Feeling the sand beneath your feet?
It’s not long now until all you guys will be off for a nice long summer break. Of course, some of you will be off for good, and perhaps others are hanging around to work academically or to earn some extra money.
This has been my first academic year at Imperial as the adviser and I can honestly say it has been one of the most interesting and challenging years that I’ve experienced.
The Information and Advice Centre (IAC) has dealt with a multitude of issues including all the classic things such as housing, finance and academic issues, and some unusual queries as well.
In Felix we have covered all sorts of subjects. It can be quite challenging trying to think of something to write about week after week, so I thought I would use my last column of the year to let you know how you can use our services over the summer period.
Many people think that some services in the Union close down over the holidays. The IAC doesn’t close – we are still here to help you with all your welfare needs and we will be running a full service over the summer period.
We will be available for advice in all areas, including housing rights, employment rights, consumer rights, debt advice, academic appeals, complaints and international student issues. We will also still be here as a point of contact for all information in the College.
Over the summer, we are also reviewing our leaflets and publications and will be producing two new booklets for the new term – one on money management, and an international students’ welcome guide. We are currently in negotiations with the College to produce these together.
In the summer, many students choose to work full time to supplement their finances. Sometimes, unfortunately, companies try to take students for granted and treat them unfairly. If this happens to you, the IAC can advise you on your statutory rights at work and can write letters to these employers on your behalf.
Over the summer we also get a lot of academic appeals, so we are going to produce an information sheet which talks students through the process. We also be available to assist any student who believes they have a case to launch an academic appeal.
Whatever all you students out there have got planned, I would just like to wish you all the best of luck, especially those who are going off into the big wide world. I hope that all your dreams come true.
I would like to thank Dave Edwards for giving me this column in Felix and for being a supporter of the cause throughout the year. I would also like to wish those leaving the Executive Committee good luck for the future and thanks for your support.
Remember: don’t let your concern turn into a crisis. Make the IAC your one stop shop for all your welfare issues. If you would like to contact us, please call 020 7594 8067 or email advice@imperial.ac.uk.
Have a great summer!
