Department Of Landscape - University Of Sheffield

Module co-ordinatorsModule co-ordinators are responsible for the organisation and delivery of specific modules,including planning and delivering, in whole or in part, the content, detailed timetabling andassessment and evaluation of the module. These co-ordinators are always permanent members ofstaff in the department, even in those cases where much of the delivery of the modules is carried outby external staff. They are named in the module handbook which identifies the co-ordinatorresponsible for each module. These are the people who you should approach if you are havingdifficulty understanding what is required for a module or if you are unexpectedly unable to attend orcannot meet hand in deadlines.2.2 PERSONAL TUTORIALSOn entering the Department of Landscape you will be allocated to a member of staff who will act asyour personal tutor during the whole of your programme. . They are there to help you if you are havingany difficulties: with your studies or personal difficulties that you are worried about or are impacting onyour studies. If your Personal Tutor goes on Research Leave or leaves the department we will allocateyou a replacement Personal Tutor. Your Personal Tutor will take an overview of your work and willoffer advice if you run into problems – for example if you fail a module – or if you need to makedecisions regarding your programme of study. They will also often be an appropriate person to write ajob reference for you. Sometimes, students experience personal difficulties, for example related tohealth, bereavement or finances. If you are affected by such issues, especially if they are likely toaffect your studies even in small ways it is important that you speak to your personal tutor in the firstinstance.These personal difficulties, called extenuating circumstances, may allow you to request an extension toa module hand in date but to obtain such an extension you MUST talk to you personal tutor as soon asyou become aware of the issue. Written evidence will be required, such as a medical note from adoctor, to enable a personal extension to be granted. (refer to section on illness).Normally, you should meet with your personal tutor twice a year and extra meetings may bearranged if your progress is unsatisfactory. If you encounter particular difficulties don’t wait foryour scheduled meeting but do contact your Personal Tutor because they will help you identify waysto help resolve the problem. It is important for you to meet with your Personal Tutor early on in theyear so that you know who to go to should you have a problem2.3 DIRECTOR OF STUDENT WELFAREIf, for any reason you find it difficult to speak to your personal tutor, we suggest that you speak to eitherKevin Thwaites, the Department Director of Student Welfare and Disability Liaison Officer. (EmmaShaw will arrange an appointment).Sometimes you experience situations which require more specialist advice. The University providesa wide range of services to support you in practical ways. Information about the advice andsupport services in the University are listed in the Welfare and Services Guide given to every newstudent and also in the Student Academic Diary and Handbook. These sources describe the CentralAcademic Services, Housing Services, the Advice Centre, Chaplaincy, the Counselling Serviceand Nightline; it has information on resources for disabled students, students with dependentchildren and for international students; there are sections on financial hardship, Health Services,and safety.In the Department of Landscape, Kevin Thwaites will offer advice on these services, and you areadvised to speak to him in the first instance. If you have had a clinical assessment for mentalhealth reasons, assessment for dyslexia or if you are disabled, you are strongly encouraged to speakto Kevin at an early opportunity. If you prefer, you may, of course, approach the central Universityservices independently at the following address: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/welfare7

2.4 CONFIDENTIALITYThe issue of confidentiality is taken very seriously by the university. This means that no member ofstaff will release any information about you without first asking your permission to do so. Theonly information which would be passed on without your permission is if you became a risk to yourselfor others. In such a case you will be asked for your permission but if you do not agree then suchinformation may be passed on and you will be told that this is happening.In addition, within the department, information will only be revealed to other members of staff, such asmodule co-ordinators or an examination board with your permission. This does mean that anyextenuating circumstances can only be fully taken into account, in situations such as examinationboard meetings, if you disclose them.Personal photographs taken from your student record are printed and circulated to all staff at thebeginning of each year, and a set is put on the notice board in the general office for quick reference.Any student who does not want their photograph displayed must contact a member of support staff toask for theirs to be removed.Communications with Family MembersDue to the remit of the Data Protection Act, the department cannot discuss your registration, results orany other academic or personal issue relating to your studies with your parents or other familymembers. It would be appreciated if you could convey this information to them.2.5 YOUR UNIVERSITY RECORDThe University has a computerized record for every student that contains personal and academicdetails such as address (both term and home), date of birth, your degree programme, the modules thatyou are taking, examination results etc. Students can access this record and you can makeamendments to your personal details. It is important that students maintain up-to-date addresses andcontact details.2.6 THE UNIVERISTY’S GENERAL REGULATIONSThe General Regulations relating to all Faculties apply to all undergraduate students. They includeRegulations which refer to: Registration and FeesModular Programmes of study (including attendance, transferring programme, examinationresults and grades and progression etc.Academic ProgressThey may be found on the web at: http://www.shef.ac.uk/ssid/admin2.7 TRANSFERS, WITHDRAWALS AND LEAVE OF ABSENCEAny student who is thinking of transferring to another degree programme, withdrawing from Universityor taking a Leave of Absence should first consult with their Personal Tutor for advice. To proceed fromhere, you must complete a Change of Status from which can found from the University homepage athttp://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/forms. A student who is considered as ‘needing’ to be withdrawn orsuspended from their course of study on health grounds’ by the department will be made by a ‘caseconference’ approach rather than on the recommendation of one individual. This will typically includeyour personal tutor, another member of academic staff and a member of the professional servicesstaff.8

2.8 STUDENT ATTENDANCEYou are expected to be present in the University on weekdays during each semester, includingthe assessment periods. You should not arrange holidays or other activities at these times. You shouldalso try to avoid committing to paid employment during these times, but, if this is not possible, then youshould try to make sure that any employment obligations do not conflict with your course commitments.If, occasionally, conflicts do arise you should discuss the implications with the module co-ordinator oryear co-ordinator. You must attend all lectures, seminars, studio sessions, tutorials or otherteaching sessions, which form part of your course. It is only by attending all the scheduledsessions you will be able to learn effectively. To help ensure that you make full use of the learningopportunities that are available, the department will undertake ongoing monitoring of theattendance of students throughout the year. If it is felt that your attendance is unsatisfactory at anytime you may be required to meet with your personal tutor or the Departmental Director of Learningand Teaching to discuss the situation. If poor attendance persists you may be reported to the Facultyfor Unsatisfactory Progress.The monitoring will be carried out by taking registers at lectures, personal tutorials, year meetings andany other appropriate times identified by staff. They may take the form of signup sheets and it isessential that you make sure you sign in if you are in the room. No student must sign on behalfof another student and please note that checks will be made on signatures. Monitoringattendance will help us identify and support student who are having difficulty with their studies.If you cannot attend due to illness or for some other good reason then please contact thedepartmental office - preferably prior to the session you are going to miss to inform them of thereason and make arrangements for completion of a Self Certification form. Persistent failure to attendany part of the course ultimately could affect whether you have completed enough credits to graduate.This is particularly important when studying a professionally accredited course where full attendance isrequired. It is likely to be recorded in student files and you may be reported to the Faculty StudentReview Committee, which has the power to exclude you from further study in the Faculty.SECTION 3 - HEALTH AND SAFETYHealth and Safety is a very important issue and the department expects all its members to behaveresponsibly in University buildings and when undertaking study outdoors. The following sectionsummarises the good practices to which we adhere. In addition, you should, as soon as possible,familiarise yourself with the University’s general Code of Practice, which can be accessed athttp://www.safety1.dept.shef.ac.uk/ugcop.html. It does not take long to read and being familiar with itcould save lives.3.1 IN AN EMERGENCYIn the event of an emergency telephone 4444 on a University internal telephone and give detailsclearly and concisely.3.2 EMERGENCY EVACUATION IN THE EVENT OF A FIREOn hearing a continuously-sounding fire alarm all staff and students must leave the buildingimmediately by the nearest exit and assemble under the concourse bridge towards the StudentsUnion. Fire Marshalls will encourage you to move away from the building to a safe area. Whenleaving the building do not try to collect any personal belongings, do not go up to another floor,do not go out of the stair-well except to exit the building and do not use the lift.3.3 ACCIDENTS AND INJURIESAny accidents resulting in injury must be entered in the accident book, and the entry initialled by amember of the academic staff. The book is kept with the Health and Safety Officer, Melvyn Broady(Floor 9, room 9.10). First-Aid boxes are kept in the departmental office, kitchens and studios.9

3.4 ALCOHOL AND SMOKINGYou must not smoke in the Arts Tower and you must not bring alcohol into the building or consume itthere.3.5 ELECTRICAL APPLIANCESNo electrical appliances must be used unless they have been supplied by the University or authorised.If you wish to use your own electrical equipment you must advise Helen Morris who will ensure that it isincluded in the Departments PAT test.Extension leads & cablesAny extension leads which are required for electrical equipment should be of adequate length, notcausing strain on cables or tripping hazards. Cables

The Department of Landscape is fully committed to implementing the University’s policy for support for students. In the Department of Landscape academic and personal support is a key part of a formal framework of academic support which has four main components. These are: Course co-ordinators Year co-ordinators Module co-ordinators