Services
IT provides support for students in their learning and research, including systems, through developing and maintaining computer labs; plus managing infrastructure resources for student related services.
Skilled support teams are available providing student IT services and operational delivery:
- at Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney from 7:30am to 6:30pm
- at Ballarat and Canberra from 8:30am to 5pm
- at Adelaide through Service Desk and Melbourne Desktop Support Teams.
IT services students receive include:
- an ACU Office 365 email account
- free WiFi access through the University's networks
- 40 megabytes of personal server storage space on the Student File Server
- access to recorded lectures enabling audio and video files to be accessible at a later stage
- wireless printing
- induction on ACU systems
- free anti-virus software available to students on personal devices as well as ACU desktops in public areas through Sophos Endpoint Security and Control
- free access to an online training library containing over 6,300 courses, spanning more than 267,000 searchable video tutorials for all students
- student helpdesk in the library.
IT ensures the development and implementation of enhanced delivery systems and infrastructure. For student related services this includes managing:
- security and risk including regulatory compliance, risk management, security management, privacy and data protection
- systems access including password - authorising the usage of systems and enabling access through standard controls including systems-specific passwords or single network sign on
- network access, including internet enabled services and data network management
- audio-visual systems and classroom technologies.
IT provides proactive communications to inform students on IT matters. IT also develops tailored training materials to increase skills and awareness of students.
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 ACU Library.
As part of the wider portfolio of Students Learning and Teaching, the Office of Student Success (OSS) provides students with support services to promote student engagement in university life; to provide opportunities for the development of student leadership, and to provide opportunities for students to develop graduate attributes making them work ready professionals.
The Director, Office of Student Success manages and leads the Professional Support Services for students across the University. These services include the Academic Skills Unit, Career Development Service, Counselling Service, the Disability Unit, Student Advocacy Service, Student Enrichment, Student Leadership and Development Programs and Peer Assisted Study Sessions. Professional Support Services are provided so every student has access to services which can assist them with achieving their academic and personal goals. Responsibility for the support of the Student Associations including ACUNSA also sits with the Office of Student Success. For further information about the Office of Student Success, visit the Office of Student Success website.
Academic Skills Unit
The Academic Skills Unit (ASU) works to develop students' skills and strategies for successful university study.
Skills and strategies taught include: transition to tertiary study, managing time, numeracy, academic reading, referencing, note taking and academic writing.
For students, there are workshops, consultations, drop-ins, Ask an Adviser and a range of online and print resources including ACU Study Guide: Skills for Success. Learn more at Access to Services.
For staff, Academic Skills Advisers can assist in the development of integrated academic skills support into teaching programs, as well as provide activities, materials and resources to support student learning.
For further information about ASU and their services, visit Access to Services.
Career Development Service
The Career Development Service delivers a comprehensive range of engaging and specialized career services to current students and graduates. Central to this is ACU CareerHub, an online portal which provides students with opportunities for employment, community engagement, work experience, volunteer and Internships. Students can also make an appointment, access our online service and stay informed of events via CareerHub. In addition, the Student Jobs on Campus program offers students meaningful employment opportunities across ACU campuses.
Learn more about the Career Development Service.
Register on CareerHub.
Counselling
The Counselling service offers free, confidential assessment and counselling support to students both in-person or online. The Counsellors offer Mental Health First Aid which educates and raises awareness about mental health and empowers people to respond appropriately. A number of early intervention stress management programs are offered on each campus and a range of workshops are offered on the campuses to encourage proactive health management. Appointments can be booked online and in addition half hour drop-in sessions are available 12 noon to 1pm each day on all campuses, except for Ballarat and Canberra.
For further information and to make an appointment to speak with a Counsellor, visit Counselling Service.
Disability Services
The Disability Service is committed to promoting access and equity for students with disabilities and aims to provide an environment in which all students can participate fully in the life of the University. The Disability Service recommends and coordinates adjustments through the development of Education Inclusion plans (EIPs) for students with disabilities, medical conditions, carer responsibilities and temporary illness and injury. Disability Services advises and liaises with University staff to assist with understanding and implementing reasonable adjustments. This Service assists the University with meeting the legal obligations in relation to the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education (DSE) 2005.
For further information and to make an appointment to speak with a Disability Adviser, visit Register for support.
Student Enrichment Unit
The Student Enrichment Unit seeks to develop a rich, enjoyable and diverse campus culture that engages students, staff and the wider community in a vibrant and dynamic campus life, initiatives include:
- Student development is focused on developing leadership skills for clubs and societies executives through leadership events and programs and workshops, providing coaching and guidance, and support for student associations, clubs, societies (as well as for all students at ACU). Learn more about leadership student leadership development for your club or society at ACU here at Services and Support. Learn more about ACUNSA and Student Associations, clubs and societies.
- Student Enrichment provides co-curricular activities across the University. Students have the opportunity to develop holistically with programs such as language lessons, guitar lessons, talent nights, movie nights and various student events. Learn more here: Services and Support.
Student Programs
Student Programs seeks to develop whole of life formation through leadership, character, responsibility, integrity, motivation, humility, spirituality, service and compassion for others.
- Student Advocacy Service provides accessible, accurate information and advice to students regarding university administration and academic matters by offering a free and confidential service to all current students at ACU. This service empowers students to navigate university policy and complaints mechanisms referring students to internal ACU student support services and external support services creating a culture of student advocacy where the dignity and respect of all parties is maintained. Learn more at Student Advocacy Service.
- Student Retention service is focused on helping students succeed academically primarily through an initiative called the PASS program (Peer Assisted Study Sessions). Students can speak with their course coordinators to find out if there is a PASS program for their units of study. Learn more here: Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS).
- Leadership and Culture provides students with a range of leadership programs designed to equip ACU students with leadership competencies and skills which contribute their development as active and global citizens. Membership of the Golden Key International Society is one of the many programs offered. ACU student choirs which are on the Brisbane, North Sydney, Strathfield, Melbourne and Ballarat campuses have organised events such as rehearsals, performances and annual Masterclasses to Sydney and Rome.
The Directorate of Identity and Mission has as it's primary purpose the articulation, promotion and transmission of the Catholic identity, mission and intellectual and spiritual traditions of the University. Flowing from the mission and core values of the University, the Directorate seeks to engage with staff and student to live in and make contributions to the human community according to the Catholic identity and mission of the University.
In order to achieve this goal, the Directorate has a number of key units that enable it to fulfil its purpose.
Campus Ministry
Through Campus Ministry the Directorate animates opportunities for members of the University community to deepen their experience of faith and to use their gifts and talents in service to the world. Specifically, 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.
Staff Formation
The Directorate of Identity and Mission also provides a series of programs rich in human, spiritual, theological, leadership and missionary formation for staff. These formation programs provide and create opportunities for 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, professional developmewnt opportunities and pilgrimages.
Spiritual and Pastoral
The Directorate, through Campus Ministry, 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 Catholic identity and mission.
Liturgy and Symbols
The central aspect of the faith life of ACU is its liturgical worship of God, featured on every campus of the University, and at key events in the life of the University such as graduation, commencement of the academic year and at other times in the Church's liturgical calendar. 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 religious art on all of our campuses.
Institute for Advancing Community Engagement
Community engagement is one of the distinctive ways in which ACU expresses its identity and mission. In particular, community engagement offers staff and students opportunities to act in ways which bring the principles of Catholic social teaching to life in particular contexts. Through the Institute for Advancing Community Engagement, the Directorate facilitates University-community partnerships that enhance the wellbeing and dignity of people and their communities locally, nationally and internationally, as well as within the university.
Centre for Liturgy
The Centre for Liturgy at ACU seeks to support, promote and enhance the liturgical life of the Catholic Church through tertiary education, scholarship and pastoral formation. It provides high-quality academic programs in liturgical studies and sacramental theology through ACU's Faculty of Theology and Philosophy and LaSalle Academy for Religious Education. It also provides practical professional training and development in liturgy and the sacred arts through ACU's Directorate of Identity and Mission.
Page last updated: 2017-06-28
Short url: https://handbook.acu.edu.au/950064
Page last updated: 2017-06-28
Short url: https://handbook.acu.edu.au/950064