The Role of Student Services in Higher Education : University and the Student Experience

“Renowned as a leading practitioner and voice of wisdom and reason, Annie Grant now shares her insight with those who are still on their professional journey within the higher education student experiential services through her writing. I commend this book to everyone who works in, or wants to really understand, the world of higher education in the UK today.” ― Jayne Aldridge , Chairperson of AMOSSHE, The Student Services Organisation 2017-2021, and Director for the Student Experience, University of Sussex, UK This book examines the aspirations, challenges and experiences of contemporary university students through the eyes and ears of those who provide professional advisory services. Providing an overview of the growth of the UK higher education sector in general and that of student advisory provision in particular, the author highlights the breadth and depth of the role that professional advisory staff now play in the higher education landscape. The volume addresses student academic and career success and their wellbeing, stressing the importance of understanding and respecting the diversity of the student body. In doing so, it emphasises the value of envisioning universities as inclusive and safe communities that challenge discrimination, prejudice and bullying, and the importance of proactive initiatives that help students to develop self-confidence and resilience. The author addresses other important but less frequently discussed matters, such as the impact of the marketization of higher education, alcohol and drug abuse and the ethical and moral values of higher education. Preface 6 Acknowledgements 12 Annie Grant Book Description 14 Contents 15 About the Author 19 Abbreviations 20 1: Universities, Students and the Development of Student Advisory Services 23 1.1 Introduction 23 1.2 Higher Education in the UK 24 1.3 Institutional Diversity 30 1.4 Student Diversity 31 1.5 The Development of Pastoral Support and Student Services in the UK 39 1.6 Institutional Role and Status 43 1.7 Student Services Structures 45 1.8 Funding Student Services 47 1.9 Personal Tutors and Their Relationships with Professional Advisers 49 1.10 The Student Voice and Students’ Unions 51 References 53 2: Academic Achievement and Career Progression 57 2.1 Introduction 57 2.2 The Transition to Higher Education Learning 58 2.3 Learning Enhancement 60 2.4 Addressing Cheating and Plagiarism 66 2.5 EU and International Students 69 2.6 Postgraduate Students 72 2.7 Equality of Academic Outcome 74 2.8 Addressing the Personal Factors that can Impede Academic Success 82 2.9 Peer Support for Learning 83 2.10 Preparing for the Future 85 2.11 Government and Employer Expectations 86 2.12 Institutional Expectations 89 2.13 The Student Perspective 90 2.14 Inequality in Career Progression and the Benefits of Collaborative Approaches 92 2.15 Final Thoughts 96 References 97 3: Health and Wellbeing 102 3.1 Introduction 102 3.2 Mental Health and Wellbeing 103 3.3 Mental Ill-health in the Student Population 104 3.4 How Has the Sector Responded? 107 3.5 Understanding the Causes of Mental Distress and Stress in the Student Population 109 3.6 Disclosure and Help Seeking 117 3.7 Postgraduate Wellbeing 123 3.8 What Can Be Done to Minimise Student Stress? 123 3.9 Shifting the Balance: Promoting Personal Strength and Responsibility 127 3.10 Staff Training 129 3.11 Peer Support 131 3.12 Working with the Statutory and Voluntary Sectors 132 3.13 Final Thoughts 136 References 139 4: Building Community in Higher Education Settings 147 4.1 Introduction 147 4.2 The Institutional Context 148 4.3 Student Living Arrangements 149 4.4 The Residential Experience 151 4.5 Living at Home 154 4.6 Student Arrival and Induction 155 4.7 Creating an Inclusive Community: Involving the Whole Institution 159 4.8 Inclusion and Belonging 163 4.9 Community Engagement and Citizenship 169 4.10 Keeping the Community Safe 171 4.11 Discrimination, Religion and Belief 172 4.12 Bullying and Harassment 174 4.13 Sexual Mores and Behaviours 176 4.14 Alcohol and Drug Use and Misuse 179 4.15 Final Thoughts 188 References 188 5: Setting a Moral Compass 193 5.1 Introduction 193 5.2 The Moral and Ethical Values of UK Higher Education 194 5.3 Duty of Care 196 5.4 In loco parentis? 197 5.5 Confidentiality 201 5.6 Policy Development: Concessions and Extenuating Circumstances 205 5.7 Fitness for Study and Professionalism 207 5.8 Postgraduate Research Students and Their Supervisors 210 5.9 Responding to External Pressures and Setting Clear Boundaries 213 5.10 Inequality: Retention and Achievement 216 5.11 The Marketisation of Higher Education and Ethical Recruitment 220 5.12 Student Discipline 226 5.13 Supporting the Supporters 232 5.14 Further Thoughts 234 References 236 6: League Tables, the Future Role of Student Services and the Importance of Measuring Impact and Effectiveness 240 6.1 Introduction 240 6.2 Measuring and Ranking HEIs: ‘Quality’ Control and League Tables 242 6.3 The Current and Future Roles of UK Student Services 245 6.4 Measuring Impact and Effectiveness 249 6.5 Avoiding the Reinvention of the Wheel 253 6.6 Final Thoughts 256 References 259 Index 262 This book examines the aspirations, challenges and experiences of contemporary university students through the eyes and ears of those who provide professional advisory services. Providing an overview of the growth of the UK higher education sector in general and that of student advisory provision in particular, the author highlights the breadth and depth of the role that professional advisory staff now play in the higher education landscape. The volume addresses student academic and career success and their wellbeing, stressing the importance of understanding and respecting the diversity of the student body. In doing so, it emphasises the value of envisioning universities as inclusive and safe communities that challenge discrimination, prejudice and bullying, and the importance of proactive initiatives that help students to develop self-confidence and resilience. The author addresses other important but less frequently discussed matters, such as the impact of the marketization of higher education, alcohol and drug abuse and the ethical and moral values of higher education. Annie Grant is a freelance researcher and writer, and Associate of Newnham College Cambridge, UK. Following a successful career as a published researcher and teacher in her specialist field, her work with students led to her decision to shift her focus to student guidance and support