Services
Information Technology
Libraries
Student Associations
The Office of Student Success
Academic Skills
Career Development Service
Counselling
Discrimination and Harassment Policy
The Equity and Disability Unit
Disability and Medical Conditions
Campus Life
Directorate of Identity and Mission
Information Technology
Information Technology (IT) provides technology resources to support students in their study and research through the provision of the following equipment and services:
- wireless internet access for wireless enabled devices;
- computer laboratories and computer support;
- network kiosks for on the go quick internet access;
- Printing services, including responsibility for the library printing system;
- email accounts for each student;
- network storage for each student;
- postgraduate computer laboratories and printers;
- student induction on ACU systems;
- free access for each student to an online training library containing over 1,400 courses spanning more than 80,000 searchable videos;
- lecture recording into LMS* in main auditoriums;
- interactive White Boards;
- applications including Microsoft Office 2010 and Adobe Creative Suite 5.5;
- a standard operating desktop environment;
- power lockers for recharging laptops securely (North Sydney campus only).
These services are available at each ACU campus and are supported through skilled Desktop Support teams which are available from 7.30am to 6.30pm at Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney and 8.30am to 5.00pm at Ballarat and Canberra during the teaching Semester.
*LMS = Learning Management System - also known as Learning Environment Online (LEO)
Libraries
The ACU Library supports learning and research needs by providing:
- 24/7 access to ebooks, databases, journals and videos
- Access to books, DVDs, CDs, etc.
- Subject specific online guides and resources
- Access to EndNote and RefWorks
- PCs and group study rooms
- Laptops, iPads and flip cameras for loan
- Printing, copying and scanning facilities
- Disability support services
Our professional team of library staff is available to assist students online via the chat/SMS and email service, and in person at your nearest campus library. IT and Academic Skills Unit staff are also rostered at service points to assist students. The Library’s Leap into Learning program, available online, provides the searching, researching, referencing and evaluating skills required to help students succeed at University and beyond. For more information on Leap into Learning and the Library’s services, resources and facilities visit: http://library.acu.edu.au/
Student Associations
Each campus of the University has a Student Association, as well as the Post Graduate Association. Student Associations seek to promote a vibrant campus atmosphere by organising activities and events (social, sporting, cultural and spiritual). They also support the development and continuation of Clubs and Societies. In addition to this, the Student Associations represent all students on various campus and university boards and committees.
The Australian Catholic University National Student Association (ACUNSA) is comprised of the seven Student Association Presidents and is chaired by the Student Senator. All Presidents and the Student Senator are selected by application and interview process towards the latter part of each year. In addition to their role in ACUNSA, the Student Senator is appointed as a member of the University Senate.
For further information about the student associations, visit the ACUNSA website: students.acu.edu.au/388493.
The Office of Student Success
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students, Learning and Teaching) has responsibility for the portfolios of Student Administration, Student Learning and Engagement, and Professional Support Services for students. The Executive Manager, Office of Student Success manages and leads the Professional Support Services across the University. These services include Academic Skills Unit, Career Development Service, Counselling Service, The Equity and Disability Unit and The Campus Life Team. The Professional Support Services are provided so that each student can access the services to help them achieve their academic and personal goals.
The Executive Manager, Office of Student Success also liaises with Student Associations including ACUNSA. For further information please visit the website: students.acu.edu.au/332286.
Academic Skills
The Academic Skills Unit assists undergraduate and postgraduate students to develop independent learning strategies and the graduate attributes. Topics taught include: transition to tertiary study, managing time, reading, referencing, note taking and academic writing. The service offers individual appointments as well as consultations in small groups, larger workshops, print and web-based study resources. Academic Skills Advisers also collaborate with academic staff to integrate academic skills into teaching programs across the University. The ACU Study Guide: Skills For Success is available on each campus.
For further information about the Academic Skills Unit services, visit the website: students.acu.edu.au/371871.
Career Development Service
Career Advisers are available on each campus of Australian Catholic University to facilitate students' career decision-making, and to provide assistance with identifying personal career goals, developing employability skills, job searching and preparing employment applications.
Individual appointments with Career Advisers can be scheduled. A variety of group workshops and seminars are also available to assist students to develop skills and knowledge enabling them to take personal responsibility for managing a successful transition from their university study into the rapidly changing world of work, or into postgraduate study. Web-based resources and web-based interactive career development and employment related activities are available to assist students to make informed career decisions appropriate to the lifelong career development process.
For further information about the Careers Services, visit the website: students.acu.edu.au/371875.
Counselling
The Counselling Service is free, voluntary and confidential and is staffed by Psychologists or Social Workers who adhere to their professional association's ethical guidelines.
Personal concerns including psychological, relationship and university issues can affect a student's capacity to achieve their academic goals. Counselling can assist students to understand and assess any personal concerns within a supportive relationship. This experience can contribute to insight and clarity and usually eases anxiety and pain.
Counselling is generally provided by a 50 minute appointment. The Counselling Service also provides group support, workshops and online resources on issues relevant to students. For further information on the Counselling Service and online resources, visit the website: students.acu.edu.au/371879.
Discrimination and Harassment Policy
The University has a Policy on Discrimination and Harassment; it is available via the web. Visit www.acu.edu.au/policy/175819.
Students are covered by the Policy in relation to the provision of their education. Although the Policy cannot cover students in the course of employment, they are encouraged to consult a Discrimination and Harassment Adviser if they encounter any such difficulties. Students who are unsure of what constitutes unlawful discrimination and harassment or who wish to discuss a concern should consult a campus Discrimination and Harassment Adviser.
The Equity and Disability Unit
The Equity and Disability Unit provides services for students with disabilities and chronic medical conditions. It also works with other areas of the University to develop policies and strategies that help achieve equitable outcomes for prospective and current students. One such policy is the Discrimination and Harassment Policy. See Legislative Requirements, under General Information above or visit the website: students.acu.edu.au/371883.
Disability and Medical Conditions
The University seeks to provide appropriate and comprehensive services for students with disabilities. The University can do this providing needs are made known in advance. Students who may require assistance during their studies because of a disability or medical condition are encouraged to make an early approach to a Disability Adviser; they are also requested to indicate such needs at enrolment. Students with temporary disabilities arising from accidents or illness experienced during the year should make known their needs if services are required.
Those who have a disability or a chronic medical condition and who are considering applying to the University for the first time are warmly invited to contact the Disability Adviser at any time in the year before enrolment, to discuss disability related services.
Campus Life
Campus Life Staff on each campus support the development of the Australian Catholic University community through the facilitation of a rich, enjoyable, diverse and caring campus culture. They invite students, staff and the wider community to engage in a vibrant and dynamic campus life. Campus Life activities include the following:
- orientation programs
- student leadership training and formation
- mentoring, pastoral care and support networks
- sport
- clubs and societies
- campus events
- national events.
The Campus Life Team strives to improve the student experience; feedback and suggestions are always welcome.
For further information about the Campus Life Team, visit the website: students.acu.edu.au/377537
Directorate of Identity and Mission
The Directorate for Identity and Mission is responsible for animating the faith life on all the ACU Campuses. Its aim is about bringing the distinctive Catholic identity and mission of the University to life for staff, students and the wider community in which the University serves. Specifically, the Directorate is responsible to the University for:
Campus Ministry
Campus Ministry promotes spiritual growth and faith formation on and off campus. Campus Ministry takes the University mission to heart in all that it does; our ministry is created to encourage learning, to care for the whole person, and to foster the service of faith and the promotion of the Gospel. Grounded in the University’s Catholic identity and the charisms of our foundation religious communities, Campus Ministry’s outreach embraces people of all faith traditions. Campus Ministry promotes a welcoming and inclusive environment where people can express their faith passionately and discern their life calling in community. Campus Ministry truly is a place to belong, to believe, and to become. Campus Ministry desires to reflect truth, beauty and goodness through the teachings, sacraments, life and prayer of the Church. Specifically Campus Ministry promotes:
- prayer
- reception of the Sacraments (particularly Eucharist)
- faith development
- student and staff retreats
- evangelisation
- social justice
- leadership development
- spiritual direction
- ACU World Youth Day pilgrimages
- pastoral care and counselling
- groups exploring faith and reason
- interfaith dialogue.
There are many opportunities to become part of the community, so contact your local Campus Ministry Team, visit the website: students.acu.edu.au/392884.
Formation
The Directorate of Identity and Mission also provides a series of programs rich in human, spiritual, doctrinal, leadership and missionary formation. These formation programs provide and create opportunities for students and staff to explore, deepen and discover faith, and to grow in character. The four pillars of formation: Spiritual, Community, Mission and Intellectual transpire through a variety of programs including talks, workshops, forums, debates, retreats, conferences, missions and pilgrimages.
To find out more, contact Identity and Mission Directorate:
E: Therese.Nichols@acu.edu.au T: (03) 9953 3421
Spiritual and Pastoral
The Directorate of Identity and Mission is also responsible for upholding and strengthening the pastoral and spiritual dimension of the University. It is responsible to lead the University in identifying and articulating, with its senior staff, the unique charism of ACU. It also oversees the various dimensions of the identity of the University as a Catholic University, and the content and approach of its mission, seeking to ensure that this reflects its charism.
Liturgy and Symbols
The central aspect of the faith life of ACU is its liturgical worship of God, featured every week (in some cases, daily) on every campus of the University, and at key events in the life of the University such as graduation. Enhancing the liturgical practice and participation of students and staff, as well as the chapels themselves, is a vital responsibility of the Directorate of Identity and Mission. So to, is its role in assisting with the development of key symbols of the University such as its patron, motto, prayer and hymn, as well as its art on campus.
Page last updated: 2017-06-28
Short url: https://handbook.acu.edu.au/552745
Page last updated: 2017-06-28
Short url: https://handbook.acu.edu.au/552745