1. No category

Division of Education, Arts and
Social Sciences
Strategies and services for academic staff
when managing student behaviour
July 2009
EASS
• Assoc Prof Lynne Badger, Dean: Teaching and Learning
• Assoc Prof Anne Simpson, Student Ombud
• Allan Tabor, Director: Student & Academic Services
• Kerry Cox, Manager: Human Resources Div EAS
• Nadia Rajic, Team Leader: Counselling, LTU
• Steven Yeend, Manager: Information Technology Div EAS
Division HR services
Kerry Cox, Manager: Human Resources
Division of EASS Human Resources provides a quality human resource function
incorporating:
•Workforce Planning
•HR Consulting and Advice
•Organisational and Professional Development
•Change and Case Management
•Occupational Health Safety and Welfare
•HR Systems, Reporting and Administration
Division HR services
Kerry Cox, Manager: Human Resources
Support for staff to manage difficult situations involving a student/s:
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Discuss with Head of School (and other appropriate staff) to identify a strategy to
manage the issue
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Advise Manager: Human Resources
• Incident Report
• EAP service
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Utilise Security services (as appropriate)
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Liaise with IT, Student Ombud, SAS, LTU (as appropriate)
• Police report may need to be considered if external factors are involved
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Training and information for staff
University policies and key contacts
Allan Tabor, Director: SAS
Student and Academic Service (SAS) is the central point of contact for advice and
assistance in all aspects of student and academic administration, including:
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Managing the academic policy framework of the University
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Coordinating University-wide student administration activities from admission to
graduation
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Managing and administering Campus Central
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Developing and maintaining student records and related information
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Providing information and analysis on a wide range of issues related to academic
and student administration, including legislative requirements and trends
University policies and key contacts
Allan Tabor, Director: SAS
Role of Student and Academic Services
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Code of Student Behaviour / Academic Misconduct / Statute 7
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Examples of SAS involvement / intervention in student issues
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Student files and process for logging information on to files
University policies and key contacts
Assoc Prof Anne Simpson: Student Ombud
The Student Ombud:
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offers students a free, independent and confidential service when they feel that
they have been treated unfairly or have a dispute with the University.
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is usually a last resort after students have tried to resolve their complaint through
the University’s complaint procedures.
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considers all sides of a dispute in an impartial and objective way.
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provides advice and, if appropriate, independently investigates student complaints
to determine if they have been treated fairly and that all the correct policies and
procedures have been followed.
The Ombud does not usually become involved in issues dealing with assessment.
In cases of alleged harassment , bullying or unlawful discrimination, students may
approach the Ombud Office directly.
Staff may also contact the Ombud Office for confidential advice about handling
difficult students and relevant procedures.
University policies and key contacts
Assoc Prof Anne Simpson: Student Ombud
The Student Ombud has been involved with a range of issues relating to:
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Academic credit
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Appeal Processes
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Breaches of confidentiality
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Conduct of staff or students
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Course delivery
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Course description
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Enrolment
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Examinations
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Graduation
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Policies and Procedures
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Practicum
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Program organisation
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Student administration
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Student contribution amounts
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Unlawful discrimination and harassment
University policies and key contacts
Steven Yeend, Manager: Information Technology
What constitutes serious misuse of IT facilities?
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Any use of IT facilities to access, create, transmit or solicit material which is obscene, defamatory,
discriminatory in nature, or likely to cause distress to some individuals or cultures, where such
material is not a legitimate part of teaching and learning or research.
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Online harassments or threats
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Unauthorised account or systems access
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Impersonation and/or identity fraud
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Deliberate corruption or destruction of IT facilities (physical or logical)
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Violation of the privacy of personal information, confidential materials or student records
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Copyright and software licensing breaches
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Deliberate use and/or distribution of computer viruses, keystroke loggers, licence serial cracks etc.
How should staff go about reporting any detected incidents of IT misuse?
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Issues involving physical threats or risk should immediately be reported to campus security
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If unacceptable use of University IT systems is detected, this must be reported to ISTS
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Staff should contact the ISTS Helpdesk and request that the Security Team contact them. No
details that could identify any of the people involved in the incident should be stored in the
Helpdesk call at this point
University policies and key contacts
Steven Yeend, Manager: Information Technology
What approvals need to be obtained and from whom?
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the relevant School/Unit Head
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ISTS need to ensure that any investigation of a staff member is handled in accordance with
HR rules and regulations
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ISTS may need PVC authorisation to disclose private details
Other forms of inappropriate use and related information
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SPAM, Flames (defamation), inappropriate use of distribution lists, chain letters
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Unauthorised public statements, made on behalf of the University
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Electronic stalking
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Social networking applications – Facebook, Twitter, etc
Refer to Guidelines for staff/students on use of IT facilities
Logon security and password management
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A newly-issued password should be changed as soon as possible, after issue
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Passwords should always be kept private and be suitably complex
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Passwords should be changed regularly, and immediately after suspected theft or misuse.
University policies and key contacts
Steven Yeend, Manager: Information Technology
Physical Security
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The ISTS, Division IT and the Security team in Services are jointly responsible for
physical security of publically accessible IT facilities. Alarm systems may be used
and alarm incidents will be attended by security officers.
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Breaches of physical security or of physical abuse of IT facilities should be
reported directly to Security on the relevant campus if the incident is happening, or
to the IT Help Desk (internal telephone 25000, external 8302 5000) if the effects of
an incident are discovered after the event.
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The majority of School specialist teaching suites within the Division are fitted with
electronic security alarms, swipe card security access for after hours, and internal
phones that may be used to contact security in an emergency.
Learning and Teaching Unit Services
Nadia Rajic, Team Leader: Counselling
The LTU collaboratively provides services and resources to enhance the university
experience of all students through:
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learning advice
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counselling services
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careers and employment advice
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disability services
The LTU also offers specialised services for:
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students with disabilities or medical conditions
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international students
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higher degree research students
Learning and Teaching Unit Services
Nadia Rajic, Team Leader: Counselling
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The Counselling Service provides a range of services to assist students in
developing the personal skills and qualities necessary for success in their study.
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The services can assist students to resolve the immediate issues and develop
strategies for the future.
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In situations where a student requires ongoing counselling, a referral to a
specialised external service or community agency is coordinated.
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Counsellors are located in the LTU office on each metropolitan campus.
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Counselling services in the LTU also provide assessment and support to students
with mental health issues who are at risk of self harm or harming others.
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A prevention focus is an important aspect of the LTU counselling service even
though staff often associate it with capacity to respond to crisis.
Learning and Teaching Unit Services
Nadia Rajic, Team Leader: Counselling
How do LTU Counsellors support academic staff to manage a student in crisis, at
risk of self harm, harming others or presenting with mental health or challenging
behaviours?
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Some examples of online resources (including In a Nutshells) developed
by LTU Counsellors designed to provide helpful guide:
http://breeze.unisa.edu.au/mentalhealth
http://breeze.unisa.edu.au/mentalhealthint/
http://www.unisa.edu.au/ltu/students/study/wellbeing/stress/crisis.asp
http://www.unisa.edu.au/ltu/staff/practice/support/distress.asp
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Counsellors are the first line of contact and provide professional advice
and support to staff managing students with mental health issues or
challenging behaviours. This is in line with University policy and protocols
relating to students in crisis who may engage in risky behaviour or
breach the code of conduct which may lead to a critical incident.
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Remember to separate challenging behaviour and mental health issues.
Conclusion and discussion
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This presentation will be circulated to all EASS academic staff
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Further feedback is welcome and may be emailed to Simon Behenna
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Questions are welcome