4. Making Connections

This module

As an online student you are definitely not alone. All our services are open to you.

Our online campus offers a huge community of people all over Tasmania, Australia and the world.

If you live far from campus or just next door, this module:

1. shows you how to connect with staff from a distance or on campus (once Corona virus restrictions are lifted - check here for updates)
2. how to connect with other students no matter where you live

It is also a useful reference point once your studies begin.

Step 1 - Connecting with staff

Universities offer a wide range of support. However, as an adult, independent learner, the emphasis is on you to reach out for help when you need it.

So learn about the services available and let us know when you need help.

Have a simple question?

• Our Ask Us site offers thousands of answers. The 'My Application and Enrolment' and 'Starting Uni' sections are especially relevant for new students.
• Our UConnect team can help with most questions by phone +61 3 6226 2999, or e-mail via this online form.

Task: Register for Studiosity

Studiosity gives UTAS students 24 / 7 support on assignments:

• connect with subjects specialists live
• submit assignments for feedback within 24 hours

Take 2 minutes now to sign up and take a tour. Access during semester through the 24 Hour Study Help link in MyLO.

Staff: who should I talk to?

1. Watch the video below for an overview of some of the main ways to connect to students and staff
2. The guide below then has further detail on who to talk to about each topic and includes contact / appointment booking information
3. Save this Support Guide for easy reference during semester
4. Need more help navigating support? Talk to UConnect on the details above or drop in to our Learning Lounge 10-12 (EST) weekdays for help from our staff.

^{Use the icon in the bottom right corner to make the video below full screen.}

Task: Learn to use AppointmentHub

AppointmentHub is an online appointment booking system used to book with many of the services below.

• Login via the 'Make an appointment' tile in Support tab of the the Student Portal
• Read the service types to identify which service can assist you
• Click on the service type and view available appointments on your campus location
• Click on view appointment, select online or phone and complete the booking request
• A confirmation email will be sent to your UTAS email address.

I have a question about:

University processes, ID cards, fees, forms etc.

UConnect provide initial advice and referral for all basic enquiries. They can be reached by phone +61 3 6226 2999, or e-mail via this online form. Once campuses are open again they can also assist at all front counters in Student Centres and Libraries.

More detail on what they can assist with:

• forms and University/School/College/Institute processes
• Student ID and access cards
• fees, withdrawal and leave of absence processes
• enrolment and eStudent help and navigation
• navigation of the physical and administrative environments
• referrals to  all other services

My course or enrolling in units

UConnect provide initial enrolment advice by phone +61 3 6226 2999, or e-mail via this online form. Once campuses are open again they can also assist at all front counters in Student Centres and Libraries.

If your answer requires specialist advice UConnect can refer your enquiry or book you to see a Course Information Officer. They can assist with enrolment  queries including:

• admission requirements for a degree
• taking a second major
• applying for  advanced standing
• unit pre-requisites, unit substitutes, overloads
• exchange and studying abroad
• understanding student  study plans
• graduation eligibility

Accessing the library and borrowing books

Due to the current COVID restrictions only a limited amount of people are allowed in our libraries at any one time. However the library is supporting students in 2 main ways.

If you live within Australia but more than 40km from a UTAS campus during semester you can register for our Flexible Library Service to have hard copy materials delivered.

All students also have access to our large collection of online books and journals and can also request to have any items only available in hard copy scanned ans sent to you.

For further details about these options see the library website and our library FAQs on using the library during the COVID period.

Adjusting to uni, time management, or issues impacting on studies

Student Advisers ensure you have a smooth transition to university life and find the support you need. They can help with:

• Personal issues impacting on studies
• Adjustment  to university
• Issues impacting on academic progress
• Time and study management
• Understanding and navigating policies/procedures
• CALD cultural adjustment and access to NESB exam provisions

To contact them or book an appointment go here

Support as an International student

International Student Advisers ensure you have a smooth transition to university life and find the support you need. They can help all International students with:

• Settlement                              - Visa issues
• Attendance  difficulties    - Fees issues
• Cultural adjustment           - Finances
• Homesickness                     - Accommodation

To contact them or book an appointment go here and the most important information for International Students is found here

Developing academic, referencing or language skills

24 Hour Study Help is a free online 24 hour, 7 day a week study help, anywhere, anytime. Get feedback on your writing, maths, referencing etc. within 24 hours, or chat live with a subject specialist. More information is here and you can access this support in your units in MyLO by clicking on the 'Connect Now' banner on the right.

Student Learning Advisers/Librarians can assist you to develop the academic skills you need to succeed in your study, such as those detailed below. Appointments are made through Appointment Hub.

• Academic writing and communication
• Referencing and research strategies
• Study skills development
• English language  development
• Numeracy skills

More information can be found here

Assistance with managing the impacts of a health condition or disability on studies

Disability Services provide leadership and guidance regarding accommodations and access for students with health conditions or disabilities.

New Students

Students requiring access adjustments for their study program must first have their health professional complete the Access to Assistance for Students with Disabilities/Health Condition (PDF 90.3 KB) form before making an appointment. This form includes the Health Practitioner’s Report.

Please complete the online UTAS Accessibility Services Intake Form and upload the Health Practitioner’s Report.

If the information required is complete, the Student Wellbeing Officer will make contact with the applicant to progress an appointment with a Disability Advisor. This will be done via email and will include a link to the University Appointment Hub.

Common plugins to increase accessibility with Google Chrome can be found here.

Access to personal counselling

UTAS Counsellors offer confidential and professional therapeutic counselling to students experiencing a range of academic, mental health and personal concerns including (but not limited to) anxiety, stress, depression, motivational problems and relationship difficulties. We recognise that these and other difficulties may impact your ability to study effectively so it can be helpful to connect with support early. 

Counsellors are based in Hobart, Launceston, Burnie and Sydney and can be accessed in person (once campuses open) or from a distance as phone or online appointments. For details on accessing the Personal Counselling service visit our Ask Us article, How do I make an appointment to see a counsellor? The Counselling Information for Students fact sheet (PDF 78.5 KB) outlines the Counselling Service and how Counsellors can assist UTAS students.

Careers, Leadership and Employability

Careers, Leadership and Employability can help you to clarify important career issues, assist you with your career decisions and provide many services to support you to build your career.

• Career planning and advice
• Career preparation tools and resources
• Job application advice and tools
• Casual and Graduate jobs portal
• Leadership development
• Volunteering
• Industry experiences
• On-campus jobs

You can get more information here or contact the team on this address career.connect@utas.edu.au

Assistance for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students

The Riawunna Centre works closely with other UTAS Services to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students succeed at university. There are a number of services and resources for you to access including Drop In, Tutoring and Aboriginal Student Success Officers.

Find more details here: www.utas.edu.au/riawunna

Contact Riawunna for more information or assistance via e-mail Riawunna.students@utas.edu.au or phone:

• Sandy Bay (Hobart) +61 3 6226 2772
• Newnham (Launceston) +61 3 6324 3491
• Cradle Coast +61 3 6430 1678

Student  Advocacy

Student Advocates, operate independently from the university through TUU, assist students with Academic Progress, Academic Integrity and behavioural issues complaints procedures, compliance,  fee and other issues that affect their ability to study. They also provide specialist Post graduate Advocacy and welfare  support, including practical financial assistance, applications to the Safety Net Grant Scheme and referrals to appropriate community  agencies.

See full details here: https://www.tuu.com.au/assistance/advocacy/

CONTACT A TUU STUDENT ADVOCATE  student.advocacy@tuu.utas.edu.au

• Sandy Bay (Hobart) (03) 6226 2855
• Newnham (Launceston) and Sydney (03) 6324 3747
• Cradle Coast +61 3 6430 1678
• Postgraduate Advocate (03) 6226 6407

Financial Assistance

While studying you may find yourself struggling to buy food, pay the rent, power or mortgage and may be juggling numerous other debt at some stage.

If you’re in this situation TUU provides:

• a free, confidential financial counsellor who can help you understand your options so that you can get back on your feet. This is offered face to face or by phone. Appointments can be arranged by phoning 6324 3757 or send an e-mail to financial.counselling@tuu.utas.edu.au 
• Student Advocates can assist students who are suffering genuine financial hardship which is adversely affecting their ability to study with access to the Safety Net Grant Scheme. For more details and how to apply see here.

Student Representation

The Tasmania University Union (TUU) was established in 1899 to stand up for our rights as students.

As a student of the University of Tasmania you are automatically a member, and are entitled to all TUU benefits and services.

As a member of the TUU, you have access to:

• Lobbying and representation on issues important to you as a student
• Independent support and advocacy
• Financial support and counselling
• Social connection through our Clubs and Societies, and Student led events
• Safe spaces and great facilities like the Women’s Space, Queer Space, and Parenting Rooms
• Information to answer questions you have about studying, or your life on or off campus.

The TUU’s student leaders are elected by you, and are accountable to you. They are fiercely independent when it matters, but collaborate with our partners when it provides value and opportunity for students.

To find out more go here.

Step 2 - Connecting with students

UTAS offers a vibrant social life, but how you join in depends on whether you live remotely or close enough to join in on campus. (And also on whether campuses have reopened from the Corona virus closures.)

I live too far from campus to join in campus activities (or Corona virus is still affecting large gatherings)

• Check out the "Life" tab in the Student Portal as there are a lot of online events currently running to connect students to each other
• Before classes start two good places to meet other students are the Orientation 'Study Buddy' group in the Discussions area, which helps connect students living in similar locations, or the Distance group on the UTAS life Facebook page - ask to join here.
• Courses with large numbers of online students often have course level MyLO Common Rooms for socialising. Search for "Common Room" in the My Units area of the MyLO homepage to check if your area has one.
• Discussion boards within individual units are also a great way to interact about a particular unit. Find out about Discussion Boards and how to use them in the 'Discussions' section of this page.
• The Office 365 suite offers great ways to collaborate on group assignments in the chat and comments tools. Sign up for Office 365 here using you UTAS e-mail address, and learn about the comments function here.
• Connect with the Tasmanian University Union (TUU) via their Northern (Launceston and Cradle Coast) and Southern (Hobart region) facebook pages to see how you can join in.

I live close enough to join in campus activities (and campuses have fully reopened)

In addition to the options above, if you can come to campus then:

• Check out the "Life" tab in the Student Portal once life on campus opens up again as this is a central source of things to do
• See what’s happening on a campus near you on the UTASLife Facebook page
• Connect with the Tasmanian University Union (TUU) to join clubs and societies and see what is happening via their Northern (Launceston and Cradle Coast) and Southern (Hobart region) facebook pages

Enrolled, systematic, planned and connected!

Well done!

You have now finished the 4 modules of the general orientation.

What's next?

Complete your College or Course orientation in Orientation and make sure you read your UTAS e-mails for details.

'Welcome to UTAS Life' photo locations and acknowledgements:

• Railway Roundabout, Hobart - Leo Chia
• Bruny Island Field Trip - UTAS School of the Environment
• Sandy Bay Campus Orientation - UTAS Student Life team
• Centre for the Arts cafeteria, Hobart - Osborne Images
• MOFO Performance - Osborne Images