Student Academic Engagement Policy
STUDENT ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENT POLICY - INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
For the timely and effective administration of support, the School uses the following markers of student engagement. This is to ensure that students are well supported and given every opportunity to progress with their studies and to achieve to their fullest potential whilst here.
If you have Extenuating Circumstances that are making it difficult for you to engage properly with your studies, we can offer support. The School will always try to help students who are experiencing problems, but we cannot do so if we are not kept informed of them. If there are factors making a student's engagement with their programme difficult, it is essential that the student discusses these with their Academic Adviser, the Student Experience Manager or another appropriate person in the University, at an early stage. This will give us the opportunity to intervene and provide the necessary support.
MARKERS OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
1. ATTENDANCE:
All undergraduate students are expected to attend all scheduled taught sessions including lectures, practical classes, group work, workshops, tutorials, seminars, field work, computer lab sessions, problem-solving classes, exercise classes, lab sessions, project meetings, and other events which are associated with the modules for which they are registered as part of their programme of study. Attendance at classes is recorded from week 2 and kept by the class teacher.
2. COURSEWORK SUBMISSION:
All undergraduate students are expected to submit reports, exercises, essays, and other pieces of coursework associated with each module for which they are registered as part of their programme of study, by the individually advertised deadlines and method of submission. All assessed coursework deadlines in SLLF are on Sunday night, midnight, and submission is via QM+. Late submission will incur penalties (minus 5 marks per 24 hours, up to 7 days late, then a mark of 0% beyond). Non-submission will trigger actions as described below. Records of submission are kept on QM+.
3. QMPLUS USAGE
All undergraduate modules have a QMplus module area, where essential information about the module is placed, to make it available to all registered students. This information includes the module description, the assessment timetable and assessment submission areas. Most module organisers will also upload weekly lesson information which may include required reading, lecture notes, videos, quizzes, etc... Therefore it is essential that students use QM+ and visit their module areas often. Logs of QMplus usage can indicate how well a student is engaging with the module, and will be used as a third marker of engagement, after attendance and coursework submission.
The School will use QEngage to capture data relating to student attendance, coursework submission and QMplus usage for all modules on which the student is registered. This data will be used for the purpose of identifying students at risk of disengaging from their studies, in order to offer support to allow them to re-engage and succeed.
ACTION FOLLOWING IDENTIFICATION OF STUDENTS WHO MAY REQUIRE SUPPORT
Actions by Schools are designed to support students to engage or re-engage with their study programme. The underpinning principles are that the School, once it has admitted a student to a programme of study, has a duty of care to that student, whilst in turn the student has a responsibility to engage with the available support. In such cases, support will be designed by the School around the needs of the individual student.
A student identified as approaching or falling below the minimum requirements of engagement set by SLLF will be contacted alerting them to this, outlining support mechanisms to deal with the issues that may be contributing to this.
Stage one- missing 20% of assessment or 20% absence=2 weeks absence from the programme;
Once a student’s engagement markers are triggered, they will be invited to a meeting with their Academic Adviser to discuss issues that might be affecting their studies, and for the provision of encouragement/advice (with possible referral to QM support services if necessary).
Stage two- missing 40% of assessment or 40% absence=4 weeks absence from the programme;
If no significant improvement is shown, and absence or non-participation continue another letter will be sent (by email), and a meeting arranged with the Adviser. Module Organiser(s) may be involved in the meeting, to help find the best solution for catching up with missed lessons and work. The student will be reminded of their responsibility for engagement and support solutions will be offered.
Stage three- missing 50% of assessment or 50% ABSENCE IN ONE TERM
Students who don't respond to the School's attempt to offer support, or fail to re-engage with their studies in any module are at risk of failing that module and being deregistered from their programme. Even with extenuating circumstances, the School cannot condone continued disengagement. Deregistration processes will be triggered if you:
- Fall below 50% attendance on your programme in one term
- Fail to submit/sit 50% of the assessment for the term
If your engagement falls below these trigger points, you will receive a letter by email inviting you to a meeting with the Senior Tutor, informing you that deregistration is being considered. You will be invited to a meeting where you can explain your situation and agree on a plan of action. You will have to provide evidence of a change in your circumstances, which means that you will be able to engage fully from that point.
Please note: Deregistration means that your enrolment will be terminated: that is, you will be unable to continue as a student of the College.
INTERRUPTION OF STUDIES
Sometimes students find themselves in situations that mean that they are unable to focus sufficiently on their studies due to circumstances outside of university, to do with health, family or personal issues. If the circumstance does not clear or improve quickly, they find that it's having a negative impact on their learning and assessment. In these situations, the best course of action can be to take time out from studying in order to focus on getting through and recovering, so that you can come back next year to start the year again with no penalty. This is called Interruption and it can be very helpful. You can find more information about interruption on the website: http://www.arcs.qmul.ac.uk/students/study/interrupting/
