YSIWDI 08/09

» The University environment

• Library Facilities
  You said you wanted a more flexible learning space in the library where you could work in groups and at the same time also have quiet study areas.
  We spent £250,000 creating a Flexible Learning Zone on the lower ground floor of the Learning Centre at KR, with new furniture that you can easily rearrange for collaborative work and for when you're using laptops and other mobile technology and have installed new signs on other floors to designate quiet zones clearly.
• You said that there are still not enough books and essential resources in some subjects.
  We spent nearly £140,000 extra over the summer on more books and other resources.  
• You said that you wanted access to MAC computers at Kedleston Road.
  We are initially putting 4 MACs in the new Flexible Learning Zone at Kedleston Road Learning Centre.
• Buses
  You said you wanted real time information for the Markeaton Street shuttle bus.
  We have put this in place from beginning November and will also display real time information for the Allestree route, as well as schedule information for Unibus routes 5 and 6.

• Catering
  You asked us to increase the range of food available at Britannia Mill and Markeaton Street.
  We reviewed the menus and made adjustments, including increasing the range of Halal meals available and have made sure that skimmed milk is an option in all areas.

» Supporting you

• Inductions
  You said you got too much information all at once and no follow up later when you really want to know.
  We have adapted our first year induction programme and are looking at campaigns during the year at key points.   
• Timetabling
  You said you wanted your timetable to be more 'fixed' and available earlier.
  We have done our timetabling much earlier this year and made the timetables available for you to review on UDo before you enrol.

» The bigger picture

• Social Life
  You said you wanted more events which would appeal to all audiences.
  Working with your Students' Union, we established a full programme of Freshers' Fortnight events, with over 100 events at Derby and Buxton including trips to IKEA, Alton Towers, Chatsworth House, film nights and study skills sessions. To cater for a range of tastes and allow you to get involved in University life much earlier.   

» Communications

• Website
  You said you found the website hard to navagate and couldn't get quick answers to your questions.
  We have completely overhauled the current studentspages based on focus groups we held to find out where you would look for certain types of information. We also invested in new software called Ask Us which aims to provide answers to all your questions, which we'll be continuously building on in the future.
• UDo
  You said that you did not think UDo was very user friendly.
  We've started a programme of work to update UDo making it slicker and easier to navigate and will be asking for your views at the Programme Rep Conference in November.
• Programme Rep Conference
  You said you wanted a bigger voice within your programmes.
  Last year we held our first Programme Rep Conference which was a way to recognise the importance of our reps and give them a chance to give their views on a variety of issues as well as grilling senior management in our panel debate.
• Student Diary and Handbook
  You said you didn't know where to look for information about the services available to you while you are studying with us.
  You didn't feel that you knew enough about the services available. The Student Diary and Handbook has been overhauled so that it's in an A to Z format, making all the essential information really easy to find and we continue to give these out free at enrolment. It's now a key reference for whatever you want to find out and there's a web version too. This year we also produced an FE Diary and Handbook so that all our students have access to their important information.

» Education, Health and Sciences

• You said you couldn't get access to the books you neede
  We're investing in extra copies of popular titles and increase in 1 week loans.
     
• You wanted more academic support
  We're working more closely with Student Services to understand personal development plans to meet individual needs.
    
• You said you couldn't see how Programme Evaluation Feedback has been used
  We're redesigning module booklets to include previous students' comments and to see what changes have been made.
    
• You wanted better organised practice placements
  We've improved the organisation of planning and management of practice placements.

» Arts, Design and Technology

• You said you wanted better access to specialist IT software at Markeaton Street.
  Over the summer, we ensured that specialist software was available on more Macs.
   
• You asked for better access to facilities in the evenings.
  We have made arrangements for the Media Store, and a range of workshops which were previously closed, to be open in the evenings this year.
   
• You asked for more systematic  support with essay writing in the School of Humanities.
  We have scheduled academic writing workshops and introduced e-learning tutorials at Kedleston Road.
   
• You said you wanted better personal tutorial support.
  We have provided tutorial booths outside staff offices at Markeaton Street, to facilitate one-to-one tutorials.

» Business, Computing and Law

• You said you couldn't get access to the books you needed
  We're investing in electronic resources so you can always get hold of popular titles.
   
• You wanted more specialist software available
  We've invested and are continuing to invest in specialist hardware and software.
   
• 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 said you wanted more support available to you

  Our new reception has trained students at key times throughout the academic year to give you advice and support.

» Joint Honours Scheme

• You found it difficult to work out your timetable:
  We've created new, easy to read, single subject timetables which are available in hard copy and on the web.
   
• You wanted more one to one support:
  Every first year Joint Honours student has a personal tutor in one of their subject areas and we've scheduled more bookable academic counselling appointments. 
   
• You wanted more help in understanding what referral means:
  Our Student Liaison Officer contacted all students with referrals to explain what you need to do. We also included useful information about referrals on our web pages. 
   
• You wanted fewer timetable clashes:
  The University timetabling system uses the Joint Honours subject zoning system so that prescribed modules in Joint Honours subjects should never clash.

» University of Derby Buxton

• You said you couldn't get access to the books you needed in Buxton
  Last year we invested over £8000 in books and e-books so you can always get hold of popular titles.
   
• You said you found it difficult to find placements on your course
  We have appointed a work placement coordinator to work with your programme teams. 
• You wanted better communication
  We've created a home page on Blackboard for Joint Honours students.

• You wanted help with understanding credit requirements and University regulations
  The Programme Advisory Service in the Student Admin Office have been created to help you with your queries, explain University regulations, find the best way to progress through your course, and make appointments for you to see your programme or module leader at a time that's convenient for you both.