Welfare
Your University career can be a very exciting period of your life. However, problems can arise. There are therefore a number services at Warwick that have been set up to help you deal with any difficulties, as and when they occur. The link on the right hand side to Student Support Services explains many of the support services available
You will have received a copy of the University Student Handbook that is sent to all first year students and this describes the various services that are available. As you will see from this booklet the Personal Tutor System provides the first line of support in ensuring your well-being at Warwick. Like all Warwick students you have been assigned a Personal Tutor, who is a member of the Academic Staff of the Physics Department, and he or she will normally remain your tutor throughout your time here.
The University has published some guidelines about how the personal tutor system is expected to operate. It is an aim of the Department of Physics to offer support and contact that goes well beyond what is outlined in this document.
The relationship between a tutor and their tutees is a flexible and varied one which will evolve with time. In your first 2 years in the Physics Department your Personal Tutor will also be your Academic Tutor, so you will get to know each other quite well through your regular tutorials. In the event of a problem you should normally seek assistance from your personal tutor in the first instance. Often they will be able to help you sort it out and if not they will be able to refer to someone with more relevant experience.
The personal tutor-student relationship works most effectively if it is a reciprocal one. The following statement describes what you can expect from your tutor, and what they expect from you.
Your Personal Tutor should
- see you at least twice a term to get to know you
- advise you on all academic matters, including option choices, course changes, general academic progress
- discuss with you non-academic matters and act as a link between you and the university authorities
- represent you at examiners' meetings, at disciplinary hearings and appeal committees
- write references for employment or postgraduate study
- advise you to seek help if necessary from the Counselling Service or other sources of help
You should
- see your Personal Tutor when asked. It is difficult for a Personal Tutor to speak on your behalf at, say, an examiners' meeting if you have not responded to requests to see him/her
- keep your Personal Tutor informed of any prospective plans to change courses and of any academic difficulties you are having
There may be occassions when you would like to discuss personal matters with a member of staff who is of the same gender as yourself. In these situations you should, if you are a male student with a female tutor, contact Michael Pounds. If you are a female student with a male tutor you should feel free to contact any of the following female members of staff: Geetha Balakrishnan, Sandra Chapman, Rachel Edwards, Elizabeth Stanway or Julie Staunton.
It sometimes happens that a student does not get on well with his or her tutor. If this happens, it is easy to change, and no offence will be taken. Please inform the Director of Studies, Nicholas d'Ambrumenil, and he will assign you a new tutor.
Students Union
To complement the services provided by your personal tutor and the Counselling Service the Students Union has an advice and welfare office which has considerable experience of dealing with students' problems.
Harassment
The University considers sexual and racial harassment to be totally unacceptable. It offers support to students subjected to harassment and is also prepared to take disciplinary action against offenders. Help is available from the Senior Tutor, the Student Counsellors and/or the Student Welfare Officer or Student Union Welfare Staff.
Health
Whilst at University you should register with a local doctor. For students living on campus the most convenient practice to register with is the Health Centre located on campus.