YSIWDI 07/08

» Arts, Design and Technology

• You asked for better communication about your course and lectures:
  We introduced text messaging so we can let you know as early as possible if your lecture has been postponed or moved.
  
  
• You asked for more opportunities to have your say:
  We met your course reps at their annual conference and we're holding some follow up focus groups soon.
  
  
• You wanted more course resources online:
  We looked at the modules that are currently on Blackboard and we'll make sure all your modules are online by the end of this academic year.
  
  
• You asked for help with written assignments:
  We set up drop-in study skills sessions with experienced tutors, at Markeaton Street.

» Business, Computing and Law

• You asked for better and faster notification when your lecturers can't attend:
  We've improved our 'red alert' system - we'll text you with details of work your lecturer has left and put a notice on your teaching room door.
  
  
• You wanted to be listened to more:
  We've arranged drop in sessions every week with your Assistant Deans. And there are sessions where you can put your questions directly to the Dean too.
  
  
• You wanted more up-to-date information:
  We're installing a plasma screen outside BCL reception to display messages for students.
  
  
• You asked for more communication and contact from us:
  We emailed you to check you're OK and happy with your course.

» Education, Health and Sciences

• You asked for better and faster notification when your lecturers can't attend:
  We enhanced our "Red Alert" system. We now send a text to your mobile as well as putting up a notification of work left on the teaching room door and on UDo.
  
  
• You wanted more feedback opportunities within your course:
  We asked programme leaders to set up regular meetings between student reps and course leaders. When this is in full swing your reps will have more formal opportunities to pass on your opinions.
  
  
• You said you wanted to be able to access more class notes and presentations both before and after lectures:
  We communicated with programme leaders to ensure that resources are put online before your classes take place. We'll monitor this to see how well the policy is being implemented.
  
  
• You wanted more notice of when programme committees took place, and how to put items on the agenda:
  We publicised the schedule of meetings so you could plan ahead. Senior faculty managers have also planned to meet regularly with student reps as a group so that they hear first hand the issues that are important to you.

» Joint Honours Scheme

• You wanted your academic counsellors to be available more often:
  We've introduced a new schedule so counsellors are available every weekday. You can make an appointment by phone or email.
  
  
• You asked for more one to one support:
  We've arranged for every first year joint honours student to have a personal tutor.
  
  
• You said there were too many timetable clashes:
  We changed the way we timetable your subjects to help with this.

» General University improvements

• You asked for more books:
  We spent an extra £40,000 on book stock this year, focusing on areas identified in your feedback.
• You asked for an additional Library in Derby:
  We changed plans to incorporate a new Library at Britannia Mill so that students based there and at Markeaton Street can access these facilities on their doorstep.
• You asked for more academic staff:
  We increased the number of academic posts so that more lecturers are available to you.
• You asked for more guidance when you start your studies at Derby:
  We updated the inductions you receive as new students to make them more interactive and informative. We have employed 'Student Guides' to take you on tours of the campuses and tell you more about the support and facilities available to you as Derby students.
• You said you sometimes got lost or confused during enrolment:
  We invested in new signage for each site and developed a clearer enrolment procedure to make it easier for you to enrol.
• You said that catering facilities were sometimes closed when you came in for lectures:
  We liaised with Chartwells, who run our catering facilities, who have agreed to pilot extended opening hours during the times that you are on-site for lectures.
• You said that some programmes were being moved to other sites that you didn't know:
  We arranged for campus tours for returning students whose programmes have been moved to new sites.
• You asked for improved and timely communication about your lectures and programmes:
  We introduced text messaging for all programmes, so that we can let you know as early as possible if your lecture has been cancelled or moved.
• You asked for improved communications:
  We developed touchscreen information kiosks for our reception areas to guide you through our services, opening hours, bus times, and to allow you to contact teams directly.
• You wanted to increase your employability:
  We introduced an ILM accredited 'Derby Award' to boost your employability, management and leadership skills
• You wanted a more streamlined, accessible Handbook and Diary:
  We reorganised information on our services into a new A to Z format to make details of our services and facilities more accessible.
• You wanted better classrooms and teaching spaces:
  We opened our fantastic Markeaton Street site, refurbished Britannia Mill and are undertaking an extensive programme of improvements and modernisation to Kedleston Road teaching spaces, to ensure that all students at all sites benefit from state of the art equipment and comfortable teaching spaces.
• You wanted a personal tutor:
  We piloted a personal tutor scheme, for all new Joint Honours students, part-time Management Masters students, and Higher Education students at Buxton. We'll be testing out different ways of delivering the services from drop-in sessions to more structured meetings, and plan to extend the service following this pilot.

» University of Derby Buxton

• You asked for better communication about what's happening and what staff are up to when they're not teaching:
  We've arranged for a regular e-newsletter to be produced informing you of current activities.
  
  
• You said you wanted more contact with industry and professional bodies:
  We've increased the number of industry speakers that are involved with your course, and we're looking at accrediting some courses with relevant professional bodies.
  
  
• You asked for help and support with setting up your own business:
  We've introduced extra support into your curriculum, and we'll be working on more initiatives soon.
  
  
• You wanted a one-stop shop for support and guidance:
  We've set up the Top-Up-Zone, which brings together a range of support services, and we've made plans to include careers and work placement support soon.