Responding to your feedback

• Streamlined procedures
  For 2024/25, there are important updates to both the short-term (Exceptional Circumstances) and medium-term (Temporary Learning Agreement) procedures to help streamline process and ensure you get the right support at the right time.
  
  
• Supporting you to use AI
  We’ve put together a guide on how you can use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) at CCCU and what restrictions the University has put on its use. The guide will show you how to use GenAI tools effectively, ethically and responsibly. 
  
  
• Supporting you in placements
  We understand how crucial placement experiences are for many of our students on professional courses. That’s why CCCU is excited to introduce InPlace - a new placements system designed to enhance the way we manage student placements, strengthen our relationships with placement providers, and improve our reporting tools for PSRB regulations.
  
  InPlace was launched in September for Teacher Education Students in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities, and Education and will be rolled out across the University over the next 24 months. Students will use InPlace to receive placement allocations, complete placement timesheets, and more.

The Students’ Union Hub has introduced lots of support for the cost of living:

• The Canterbury Campus Pantry
  If you’re experiencing a food crisis you can request a free, nutritious, meal via ccsu.co.uk and collect it at the SU Reception. The team there will also guide you toward long-term financial support through the Student Wellbeing Team if needed.
  
  
• The Breakfast Club
  Start your mornings right with the Student Breakfast Club, running Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 11:00am. Help yourself to toast, spreads, and cereal - everything you need to fuel up for the day ahead.
  
  
• Free Hot Drinks!
  Need a break? The Students’ Union is where you’ll find free tea and coffee dispensed from our drinks machine all day, every day - thanks to a partnership between Christ Church Students’ Union and Lost Sheep Coffee.
  
  
• Heat and Eat
  The Students’ Union is also one of many ‘heat and eat’ stations in Canterbury, so you’ll find a cozy kitchen with a fridge, microwaves, and boiling water.

• New eBooks & resources
  You asked, we listened. We’ve added over 200 student-suggested eBooks, new collections for Engineering and Business, and expanded access to journals and historic newspapers. You now have access to 800+ Oxford Very Short Introductions—perfect for expanding your knowledge. Plus, we have increased the number of 7-day loans you can borrow at one time so you can access more media resources.
  
  
• Investment in your study spaces
  We’ve upgraded the study areas to make them more comfortable and accessible. New height-adjustable desks, sofa booths in cozy window spots, better wayfinding and easy-access whiteboards are ready for you to use. Plus, we are piloting a Postgraduate Study Space providing priority seating and opportunities to collaborate with peers.
  
  
• LibrarySearch refresh
  We worked with students to give LibrarySearch a new cleaner look. The filter options are streamlined to the left-hand side, and you can swap between library and digital resources using the tabs at the top.

• We have introduced a new system Handshake to bring students and employers in closer contact and allow students to gain industry contacts.
  
  
• Last year Unitemps paid over £1.2 million to students providing lots of opportunities to earn while you learn.  We've expanded our Unitemps campus pop-ups to connect with students and graduates, bringing you the latest job opportunities and career tips. We’re also running regular workshops to help you make standout applications, and our new Micro-Internships offer funding for small and medium-sized businesses to provide real-world industry experience to CCCU students. 
  
  
• The Podcast room alongside the equipment loan scheme is allowing students to easily produce their own podcasts.
  
  
• The Careers Development Fund has more funding this academic year allowing us to support more students with extra-curricular career enhancing opportunities.

• We launched a new Learn to Drive Fund for final year students, to help students obtain their driving licence and allow them to access placements or graduate employment that would otherwise not be available.
  
  

• State-of-the-art gym refurbishment
  Our gym just got a major makeover! Enjoy cutting-edge equipment, a sleek new design, and a better fitness experience to help you stay healthy and energized throughout the year. 

• New sensory quiet space
  The Student Wellbeing and Library Teams are creating a new sensory room in Augustine House. This space will help students relax, focus, and explore their senses in a safe environment, aiming to reduce stress and promote wellbeing. More details to come!
  
  Plus check out the new small Wellbeing Rest Room in MDg06 for those who want to take some time out. 

• SIM Suite improvements
  There has been significant investment in our SIM suites based on student feedback including new simulators to improve nursing skills around nutrition, stoma care, pressure area care and prostate examination, new VR/AR technology platforms and larger teaching ward at Medway in increase and improve access and space in clinical simulations.

• We’ve launched CampusConnect, a mobile app designed to enhance the university experience for international students at CCCU! Whether you’re looking to make new friends, connect with peers across campus, or stay updated on events and activities, CampusConnect has you covered.
  
  
• We’ve introduced regular International drop ins both online and in person to help overseas students settle in and provide them with an opportunity to ask any questions they may have.

• The Greenhouse Project Society was set up by students to grow fruit and vegetables to provide to the Students’ Union’s student hardship pantry.
  
  
• The Climate Escape Room was designed to teach climate science in a short, fun escape room-style game, and has been formally launched.
  
  
• The COP28 programme of events saw 13 events over the 14 days of COP28 to help engage staff and students with sustainability.
  
  
• The sustainability collection is now part of the Library’s online reading app, Libby.
  
  
• The Student Green Office produced a podcast called Teaching Transformations to help academics and students learn more about how sustainability can be embedded in the curriculum

• Equity and Inclusion: We developed in partnership with students and staff our Equity and Inclusion Strategy 2024-2027 to deliver our commitment to our people, our culture, and our community. We aim to eliminate discrimination, promote equity, diversity, and inclusion, and embed a strong sense of belonging in all that we do.
  
  
• Expect Respect: We’ve launched an Expect Respect module to help find your role at CCCU as a leader of change, an ally, and an active member of our supportive community. Students can learn about our values and build your understanding of harassment, so they know how to stand up for what’s right, whilst keeping themselves safe.
  
  
• We held our first-ever CCCBEU Equity and Inclusion conference.