Student Representation and Pastoral Care
Student representation:
Early in October students are encouraged to take part in the election of representatives to the departmental Staff-Student Committee, which will be chaired by Dr Pinfold. This committee brings forward concerns, complaints and suggestions for improvements. Where there are such matters of general concern (including improvements to this Handbook!), bring them to the attention of this committee, which nominates some of its members to attend the departmental (staff) meetings, Faculty Board meetings, and meetings of the School of Modern Languages. The names of the elected members are displayed on the notice board.
Student Questionnaires:
At the end of each course unit, you may be asked to fill in questionnaires on that unit and the teaching provided. (A different selection of units is chosen for this purpose each year.) Your (anonymous) comments are analysed and will be acted upon if action is seen to be advisable and practicable. Staff responses to the questionnaires will be reported to the Staff-Student Committee, and a digest of student comments and staff responses will be presented to Departmental Staff meetings.
Your Personal Tutor:
His or her role is to act as counsellor in academic and pastoral matters, to provide advice, support and encouragement as required, or to direct you to other sources of guidance, and to discuss with you any difficulties which may emerge as you proceed through the course. If you experience difficulties make sure he or she knows, for the Personal Tutor will also represent your interests in the Department and the Faculty, if that is necessary. In all circumstances, your Personal Tutor in the Department is there to help. We aim to ensure that your Personal Tutor remains the same for all four years of your course, though staff changes and temporary study leaves will not always allow this. However, tutors of all units may be approached in a pastoral as well as in an academic role. All tutors will treat private matters in the strictest confidence. Each tutor will tell you of ways in which he or she can be easily contacted, outside the usual tutorial hours and arrangements. If you feel there is an insurmountable clash of personalities between yourself and your Personal Tutor (this does happen, though very rarely) you can ask the Head of Department for a change of Tutor.
If you feel your problems are not being addressed properly by your Personal Tutor you should not hesitate to approach any other member of staff whom you find sympathetic. The Head of Department is also available to help in such circumstances.
Personal Tutors and other members of staff are frequently a source of references later on, but please ask before citing any member of staff as a referee. If provided, references will normally draw on the whole of a student’s record (academic and otherwise) during the four years in the University. Final year students are encouraged to provide their personal tutor with a CV which can be placed on their record file and which can assist tutors to write appropriate references.
Staff availability:
you may consult tutors before or after a class, but to be sure of finding them at other times consult the list of Sprechstunden on the notice board. The departmental secretary can be approached in office hours. You can email your tutors at any time: addresses are on the inside front cover.
Other sources:
Beyond the Department, there are other sources of help:
For non-medical matters: a confidential adviser at the Student Counselling Service, 1A Priory Road, Bristol BS8 1TX (up the outside staircase). Appointments available 9.00 - 5.00 - Receptionist's hours: 10.00 - 2.00. Tel: (0117) 954 6655 Internal Ext 46655. Web site: http://www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/StudentCounselling/
For medical matters: your own doctor at home, or your University doctor at the Student Health Service, Bruce Perry House, 25 Belgrave Road, Bristol, BS8 2AA Appointments: Tel: (0117) 973 8919, Enquiries: 973 7716. Lots of information and essential links at the Student Health Service web page: http://www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/StudentHealthService/
Nightline is run by students for students, and offers a confidential listening service for students wishing to discuss any kind of problem, as well as an information service on pretty much any topic, from local bus times to sources of help on welfare and health matters and more. It operates its anonymous telephone and e-mail services during term-time, from 8pm - 8am every night and is staffed by trained volunteers. Their telephone number is on the back of every student card. For further information, please visit the Nightline website: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/nightline/