Policies, Procedures & Student Support Advice

Policies, Procedures & Student Support Advice 1 [Policies, Procedures & Student Support Advice > Policies, Procedures & Student Support Advice 1]

Orientation Policy

Orientation ensures the successful transition into courses of study and is defined as the provision of key information to students ahead of the beginning of their studies, in both written form for immediate and ongoing reference forums where students meet with staff to receive key information, ask questions, clarify uncertainties and discuss concerns.

Orientation information for both new and ongoing students will take place at the beginning of every teaching period, ahead of the first classes.

All students will receive relevant information enabling them to effectively navigate the College website. The College’s website will include clear directions to the AUCD website.

For the purposes compliance and parity with other Members Institutions of the AUCD, the College will need to submit orientation information in written form or specific website links to the AUCD Office of the Dean ahead of each teaching period.

Orientation will comprise information about:

  1. The ethos in which the study of theology is undertaken;

  2. academic matters including courses, units and teaching arrangements;

  3. Student Support Officer and other student support staff;

  4. facilities, including the library;

  5. Moodle, the College’s learning management system;

  6. student services and support.

Academic Matters

More specifically, academic information to be provided in the orientation process will include the relevant information about:

  • the relationship between the AUCD and the teaching body;

  • course and course units, including the Course Unit Booklet;

  • major, sub-majors and specialisations;

  • requirements for attendance, progress and completion;

  • graduation;

Student Services

Information about student services available will include information about:

  • learning support, including:

    • support for gaining study and writing skills (writing workshops, Studiosity [including the fact that Studiosity is the only College approved external study and writing skills support service]);

    • library and IT support, including normal hours of availability;

    • after-hours support for physical and electronic access to the library, IT support, and Studiosity;

    • improvement in the use of academic and general English (especially but not only for students who have required satisfactory IELTS for admission);

  • general support for all students including:

    • safety precautions;

    • dealing with and reporting critical incidents and other emergencies;

    • support staff with contact details, including for the student grievance process;

    • health and wellbeing provisions and referrals;

    • counselling and chaplaincy;