Advice Hub Hwunion

The Advice Hub is accessible to all Heriot-Watt University students and is here to provide free, impartial and confidential advice and support.

The Advice Hub is accessible to all Heriot-Watt University students and is here to provide free, impartial and confidential advice and support.
Some of the main areas that we assist students with include:
- Academic Representation
- Appeals
- C-Card (non-judgemental, confidential and discreet provision of free condoms)
- Complaints
- Consumer Issues
- Disciplinaries
- Financial
- International
- University Procedures
- Wellbeing

To find out a little bit more about each of these areas, please continue reading or visit our website:
http://www. hwunion.com/content. asp?section=4

Academic Representation:
The Advice Centre provides independent support and advice for students with regards to individual student academic issues. These include (but are not limited to) Appeals, Complaints and Disciplinaries. If the issue affecting you is something affecting the whole class or a larger group, the Advice Centre can also refer you onto the Academic Support Co-ordinator who can put the students in touch with their Class Rep or School Officer.

Academic Appeals
Sometimes, students can suffer academically as a result of circumstances beyond their control. We can help provide support and representation. The Advice Centre provides support and independent advice with regards to academic appeals i. e. when a student has received poor results and /or is unable to continue with their program of study due to circumstances outwith their control. We can aid you in appealing if your poor performance results from personal circumstances or procedural irregularity.

Go to www. hw. ac. uk /ordinances /regulations. pdf to read the University’s appeals procedure.

Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the act of copying or including the work of someone else in your own work without adequate acknowledgement (referencing), either intentionally or unintentionally, for your own benefit. Copying work from a course textbook, internet resources or another students’ work is all considered plagiarism and is taken very seriously by the University. If you are accused of plagiarism then it is likely you will have to meet with the disciplinary committee. The Advice Hub can help you understand disciplinary procedures and help represent you if you wish to appeal the decisions of the disciplinary committee.

Disciplinaries
If you have been informed that you must attend a disciplinary hearing, we are able to support you throughout the entire process by helping you identify any reasons for your actions. We can attend these hearings to provide moral support. We are also able to help you prepare for the hearing through supportive paperwork, e. g. statements. In addition, we will support you post-hearing while waiting for the decision, and also advise you once you have received the final outcome of the hearing.

C-Card
The Advice Hub also offers a C: Card service through which you can get 12 FREE condoms on each visit. All you have to do is drop by the Hub and pick up a C: Card. The only information we need is your date of birth and your postcode so it is completely confidential and once you have a C: Card you can use it all over the city to collect free condoms.

Complaints
Occasionally, things can go wrong and if you feel that you are not happy with a service provided by the University we can help! If you have a complaint about the University, we are able to provide the next steps or advise on the situation.

Consumer Issues
We speak to students about their problems /issues and advise accordingly. We can deal with issues with bills on their behalf e. g. calling companies to make payment plans. Where we are unable to help, we can make appointments for the student at the Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

Financial
We can assist you if you are having problems paying your fees; we can contact the University and try to negotiate a payment plan on your behalf. We see many students who are having problems with creditors (most often Gas or Electricity companies). We contact the company and can negotiate on your behalf and try to arrange a more suitable payment plan. The Advice Hub can also advise on different ways to search for funding.

International
Coming to study in a new country can be a daunting experience. We are here to make it easier for you! We are able to provide advice on a number of issues affecting international students, from social activities in Edinburgh to academic procedures. We are also able to organise events which enable international students to make the most out of their experience abroad. Where we are unable to help, we can make appointments for the student at the Citizen’s Advice Bureau. Don't forget that there are a variety of ways for you to meet other International students and explore the new country you are living in. You are not alone!

Check out the information at http://www. hw. ac. uk /home /tag /advice /1 and join the Facebook Group International Students Life @ HW.

University Procedures
Not sure what you can and cannot do? Let us clarify things for you! We can provide you with a copy of university procedures and policies and explain them in further detail, as required. So, if you are confused, just ask - there is no such thing as a ‘silly question’! Some of the policies we assist students with include: disciplinary, plagiarism, complaints, appeals, and fees.

See http://www. hw. ac. uk /home /dir /70 /student-policy-and-documents for copies of University policies.

Wellbeing
Being at university can sometimes be a stressful and overwhelming experience. Don’t suffer in silence! We can help.
Due to the fact that we are an impartial, drop in service you are free to come and talk to us about any issues that you are having. These can be of any nature; we will provide advice and guidance. If we can’t help we will find people who can.

Common student issues include:
• Homesickness
• Exam Stress
• Depression
• Sexual Health
• Anxiety
• Bereavement
• Issues with alcohol or drugs
Don’t ever feel that you are alone, often the problem you have others have also had, and the Advice Hub will have experienced before. No problem is ever too big or too small to come and chat to us about. If you would like any information on the above issues or any concerns that you may experience please come in and have a chat or pick up information leaflets.

If you feel you need in depth counselling, the University offers a free service. For more information on the service check out http://www. hw. ac. uk /welfare /counselling. htm.

Heriot Watt is also part of the Nightline service, an anonymous, confidential support and information service for students in Edinburgh www. ednightline.com or 0131 557 4444 8pm-8am. All the trained volunteers are current students within the Edinburgh area, so understand your worries and concerns.