A new standard of student service is under way at the University of Queensland, as construction continues on its new Student Centre.
When the "one-stop-shop" Centre opens in January 1999, in time for the new academic year, students will be able to access information or services through specially trained staff and modern self-help technology.
The redevelopment in the J.D. Story Building on the St Lucia campus, started in August and includes a larger area for the Australia Post office and a new location for the Commonwealth Bank.
The Centre will cater for all students -- undergraduate, postgraduate, Australian or international - with staff offering advice on issues including course offerings, admission, enrolment, fees, Higher Education Contribution Scheme liability, examinations, exclusion, prizes and scholarships, graduation, academic transcripts and traffic and parking.
Self-help terminals and a range of brochures, forms and general information also will be available.
The Centre will enhance the 24-hour electronic access already enjoyed by University of Queensland students when they log onto the Student Information Network (SI-Net).
At present, students can use SI-Net to change or check their enrolment details, obtain class and exam timetables, check results and look up important dates.
By January, they will be able to access, at their convenience, an even wider range of electronic information from home, from PCs or terminals around the University's three campuses or from within the Student Centre.
Student Administration director Gay Westmore said the University's staff would also benefit from the Centre through the creation of new client service officer positions.
Ms Westmore said the Centre represented a "new standard" of student service and support which would be mirrored at both Gatton and Ipswich campuses - the latter brand-new and about to take its first students next year.
"Systems will be developed so that all students and staff have ready access to authoritative information," she said.
Ms Westmore said Julianne Hagan had been appointed manager of the Student Centre.
University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay said the University was committed to providing educational opportunities equal to the world's best.
"Our student services should reflect that," he said.
"Our goal is to provide a purpose-built environment where students can access information or services by interacting with staff or by using modern self-help technology."
For further information contact Gay Westmore (telephone 3365 4759).
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