STUDENT SUPPORT AT EUSA Sarah Moffat & Ed Auckland

WHAT SUPPORT? ●Raising student concerns with the University ●Supporting student-led campaigns ●Groups for marginalised students ●Celebrating and encouraging best practice ●Personal development opportunities ●Student-led academic and pastoral support ●One-to-one support and advice

Raising Student Concerns ●Ensuring student voices are heard ●Making student concerns a priority ●Lobbying the University for change ●Holding the University to account

Supporting Student-led Campaigns ●Promoting student-led campaigns and causes ●Offering campaigning support and advice ●Access to key decision- makers within University ●Providing resources (time, money, space etc.) to facilitate campaigns

Groups for Marginalised Students ●Some students face additional challenges e.g. discrimination, harassment ●Groups exist for support, advice, representation

Celebrating and Encouraging “Best Practice” ●First University in UK to run student- led Teaching Awards ●Celebrating staff who support students ●Promotes and encourages best practice

Personal Development Opportunities ●Skills training and workshops e.g. public speaking, project management ●Personal development opportunities e.g. volunteering, being a student rep ●Recognition e.g. Edinburgh Award

ANY QUESTIONS ?

Who are we? The Advice Place is the advisory service for all students at the University of Edinburgh. We are part of Edinburgh University Students’ Association. We have a mixture of full-time and student volunteer staff

Where are we ? We have a main office in the central area where students can drop in We can meet students ANYWHERE by appointment, including outlying campuses On Facebook, Twitter, , phone, Skype and text

What do we do? Students can ask us about anything and everything- there are no silly questions Well nearly anything…we cannot advise on immigration or visas Professional welfare advisers and academic advisers

All of our advice is: Confidential Impartial Professional Non-judgemental For all students FREE!

Common Advice Place uses Money and funding advice Emergency loans Academic advice Accommodation and tenancy rights Taxes “C:Card” (partnership with NHS Scotland)

We answered over enquiries last year (that’s about 11 per adviser per day!) Over 93 % of students would recommend us to their friends Advice Place staff also sit on University committees and related task groups Some stats

Some more stats

Lesser-known services Remote reporting for hate crime Support and advice for victims of harassment Support for students who have been accused of harassment

Many advice areas are seasonal!

What don’t we do? Immigration advice Counselling (though we signpost to the Counselling Service) Take referrals Intervene on behalf of students Get involved in campaigns or politics

How can students get in touch? They don’t need an appointment, they can just drop in By phone or text Via social media By – dedicated academic and welfare inboxes

Any questions? Ed Auckland Academic adviser