage once you are in Colchester or nearby.

Car sharing Our University has a popular and growing car sharing scheme, which saves on fuel and money and eases parking issues on campus.

Sign up online. www.studentcarshare.com

For cheaper rail travel, the 16-25 railcard is available via the NUS website and includes additional discounts. www.nus.org.uk/en/nus-extra/discounts/ 2011/atoc-student-discount

Visit Essex promotes travel and days out in Essex. Find out more, including day itineraries and suggestions online. www.visitessex.com/discover www.visitessex.com/downloads/ itineraries.aspx

Find out more about all the beautiful county of Essex has to offer. www.visitessex.com

Finchingfield – a picturesque Essex village

Any queries?

If you have any queries regarding transport or travel please e-mail our Estates helpdesk, at: estates@essex.ac.uk. BBC Radio Essex provides frequent updates on travel in the local area.

Getting out and about Essex is a great county, so do explore beyond Colchester Campus. To the north, south, east and west, Essex has a wealth of hidden historical treasures, pretty villages and picturesque countryside – and you can get

Picture: Visit Essex

SATNAV

You might also like to explore the 350 miles of Essex coastline – one of the longest coastlines of any county in England with a fascinating maritime history.

Nearby seaside resorts Clacton-on-Sea, Walton-on-the-Naze and Frinton-on-Sea offer all the traditional fun of the British seaside experience. Further along the coast lies Southend-on-Sea, home to one of our three campuses, and a vibrant town that is always worth a visit, and easily accessible by train.

Beth Chatto Gardens are only three miles from Colchester Campus – and one of the many beautiful places to visit in the county

32 Your campus guide

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Japan International Society raise funds for the British Red Cross Japan Tsunami Appeal, April 2011

Find out what’s going on – or make it happen!

There are many ways to find out what’s going every day at our University. Subscribe to e-bulletins, bookmark social media, and visit the website to make sure you don’t miss out.

E-bulletins Each day during term-time and weekly out-of-term our Communications Office sends out the Daily Bulletin e-mail, listing seven days’ worth of events – from seminars that all are welcome to attend, to training and special events or new initiatives. It is worth subscribing to keep up-to-date so you don’t miss out, just go to: www.essex.ac.uk/contact/mailinglists/ and log-in using your University username and password.

Facebook and Twitter We have more than 60 pages on Facebook, and more than 20,000 Facebook followers – many of whom are current students, and thousands of followers on Twitter. A good place to start to get the very latest information and guidance to support your studies is on our student news Facebook page. www.facebook.com/UoEstudentnews Also, see our main Facebook page, where you can find your Departmental Facebook page. www.facebook.com/uniofessex

University website Our University’s website contains a wealth of information – so make it your homepage and bookmark our student website, for all the useful

34 Your campus guide

links to University services that are available to you. www.essex.ac.uk www.essex.ac.uk/students Find out about our news and what’s online, plus updates on campus developments, such as new buildings or student initiatives. www.essex.ac.uk/news www.essex.ac.uk/events www.essex.ac.uk/campus_updates

The Rabbit Our official student newspaper, The Rabbit, is published fortnightly during term-time, and is a platform for any student wanting to participate by contributing articles – such as news, sports reports and features or opinion pieces on relevant issues, music and film. www.essexstudent.com/media/rabbit

Student satisfaction surveys

Organising an event

Four major student satisfaction surveys – some of which feed into national university league tables – go live each academic year from late January to June. This is when our Students’ Union and University invite you to have your say.

We always want as many students as possible to take part, and great prizes are always up for grabs – so make sure you read all the campaign publicity and follow the link that will be sent to your University e-mail account. www.essex.ac.uk/student_satisfaction

If you belong to a club or society and would like to organise an event, the first port of call is to take a look at the ‘Organising an event’ webpage at: www.essex.ac.uk/comms/ events/organising.htm. This will give you advice on how to get started, getting the right authorisation for your event, and what else you need to do to get your plans underway and make your event a success. You must also notify the Students’ Union, who will be able to give useful support and advice.

Many departments also produce their own newsletters – usually sent by e-mail – so check with your department.

Student TV and radio RED Radio is the official student radio station broadcasting to our University, and is run for students, by students. SXTV is our University’s student TV channel – both are managed by our Students’ Union, and encourage students to get involved in programme-making. www.essexstudent.com/media/sx_tv

Poster promoting the 2013 student surveys season - there are always prizes to be won!

Your campus guide 35

Graduation and alumni

Policy statement on equal opportunities

Your time at Essex will fly by. But remember, once you’re an Essex graduate, you’ll be in good company.

The University of Essex, in conformity with the intention of its Charter, confirms its commitment to a comprehensive policy of equal opportunities within the University. It aims to create the conditions whereby students and staff are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential regardless of gender, colour, ethnic or national origin, age, socio-economic background, disability, religious or political beliefs and affiliations, family circumstances, sexual orientation or other irrelevant distinction. The University is committed to a programme of action to ensure that this policy be fully effective.

Graduates celebrate degree success

Our Student Charter Our Student Charter was jointly developed by the University of Essex and the University of Essex Students’ Union in 2012, as part of our ongoing commitment to create an outstanding environment that offers the highest standards of teaching, research and support in an international and multi-cultural community. The charter outlines what you can expect when you apply to study at Essex, when your place is confirmed, when you arrive, and when you study. www.essex.ac.uk/about/essex_student_ charter All information in this guide was correct at the time of printing. For updates please refer to: www.essex.ac.uk.

Privacy statement Read the University’s privacy statement and find out more about how we handle your data online. www.essex.ac.uk/records_management/ policies/students.aspx

Notable Essex alumni include Speaker of the House of Commons Rt. Hon. John Bercow (BA Government, 1985), Blake Harrison, star of The Inbetweeners, (East 15 Acting School, BA Acting), Daniel Libeskind, architect for the reconstruction of the World Trade Center site in New York City, USA (MA Art History and Theory, 1972), alongside Oscar Arias, Nobel Peace Prize winner and former president of Costa Rica, Nick Broomfield, award-winning documentary filmmaker, Ben Okri, Booker prize-winning author, Baroness Virginia Bottomley, and David Yates, BAFTA-winning director of four Harry Potter films.

Our alumni team will help you keep in contact with Essex, with our staff and your friends from your time as a student. You can share experiences and success stories through our magazines, webpages and Facebook.

Square 3

Information about our complaints procedure is online. www2.essex.ac.uk/academic/students/ complaint.html

By registering to our online community, you will be able to access opportunities to get back together with friends, keep up-to-date with our alumni magazine, take part in reunion events across the world, network with fellow alumni at exclusive events and come back to Essex to share and enjoy our Alumni Weekend.

So don’t forget, when you graduate from Essex, join our online community. alumni.essex.ac.uk/netcommunity/alumni

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Produced by the University of Essex Second edition - academic year 2013-14

Contains recycled materials

© University of Essex 2013 Designed and printed by Print Essex at the University of Essex

Your campus guide 37