www.beds.ac.uk/studentsupport

The StudentEngagement andMitigation Teams

ContactinformationWhere are we?

Campus Centre2nd FloorPark SquareLutonLU1 3JU

Student SupportH BuildingPolhill AvenueBedfordMK45 9EA

Contact us

Luton campus:

Via the Student Information Desk (SiD): Tel: 0300 300 0042

Bedford campus:

Tel: 01234 793333Fax: 01582 743341

Via SiD email: sid@beds.ac.uk

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The Student Engagementand Mitigation Teams 2

The Student Engagement Team

The Student Engagement Team is available to all students enrolled at the University. The advisors are available to give you independent and confidential advice if you are having difficulties with your studies. Contact the Student Information Desk (SiD) to make an appointment with one of our advisors and, depending on the nature of your problem, we can advise you ourselves, or refer you to other people who can help.

We are the service you need to contact:

• if you are having problems attending lectures

• if your course is more difficult than you expected

• if you are thinking of leaving the University or wish to suspend your studies

• if you have a complex problem and you are unsure of the way forward or what student support service you need to access

If you need help with problems relating to a unit, or the programme of units you are taking, then it is best to see the Lead Academic on your course before coming to see an advisor.

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The Mitigation Team

If you are studying at our Bedford or Luton campus or at any one of the health or international centres, then you should contact the team:

• if you need more time to hand in an assignment

• if you can’t sit an exam

If you are studying at another college or institution you should speak to your local tutors about how to request late hand-ins, or if you are facing problems with attending exams.

What are Mitigating Circumstances?Mitigating Circumstances are any serious and exceptional factors outside your control that may prevent you from carrying out your academic work. For example, you may have been ill or suffered the death of a close relative. The Student Engagement advisors are on hand to give advice and information on your options and support available. In addition, any application made for mitigating circumstances must be supported by official and independent evidence that conform to certain criteria.

Mitigating Circumstances Criteria

The following are examples of what is normally considered as Mitigating Circumstances:

• serious personal injury, such as a broken limb, or a medical condition requiring hospital attention or one with an incapacitating effect

• the serious illness or death of a close relative: normally a partner, parent, child or sibling

• being the victim of a serious crime, such as robbery, burglary or a violent assault during the period immediately preceding the assessment

• an acute illness such that a reasonable person would have been unable to carry out the assessment task as required

• birth of a baby and/or unforeseen pregnancy complications

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Normally not acceptable would be:

• the death or illness of a distant relative

• financial problems, including payment of fees to the University

• difficulties with housing

• difficulties with baby-sitters, child-minders

• transport difficulties such as public transport strikes, road works or private transport breakdowns

• confusion over time, date or location of the examination, or assignment hand-in date on the part of the candidate when this has been clearly notified, and not posed any problem to other students in the group

• work pressure if you are enrolled as a full-time student

• cases where medical certificates are retrospective, i.e. dated/issued after you have recovered from the illness claimed

• computer problems such as viruses, disk corruption, printer problems, network problems

• problems with receiving/submitting referral work and results

• collecting data/more data for an assignment

• late claim with no good reason

What is a suitable form of evidence?All applications must be supported by official, independent evidence. The type of evidence depends on the problem you are facing. If you are ill, then a medical certificate stating your diagnosis and recovery period relating to the submission dates, will be required. If you have experienced the death of a close relative, then a death certificate or a copy of an Order of Service from the funeral would be acceptable. The advisors are able to give moreinformation on individual cases.

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If you have genuine Mitigating Circumstances that prevent youfrom completing your assignment on time, the advisors may be able to allow you to hand in your work up to 14 days late without being penalised.

If your difficulties mean that you need more than 14 days extension, you may be allowed to take a referral assignment at the next available opportunity – usually April or August.

This should be a different piece of work which will not be penalised.

Dissertations and final year projects may be given more than 14 days extension due to the nature of the assessment.

Assignments

Similarly, if you miss an exam due to Mitigating Circumstances, the advisors may be able to arrange for you to take a referral exam at the next available opportunity, usually April or August, which may not be penalised.

Exams

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Making an Application for Mitigating Circumstances

If you think your problems are serious enough to be considered for Mitigating Circumstances, you need to complete an application form or you can also pick up a hard copy from SiD. You should return completed applications via SiD Online or in person to SiD. Applications must be submitted before or on the due date along with official supporting evidence.

When will I find out about the outcome of my claim?

Once your application and evidence has been received we will normally be able to give you a decision within 48 hours. Decisions will be sent to your student email account via the Student Information Desk (SiD). If your application is accepted you should collect confirmation of the decision from SiD.

The progress of your application can be tracked on SiD Online or by visiting a SiD desk.

Student ResponsibilitiesYou must have valid reasons, supported by clear and appropriate evidence, for any application submitted. Studying at university is all about managing your time and deadlines.

Decisions will be based on the severity, disruptiveness, unexpectedness, timing and length of the problem, and whether the circumstances are not wholly or largely of your own choosing or making.

Withdrawing from your Studies If you are contemplating withdrawing from your studies, you will need to make an appointment, via the SiD desk, with a Student Engagement Advisor. This will allow you to discuss your issues, options and the process involved. You will also be given advice and guidance on completing the relevant form and information on who should be contacted to discuss the possible implications of withdrawing.

Suspension of Studies

If you have longer term or ongoing problems, it may be best for you to suspend your studies for a period of time. The Student Engagement Team can help you with this.

Advisors will be on hand to help you complete the relevant form that authorises the suspension of studies and to discuss possible implications of suspending.

Luton campus:

Tel: 0300 300 0042Email: sid@beds.ac.uk

Bedford campus:

Tel: 01234 793333Fax: 01582 743341