As many continuing students start to think about returning to uni we thought it would be helpful to give you a summary of all that is new and improved for the year ahead.
We are delighted that our National Student Survey results showed that the overall satisfaction for final year undergraduates increased by five percentage points to 70% in 2022 and we are ensuring that we listen to your feedback, so we can continue to improve your student experience when you return in September.
We are getting our campuses ready to welcome you back and are delighted to confirm that courses validated for campus delivery will be expected to have 100% of their teaching in person – unless there is a strong reason where digital delivery complements and enhances the learning experience. We are really looking forward to that on-campus buzz with plenty of events and activities planned!
University Handbook updated for 2022
This University Handbook provides useful information and guidance on your academic life at Christ Church. It also gives you an explanation of the University’s codes, regulations, policies and procedures. So we recommend you check it out before you come back in September.
Welcome Back Hub
Your Welcome Back Hub has been refreshed to make it easier for you to access the information you need to get ready for the new academic year and reconnect with the CCCU community. There is a must do list of all the essential things you need to do before you start, we have a section which will help you prepare for your next level of study and there are lots of recommendations for how to get involved and get support.
MyRecord
During the Summer/Autumn 2022, MyRecord will gradually replace Your Services as the central place to access and update the information that the University hold about you and your studies.
Through MyRecord, we’re able to provide you with more personalised and up-to- date information about your studies. For example, in MyRecord you’ll be able to check which Academic Calendar you’re on and – from later this year – look up key contacts details for your course team including your Personal Academic Tutor.
You will start using MyRecord as part of your re-registration and eventually use it to request a change to study, make your module choices and access your academic summary.
Blackboard Ultra
All new modules starting from September 2022 will be created using Blackboard Ultra. This provides a simpler and more accessible learning experience for students and is designed for use on all devices (including mobile).
The Blackboard home page was updated during Easter weekend to the new “Ultra” experience, when we enabled the new searchable courses and modules pages. We have also launched the ‘Blackboard Assist’ area where you can find links to commonly used services including Cite them Right, the Library and the Learning Skills Hub. You will notice other improvements in September when all new modules will use the new Ultra interface. Your current and past modules won’t change their look and feel, and you will still be able to access them.
Assessment Criteria
The Office for Students (OfS) has updated the standard assessment criteria for all higher education providers. There is now a greater focus being placed on what has been achieved against your learning outcomes and an emphasis on standards around spelling, punctuation, grammar and numeracy appropriate to your course.
Working with the Students' Union we have used this update as an opportunity to reinforce our compassionate approach to learning, helping to support our students to engage more effectively with feedback and succeed in their studies.
It is important that you check your Course and Module Handbooks for your assessment criteria which will be included as part of your assessment brief.
Exceptional Circumstances
The extenuating circumstances process has now been streamlined. The key changes will be:
- eligible students will apply using new online forms rather than the current paper versions
- the process is being re-named exceptional circumstances to better reflect that a coursework extension or the chance to re-take an exam will only be granted for short-term unexpected events.
Student Wellbeing
The University, working in partnership with the Students' Union, will be applying for the University Mental Health Charter Award. This is to identify areas of excellence as well as areas for ongoing improvement, so we can be confident that we are offering a university-wide approach to mental health that supports the whole community.
The Student Wellbeing Team will continue to offer financial, wellbeing, disability, and mental health support for students. Some new initiatives for 2022 will include a regular Wellbeing Café in Touchdown, a new dedicated Student Money Adviser, the launch of the helpful book scheme and virtual reality headsets to support mediation and relaxation.
We are also delighted that Chooseday Chill will be back from 20 September, every Tuesday, at Augustine House from 5-7pm, giving students an informal opportunity to meet friends over free tea and toast as well as chat with the service.
Food Outlets
Touchdown Café and the Lounge has had a fresh new makeover and there is a great new menu on offer in all the food outlets. Look out for guest appearances throughout the year from outside caterers bringing the flavours of Kent and around the world onto campus.
The Catering Team, in partnership with the Sustainability, have also launched Bottle Up! These carbon negative bottle are made from sugar cane with it's plant-based packaging beng 100% recyclable. Filled with British spring water, the bottles are dishwasher safe and each purchase includes a 100L donation of clean drinking water to communities in developing countries.
Wilder Campus
One of the great things about our campuses is the green spaces and as part of the Diamond Jubilee there has been a range of initiatives to enhance our natural areas, creating places for staff and students to enjoy and encouraging richer wildlife habitats. Make sure you check out the new Jubilee Garden by Erasmus including rockery and pagoda – the perfect place to relax between lectures.
And there is also another surprise awaiting you on Beckett Lawn – look out for the #cccuclimatedragon! An initiative led by the Centre for Kent History and Heritage in partnership with the Sustainability and Grounds team, the magnificent dragon is created from stone, mud, moss and sedum and has been built over the summer by staff, students and the local community.
Staying Safe
We already have a range of initiatives available to help keep our students safe. Working in partnership with the City Council and Kent Police we have secured funding to make Canterbury City centre even safer. Improvements, based on student feedback, will include more CCTV, better lighting, expansion of the street pastor scheme, anti-spiking measures, creation of safe havens across the city and a new walking taxi initiative.
Diamond Jubilee
Our Diamond Jubilee celebrations continue through 2022. The new academic year events are kicked off with the Christ Church Diamond Jubilee Colour Run on 23 September and the Service of Thanksgiving at Canterbury Cathedral on 30 September. Find out how you can get involved here.
And finally, some other improvements….
Also look out for the host of small changes that have been made to enhance your student experience. From installing new PCS around campus to the creation of happy to chat benches, from launching a new fitness programme to expanding the Moves App – we continue to listen to your feedback and enhance your student experience across all areas.