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

Kerry Cox, Manager: Human Resources

Division HR services

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

Kerry Cox, Manager: Human Resources

Division HR services

Support for staff to manage difficult situations involving a student/s:

• Discuss with Head of School (and other appropriate staff) to identify a strategy to manage the issue

• Advise Manager: Human Resources• Incident Report• EAP service

• Utilise Security services (as appropriate)

• Liaise with IT, Student Ombud, SAS, LTU (as appropriate)• Police report may need to be considered if external factors are involved

• Training and information for staff

Allan Tabor, Director: SAS

University policies and key contacts

Student and Academic Service (SAS) is the central point of contact for advice and assistance in all aspects of student and academic administration, including:

• Managing the academic policy framework of the University

• Coordinating University-wide student administration activities from admission to graduation

• Managing and administering Campus Central

• Developing and maintaining student records and related information

• Providing information and analysis on a wide range of issues related to academic and student administration, including legislative requirements and trends

Allan Tabor, Director: SAS

University policies and key contacts

Role of Student and Academic Services

• Code of Student Behaviour / Academic Misconduct / Statute 7

• Examples of SAS involvement / intervention in student issues

• Student files and process for logging information on to files

Assoc Prof Anne Simpson: Student Ombud

University policies and key contacts

The Student Ombud:

• offers students a free, independent and confidential service when they feel that they have been treated unfairly or have a dispute with the University.

• is usually a last resort after students have tried to resolve their complaint through the University’s complaint procedures.

• considers all sides of a dispute in an impartial and objective way.

• 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.

Assoc Prof Anne Simpson: Student Ombud

University policies and key contacts

The Student Ombud has been involved with a range of issues relating to:

• Academic credit

• Appeal Processes

• Breaches of confidentiality

• Conduct of staff or students

• Course delivery

• Course description

• Enrolment

• Examinations

• Graduation

• Policies and Procedures

• Practicum

• Program organisation

• Student administration

• Student contribution amounts

• Unlawful discrimination and harassment

Steven Yeend, Manager: Information Technology

University policies and key contacts

What constitutes serious misuse of IT facilities?

• 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.

• Online harassments or threats

• Unauthorised account or systems access

• Impersonation and/or identity fraud

• Deliberate corruption or destruction of IT facilities (physical or logical)

• Violation of the privacy of personal information, confidential materials or student records

• Copyright and software licensing breaches

• 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?

• Issues involving physical threats or risk should immediately be reported to campus security

• If unacceptable use of University IT systems is detected, this must be reported to ISTS

• 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

Steven Yeend, Manager: Information Technology

University policies and key contacts

What approvals need to be obtained and from whom?

• the relevant School/Unit Head

• ISTS need to ensure that any investigation of a staff member is handled in accordance with HR rules and regulations

• ISTS may need PVC authorisation to disclose private details

Other forms of inappropriate use and related information

• SPAM, Flames (defamation), inappropriate use of distribution lists, chain letters

• Unauthorised public statements, made on behalf of the University

• Electronic stalking

• Social networking applications – Facebook, Twitter, etc

Refer to Guidelines for staff/students on use of IT facilities

Logon security and password management

• A newly-issued password should be changed as soon as possible, after issue

• Passwords should always be kept private and be suitably complex

• Passwords should be changed regularly, and immediately after suspected theft or misuse.

Steven Yeend, Manager: Information Technology

University policies and key contacts

Physical Security

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

Nadia Rajic, Team Leader: Counselling

Learning and Teaching Unit Services

The LTU collaboratively provides services and resources to enhance the university experience of all students through:

• learning advice

• counselling services

• careers and employment advice

• disability services

The LTU also offers specialised services for:

• students with disabilities or medical conditions

• international students

• higher degree research students

Nadia Rajic, Team Leader: Counselling

Learning and Teaching Unit Services

• The Counselling Service provides a range of services to assist students in

developing the personal skills and qualities necessary for success in their study.

• The services can assist students to resolve the immediate issues and develop

strategies for the future.

• In situations where a student requires ongoing counselling, a referral to a

specialised external service or community agency is coordinated.

• Counsellors are located in the LTU office on each metropolitan campus.

• 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.

• A prevention focus is an important aspect of the LTU counselling service even

though staff often associate it with capacity to respond to crisis.

Nadia Rajic, Team Leader: Counselling

Learning and Teaching Unit Services

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?

• 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

• 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.

• Remember to separate challenging behaviour and mental health issues.

Conclusion and discussion

• This presentation will be circulated to all EASS academic staff

• Further feedback is welcome and may be emailed to Simon Behenna

• Questions are welcome