Social Responsibility

SMSU believes that every student at St Mary’s has the right to study, socialise and live in a welcoming, clean and undamaged environment within which they are safe from abuse and harm. Individuals who persistently behave inappropriately spoil the university college for everyone and put in jeopardy its reputation as well as the privileges and benefits enjoyed by the SU. Behaviour that causes harm to others or damages the reputation or environment of the SU, its clubs/societies and the University College is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.

SMSU is committed to promoting a culture of social responsibility among its members where individuals take responsibility and are accountable for their own behaviour and encourage the good conduct of their peers. We expect our members who drink alcohol to do so sensibly, within their capacity, and to behave in a way that reflects positively on themselves, their fellow students, and the University College.

Over the past few years we have had difficulties in our relationships with local residents due to students being noisy and behaving antisocially on their way home from the SU late at night. It is critical for the survival of the SU and the continuance of our events for new and returning students to leave campus quietly and behave sensibly and respectfully in our neighbourhood.

We are part of a wider community and need to remember that behind our neighbours’ doors there may be a frightened elderly person or children trying to get a good night’s sleep before school in the morning.

Please support your SU and ensure its future successhsssshh!

The Student Charter (2011)

St Mary’s University College, in collaboration with the Students’ Union, is committed to ensuring that you succeed in your studies and that you are able to develop academically, personally and professionally. We are dedicated to your development of the physical, intellectual and spiritual potential and aim to foster equality of opportunity for all and create an inclusive community for all students and staff in accordance with our mission and values.  However, as well as commitments for the University College and the Students’ Union, this also entails a commitment for yourself.  This Charter sets out how we and the Students’ Union will undertake this commitment but also what we expect from you.

1 Respect and responsibility: the University College will:

• Provide an environment which promotes equality, diversity and ethical behaviour in all aspects of student life;

• Treat you with respect and in a professional manner.

2 Learning, Teaching and Assessment: the University College will:

• Provide high quality teaching informed by research and current practice;

• Provide detailed and accurate information on the structure and requirements of your programme of study including the preparation and submission of assessments;

• Ensure that you are supported in your learning and assessment with appropriate feedback to promote your achievement;

• Provide opportunities to enhance your employability and personal development and to ensure access to careers advice;

• Access to library and IT facilities.

3 Student Life at St Mary’s: the University College will:

• Provide opportunities to represent your views and those of your fellow students within the institution;

• Provide accessible and accurate information and advice concerning any administrative process such as enrolment and respond to your queries in a timely manner;

• Provide a range of social and sporting opportunities and facilities in collaboration with the Students’ Union and through Sport St Mary’s;

• Provide a range of appropriate services to support you through your studies and a chaplaincy service which offers pastoral care and support for people of all faiths and beliefs.

In return you undertake to:

• Behave with respect for yourself, fellow students and University College staff and treat others with courtesy and consideration at all times including through the use of social network sites;

• Be an active participant in your own learning, attend timetabled classes and tutorials, undertake reading, research and independent study and to submit for assessment as required;

• To seek advice and guidance when issues or problems arise, acting constructively on the advice given;

• Engage constructively and honestly in any University College consultation on aspects of your studies at St Mary’s to help improve the experience for all students;

• Behave responsibly when using facilities and comply with any specific regulations governing their use;

• Respect the campus environment and its facilities and ensure you do not act to put yourself or others at risk.

The Students’ Union undertakes to:

• Represent your interests and act as a channel of communication with the University College and other students’ bodies;

• Encourage personal development and a sense of community through the provision of entertainment and student clubs, societies, sports and social activities;

• Help students who may be encountering problems with student life and minimise the likelihood of these problems occurring;

• Support active student/community engagement, especially with regard to combating anti-social behaviour;

• Give students the opportunity to engage in our activity through an open and democratic structure and effective communication.

Feedback and Complaints
The University College welcomes feedback on your experience and provides channels for this purpose such as the programme boards, the Students’ Union, the Student Support and Facilities User Group (SSF) and the Student Experience Committee (SEC).  We also recognise that there may be times when you consider we have not provided what we aim to do.  We therefore have a complaints procedure which should be used to raise issues with the University College.  We would ask that you do this as soon as possible so that we can seek resolution at the earliest opportunity.

Links:

The Students Complaints Procedures:
http://portal.smuc.ac.uk/student-complaints-discipline.html
Students’ Union Constitution:
http://www.smsu.co.uk/yourunion/charity_registration
The Student Disciplinary Procedures:
http://portal.smuc.ac.uk/student-complaints-discipline.html:

The Student Experience Committee and the Student Support and Facilities User Group contacts:
The Students’ Union President: supresident@smuc.ac.uk
The Director of Student Services: germainek@smuc.ac.uk
The Student Services Administrator: albanyj@smuc.ac.uk