YSIWDI 10/11

» Enrolment

• You said you had to queue for too long to complete enrolment.
  We've introduced a single ID card that lasts for the course of your study so you'll only have to queue for it once.
  
  

• You said enrolment wasn't organised very well.
  We hired 16 mystery shoppers to analyse trends and to improve all aspects of our service.
  
  

• You wanted more information before you arrived at University.
  We've produced an innovative guide to enrolment guiding you through each step of the process.
  
  

• You said you were struggling to find enrolment locations.
  We've improved 'on campus', 'inside the buildings' and 'at enrolment' signage and employed students to help guide you around the sites.
  
  
• You wanted to tell us about your experience of enrolment.
  We've worked hard on our Welcome Survey to give you the chance to tell us exactly what you think.
  
  
  
  
  

» Business, Computing and Law

• You said you wanted an excellent experience in undertaking Independent Studies.
  We've directed resources to ensure that students who want to undertake Independent Studies have access to the most appropriate and experienced tutors.
  
  
• You said you wanted more time with academic staff.
  We've hired more excellent staff and implemented an effective personal tutorial system.
  
  
• You said you wanted better communication and information services.
  We've invested in a better personal service through the faculty information centre and better electronic communication to keep you up to date.
  
  
• You said you wanted more and better learning resources.
  We've secured substantial and targeted increases in learning resources for every programme.
  
  
• You said you wanted more detailed and timely feedback on your assignments and assessments.
  We've guaranteed that if you hand in your assignment before the Christmas break you'll have your assignment returned with feedback for 28 January.
  
  
• You said you wanted greater accessibility for your module tutors.
  We've arranged for tutor's office hours to be published making it easier for you to pick a time that's right for you.
  
  
• You said that you wanted the best quality teaching and the best quality teachers.
  We've recruited more subject specialists and doubled our investment in staff development.
  
  
• You said you wanted more opportunities for personal development.
  We've engaged more employers in the design of courses and redesigned courses to harness your personal potential.
  

» Arts, Design and Technology

• You said you wanted some more systematic support with developing Electronics Practical Skills.
  We've now employed three study skills mentors for Electronics Practical Skills to assist fellow students.
  
  
• You said you were struggling to meet your coursework deadlines.
  We've reviewed feedback deadlines for all programmes and created assessment programmes for all staff.
  
  
• You were complaining about poor organisation, timetabling and contact hours on certain programmes.
  We're looking into programme leadership issues on these programmes.
  
  
• You said you wanted better personal tutorial support.
  We've improved our communications strategy by making access times and sign up appointment system comprehensive across the faculty.
  
  
• You said you had a part time student experience at School of Technology.
  We've requested the Timetabling team to address needs of day release students in timetabling technology classes.
  
  
• You asked for better communication through Blackboard.
  We've ensured that all lecturers use Blackboard as a primary method of communication.
  

» Joint Honours Scheme

• You said you wanted fewer timetabling clashes.
  The University timetabling system uses the joint honours subject zoning system so that prescribed modules in joint honours subjects should never clash.
  
  
• You said you wanted better communications.
  We 've reviewed processes for gathering handbook and timetabling information to make sure that the information you get is 100% accurate.
  

» Education, Health and Sciences

• You wanted more support and guidance on your Personal Development.
  We've introduced further use of Personal Development Planning (PDP) modules to focus on personal development. We're working with the Career Development Centre to help you make the most of your transferable skills.
  
  
• You asked for more learning resources.
  We're investing in e-books, more information on Blackboard, increasing short loans and buying more books.
  
  
• You wanted more academic support.
  We're here to support you and will help you to be the best, check out availability and come and see us.
  
  
• You were complaining about our assessment and feedback practice.
  We have some excellent assessment and feedback in our faculty but we're sharing our expertise across the programmes to make every module even better.
  
  
• You told us the teaching on your course was excellent.
  We're looking into areas where you're telling us this and sharing good practice across all our courses in order to become even better.
  

» University of Derby Buxton

• Buxton students: You said you wanted easy access to improved sporting facilities.
  We've opened the new Harpur Hill sports hall in Buxton complete with new changing facilities, a 15 station fitness suite and an outdoor climbing wall.
  
  

• You said you wanted more contact with the Chaplaincy.
  We've a dedicated full time Chaplain who organises monthly activities including walks and film clubs, and we've recently appointed a Muslim Faith Advisor.
  
  
• You said you found enthusiastic staff as the most intellectually stimulating and effective.
  We've introduced a review of teaching materials and increased teaching observations to improve staff development.
  
  
• You asked for immediate feedback on assessments and clear guidance on how the assignment could be improved.
  We've introduced assessment criteria at module level in all handbooks and published a return date for assessments. We're also monitoring the quality of feedback provided to students.
  
  
• You wanted a standard process you should follow in order to contact staff.
  We've set up a system for making appointments with academics and introduced personal tutors. We've also increased the number of staff and introduced Assistant Subject Managers with responsibility for the quality of your student experience.
  
  
• You wanted better communications.
  We've increased the number of staff in the school management team to assist with the organisation and communication of the programmes.
  
  
• You found it hard to identyfy specific resources for your Independent Studies.
  We've developed Information Skills sessions for third year students. These sessions will encourage alternative search strategies for resources.
  
  
• You asked for an area with a specific Higher Education (HE) focus.
  We're now exploring options for a more flexible learning environement.
  
  
• You asked for more Personal Development Planning advice.
  We recently introduced the Personal Development Planning programme and we'll continue to monitor and refine our approach in response to your feedback.
  

» General University improvements

• You said you wanted a Halal selection of foods available.
  Chartwells are supplying a range of halal sandwiches and salads at the Amigo's Grab and Go station at Kedleston Road. They're also providing the same at Markeaton Street and Britannia Mill. Halal burgers are also available.
  
  

• You said you wanted more virtual processes.
  We developed an online module change form.
  
  

• You said you wanted easy access to sporting activities and facilities.
  We've created the new Team Derby Fitness suite - open from 7.00am-10.00pm, Monday to Friday and 9.00am-5.00pm on weekends.
  
  

• You said you wanted a wider range of fitness and exercise classes.
  Our new Team Derby Fitness suite offers a wide range of fitness and exercise classes included in the monthly gym membership price of £19.50 for students or £180 annual fee (some classes will incur an additional fee, where an external trainer is required).
  
  

• You said you weren't satisfied with the standard of the sports facilities.
  We've made sure our new fitness suite has high class facilities. The suite has new male, female and disabled changing which include touch power showers, individual cubicles, lockers and hair drying provision. We've also created changing rooms in the Kirtley building for those cycling or jogging to work who require a shower
  
  

• You asked for greener halls with more recycling opportunities.
  We've increased our recycling to include batteries and clothing.
  
  

• You said you wanted a second cash machine on site.
  We've put a new cash machine in the Students' Union Quarter.
  
  
• You asked for more help with finding private housing.
  We've managed to publish our housing list earlier than ever before and our Landlords' Day saw a huge increase in attendance with over 30 landlords available for students to speak to.
  
  
• January starters: You said you wanted to start your top up in January right after completing your HND.
  We've made sure that students starting in January on a two year course will have the opportunity to progress to a top up degree in January.
  
  
• You felt that the car park at Markeaton Park wasn't working for you.
  We're allowing Markeaton Park permit holders onto the Kedleston Road site (subject to space being available) from 3.45pm to allow those attending 4.00pm lectures to get on site without needing to get back to their cars after 6.00pm.
  
  
• You wanted the shuttle bus to be available after 6.00pm.
  We're now running a timetabled minibus service between 6.20pm- 9.00pm Monday to Thursday following the normal shuttle route. This service will also stop at Markeaton Park on request.
  
  
• You said you wanted a bus service that goes through Markeaton Park after 6.00pm.
  The 6.05pm number 5 service will now call at Markeaton Park.

» Accommodation

• You said you wanted more recycling provision in halls.
  We've now provided more recycling bags and specialist bins and we're even trialling food recycling at Laverstoke Court.
• You said you wanted longer office opening hours:
  We've extended the opening hours of the Student Housing Centre to be more flexible for you.
  
  
• You said you wanted more advice on private accommodation:
  We now produce a guide to finding private accommodation.
  
  
• You said you wanted similar students living together:
  We're now placing all postgraduate students together.
  
  
• You said you wanted better common rooms:
  We refurbished all our Derby common rooms and equipped them with new large screen TVs, Wi-Fi, pool tables and soft furnishings.
  
  
• You said you wanted to apply for halls earlier:
  You can now apply for halls much earlier than before.
  
  
• You said you wanted us to be greener:
  We brought in a team of environmental consultants to help us devise a green plan. We'll be focusing on energy use and waste and recycling, so keep your eyes peeled for our environment-friendly campaigns.

» International students

• You said you wanted more events which would appeal to all audiences.
  The International Student Centre works with the students societies to support and promote their events and activities.
  
  
• You said you'd appreciate further language development sessions.
  We've set up weekly conversation groups and reading groups to develop your communication skills, listening skills and researching approach.
  
  
• You said you wanted more things to do in Buxton.
  The International Student Advisor organises monthly activities and trips and circulates a monthly newsletter promoting events in the local area.
  
  
• You said that you wanted a smoother Meet and Greet airport pick up.
  We continue to review the meet and greet and orientation programme based on your feedback.
  
  
• You said you wanted more access to PCs.
  We've put PCs in the International Student Centre for you to access.
   
• You said that you wanted a smoother Meet and Greet airport pick up.
  We've put more resources behind this and built in a review process to airport pick ups this year.
  
  
• You said that you were worried about getting jobs in the UK.
  We've set up a series of workshops about getting jobs in the UK and also about future employability after graduation.
  
  
• You said that letter request turnaround time was too long.
  We've developed an automatic letter generation system for international student documentation.
  
  
• You said that you would appreciate further language development sessions.
  We've set up language development sessions on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.

» Library

• You said you wanted more power sockets in Kedleston Road Library.
  We've put more sockets on the lower ground and also first and second floors at Kedleston Road.
  
  
• You said it was difficult to get attention of staff if you required help to reach books on high shelves.
  Some library staff in Kedleston Road Library are being deployed as rovers, wearing 'Can I help?' t-shirts.
  
  
• You said it was difficult to navigate to eJournals.
  We're working on improving our help guides and web page navigation.
  
  
• You said you wanted access to more PCs.
  We've made Netbook computers available for loan in the Kedleston Road Library.
  
  
• You said that required books weren't always available.
  We've put more funds during 2009/10 to purchase books and e-books. This funding has been maintained during 2010/11. We're also working with academic staff to improve reading lists to ensure that books recommended are available in the library.
  
  
• You said that computers needed updating.
  We're moving to Windows 7 and Office 2010, ready for September 2011.
  
  
• You said that computer workstations weren't always suitable for wheelchair users.
  We've provided some electrically operated height adjustable workstations.
  
• You said that there was too much use of Facebook by students so those who needed to work were unable to.
  We've restricted access to Facebook on the first and second floors at Kedleston Road. We're looking into extending this restriction.
  
  
• You said you were unsure of which library areas were for silent study and which for group work.
  We've made the library's zoning system clearer by the use of traffic lights colours and clear notices. We're planning similar zoning at the Britannia Mill Library.
  
  
• You said you wanted longer opening hours.
  We've extended opening hours over Christmas and Easter.