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Services
Information Technology
Libraries
Student Associations
The Office of Student Success
Academic Skills
Career Development Service
Counselling
Campus Life
Directorate of Identity and Mission
The Equity and Disability Unit
Disability and Medical Conditions
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;
- responsible for the library printing system;
- email accounts for each student;
- network storage for each student;
- postgraduate computer laboratories;
- student induction on ACU systems;
- online computer-based training (CBT) via Atomic Learning;
- lecture recording into LMS* in main auditoriums;
- interactive SmartBoards;
- Computers on Wheels (COWS) for flexible learning;
- applications including Microsoft Office 2007 and Adobe Creative Suite 4;
- secure 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.
*LMS = Learning Management System – currently Blackboard
Libraries
The Library on each campus supports learning and research by providing:
- information resources;
- computers with internet access, Microsoft Office and other applications;
- individual and group study spaces;
- printing and copying facilities.
The library collection includes books, journals and audiovisual resources. Access to a large number of electronic databases, ejournals and ebooks is available both on and off campus.
To enable students to make the most of its resources the Library conducts Information Literacy classes and staff are available at the Information Desk.For further information about library facilities and services visit the website at www.acu.edu.au/library.
Student Associations
Each campus has a Student Association which represents the students in matters concerning the general welfare of the student body. This involves student leadership, taking action on behalf of the student body, promoting student involvement in student activities and affairs, supporting recreational and social activities as well as Clubs and Societies, and providing student representatives to the various campus and University boards and committees.
ACUNSA, the Australian Catholic University National Student Association, comprises the Student Association President of each of ACU's six campuses, Postgraduate Students Association (PGA) President and the Student Senator. Each year ACUNSA elects a Student Senator to the University Senate, and to facilitate the representation of students on Academic Board and other committees.
International students are represented on Student Associations to ensure that all their needs are addressed. In addition to the facilities and activities provided for all University students, ACUcom also organises regular social activities for international students in their programs.
Postgraduate students have a Postgraduate Students Association (PGA), which creates avenues of support and networking amongst current and past ACU postgraduate students. PGA works closely with ACUNSA in representation of postgraduate student needs.
For further information about Student Associations, visit the ACUNSA website, the “Hub of Student Life” at: www.acu.edu.au/student_life/associations,_clubs_and_societies/student_association/
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 our website: www.acu.edu.au/242942
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: www.acu.edu.au/student_resources/office_of_student_success/service_areas/academic_skills/
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: www.acu.edu.au/student_resources/office_of_student_success/service_areas/careers_service/
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: www.acu.edu.au/student_resources/office_of_student_success/service_areas/counselling_services/
Campus Life
Campus Life Coordinators 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 and transition 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: www.acu.edu.au/student_life/campus_community/campus_life/
Directorate of Identity and Mission
The Identity and Mission Directorate is responsible for the following areas:
1. Campus Ministry
Campus Ministry is about bringing the distinctive identity and mission of Australian Catholic University to life. It is a vital part of the University community. Campus Ministry seeks to nurture and guide students and staff to encounter Jesus Christ whilst recognising, respecting and promoting the dignity of the human person and to encourage religious freedom for all. Campus Ministry desires to reflect truth, beauty and goodness through the teachings, sacraments, life and prayer of the Church.
- prayer
- reception of the Sacraments
- faith development
- retreats
- evangelisation
- social justice
- community engagement
- leadership development
- spiritual direction
- 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. www.acu.edu.au/student_life/campus_ministry/
2. Formation
The Directorate of Identity and Mission will provide a series of programs rich in human, spiritual, doctrinal, leadership and missionary formation. These formation programs will 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 will 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: Therese.Nichols@acu.edu.au or telephone (03) 9953 3421.
3. World Youth Day, Madrid 2011
The Directorate of Identity and Mission will be coordinating the ACU Pilgrimage to World Youth Day 2011 Madrid "In the footsteps of JPII" from Krakow to Rome then on to Madrid concluding in Fatima. The Australian Catholic University is very pleased to show its support for WYD 2011, and to see in this pilgrimage an investment not only for those students and staff who will attend but also for the whole student body, and indeed for its commitment to ever enriching its identity and mission as a Catholic University.
4. Spiritual and Pastoral
The Identity and Mission Directorate, is 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.
5. 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 Identity and Mission Directorate. 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.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: www.acu.edu.au/43926
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.
