Academic Support Tuition: for Staff and Undergraduate and
Taught Postgraduate Students
(Version 4 01 – Sep 15)
Guidance for Academic Tutors, heads of departments and
deans on implementing the new policy and code of practice
Senate (June15) has approved a policy on Academic Support Tuition. This policy
replaces the previous guidelines on Academic Support Tuition for staff,
undergraduates and taught postgraduate students. The revised Code of Practice is
effective from Sep 15. The following document provides guidance to Academic Tutors,
heads of departments and deans on their responsibilities under the code.
The code of practice is available at:
http://www2.hull.ac.uk/administration/cdte/quality_standards/quality_handbook/section_k.aspx
.
Head of Department
Action required
Timescale
1.
Identify a named academic member of
staff as the student’s Academic Tutor
ensuring no conflict of interest, e.g. that
staff member does not act in a
disciplinary capacity against the student
(para 5). This entitlement to an
Academic Tutor includes exchange
students (para 9).
First week of
study
2.
Appoint a replacement Academic Tutor if
an Academic Tutor is away for more than
one week during semester or more than
four weeks during a vacation (para 5).
Ongoing
3.
Identify the lead Academic Tutor and
communicate this to student(s) and other
Academic Tutors. Make Academic Tutors
aware they must communicate with each
other across departments (para 6).
First week of
study and
ongoing
4.
Ensure that students on placement or
study abroad have an Academic Tutor
available by practical means and ensure
appropriate arrangements are in place for
support by the placement provider; that
students returning from intercalation or
placement are given extra support and
supervision if required; appoint an
Academic Tutor to exchange students
(paras 7, 8 and 9).
Ongoing
5.
Nominate someone to discuss any
difficulties a student may experience with
an Academic Tutor or other member of
As required
Academic Support Tuition
Version 4 01 – Sep 15
Explanatory note
Academic Tutors should be allocated for
the duration of a programme of study
(accepting that a mechanism for
changing tutors where necessary will be
in place).
Specific to Joint, with and combined
programmes. Joint, with and combined
programmes require communication
between Academic Tutors in each
department. The Lead department
appoints the lead Academic Tutor who
should coordinate all communications
between Academic Tutors.
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staff, to consider a change of Academic
Tutor, to make known the procedure for
doing so and give clear reasons why the
change cannot be agreed to if that is the
decision (para 11).
6.
Appoint a Disability Tutor and publicise
their name to staff and students as
necessary (para 14).
Annually
Academic Tutors
Action required
1.
Make clear the favoured communication
mechanisms of the department (para 5),
to advise students of specific times when
meetings are offered and required, be
contactable within normal working hours
and signpost students to other
appropriate services, e.g. counselling or
welfare.
Timescale
First week of
study and
ongoing
Explanatory note
Students must be given the opportunity to
meet with their Academic Tutor for at least
two individual meetings per semester
and four group meetings per year.
Students may request to meet their
Academic Tutors or be required to meet
more often with their Academic Tutor
(para 5, bullets 5 and 6) as deemed
necessary by Academic Tutors,
programme teams or departments.
The effectiveness of the Academic
Tutorial system depends on the
commitment of both parties.
2.
Provide guidance on the academic
progress of supervisees, their marks and
the implications of those marks for their
programme and possible courses of
action. Access attendance records and
marks profiles of tutees (para 13).
Ongoing and
after
assessment
deadlines
3.
Keep records of meetings with
supervisees and respect the
confidentiality of matters discussed (para
15).
After meetings
4.
Provide fair/honest references of tutees.
Discuss with students where you feel
unable to give a reference. Obtain
information from others where necessary
(para 17).
As required
5.
Advise students of correct procedure; of
matters that only SPC or the Senior Tutor
can decide and how to contact the Senior
Tutor (para 20).
Ongoing and
regularly
6.
Undertake training for Academic Tutors
(para 22).
Ongoing
during the
transition year
(2015-2016)
Academic Support Tuition
Version 4 01 – Sep 15
Other support services include library
helpdesk, the Skills Team, Hull University
Union, visa, legal, housing and welfare
services.
An Academic Tutor might legitimately
refuse to provide a reference.
For
example, where a supervisee has failed to
comply with departmental requirements to
attend meetings with the Academic Tutor.
The Dean (or Associate Dean) may require
that staff be trained whether they have
attended on a previous occasion or not.
Staff training is provided by Staff
Development. Alternatively, materials are
available on ebridge and access may be
granted by sending your login-username to
Kate.Bridgeman@hull.ac.uk. A discussion
board for Academic Tutors is also available
for mutual support.
2
Disability Tutors
Action required
1.
Provide a point of liaison between staff of
Disability Services and academic staff.
Communicate with other staff over the
particular support students may need and
monitor the implementation of those
requirements. Monitor and assist in those
arrangements and refer students to
specialist support services (para 14).
Timescale
As necessary
Explanatory note
Each department is required to appoint a
member of staff as a Disability Tutor.
Senior Tutors
Action required
1.
Timescale
Advise students and/or Academic Tutors
in unusual or complex cases involving
regulations or procedures or when a
student is in dispute with the department
(para 18).
Explanatory note
Examples of situations requiring
attention of the Senior Tutor:
the
Repeat years; extension of intercalation;
University Warnings; Special cases
outside University and programme
regulations (para 19).
Staff Development Office
Action required
1.
Train all Academic Tutors (face-to-face or
online) before they undertake the role.
Re-train any member of staff sent by the
(Associate) Dean for this purpose (para
22).
Timescale
Explanatory note
Ongoing
during the
transition year
(2015-2016)
Faculties should keep logs of Academic
Tutors and who has attended training.
Training online has been devised to
facilitate training although face-to-face
sessions of Staff Development are
recommended as a learning experience.
SUMMARY OF THE CODE OF PRACTICE
The purpose of this implementation guide is to explain the commitment of the University of Hull
to provide undergraduate and postgraduate taught students with the support of an Academic
Tutor or access to equivalent academic and pastoral support. It defines a relationship which is
based on a partnership between staff and students and therefore sets out the obligations of
both through which an effective Academic Support Tuition system can operate. They set out
these obligations because each academic department is encouraged to enhance the support
provided. This may be achieved by providing group tutorials in addition to individual tutorials.
Academic support is intended to support retention of students, by providing support and advice
to students on academic progress in addition to signposting students to the University student
support services on pastoral matters, including referral to other appropriate services.
FEEDBACK ON THIS DOCUMENT
This document is designed to assist heads of departments and deans in implementing
the requirements of the code of practice by making those requirements more
accessible. Feedback is welcomed at any time and should be sent to: Aneela Zaheerali
Sheikh (curriculum@hull.ac.uk (ext. 5856).
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Version 4 01 – Sep 15
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Copies to:
Deans
Heads of departments
Staff (via eBulletin & CDTE Newsletter)
Faculty Quality Administrators
Staff Development Office
Partner Institutions [for information]
Vice President (Education) [for information]
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Version 4 01 – Sep 15
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