Monthly Archives: September 2018

College Colour Run

On Saturday 29 September the University’s College Committees have organised the  first University of Kent College Colourthon.

The event has been organised to raise money for the charity, Mary’s Meals, who provide life-changing meals to some of the world’s poorest children every school day.

The hope is that the event will build relationships within the colleges and wider university community, encourage new and returning students to make friends, new memories and have fun while raising money for charity!

Whether you aim to test your marathon skills and represent your college by going for gold, or whether you are just looking for a fun, inviting experience in-between the introductory lectures and socialising. Everyone is welcome to take part.

 

Kent ranked 11th in UK for Law in latest Times Good University Guide

Kent Law School’s strong performance in national and international league tables continues with news that it has been ranked 11th out of 102 UK institutions for law in The Times Good University Guide 2019

 In addition to climbing three places from last year’s subject ranking, the Law School is ranked 8th in the UK for the quality of its research and 14th for student experience. The ranking, published yesterday, also takes into consideration student opinion on teaching quality, graduate job prospects and course entry standards.

Last month, the Law School was ranked amongst the top 100 law schools in the world in the 2018 Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects. The Law School is also currently ranked 50th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2018 and is among the top 150 law schools in the QS World University Rankings 2018.

Kent is a leading UK law school, ranked 13th in The Guardian University Guide 2019 for law and 18th in The Complete University Guide 2019. It is one of only 14 UK university law schools to be ranked in the top 20 of all three major UK league tables.

Head of Kent Law School Professor Toni Williams said: ‘As we begin our 50th anniversary celebrations, it is particularly gratifying to see Kent’s reputation as a leading UK law school endorsed in this latest league table ranking. Our top 20 ranking for student experience reflects the enormous efforts made by colleagues to ensure our students receive an intellectually challenging critical legal education within a supportive environment, enriched by world-leading socio-legal research.’

 

Childcare vouchers – Busy Bees scheme to close

The deadline for signing up for Busy Bees childcare vouchers is Thursday, 27 September, at midday. Please visit https://www.bbblogin.com/Register/LZQIKWEO and enter the password CLEM52. You will need a copy of your payslip to hand.

Government changes to childcare funding, in the offing since 2015, are due to take effect in October when the new Tax-Free Childcare scheme will replace childcare vouchers. Anyone already in the Busy Bees scheme may remain a member, however the deadline for new entrants is this Thursday. This will not affect the Oaks’ Workplace Nursery Salary Sacrifice Scheme.

Please address any queries to the Payroll team on ext 3602.

Changes to Medway Activities

As of 2018-19 academic year, all Medway activities, events and trips can be found on the What’s On page on the GK Unions website.

Trips can be found via the GIAG programme organised by GK Unions and the Medway Chaplain will be offering a number of trips for students.

The Student Activities and Scholarships Officer, Debbie Worthington who succeeds Karen Lomas-Roadnight, will now be working cross campus and working with student volunteers for residential based events and supporting student scholars on the Community Scholarships programme.

If you have any questions about the Community Scholarships programme please contact: communityschoalrships@kent.ac.uk

If you’re living at Liberty Quays, the Student Activities and Scholarships Officer is recruiting for student volunteers to form the Liberty Quays Student Team for 2018-19.

The purpose of the Liberty Quays Student Team is to help enhance the Liberty Quays non-academic and co-curricular ‘student life’ experience.  The aim of the role is to assist the Student Activities and Scholarships Officer with creating a welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment and a strong sense of community for University of Kent students living within Liberty Quays.

These positions are open to University of Kent students residing at Liberty Quays and enrolled at the Medway campus from all stages, disciplines and modes of study. All volunteers will be given training to enable them to effectively carry out the duties required.

The positions available are:

– Event Coordinator

– Graphic Designer

– Social Media Coordinator

– Photographer

– Treasurer

Applications open: 15 September 2018

Closing date for applications: end of September / beginning of October 2018

Interviews to be held on: October 2018

Start date: October 2018

Training: October 2018 ​

​For further information and/or to apply please contact: medwaycollegelife@kent.ac.uk

Support at Kent

Now the Welcome Week madness is over, it’s probably a good time to start exploring Kent and the support services on offer. Watch our support, health and wellbeing video.

You can also read our short pdf guide to support at Kent.

Support with your studies

Studying for a degree is very different to studying at school. You have a lot more control over your learning and greater independence.

You will also be asked to do things you’ve never had to do before (eg referencing in a certain way, dissertations, vivas…) this is where the Student Learning and Advisory Service (SLAS for short) steps in.

SLAS can help you with everything from perfecting your essay writing to learning how to reference properly. You can learn in your own time using our online guides or attend one of SLAS’ many workshops.

Don’t forget your school is also there to help you with your studies and offer a range of study support.

Have you registered with Student Support and Wellbeing?

If you have a disability you should contact Student Support. They can provide not only academic support but can help with funding applications.

If you’re going through a difficult time or just don’t feel happy – staff in our Wellbeing Team are always available to listen.

They also run a series of well-being workshops to help you get the best out of University life.

Advice Centre

From money worries to getting on with your housemates, Kent Union’s Advice Centre is available to help. All advice is free to Kent students – so make the most of it!

Medical advice

Kent has its own NHS general practice on campus. There’s also an independent pharmacy next door, so you don’t have to go far when you’re feeling under the weather.

If you need any medical advice, treatment of a minor illness/injury or contraceptive advice, you can visit the ‘drop-in’ nursing service in Keynes College.

Master’s Office

When you arrived at Kent you automatically joined a college. Your Master’s Office is there to give advice and can be used as a first port of call for any questions you may have.

Resident Support Officers

Each college accommodation has Resident Support Officers who work closely with College Masters to provide a safe and harmonious environment on campus as well as support on practical assistance if students have concerns about a flat mate, noise on campus or if there are problems with cleanliness in accommodation.

Chaplaincy

University Chaplains run a wide range of religious and social events (including a very festive carol service in the Cathedral). They are also a good contact for advice and support.

International students

As well as all the other support services available to students, international students can visit International Team in the Registry Building. They can help with any international related queries and run a series of cultural events.

Kent Union

The Vice-President (Welfare) officer at Kent Union campaigns on well-being related matters so if students have any queries or issues they would like to discuss they can contact Omolade directly: O.Adedapo@kent.ac.uk 

canterbury campus

Public consultation on Campus Masterplan

A public consultation on our Campus Masterplan takes place in October. We’ll share our vision for the future evolution of the campus to best meet the needs of the University and of the wider city and region.

The Framework Masterplan proposals detail the framework within which we will make decisions on the future development of our estate in the short-term (2018 to 2021) and medium-term (2021 to 2031), covering the period defined within Canterbury City Council’s District Local Plan.

This latest version of the Masterplan takes into account the feedback that staff, students, local amenity groups and residents provided during the initial stages of consultation in 2016 and 2017.

We learned a lot from that feedback and we now invite you to share your views on the Framework Masterplan by attending our consultation events. They take place as follows:

  • Saturday 6 October 2018, 10.00-16.00 at Westgate Hall, Canterbury
  • Thursday 11 October 2018, 14.00-20.00 at Tyler Hill Memorial Hall
  • Friday 12 October 2018, 14.00-20.00 at Blean Village Hall
  • Thursday 18 October 2018, 10.00-16.00 Darwin Conference Suite,  Canterbury campus

Our response to the views you express during this stage of the consultation will be published in a Consultation Statement later this year. This will feed into the final stages of development of the Framework Masterplan document, which will be presented to Canterbury City Council at the end of the year.

More information about the Masterplan and copies of previous consultation statements are available on our Masterplan web pages.

Rock Choir logo

Love singing ? Join our Rock Choir!

Have you ever wanted to sing in a choir, but don’t read music? Do you sing in the shower, or karaoke in the car on the way to work?

If so, then come and try the new Rock Choir – pop, rock and chart singing open to all University of Kent staff and students, and no audition needed!

Just turn up to Colyer-Fergusson Hall every Monday from 12.45-13.45, starting on Monday 8 October.

For more information, contact Susan Wanless, Director of University Music.

Studio 3

Studio 3 gallery hosts exhibition on revolution

The School of Arts is hosting a new exhibition, Beyond the Barricade, in the Studio 3 Gallery in the Jarman Building from 28 September 2018.

Based on the spirit of the French Revolution, the exhibition brings artists from various nations together to look at different dimensions of revolutions. By documenting past upheavals and recent events, the exhibition aims to present artistic creation as a form of social and political action.

Beyond the Barricade has been supported by the nationally funded project, the Age of Revolution, in partnership with Waterloo 200. The exhibition will run until 30 November 2018.

The Studio 3 Gallery is the School’s dedicated exhibition space which plays host to major exhibitions and annual shows that are open to the public.