Have you lived, or are you planning to live, off campus whilst studying at Kent? A huge percentage of our students live in their local community and we need your help to shape the student experience off campus. College and Community Life are running a few community living focus groupsto discuss what students living in the city want from support teams, events, volunteering and community building opportunities.
We love being in the heart of Canterbury, a beautiful historical city with a lot to offer its local residents; and we want to know how, we as a university, can help to make your off-campus experience the best it can possibly be.
The focus groups will be held online between Wednesday 3 August and Thursday 11 August 2022, with the Community Life Officer Josh.
We will be talking about:
What events and community building would you like us to organise off campus?
What is the best way to share information about the university, events, and internal and external support services?
What is the best way to get in touch with your house off campus?
What will help to improve your sense of belonging in the local community?
We will be offering a £10 voucher to all participants for an hour-long online focus group on Microsoft Teams.
As temperatures today could hit record numbers, make sure you take precautions and look after yourself during the heatwave.
Tips to say cool and well
Keep your windows closed so you don’t let the hot air inside. Only open your windows first thing in the morning or late at night once the temperature has dropped
Keep blinds and curtains closed to stop heat from the sun warming up your room
Use a fan
If you are too hot in your room, you could visit an air-conditioned area of campus (see locations below)
Keep hydrated (see water refill locations below)
Where are the coolest spots on campus?
The following buildings on our campuses have areas of air conditioning:
Canterbury campus
Templeman Library
Sports Centre
Cornwallis
Darwin
Eliot
Ingram
Jennison
Kennedy
Keynes
Sibson
Wigoder
Woolf
Computer rooms on campus are also generally air conditioned.
Medway campus
Gillingham building
Medway building
Medway Park
The Engineering Workshop (Dockyard)
Drilling Shed (Dockyard)
Computer rooms on campus are also generally air conditioned.
Where can I refill my water bottle on campus?
Locations behind the counter – ask staff who will happily fill your water bottle for you
Create Café (Marlowe Building)
K-Bar (Keynes College)
Origins Bar & Grill (Darwin College)
Gulbenkian
Open access locations
Sibson Café (Sibson Building) – designated water station next to coffee machine
Rutherford Dining Hall (Rutherford College) – designated water station in open fridge in the dining area
Dolche Vita (Keynes College) – designated water tap in dining area
This month’s Kent Star is Grace Ingram, who organised and led a “Mixed Roots” event to help individuals discuss their experiences of coming from multiple and undefined cultural and ethnic backgrounds, celebrating these often-overlooked identities. Hear from Cultural Connector Grace:
“Hi, I’m Grace Ingram. I’m doing an MSc in Conservation Project Management. I’m part of the Postgraduate Network and I work at Oaks Nursery on campus. A fun fact about me is I have a playlist for everything. I love music! I played viola and violin for 11 years. Music is still a big part of my life, even beyond classical compositions, which I mostly just listen to when I’m studying or working on assignments. When I’m angry I listen to rap and when I’m energized I listen to Golden Oldies Motown. There’s a song for every mood!”
Can you tell us about the “Mixed Roots” project?
” ‘Mixed Roots’ was an informal conversation with individuals coming from multiple and undefined cultural and ethnic backgrounds speaking on their experiences. Panellists from four main backgrounds (diaspora communities, biracial individuals, Third Culture Kids, and adoptees) answered various questions in a relaxed on-stage atmosphere. I organised the event and also spoke on my experiences as a transracial international adoptee.
The event was a ‘fishbowl’ discussion – fishbowls are frequently called the ‘unconference’. Unlike traditional panels that prioritise making the audiences feel comfortable, fishbowls encourage the audience to suspend their own feelings and rationale to listen with the intention of understanding, rather than responding.
This event was made possible due to the generosity of the Graduate and Researcher College’s Postgraduate Community Experience Awards. However, this event was created because of the vast amount of people falling into these plural and undefined identities, but the lack of collective representation for them here on campus and in broader society. ‘Mixed Roots’ presented an opportunity to listen and humanize individuals with conflicting identities and conflicting senses of community— taking the conversation beyond that evening.
Following the event, we collected general feedback from audience members:
78% of respondents said prior to Mixed Roots they had not been provided with opportunities to learn about these backgrounds at Kent.
100% of respondents said they would like more opportunities to learn about and celebrate ‘mixed roots’ with many interested in incorporating various topics into the discussion alongside race and culture including: gender & sexuality; religion & faith; politics; pop culture & current events; & mental health.
Many respondents also expressed an interest in seeing additional collaborations with future mixed roots events with: LGBTQ+ Network/ Society; A specific racial/ethnic society; Women’s Network; Faith Network; International Network; Accessibility Network; Student Support and Wellbeing.
This feedback points us in the right trajectory regarding future ‘Mixed Roots’ events which is very exciting!”
What advice would you give to other students?
“A piece of advice I would give is that the one of the best ways you can invest in yourself is by investing in community. I think these investments can take place in many forms whether attending listening events like ‘Mixed Roots’, participating in university or community service projects, or getting involved in social justice campaigns. I think even more can be said when we choose to invest in diverse communities— communities different from our own— in regards to race, nationality, gender, sexuality, socio-economic status, etc.”
What are you plans for this year?
“I graduated from university this past May and will finish this Conservation Project Management MSc in September. While I’ve enjoyed my studies so far, but I’d like to do some learning beyond the classroom. Community service is a huge passion of mine, so I’m currently looking at taking a gap year or two with a credible humanitarian/service organisation like the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps. Living abroad in the UK has been an enriching experience. I’d love to serve in a different city, state, or country, if possible. I believe that community service will only strengthen my future career in conservation.”
2022 results release dates can be found on the Student Administration website. You will be contacted via your University of Kent email address when your results are available.
What do I do if I think there is an error with my results?
If you believe that there is an error with your results, please contact your Divisionwithin 5 working days of receipt of results.
Academic appeals
We strongly encourage you to contact your Division in the first instance to informally resolve any queries before entering the formal appeals process. Please contact your Division within 5 working days of receipt of results or a decision to ensure that the informal process can be completed within the 15 working day deadline to submit a formal appeal.
If your exam results aren’t what you were hoping for, see our blogpost and video for your options and support available.
Full information, including FAQs and contact details, can be found on the academic appeals webpage.
As we gear towards a new academic year, the Careers and Employability Team is looking for your feedback on your experience with the Careers and Employability Service events this year; the good, the bad and the ugly!
This will help know what matters most to you and how best we can engage to ensure you get access to the events that you need.
If you did not do as well as you hoped, please don’t panic, there is support and processes in place to help you through this.
Your options include:
Appealing your results – this is when you appeal your result because you disagree with the outcome of the Exam Board. It is strongly advised that you speak to your Division to start with (within 5 working days of the release of your result) to try to come to an early informal resolution. This can be helpful because you will get a speedy outcome and may not need to enter the formal appeals process, which will take longer. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the early informal resolution, you can submit a formal appeal. Formal appeals must be submitted within 15 working days following the release of your results (there is some flexibility to this deadline if you are waiting for a response to an early informal resolution request).
Resitting means you will either retake an exam or resit a piece(s) of coursework in August. Fees for resitting have been waived for 2022.You can find out more on the Exams FAQs webpage.
Repeating means that you need to attend all lectures and seminars and follow the full assessment requirements. You will also need to pay tuition fees. Tuition fee costs are calculated on the number of credits you repeat – please contact the Income Office for more details.
Support
We understand getting your results can be stressful, especially if they were not what you were expecting or had hoped for. If you are feeling distressed or upset, there are trained professional staff at Student Support and Wellbeing who can help and support you. We can offer text, online and in person appointments to help you deal with and process this difficult experience, as well as out of hours emergency support.
For information on what your academic options are, you can contact you tutor or Student Support Office in your Division.
Kent Union can also provide independent advice and support with processes such as mitigation and appeals. Use this online form to contact the advice centre to let them know what you need.
Find out more
Full information, including FAQs and contact details, can be found on the Student Guide.
It is also a good idea to speak to your Division as early as possible to talk through your options.
Our Careers and Employment Service are still around to support you over the Summer:
Book an appointment with a Careers Adviser
You can access help through online or face-to-face appointments using our booking system, where you will find 15-minute Quick Advice appointments, 45-minute Careers Guidance appointments, or even practice interview slots for when you have a job interview lined up.
If you aren’t sure what you want to do after Kent, a Careers Guidance appointment will help you in making decisions and future plans. If you just have a quick question, or would like a CV or application reviewed, a Quick Advice appointment is best.
Online events and workshops
Throughout the summer, the Careers Team are continuing to run online events and workshops. There’s a wide range of events from advice on using LinkedIn, how to make the most of your vacation, how to network and career management.
Online resources
There’s also have a practice interview system that will help you improve your video interview performance.
If you find yourself being invited for an assessment centre, you might want to check out the practice tests which give feedback on how you are performing. If you’re looking to gain some experience, but want to work remotely, check out the guide to developing skills at home.
Some ideas for boosting your mental health and making the most of this time, wherever you find yourself this summer.
Connect with others – reach out to friends and family. Plan when you can next meet up, so you have something to look forward to. If you’re staying on campus, check out the the Student Support and Wellbeing events calendar for ways to meet new people such as the Walking Buddy and Just Coffee initiatives. Kent Union’s Postgrad Summer programme offers lots of social events and upskilling opportunities, both online and on campus.
Get out in nature – spending time in nature can have huge benefits for our mental health. If you’re at Medway, the Rochester Lawn has benches, a covered area and a trail gym for you to explore. Based at Canterbury? Check out the new Canterbury Wellbeing Map and discover more places to relax and unwind. We’re super lucky to have the Kent Community Oasis Garden at our Canterbury campus (located at the end of Park Wood).Join students, staff and members of the community for relaxed gardening sessions throughout the summer – check out the calendar or follow the KentCOG on Instagram for more details.
Caring responsibilities – Are you a student or staff member trying to juggle childcare over the vacation? Check out Kent Sport’s children’s holiday camps with discounts for Kent staff and students. Everyone with a Kent email address can also access Togetherall, a free online mental health platform where you can join discussions and get support on being a caregiver, whether for elderly relatives, children or disabled people.
Exerciseregularly – exercise is a great way to let go of frustrations and improve your mood as well as increase your fitness. Check out Kent Sport’s campus routes, to guide you through campus, or you might consider using the gym over the summer break, going to fitness classes, booking in for a fitness appointments or using the Kent Sports Clinic – all available at Kent Sport throughout vacation.
Relaxing reading –Whether you are able to get away this summer or enjoying a staycation, staff at the Drill Hall and Templeman libraries have shared some books they have enjoyed recently. You can check out the recommendations virtually on our summer reads reading list online and via the physical displays at both the Templeman and Drill Hall libraries from 5 July 2022.
Eat well and stay hydrated – we all know that eating well and drinking plenty of water is good for us, but we often forget just much it can affect our mood. Check out the Blurt foundation’s blogpost about foods that boost mood and energy.
Student Support and Wellbeing continues to operate throughout vacation
Remember that all of our disability, autism, specific learning difficulties and mental health support teams are working throughout the summer, so you can still contact us to book appointments. Follow @UniKentSSW on Instagram for tips and advice on staying well and connected all summer.
The Mental Health Team consists of Mental Health Advisers, Counsellors and Student Mentors. Mental Health Advisers are specialist practitioners who can offer mental health advice and support. They can provide short term focused interventions to promote wellbeing and support students to develop coping strategies and help put in place an ILP or ‘inclusive learning plan’ if required. We also have a free confidential Counselling service for all Kent students, offering a safe space to those experiencing problems such as anxiety, depressed feelings, and emotional difficulties that may or may not be connected to student life.
Written by Miriam Sandiford and Natalia Crisanti, staff, on 05.05.22; amended 01.07.22
Thursday 7 July 2022, 9.15 – 17.00. Cornwallis East Seminar Room 5 (CESR5)
The challenge
All over the world, festivals, both large and small, are growing conscious of their ecological footprint. So far, over 40 U.K. festivals have pledged to form a more sustainable future by halving their emissions and obtaining 50% recycling rates by 2025.
The Margate Soul Festival aims to join this group, by reducing the environmental impact of its annual weekend event which attracts over 20,000 music fans per day over three days in a regenerated Margate town centre.
Working in small, interdisciplinary teams, we challenge you to come up with creative and practical solutions to helping the Margate Soul Festival on its pathway to sustainability.
Increase your problem-solving and team-working skills
Help a local business to solve a real-world challenge
Add the IBM Enterprise Design Thinking Practitioner badge to your CV
A review of our campaigns, actions and pledges to foster a culture of consent and respect that’s University wide and palpable for students, staff and visitors.
As the conversation on sexual violence gets louder in society, we at the University of Kent have been working hard so that our university campuses stay positive and safe places. Our ongoing commitment to keep the members of our community safe became more visible this past academic year as we launched our new ‘Consent. Get it. Full Stop.‘ campaign to cultivate and strengthen our awareness and understanding of consent and to continue working to prevent harassment and sexual misconduct from taking place within our community. We have also worked on promoting the specialist support we have available in recognition of the difficulties faced by victim-survivors, and made changes to our policies, procedures and guidance documents to address concerns that were voiced to us by students and staff.
Five concepts were at the heart of this year’s work in tackling sexual misconduct and keeping our campuses safe: Transparency, Preventing, Reporting, Responding and Supporting. As the academic year comes to an end, we want to make good on the first of these – transparency – by highlighting some of our top achievements in each of these areas.
Prevention – Everyone at the university matters when it comes to tackling unacceptable behaviours.
We launched a university-wide campaign entitled ‘Consent. Get it. Full stop.’ which has a strong presence on social media and our webpages, with clear and thought-provoking messages about consent and healthy relationships. As part of this campaign we ran a number of initiatives including the ‘Celebrating Consent Day’ event, where we took the opportunity to promote policies, procedures, and support available.
This year we have seen senior leaders make a clearer and more visible commitment to tackle sexual misconduct. In November, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Reece called for community-wide reflection and discussion in the form of an all-student email released on International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls.
A focus group entitled ‘Safety on Campus’ has been created. This groups exists as a collaboration between staff and students including representatives from Respect the No, Women’s Network, BAME Network, Disability Network, LGBTQIA+ Network, and UN Women UK Kent Society, to name a few, as well as individual students. In this forum, students can openly discuss concerns about safety on and off campus, providing a clear line of communication between students and the University. We have discussed all initiatives and campaigns relating to sexual misconduct within this forum, giving students the opportunity to provide feedback and shape our work in this area.
Responding – We want everyone to know what to do and where to go.
We have created and circulated new guidance documents (in accessible formats) to students and staff on what to do if they: 1. have experienced sexual misconduct, 2. are accused of an incident and 3. if, as a member of staff, an incident is disclosed to them. A staff facing page where staff can find more information about how to respond to disclosures, how to take part in the campaign and the training available to them as all so been created and can be found on Staff Guide.
The University has recruited a student intern as a Campaign and Project Assistant which provided a stronger link to our student body, ensuring that student voice and collaboration with students are kept at the forefront of all our work in this area. This role has brought helped bridge gaps between staff working in this area and the student body and will be in place for the next academic year as well to keep this collaboration going.
Sexual misconduct became a permanent feature on the agenda of our Education and Student Experience Board to ensure that continued progress is regularly reviewed.
We have arranged for multiple opportunities for staff training:
The Specialist Wellbeing Manager provided specific training to Sexual Assault Responders – a cohort of substantive staff that are trained to respond out of hours to students disclosing sexual violence.
Front line staff have been provided with the opportunity to attend specialist training from Protection Against Stalking (PAS).
All Student Conduct and Complaints Officers have been provided with training from Lime Culture in conducting trauma informed investigations.
Reporting – We want our students’ voices to be heard.
We have introduced a new reporting tool, Report and Support. This platform allows for support articles to be made available to students with information on University of Kent procedures and how to access support internally and externally. The data gathered will enable us to identifying potential trends and/or areas of concern, to enable a tailored response. Report and Support will also enable us to increase our commitment to transparency as we plan to publish anonymised data gathered over the year.
A new Student Conduct and Complaints (SCCO) webpage has been created. This page provides information and guidance on how to submit a formal report to the University, and regulation documents for students to look at.
Our non-academic disciplinary regulations have been updated to include a specific appendix focused upon disclosures and investigation of Sexual Misconduct.
Supporting – We are here to support you.We want you to know the support we offer and how you can access it.
We have continued to promote the support available to students from within the university. This includes support from the Specialist Wellbeing Manager and Sexual Assault Responders (SARs) who provide round the clock practical and emotional support to student disclosing sexual misconduct.
With the introduction of Report and Support we ensure that students are able to access support in a timely manner. Students who choose to report anonymously still receive signposting information to enable them to access external support, should they prefer.
After such an eventful year, we at Kent can proudly say that as a community we have made substantial progress in a short time, surpassing in many aspects the Office for Students (OfS) statement of expectations. Still, we recognise that there is a long way to go and make meaningful, positive and long-lasting change in our community; as a University, we are committed on continuing this work with the help of both staff and students, to aim for a safe, respectful and supportive place for us to study, work and socialise.
Stay up-to-date as Kent walks the walk on this issue by following #ConsentGetIt on social media, and check out other articles on Consent.
Written by Student Services, 20.06.22
If you’d like to comment on or contribute to a podcast or article for Student Services, email us at StudentServicesWeb@kent.ac.uk.
