10. Student Support Services
There are several departments at Athabasca University that offer information and advice to students: the Information Centre, academic centres, learning centres, Learning Services, Office of the Registrar, Course Materials, Computing Services, and Library Services.
If you require help in clarifying your educational objective, Athabasca University's Advising Services will help you select courses appropriate to your program of study. Counselling Services will help you determine your educational and career goals and assist you in overcoming any barriers to learning you may experience. Refer to Services for telephone numbers.
10.1. Information Centre
Hours: 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (MT) Monday to Friday
Phone: (800) 788-9041 (Canada and U.S. callers) or (780) 675-6111
E-mail: auinfo@athabascau.ca
Fax: (780) 675-6437
http://www.athabascau.ca
Refer to the Schedule for important dates for closures.
10.2. Academic Centres
Athabasca University professors work within academic centres. These centres are grouped according to program and research areas. Refer to Services for academic centre phone numbers.
10.3. Learning Services
Learning Services staff are responsible for the overall coordination of courses, tutors, professors, and students.
10.3.1. Learning Services Tutorial
Learning Services Tutorial administers tutoring workloads, leaves, introductory letters, and hours of tutoring among other duties. Enquiries about tutor availability, lost tutor letters etc., can be e-mailed to tutserv@athabascau.ca.
10.3.2. Learning Services Outreach
Learning Services Outreach works with cooperating institutions and special interest groups and the academic centres to assess needs, plan, implement, and evaluate the delivery of paced courses and programs.
10.4. Learning Centre Services
The learning centres, located in Edmonton and Calgary, are primary points of contact and sources of information for anyone interested in the academic programs and services of Athabasca University. Refer to Calendar preface for telephone numbers.
10.4.1. Advising and Counselling Services
Athabasca University advisors help students select courses appropriate to their
program of study. Advisors also explain and acquire information about University
requirements and procedures, assist students in applying for financial aid, and
refer students to other resources. Refer to Services for
telephone numbers.
Counselling Services helps students define their educational and career goals and assists them in choosing a program of study. Counsellors can suggest ways for students to budget their study time, encourage those needing motivation to complete their academic requirements, or help students apply for financial assistance. Refer to Services in the Calendar preface for telephone numbers.
Counselling Services may also recommend the following materials created by Athabasca University that are available from Athabasca University Students' Union.
- Improve Your Study Skills: A Series of Seven Modules for Adult Students helps students improve their study habits and hone their skills. Topics covered include: getting started, time management, reading to remember, note taking, essay writing, surviving the slumps, and taking exams.
- Study Smart: Study Skills Software for Students, consists of a CD ROM
(that requires a 486 PC with 4 MB of RAM, 5 MB free hard drive space, Windows 3.1, 95 or higher, and a CD drive) that provides an interactive study skills program designed for
individualized use.
- Coping with Exam Anxiety Handbook: A Step-by-step Guide for Adult Learners focuses on the physical and emotional experience of anxiety. It shows how self-defeating thoughts can be replaced by performance-enhancing ones.
10.4.2. Services for Students with Disabilities
The University tries to accommodate students who have a permanent or temporary disability whether it arose before or after admission to the University. Before being admitted to the University prospective students with disabilities should contact the Office of the Registrar for a Verification of Limitation Form. If, after admission, circumstances arise that qualify students to receive special services, they should contact Coordinator, Access for Students with Disabilities, (780) 497-3424 or e-mail asd@athabascau.ca to discuss their situation.
10.4.3. Alberta Universities Writing Competence Test
Learning centres offer the Alberta Universities Writing Competence Test that fulfils the writing skills requirement of the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of General Studies, Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Science (Post Diploma) degrees. Calgary-area students contact and write the test at The University of Calgary. All other students contact Edmonton Learning Centre for more information.
10.4.4. Resource Centres
Each learning centre has a resource centre where students can consult a variety of
reference and learning materials such as: sample course materials; the Alberta
Transfer Guide (also available at http://www.acat.gov.ab.ca/; course-related audio and
videotapes; career planning, time management, and educational job search materials; the
Library's online catalogue (AUCAT); Improve Your Study Skills: A Series of Seven
Modules for Adult Students (available to students only); and Coping With Exam Anxiety: A Step-by-Step Guide for Adult Students (available to students only).
In addition to the Athabasca University Calendar and brochures about academic
programs, learning centres distribute a variety of information and self-help publications
developed for adult students in distance education. Refer to Services for telephone numbers.
10.5. Centre for Learning Accreditation
Athabasca University established a Centre for Learning Accreditation in 1996. The centre provides opportunities for students to gain credit for non-formal learning and workplace and labour training programs. Several methods from many areas of learning are being developed to provide students with a variety of routes for credit assessment.
Ken Collier
Director, Centre for Learning Accreditation
Athabasca University
1 University Drive
Athabasca AB T9S 3A3
Phone: (800) 788-9041 (ext. 6481) or (780) 675-6481.
Web site: http://www.athabascau.ca/html/depts/irnacc.general.htm
E-mail: kenc@athabascau.ca
10.6. Office of the Registrar
Services from the Office of the Registrar are obtained by telephone, mail, fax, or in person at the University's central office in Athabasca. Some services may be requested using e-mail addressed to auinfo@athabascau.ca. Refer to Services for telephone numbers.
10.6.1. Admission and Evaluation Services
Admission and Evaluation Services admits students to the University, enrols them in specific programs, evaluates transfer credit, and monitors courses for application to undergraduate degree university certificate or diploma programs.
10.6.2. Registration Services
Registration Services processes course registrations, withdrawals, extensions, financial aid applications, etc. Because of the need for signatures on these documents, students cannot request these services by e-mail.
10.6.3. Financial Assistance
The Office of the Registrar provides information about financial aid and helps
students apply for assistance (see 8.7 Financial Assistance).
10.6.4. Academic Records and Examination Services
Academic Records and Examination Services handles requests for transcripts, ensures final grades are sent to students, records final grades in the student's academic record, and distributes and supervises exams.
10.7. Course Materials
Course Materials Production maintains an inventory of materials and distributes them to students. Once your course registration has been processed, your course materials package will be delivered as soon as possible. Allow approximately two to three weeks for the delivery of course materials within Canada, and up to four weeks in the United States. Refer to Services for telephone numbers.
| Students may make special courier requests by using Visa®, MasterCard® or American Express® payment. All prepaid courier costs will entitle the student to receive the University's special courier rates. Special rates do not apply to collect charges.
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10.8. Library Services
Athabasca University Library serves its students through a collection of approximately 130,000 volumes of books and audio-visual materials, and nearly 800 journal titles. In addition, the library subscribes to approximately 40 electronic databases that provide bibliographic citations, selected abstracts, and/or the full text of selected journal articles.
Electronic resources may be accessed through the Library's Web page. Students may request materials and library assistance by contacting the library information desk. Students are encouraged to use library resources in their own community and may request assistance in identifying library services closest to them.
Athabasca University Library will make no guarantees with respect to the availability of materials and/or fees for services or materials at other libraries. Most library collections are available for in-house use at no cost, and according to each library's policies and procedures.
10.8.1. Library Circulation Services
Students may request library materials by mail, telephone, fax, or e-mail. Students must provide their name, student ID number, address, phone number, and the name and number of the course in which they are registered. Specify the materials requested or provide a brief description of the subject or essay for which the materials are required.
The Library normally sends the requested materials by mail to the home address, with an appropriate pre-addressed card for return to the Library. Arrangements can be made for courier delivery to one of the Athabasca University learning centres. Reasonable attempts will be made to provide library services to students living outside of Canada.
10.8.2. General Information
Telephone access to the Library Information Desk is provided 24 hours a day. The Library is open from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Athabasca callers 675-6254
Edmonton callers 421-8700
Calgary callers 263-6465
Alberta, Canada, and the United States (800) 788-9041 call toll free (ext. 6254)
Fax: (780) 675-6477
E-mail: library@athabascau.ca
Web site: http://library.athabascau.ca/
10.8.3. AUCAT, The Online Library Catalogue
Students may access AUCAT (the online catalogue of library materials) at one of the learning centres or through the Library's Web page. Information about Athabasca University Library, the online catalogue, and services to Athabasca University students is also available on the Web.
10.9. Computing Services Help Desk
The Help Desk is designed to assist students and staff with the use of Athabasca University computing resources. Refer to Services for telephone numbers.
10.10. Office of the Ombuds
The purpose of the office is to provide information or referral services to students and members of the University community. Office personnel act as facilitators between students and administrative staff and faculty, and assist in solving problems or complaints through informal negotiation rather than formal appeals and grievance procedures.
Staff and Student Relations Coordinator
(800) 788-9041 (ext. 6131)
Administrative Assistant
(800) 788-9041 (ext. 6116)
Fax: (780) 675-6450
E-mail: ombuds@athabascau.ca
10.11. Athabasca University Students' Union (AUSU)
AUSU is an organization of student volunteers governed by an elected student council of up to nine students from across the country. Offices and support staff are located at the Edmonton and Calgary learning centres. AUSU publishes a student newsletter, The Voice, from the Calgary office and undertakes myriad duties throughout the year, including hosting the annual Meet Your Tutor night in Edmonton, and posting job listings at both learning centres. AUSU invites
you, as an Athabasca University student, to get involved. Your input and articles are most welcome.
|
Fees are rated per course and are paid through your Athabasca University course registration. |
Athabasca University Students' Union (AUSU)
Athabasca University Learning Centre - Edmonton
3rd Floor, North Tower, Seventh Street Plaza
10030-107 St.,
Edmonton, AB T5J 3E4
Phone: (800) 788-9041 (ext. 2905) or
(780) 497-7000 (Edmonton) or
(403) 298-2905 (Calgary)
Fax: (780) 497-7003 (Edmonton)
Fax: (403) 298-2922 (Calgary, The Voice)
E-mail: ausa@athabascau.ca
Web site: http://www.ausu.org
10.12. Athabasca University Alumni Association (AUAA)
All graduates are automatically full members of the Athabasca University Alumni Association. Former students who have successfully completed nine Athabasca University credits may become associate members upon application. Programs and services offered by AUAA include a parchment framing program, a ring purchase program, and The Open Link, Athabasca University's online alumni newsletter. Each year AUAA hosts the Alumni Reception in Athabasca the night before the June convocation ceremony. All graduands and their families are invited to attend.
| Fees are rated per course and are paid through your Athabasca University course registration. |
Athabasca University Alumni Association (AUAA)
1 University Drive
Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3
Phone: (800) 788-9041 (ext. 6419)
E-mail: aualumni@athabascau.ca
Web site: http://www.athabascau.ca/alumni
10.13. Postal Service Interruption
If Canada Post mail service is disrupted due to a strike or work slowdown, ensure your distance education continues uninterrupted by reading the following steps.
Phone: (800) 788-9041 or (780) 675-6111
Fax: (780) 675-6174 (do not mail any originals after postal service resumes)
E-mail: auinfo@athabascau.ca
To Receive / Send Materials
- Clearly label all materials you are sending to the University. Talk with your tutor(s) about alternatives (e.g., e-mail, fax) for sending / returning assignments. Course materials and registration documents, library materials, and other written items can be picked up at Athabasca, Edmonton, and Calgary, learning centres:
- Edmonton 2nd floor, North Tower, Seventh Street Plaza, 10030 - 107 Street. (780) 421-8700.
- Calgary 3rd floor, 1040 - 7 Ave., S.W. (403) 263-6465.
In Alberta (except Edmonton or Calgary)
You may drop off and pick up material:
- at any provincial government courier location (usually government departments, agencies, boards, and commissions). Call an Athabasca University learning centre for your nearest provincial government courier location.
- at several post-secondary institutions. Call an Athabasca University learning centre for the post-secondary institution nearest you.
In Canada (Outside of the Province of Alberta)
You may drop off and pick up material:
- at several post-secondary institutions. Call an Athabasca University learning centre for the post-secondary institution nearest you.
Outside of Canada
- Call the Office of the Registrar (800) 788-9041 (for Canada or the United States callers) or (780) 675-6100 (for callers living outside Canada or the United States) to discuss the necessary arrangements.
To Make Examination Requests
To make exam requests contact the nearest examination centre. Contact Examination Services in the Office of the Registrar to discuss alternatives to writing exams at established examination centres or refer to the Web site at http://www.athabascau.ca/html/depts/registry/examinfo.htm.
To Request Course Adjustments
Adjustments may be made to a course contract based on the length of the postal disruption. Contact the Office of the Registrar to request an adjustment.
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