New Student

College Regulations

1. Student Charter
As a student of Argyll College, you will be entitled to the standards of customer service detailed in the student charter included in this section.

2. Equal Opportunities
Argyll College is committed to ensuring that no student is discriminated against on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion, gender or marital status, age or disability. The Equal Opportunities statement is on display in each centre and copies can be made available on request.

3. Centre Rules
These should be read and adhered to at all times.
Our Health & Safety Policy Statement is displayed in all our centres, and is available on request.

4. Complaints Procedure
If you are unhappy with any aspect of the service you receive from Argyll College, you should follow the complaints procedure in this section.

5. Academic Appeals
If you feel that you have been unfairly assessed and wish to appeal, please speak to your local centre manager for more information.

Student Charter
Argyll College, as part of the UHI Millennium Institute, will provide accessible education and training of the highest standard, to support the development of people, businesses and communities in Argyll and the Islands.

COLLEGE RESPONSIBILITIES
As a student of Argyll College, you can expect the following standards of service:

  • Requests for information will be dealt with on receipt and you will receive a response to such requests within 5 working days of receipt.
  • You will have access to guidance, before commencing study and throughout your study. You are also entitled to ask to be referred to specialist guidance.
  • You will be entitled to the use of centre facilities including access to computers, e-mail and other information and communications technology (ICT) support. Access arrangements and times will be agreed at the start of your course of study.
  • You will be invited to attend an Argyll College Learning Centre to take part in an induction programme at the start of your course of study.
  • You will be provided with full details of your course, including details of your tutor, how and when they can be contacted and submission details for assignments and any other relevant details.
  • You will not be discriminated against on grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion, gender, marital status, age, or disability. The Equal Opportunities policy is on display in each centre and copies are available on request.
  • If you have a complaint about any aspect of Argyll College’s service, you should write in the first instance to your local Learner Centre Manager. Complaints will be acknowledged within 3 working days of receipt and will be dealt with under the complaints procedure. Copies of this are available in centres and in this handbook. (See page )
  • If you are taking part in a UHI higher education course, additional information on your rights and responsibilities as a student of UHI are set out in the UHI Student Charter. Information can be found on the UHI website at www.uhi.ac.uk

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

As a student of Argyll College we will expect you to:

  • Take care of and not misuse equipment in the learning centre. You should note that phone, e-mail, Internet access and fax are for use solely in connection with your course and any unauthorised use will be charged to you.
  • Provide us with full and accurate information in relation to your enrolment form.
  • Do your best to keep appointments with centre staff and give as much notice as possible if for any reason you are unable to attend for any booked period of time, either with centre staff or to use equipment.
  • Seek out support as you feel necessary to your study at Argyll College
  • Behave responsibly and follow Health and Safety rules, which are displayed in all our centres.
  • Students must not discriminate against or harass another student or member of staff.

Centre Rules

For the convenience and safety of all users of this facility, the following rules apply:

  • Please check the location of fire escapes, fire extinguishers and the procedure to be followed in the event of a fire. These procedures will be displayed in our centres.
  • There is no smoking allowed anywhere on these premises.
  • Food and drink are not permitted in any of the computer suites.
  • Please act at all times in a way that ensures your own safety and that of others.
  • Adhere to our ICT and Internet Policy, copies of which are on display in our centres, and are available on request.

Complaints Procedure
The following is the standard complaints procedure for all Argyll College students. Complaints relating directly to course delivery may vary from course to course.

If you are unhappy with any aspect of the service you receive from Argyll College, you should do the following:
First talk to the Learning Centre Manager who will help you try to resolve the problem. If you are still unhappy, or if you feel the matter requires further action, you should make a formal complaint.

This should be in writing and sent to the Learning Centre Manager who will acknowledge your complaint within 3 working days of receipt (Please note that a number of centres are staffed part time and working days may not be consecutive).

If your complaint relates directly to the Learning Centre Manager and cannot be resolved informally with him/her, you should send your complaint to Elaine Munro, College Manager, at:

Argyll College
Dunstaffnage Learning Centre
By Oban,
Argyll, PA37 1PZ

Your complaint will be investigated and you will receive a written response within 14 working days of receipt of the complaint.

If you are not satisfied with this response, you can ask for your complaint to be referred to the Director of the College who will investigate your complaint and respond to you within 10 working days of receipt.

 

IT Use and the Internet

There is a variety of information and communications technology available to help you through your study.

All Argyll College students have access to computers in the centres, and this will be discussed at induction. You will be given a student account with a unique password, which will allow you access to your own folder. No other students will have access to this folder and you can use this for all your work.

Do not give out your password to anyone else, or try to access another student’s personal folder.

Increasingly your tutor will encourage you to send your assessments by email. We can set up an email address for you as required.

Your email account is for college use only and should not be used to send out unsolicited emails to others.

We have short courses available which will help you to gain the skills in word processing, email and the Internet if you feel that you do not have the skills necessary.

Please ask your centre manager about these courses or any other issue relating to using computers in our centres.

Video Conferencing
All centres are equipped with video conferencing equipment. Increasingly video conferencing is being used to support and enhance the learning experience for students at a distance from their tutors. This may be used to deliver lectures, provide tutorial support and specific course induction. If required for your course, you will be given training in the use of this facility.

Internet Use
All Argyll College students have free access to the Internet in the centres, but there are strict rules that students must adhere to. The following covers some of the basic rules of accessing the Internet in the College, however, our full ICT and Internet policy is on display in each centre.

  • Our computer system logs all Internet use and our systems administrator is able to check on what sites have been visited, when and by whom.
  • The reason for this is system security and to ensure that access to the Internet is not used for illegal purposes.
  • Downloading material that could be considered pornographic is illegal.
  • Downloading such material may result in your enrolment as a student being terminated immediately.
  • Students may not access chat rooms.

Whether you are using computers in the learning centres or at home, the following guidelines will help prevent strain or injury to you.

Ergonomic Tips
To help prevent strain to your neck, shoulders and back, use these simple tips in any chair. These can be done whether you’re at home or at work.

Computer area
Keep your computer area organized. Avoid placing things under the desk so you can stretch your legs.

Check equipment
Before working, make sure that all cables are safely out of the way and that there are no loose or hanging cables or broken equipment. If you are in the learning centre and notice any potential problems or dangers, immediately inform your tutor or learning centre staff.

Sitting down with good posture
Sit back in your chair. This should start you off in a good sitting position. Sit up straight and try to keep you hips and shoulders in a straight line.

Feet should touch the floor
If your feet don’t touch the ground you can lower your chair or if your chair can’t be lowered or if it puts you in a position where you are looking up at your monitor, consider a foot rest. A more costly enterprise would be to have your legs lengthened.

Support the lumbar area
Make sure you have the lower back supported to help maintain the lumbar curve.

Tip seat forward
For additional help in maintaining the lumbar curve adjust the seat angle forward.

Position monitor
The monitor should be placed where the top of the screen is at eye level and directly in front of you. The distance away should be between 15”-30”. Use the length of your arm as a general guide.

Use a document holder
Using a document holder near the monitor will help keep your head in a neutral position and avoid awkward straining.

Take breaks and shift your position
Shifting around can take the stress and strain off tired muscles. Mini-breaks with gentle stretching and exercises can make a big difference in how you feel. Make sure that at least once an hour you stand up and move around.

Use wrists supports at the keyboard and with the mouse
Wrist pads can avoid excess strain; please ask if you feel that you would benefit from using one. Make sure the supports are comfortable and there are no sharp edges. Arms should be relaxed and at about a 90° angle.

   

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