Student Services: Supporting cultural diversity

In addition to the work undertaken within faculties, many groups within the University share a commitment to encouraging and supporting cultural diversity. Support can be found within many levels of the University, both within University structures and student organisations.

• Admissions
• Careers and Employment
• Centre for Indigenous Education (CIE)
• Centre for the Study of Higher Education (CSHE)
• Chaplaincy
• Child Care
• Counselling Service
• Disability Liaison Unit (DLU)
• Equity and Diversity Planning
• Financial Aid
• Housing Services
• International Student Services
• Language and Learning Skills Unit (LLSU)
• Melbourne University Overseas Student Service (MUOSS)
• Prayer Room Facilities
• Scholarships
• School of Graduate Studies (SGS)
• Staff Equity and Diversity
• Transition & Orientation Programs
• University of Melbourne Postgraduate Association (UMPA)
• University of Melbourne Student Union (UMSU)

Admissions

Admissions provides information for prospective Australian and international students. A key feature of the University's Admissions program is Access Melbourne, a combined special entry and scholarships scheme which aims to increase the participation of students from diverse backgrounds.

Careers and Employment

Careers and Employment seeks to maximise the career and further study outcomes of current students and recent graduates of the University of Melbourne. To enhance services to the culturally diverse student population, Careers and Employment has introduced a number of initiatives. Among these initiatives is the appointment of an International Careers Consultant. Christine Enker co-ordinates International graduate recruitment programs and conducts one-to-one careers counselling for International students. Christine is located in Careers and Employment on the 1st floor, Baldwin Spencer Building and can be contacted on (03) 8344 6310 or via email at cenker@unimelb.edu.au.

Centre for Indigenous Education (CIE)

The CIE is the main focus for the recruitment of and provision of support services to Indigenous students. It assists students with course selection, tutorials, accommodation, study, personal support, community networking, cross-cultural development, career counselling and referral to approved agencies when required.

Centre for the Study of Higher Education (CSHE)

CSHE is involved in a range of initiatives regarding diversity. CSHE has developed workshops on issues such as international students in the classroom and undertakes research into diversity-related higher education matters.

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Chaplaincy

The Chaplaincy team at the University of Melbourne is itself a culturally diverse team. This means that Chaplaincy is able to offer students a variety of different religious and social perspectives. Chaplaincy offers a service of listening and counselling, and sees itself as being available to those from any religious or non-religious tradition who are in need of spiritual, or any other kind of support.

For additional information please contact International Student Chaplain, Sr. Delma Lamb, on (03) 8344 4825 or lambd@unimelb.edu.au, or Rev. Dr Wes Campbell on (03) 8344 6034 or wesleyc@unimelb.edu.au.

Childcare

In addition to providing childcare for students and staff with children, Children's Services have a focus on providing child and family programs that prepare children to participate in and contrinute to a diverse society.

Counselling Service

The Counselling Service provides students and staff with psychological counselling and offers the broader university community avariety of community development and consultancy programs. Counsellors can help clients gain a clearer understanding of problems and identify appropriate coping strategies and options for action.

Staff at the Counselling Service come from a range of backgrounds and are sensitive to the many issues regarding diverse groups within the wider community. For students coming from other countries to study temporarily or to settle permanently in Australia, there is an International Counsellor available who is very familiar with issues of cultural adaptation.

Disability Liaison Unit (DLU)

The DLU seeks to provide assistance to people with a disability to enable them to participate fully in the University environment. Staff in the DLU work with students to identify appropriate arrangements to facilitate each student's access to resources and participation in university life during their studies. The DLU can also advise prospective students about preparation for tertiary study. Other resources available from the DLU include a staff handbook, advice on teaching students with disabilities, and the Disability Action Plan.

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Equity and Diversity Planning

The Equity and Diversity Planning Unit is responsible for the development of the University's Equity Plan and for ongoing policy development and implementation of strategies designed to further embed equity and diversity issues into mainstream University culture.

Financial Aid

Financial hardship can impact on students' ability to fully participate in university life and succesfully complete study. Financial Aid offers a range of services to help reduce this impact - such as loans and bursaries, budget advice, government assistance advice and a housing bursary program.

Housing Services

Student Housing Services are available for all students, and there are also a number of programs to support those from equity backgrounds. This includes the Student Housing Access Program (SHAP) which offers transitional housing to students finding it difficult to secure reliable accommodation.

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International Student Services (ISS)

International Student Services have a range of services, programs and publications to help international students on arrival, at orientation and throughout their degree.

Language and Learning Skills Unit (LLSU)

LLSU offers a wide range of activities to enhance the learning of both undergraduate and postgraduate students through free individual appointments, study skills programs, faculty based workshop programs, self-help resources in print and electronic form, professional skills workshops and research into student learning. LLSU can assist students with writing, study, learning, language, organisational and assessment issues.

Melbourne University Overseas Student Service

MUOSS is the official representative body for all overseas students enrolled at the University of Melbourne. MUOSS organises many social, cultural, welfare and educational events and offers a wide variety of services to ensure that campus life is enjoyable, accessible and informative.

Prayer Room Facilities

There are two prayer spaces at the University of Melbourne. There is a small space (for 4 or 5 people) on Level 1 of the Baillieu Library (Building 177) which is room number 212.

There is also a larger facility being built on the corner of Pelham and Leicester St which will be ready for use on the 11 th of May. Until then, there is a temporary facility on the corner of Bouverie St and Chruch St (which is the Pittman Books Building). To access the Pittman Books prayer space, students and staff must have access with thier student/staff cards.

To request access to the prayer space: email:Islamic-space@unimelb.edu.au and in the email include your full name and your University of Melbourne student number.

FRIDAY PRAYERS: East Stadium, First Floor, Sports Centre Building: 1:10pm -1:50pm. Please bring your own prayer mats.

For Further Information you may email: contactumis@gmail.com

Scholarships

The Scholarships office provides a number of undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships, some of which are available for students who may have experienced educational disadvantage.

School of Graduate Research (SGR)

SGR provides enrichment programs and facilities for postgraduate students at the University of Melbourne. The Academic Orientation Programs for International Students (AOPIPS) has been specifically designed by the School to meet the needs of international students. It provides academic, social and cultural support to assist international students with their studies and with the transition to living and learning in a new cultural environment.

SGR also offers workshops covering topics such as cross-cultural issues in supervision.

Staff Equity and Diversity

Staff Equity & Diversity promotes change by encouraging an environment supportive of the cultural and social diversity of staff and students. The Unit provides advice on grievance procedures, offers programs for women and is actively involved in the organisation of workshops dedicated to diversity issues. they also provide advice on what to do about Harrassment and Discrimination.

Transition & Orientation Programs

Transition & Orientation Programs supports the successful engagement of new students in their first year of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. While most programs are designed to include all students, further initiatives provide particular support for students from specific backgrounds such as international and rural students and those from schools underrepresented in higher education.

University of Melbourne Postgraduate Association (UMPA)

UMPA provides a range of services including academic advice, study space, cultural events, publications and a print room. UMPA represents postgraduate students and lobbies on postgraduate educational issues at all levels of the University and in the wider community. UMPA's elected office bearers include Women's, International and Queer Students Officers and there are a number of student groups and services.

University of Melbourne Student Union (UMSU)

The Student Union provides a range of support services, facilities and activities for all University of Melbourne Students and represents students in the University and the community. There are elected student office bearers including Welfare, Queer, Women's and Indigenous Officers, and many clubs and societies based on cultural, religious and other interests. The Student Union Advisory Service can provide confidential advice and advocacy.