Campus Life Office
The Office of Campus Life aims to provide high quality, responsive and integrated student support services. The Office also has the overarching aim of creating an excellent student experience for students at DIT.
The DIT Campus Life Strategic Plan for 2007-2010 may be found here http://www.dit.ie/campuslife/campuslifeoffice/. Brian Gormley is the Manager of Campus Life, and is assisted by his colleague, Dr Rachel O'Connor.
The services which are under the umbrella of DIT Campus Life are listed below:
- Careers Service
- Chaplaincy
- Counselling Service
- Disability Service
- Health Centre
- Mature Student Support
- Societies Office
- Sports and Recreation Service
The SSRS Office oversees the distribution of capitation, and also administers a range of services, such as:
- Student Accommodation Service
- Personal Accident Insurance Scheme
- Student (Financial) Assistance Fund
- Childcare Support Fund
The Manager of Campus Life is also responsible for day-to-day liaison with DIT Students Union.
Careers Service
The Careers team cannot provide a service to students working in isolation and would like to say a big thank you to all who championed our work and collaborated with us on a number of initiatives over the past year. We know through experience that working with our academic colleagues helps encourage students to develop awareness of options they face upon graduation and skills they require to take advantage of those options particularly in turbulent times. Careers support is not just for final years, it is increasingly important for students to be aware of the need to enhance their employability from year one of their studies. With this in mind we encourage academic staff to continue working with us to support all students.
The NGF’s agreed definition of guidance is that it:
Refers to the process of facilitating individuals or groups at any point throughout their lives to develop their capacity for the self-management of their personal, social, educational, training, occupational and life choices in order to grow towards their potential and thereby to contribute to the development of a better society. (National Guidance Forum, 2005, p.4)
Careers team
Each College has a dedicated adviser who has specific knowledge regarding opportunities available to graduates of that discipline. Advisers have a good understanding of the best routes into, and current employer requirements within, key industry sectors relating to particular subjects. Advisers also proactively seek and promote information relating to further study and employment opportunities suitable for those graduates.
Employer Liaison/Jobs/Events
Working with the rest of the team our employer liaison officer, Carol encourages employers to come on to campus with the aim of ensuring that our students and graduates are made aware of relevant and appropriate job/graduate programmes/further study opportunities and events. Information regarding opportunities is also mailed to students via their DIT student email accounts. Unfortunately not all students access this facility and many lose out as a result. You can help us by reminding students to use their DIT email accounts.
Carol seeks to advertise appropriate, good quality employment opportunities to our students and graduates through our online vacancies database, If you know of colleagues who would like to advertises jobs feel free to contact carol on 01 402 3082 or careers@dit.ie or self advertise www.dit.ie/jobscene. Employer presentations and other events are advertised on our Careers Diary pages.
Research and efficacy of guidance interventions
This year we will be participating in a research project on career decision making styles. This research is further development of a five year primary longitudinal research project undertaken on the efficacy of guidance interventions by Dr Jenny Bimrose at the Centre for Employment Studies, University of Warwick. We intend to use the findings of this contemporary research in both our extensive classroom and one to one guidance work.
My Qualifaction What Next
An information sheet has been developed for the majority of courses which outlines occupational areas open to graduates of that discipline. Skill sets students have gained through this course are also included in addition to a snapshot of first destination details and further study routes of previous graduates. A list of useful discipline specific web links is also included.
The Rise and Rise of Internships
A new code for employers offering or considering offering internships has been launched: Common Best Practice Code for High-Quality Internships. It attempts to address social mobility issues which have been raised by many organisations and individuals, including AGCAS (Association of Graduate Careers Services UK and Ireland). It addresses remuneration and best practice re the preparation, recruitment, induction, treatment, supervision and mentoring of interns, and certification, reference and feedback.
The code has been written by The Gateways to the Professions Collaborative Forum, an ad hoc advisory body, which represents around 60 professional bodies and related organisations. It is supported by BIS (Business Innovation and Skills) and the forum’s executive group is chaired by the Minister for Universities and Science.
You might find the code a useful resource to use in your work with employers and students.
Find it at: http://www.agcas.org.uk/agcas_resources/357
AHECS (Association of Higher Education Services) Awards/Employability Awards
Careers advisers were involved an employability strategy forum hosted by AHECS which saw academics and employers from across the region get together to discuss the importance of employability and career skills, in light of the recent changes to HE funding. The event was well attended and enabled academics and employers to share their views which will hopefully be considered during the strategic plan refresh.
Employability
Employability can be thought of as ‘…a set of achievements, understandings and personal attributes that make individuals more likely to gain employment and be successful in their chosen occupations’ (ESECT 2005 based on a definition from Peter Sewell, UCLan).
The Careers Service made a presentation on employability to Student Experience Committee as part of the overall first year experience attributes of DIT graduates and students projects . Career service regularly delivers session on employability as part of Post Grad Certificate in Learning and Teaching. If you are interested in any aspect of employability as part of course development etc please make contact as we can direct you to some excellent resources.
Student retention and new website for first years
Careers advisers can help your students to think through all their options and plan their next step if they are undecided about whether to change or leave their course. Some students may be concerned about how the course might help with their career plans and future job prospects. A meeting with a careers adviser will help in this situation. Student Retention information for Career’s Service newsletter
The Career’s Service and the student Retention Office identified that a lack of online information existed for first year students. The needs of this cohort are unique amongst the student population in DIT. As individuals in transition to a new system of education, they have a variety of new items to come to terms with.
The information that this cohort require already exists on the DIT website. However it is located in numerous different web pages organised according to academic or administrative function. This information ranges from registration to timetables to career choice worries.
The Career’s Service and Student Retention Office have created a webpage that will act as a single portal for all the information that a first year student requires. The content was developed by both services in order to cover the maximum range of topics and also to present that information in way that a novice would identify with and comprehend. The webpage is now live on the DIT website at the following address www.dit.ie.fyi
First Year Experience programme
Under the auspices of the Director of Student Services, the Career’s Service and the Student Retention Office have collaborated with other services in the formation of a First Year Experience programme for DIT. International best practice indicates that a positive and managed introduction to the transition to higher education helps students at a vulnerable stage in their academic career.
Chaplaincy Service
Mission Statement
The men and women of the Chaplaincy Service, from the Christian tradition, empower, support and care for all in the community of the Dublin Institute of Technology, regardless of their belief.
Service Description
The DIT Chaplaincy Service offers a professional and ecumenical service available to all students and staff of the Institute. The Chaplains are equipped by training, personal commitment and experience to offer two precious resources – time and attention. Chaplaincy is interconnected with all aspects of staff and student life within DIT.
The Chaplaincy service focuses on three main areas: Pastoral Care; Spirituality; Community Building/Community Outreach.
- Pastoral Care
In its broadest sense pastoral care is exercised by assisting as a helpful companion for another on their life’s journey. It provides formal and informal support around rituals, prayer, funerals, meditations, liturgies, weddings and baptisms. From time to time students and staff find themselves challenged by life and needing a more structured relationship. This is termed Pastoral Counselling. Issues such as grief, trauma, sexuality, bereavement, suicide, anxiety, transition, relationships and loneliness can be explored. A distinctive element of the chaplaincy service is its availability to all staff, both academic and ancillary. It offers a confidential service to those who may be seeking support on personal, academic, social or spiritual issues. It seeks to be particularly supportive at time of illness and bereavement. - Spirituality
The service offers opportunities to students and staff to discover the spirituality or path most appropriate to them. Spirituality is explored, and connected with, in prayer groups, faith-sharing groups, retreats, pilgrimages or in open and trusting one-to-one conversations with a spiritual guide. - Community Building/Community Outreach
Internally, this involves networking with students and staff in conjunction with the campus societies and clubs as well as a variety of non-government organisations such as Goal, Simon Community and Localise. The Chaplaincy Service offers volunteering opportunities both within and outside DIT.
Access to the Service
All students and staff can access the Chaplaincy Service through e-mail, land and mobile telephone and an open-door policy. Students from other campuses without a full-time chaplain can also use this service. Students have the freedom to decide which chaplain they choose (perhaps based on gender).
Disability Service
The Disability Services Office has a staff of 10 and provides a wide range of services to students with disabilities in the Institute. The needs of students requiring services will be addressed on an individual basis, and every effort will be made to facilitate students’ needs. Examples of services provided include:
- A range of Assistive Technology Services is available such as computers and specialised software for students with visual impairments, dyslexia and other disabilities.
- Learning Skills Service, particularly for students with dyslexia.
- Extra tuition in certain circumstances.
- Loop systems for hearing impaired students.
- Sign language interpreting
- Taped lectures in certain circumstances
- Transcription of lecture notes in certain circumstances, particularly beneficial for students who are deaf or who have impaired hand function.
- Note-taking service.
- Enlarged photocopying for students with visual impairments and dyslexia
- Braille text
- Assessment of specific learning disabilities. Some students who have not previously been diagnosed may wish to discuss this issue with the disability service
Every student with a disability has the right to:
- Reasonable and appropriate accommodations (adjustments and supports) and/or auxiliary aids determined on a case-by-case basis and in accord with the individual’s certified disability/specific learning difficulty.
- Appropriate confidentiality of disability records (files) and that disclosure of information will only happen with the student’s written consent.
- Information reasonably available in accessible formats.
- Be treated with dignity and respect
Every student with a disability has the responsibility to:
- Identify themselves in a timely manner as an individual with a disability when seeking an accommodation.
- Provide documentation from an acceptable professional source that verifies the nature of the disability.
- Register with the Disability Service and follow Disability Service and College procedures if they wish to obtain reasonable and appropriate accommodations, examination accommodations and/or auxiliary aids. This includes signing the code of practice and consenting to release of information.
- Treat staff of the College with dignity and respect.
Health Service
The DIT health service provides a holistic approach to health, providing on campus health care to those students pursuing full time & apprenticeship courses. Our service incorporates physical, psychological and social aspects of student health and health promotion.
Mature Student Service
The Mature Student Support Service provides information on everything from what financial aid is available to you, study aids, time management and much more. Whether you’re a final year student or have just started first year, the information on these pages will be constantly updated throughout the year, keeping you informed on any forthcoming events and workshops geared specifically towards mature students. Returning to education after a break can sometimes be stressful and often involves a significant change in personal circumstances – anything from a change in your financial situation or a move to a new city. It’s not always an easy transition, but the extensive support services available here in DIT will help you adapt successfully to student life.
The Service provides information on:
Financial Information and Support: http://www.dit.ie/study/mature/support/finance/
Academic Support: http://www.dit.ie/study/mature/support/academic/
The Mature Students Society: https://www.facebook.com/dits.matures
Student Counselling Service
The DIT Student Counselling Service is a free, confidential service available to all registered DIT students. The service comprises a team of psychologists who provide a wide range of services which includes individual/group counselling and developmental/out reach programmes. The service operates closely with all other Campus Life Services in DIT, DIT Students Union and liaises frequently with external agencies in providing the best care for students. No problem is too small or too large to bring to counselling. We help students deal with many different concerns including study difficulties, settling into college, course choices, relationship problems, family concerns, bullying, depression, financial worries,anxiety, eating disorders, mental health concerns, abuse, loss and grief.
The service is available Monday to Friday 9-5pm term time and holiday time. To make an appointment please contact Gabby at 01 4023352, or text 086 0820543. Waiting times may exist during busy periods.
Careers Service
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Southside: |
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Northside: Careers Service, 69/73 Capel Street, Dublin 1 014022961 |
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Personnel |
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Mr David Kilmartin |
Acting Head of Service/Careers Advisor |
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Ms Jill Barrett & Mr Peter Lewis |
Careers Advisors |
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Ms Marie Gonnelly |
Careers Advisor |
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Ms Georgina Higgins & Mr Peter Lewis |
Careers Consultant
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Ms Carol Kavanagh |
Employer Liaison Officer |
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Ms Carmel McDonald
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Careers Advisors |
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Ms Sinead Rafferty |
Information Officer |
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Mr Laurence Whitson |
Careers Advisor |
Chaplaincy Service
Sr. Mary Flanagan
Co-ordinator Chaplaincy Service
Aungier St - Room G003(C002)
143-149 Rathmines Rd
Tel: 402 3050/ 087-6417309
Email: Mary.Flanagan@dit.ie
Mr. Finbarr O'Leary
Cathal Brugha St
Room 25 F
Tel: 402 4308/ 0874169517
Email: Finbarr.Oleary@dit.ie
Ms. Fionnuala Walsh
Kevin St
Room K 251
Tel. 402 4568/ 086-875 4422
Email: fionnuala.walsh@dit.ie
Rev. J.P. Kavanagh
DIT Mountjoy Square, Rathmines Rd & Chatham Row,
Tel. 402 4112 / 0873743323
Email: jp.kavanagh@dit.ie
Chaplaincy
Bolton St
Room 254
Tel. 402 3639 / 086-875 4424
Disability Service
disability@dit.ie, 01 402 7681, http://www.dit.ie/campuslife/disability/
Full Contact details:
Mr. Bob O Mhurcu, Acting Head of Service
Disability Liaison Office
Dublin Institute of Technology,
163-167 Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin 6
Tel: +353 1 402 7658
Email: bob.omhurcu@dit.ie
Ms. Olive O'Connor, Project and Development Officer
Disability Liaison Office
Tel: +353 1 402 7656
Email: olive.oconnor@dit.ie
Ms. Suzanne Duhan, Student Information Support
Disability Liaison Office
Tel: +353 1 402 7681
Fax: +353 1 402 7669
Email: suzanne.duhan@dit.ie
Ms. Helen Carroll, Learning Support Officer - Bolton St.
Dublin Institute of Technology,
69-73 Capel St, Dublin 1
Tel: +353 86 353 0993
Office: +353 1 402 3922
Email: helen.carroll@dit.ie
Ms. Jennifer McConnell, Learning Support Officer - Aungier St.
Room 2-038,
Dublin Institute of Technology,
Aungier Street, Dublin 2
Tel: +353 86 163 3313
Office: +353 1 402 3167
Email: jennifer.mcconnell@dit.ie
Ms. Christiane Brennan, Learning Support Officer - Aungier St.
Room 2-038,
Dublin Institute of Technology,
Aungier Street, Dublin 2
Office: +353 1 402 3167
Email: christiane.brennan@dit.ie
Ms. Sylvia Mooney, Learning Support Officer - Kevin St. & Rathmines
Room 2-038,
Dublin Institute of Technology,
Aungier Street, Dublin 2
Tel: +353 87 316 1000
Office: +353 1 402 3117
Email: sylvia.mooney@dit.ie
Mr. James McDermott, Assistive Technology Officer (Northside Students)
Library
Dublin Institute of Technology,
Bolton St, Dublin 1
Tel: +353 87 057 8067
Office: +353 1 402 3738
Email: james.mcdermott@dit.ie
Mr. Stephen Long, Assistive Technology Officer (Southside Students)
Library
Dublin Institute of Technology,
Aungier St, Dublin 2
Tel: +353 87 218 1159
Office: +353 1 402 7015
Email: stephen.long@dit.ie
Health Service
- Medical Director – Dr Brendan Clune
- Practice Manager – Gráinne Brookfield
- Aungier St Appointments – 01 4023051
- Linenhall Lodge Appointments – 01 4023614
- http://www.dit.ie/campuslife/studenthealthservice/
Mature Student Service
Quick Contact details:
ms.info@dit.ie,
01 402 7658,
http://www.dit.ie/mature/support,
www.twitter.com/ditsmatures
https://www.facebook.com/dits.matures
Full Contact details:
Mr. Bob O Mhurcu, Mature Student Support Officer
Dublin Institute of Technology,
163-167 Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin 6
Tel: +353 1 402 7658
Email: ms.info@dit.ie
Student Counselling Service
Gabby Lynch, Secretary to the counselling service, 01 4023352, 0860820543 gabby.lynch@dit.ie
North Side offices
Catherine Bolger,DIT, Mountjoy Square, Room P16, 4th Floor - Mon-Fri -T: 4024120
Geraldine Lee O Sullivan, DIT, Linenhall Lodge, Room 3 - Mon-Fri - T: 402 36 80
Kevin Leech, DIT, Cathal Brugha Street, Room 8- Mon-Fri - T: 402 4385 / 4343
South Side offices
DIT, Aungier St
Nita Whelan, Room 2041 - Mon-Fri - T: 402 3052
Dr Susan Lindsay, Room 2042 - Mon-Fri - T: 402 7020
John Broderick, Room 2043 - Mon-Fri - T: 402 3155
Service is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, term and holiday time. A limited evening service is available.
Careers Service
How do I refer a student to the Careers Service?
Student referrals
Some students may be:
- Considering leaving college before they sit their examinations or wish to change course
- Thinking about changing career direction
- Wanting information on further study in a similar field or conversion courses
- Wanting advice on applications procedures e.g. CV and cover letter preparation and interview coaching
- Needing help with job hunting strategies including information on Graduate Programmes
How to make a referral?
Suggest the student drops in to the careers service or makes an appointment. You might want direct assistance. In that case call the careers service while the student is with you to ensure that an appointment is made. A cross referral to the other Campus Life student services may be required. If you feel that the situation is urgent tell us that the student needs an appointment immediately. Contact the team at careers@dit.ie or phone 014023082
How can I find out what graduates do ?
We conduct an annual collection of information about what activities our graduates are engaged in, after completion of their course. The survey, known as First Destination Returns, is administered through the Higher Education Authority. This data is useful for monitoring the performance of courses in terms of employability and used by external agents to provide comparative data across institutions for potential students. The data is also used to inform course reviews and promotion of courses in the national press. Figures are reliable indicators of what DIT leavers were doing approximately 9 months after they left but are only a snapshot at a moment in time relatively soon after graduation. If you require further information, please contact Carol on EXT: 3082.
How can I introduce a careers module to my programme?
Careers Development Learning
- Our award winning career learning programme draws on information gained from First Destination Returns statistics and feedback from employers, alumni and previous participants. Currently included in ninety per cent of courses across the institute at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, the programme is tailored to suit each discipline and can be delivered as a once off training day. Students who participate acquire particular advantages including:
- Development of an awareness of their fundamental career motivations
- Knowledge of how to make well informed career choices
- How to apply more successfully to jobs and courses
- An understanding of options available with their degree
- A thorough understanding regarding the range of selection methods employers use, including aptitude tests and assessment centres
- A thorough understanding of skill requirements of graduate employers and how to provide suitable evidence for such skills, drawn from their academic, professional and personal life experiences.
- How to present themselves to the best of their ability at selection interviews
- *Q and A sessions with industry speakers and alumni working in different sectors are a key feature of some programmes.
If you would like to include the career development as part of your course please do get in contact. You can help through facilitating us in the time table and encouraging students to attend. Linking us in with guest speakers also helps.
Chaplaincy Service
What is chaplaincy?
The chaplaincy is interested in the total wellbeing of the student or staff member. Chaplains understand that each person is made in the image and likeness of God, is utterly unique, and has a unique contribution to make. The chaplaincy then is a place of welcome where you can explore what it is to be fully human, and receive opportunities to use your gifts and talents in the service of others. Chaplains encourage staff and students to connect with their deeper self, and live out the deep desires of their hearts.
What do chaplains do?
Chaplains respond to students and staff needs in four very practical ways:
- Listen – Chaplains are good listeners, who offer a staff members or students a space where they can come and share whatever is weighing on their mind, and find a non-judgmental and confidential space in which to be heard. Chaplains are approachable and friendly and eager to help. The door of the chaplain is an open door to staff and students.
- Community – Chaplains create community within the staff and student body, where like-minded people, with similar values can meet and make friends. Hospitality is a big value in the chaplaincy, and often this hospitality can take the form of food !
- Spirituality -. The chaplain is very interested in the spiritual development of staff and students. Modern culture can leave many feeling empty and in search of something deeper that satisfies. More and more, we are speaking of the language of the “soul” and how to find ways of living and acting that nourishes our souls. The chaplain organizes events that respond to the deep spiritual needs of students and staff.
- Service – “It is in giving that we receive” – At the heart of the chaplaincy is this key value of service, and love for others. The chaplaincy seeks to involve students in staff in outreach activities that are serve others, and in particular those who are less well off for whatever reason, or disadvantaged in some way.
Can a student drop in to a chaplains’ office without an appointment?
Yes, the DIT Chaplaincy offers an informal drop-in service for students and staff. We seek to be as accessible as possible to students and staff. The chaplain offers a listening ear in confidence, in a non-judgmental setting. Each chaplain has contact information on the door of the office, so if the chaplain is not present the student or staff member can make contact with the chaplain through phone or email.
Do I have to be a religious person to come to the chaplain?
No. The chaplaincy service open to students and staff from all faiths and none. We welcome all who come to our door.
Disability Service
Should I disclose my disability to DIT?
Yes, the Disability Service team is there to support you. By disclosing your disability it means that you will be assisted in accessing a range of reasonable supports, provided by the Institute and by the State, to enable you to successfully complete your course. However, the choice to disclose is entirely up to you.
For CAO applicants it also means your application will be considered under the Supplementary Admission Route for Applicants with Disabilities (DARE).
I have a disability and want to apply to Dublin Institute of Technology, what do I do?
Applicants with a disability applying for full time undergraduate degrees of the University should apply via the Central Applications Office (CAO), indicating on the application form that they have a disability or specific learning difficulty, which is the basis for seeking reasonable accommodations of support in either the application process or in pursuing their College career. Mature students with disabilities (i.e. at least 23 years of age on the 1st January of the proposed year of entry) with disabilities should apply via the supplementary admissions procedure for mature students as well as via CAO.
How do I register with the Disability Service?
Services are for all students with a disability, including, but not limited, to those who:
- Hearing Impaired / Deaf
- Visually Impaired / Blind
- Specific Learning Difficulties
- Physical Disability
- Medical Disability
- Mental Health Difficulties
If you require assistance for a disability or specific learning difficulty, you should register with Disability Service; the initial point of contact should be made via the Disability Office at 4027681 or disability@dit.ie
You will then be assigned a Learning Support Officer and Assistive Technology Officer who will work with you to assess the level of support required.
What evidence of my disability do I need to provide?
DIT requires evidence of a disability to support the provision of any reasonable accommodations. Students who do not have appropriate evidence of their disability should forward the ‘Evidence of Disability Form' to their Medical Consultant / Specialist to be completed. General Practitioner (GP) letters will not be accepted as suitable medical evidence.
Students with Specific Learning Difficulties (e.g. dyslexia) should provide a copy of their most recent Educational Psychology Report clearly stating that the student has a Specific Learning Difficulty. This report must contain the age equivalent of intellectual functioning and reading age, age-related percentile point, or adult norm in the case of mature students. For applications to the CAO through the Supplementary Admissions Route assessment should have been conducted within the last 3 years. This three year rule does not apply to registering with the Disability Service for appropriate and relevant supports.
Can DIT guarantee my privacy?
Any information that you provide to the Disability Service will remain confidential. It is important to remember however, that the Disability and Service cannot provide support in isolation. With your permission, information will be disclosed solely for the purpose of arranging the necessary support for you.
What services and support is offered to students with disabilities?
Every student with a disability in DIT has access to a wide range of reasonable supports and services. These are are based on each student’s individual needs.
Some of our services include:
- Supplementary admission route
- An educational needs assessment
- Study related financial support
- Learning support service
- Individual tutor support
- Free screening service to identify a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia
- Assistive technology and alternative format services
- Examination support
What support is available for examinations?
DIT is committed to ensuring that students with disabilities are in no way disadvantaged in examinations. Specific examination and other assessment arrangements may be made for you if you have a temporary or permanent disability.
The specific arrangements are intended to enable you to perform to the best of your ability and are not intended to give you an unfair advantage. These arrangements are specified in accordance with DAWN (the National Disability Advisors Working Network) exam policy guidelines for third level institutions.
You have to register with the Disability Service if you are experiencing a disability, so contact them as soon as possible. You'll need medical documentation and psycho-educational reports. All exam accommodations for DIT students are in strict accordance with the requirements of the DAWN and DIT examination policy.
If a disability does prevent you taking an exam or assessment the way the rest of your class are required to, then it might be possible to make special arrangements for you.
Examination accommodations may include;
- Time allowances
- Flexibility with assignments
- Disregarding of spelling, grammar, punctuation etc
- Rest periods
- Use of a reader/ Scribe
- Smaller examination centre
- Physical space
- Accessible toilets
- Use of Computer or Assistive Technology
I have a Specific Learning Difficulty – what do I do?
There are a large number of students with specific learning difficulties (SpLD) studying in DIT programmes. The Disability Service offer a range of services to assist in meeting the needs of students with an SpLD. The Disability Service has four full time Learning Support Officers who are based across all the campuses.
The overall aim of Learning Support is to equip students with strategies which suit their individual learning style and to assist them in becoming independent learners. They do this by identifying students’ needs and developing their skills in: active learning; time management; reading; note-taking; exam/study skills and task analysis.
I think I have a Specific Learning Difficulty – what do I do?
You should contact the Disability Service. They offer a screening service to any student in DIT who suspects they may have a specific learning difficulty. The initial screening is carried out by the Learning Support Officer. Should the assessment determine the likelihood of a SpLD, the student can be referred to an educational psychologist for a full assessment. With a full educational psychologist assessment report, students can access a range of supports and services available to them.
For students who require an up to date assessment report the Service can refer students to the relevant professionals. Please note there is no funding available from the Disability Service for this assessment.
Health Service
Q. Are doctors and nurses medical certs the same?
A. Yes, both doctors and nurses medical certs are the same and should be accepted. It means the student has been assessed by a health professional at the DIT student health centre and is deemed too unwell to attend college/work for the stated period of time.
Q. Do the Student Health Centre see students off site?
A. The staff of the Student Health Centre prefer to assess students onsite, in the Student Health Centres they we have all their equipment there. Occasionally they have to go to assess an unwell student outside the student health centre. i.e another DIT site.
Q. Do the Student Health Centre backdate medical certs?
A. No, the Student Health Centre does not backdate medical certs. A medical cert will only be issued if the student has attended the Student Health Centre, contacted the Student Health Centre at the time of illness or event , or if confirmatory evidence detailing the problem is presented to the Student Health Centre from an appropriate source.
Q. Can DIT staff attend the Student Health Centre?
A. No, DIT staff cannot attend the Student Health Centre. Only full time students and apprentices with a valid student card are eligible to attend either Student Health Centre. If a DIT staff member has a first-aid issue they can contact the DIT Health Safety Team.
Student Counselling Service
What services do we provide?
Individual assessment and psychological counselling
We generally see students for 50 minute sessions. Couples and Family therapy is offered by some counsellors on the team if it’s considered beneficial for the student. After the first session, if it seems appropriate the student will be offered a further five sessions. There are some students who require more long term counselling and this would be offered to them depending upon how busy the service is.
All appointments are booked in advance but the service also operates Emergency Appointments when needed.
Development work (including provision of self –help groups and workshops)
The service aims to offer a variety of workshops to the general student body and to sub groups of the population. Examples of general workshops/programmes that have been run by the service in the past include self esteem/assertiveness, time management, stress management, relaxation/meditation, team building, learning and personal development, etc. Many of these workshops are once-off workshops delivered during class time at different times of the year. In some centres, the counsellors facilitate groups such as bereavement, personal/learning development groups, study skills groups, relaxation and meditation groups, etc.
Referral to other appropriate staff/specialists
The service will put the student in touch with whatever help he/she may need, e.g. referral to another internal support service, e.g. college GP, student services officer, chaplain or an external referral to a psychiatrist or other specialist.
Self-help information
We provide a wide variety of leaflets and fact sheets to staff and students. This information is generally available outside the counselling offices or on the web site. Requests for other relevant information can be made to your local counsellor.
Services for staff
Counsellors are available for consultation with groups or individuals relating to student welfare. Staff can make an appointment to see a counsellor to help with a referral or in a crisis. Special workshops for staff on such topics as the first year experience, making referrals, emotional intelligence, multicultural awareness, managing tutoring dilemmas, etc are offered at different times
How Do I make a referral to the counselling service?
If you feel the student would benefit from attending the counselling service but are still coping with college and home life, you can simply make them aware of the counselling service and encourage them to contact the service themselves.
Direct Referral
If you feel it is very important that the student sees a counsellor, and if you wish to check up directly with the counselling service whether or not the student has seen us, you can - with the student's consent - contact the counselling service yourselves. In this case, give the counsellor (or the service's secretary) your name, the name of the student you are referring on, and indicate that you would like some feedback from the counsellor. In this case, the counsellor will seek permission from the student to give you this information - we then would ring you and let you know that we have seen the student and discuss some of the concerns you may have about the student with you - if you wish to do so.
What do I do in the case of an emergency?
If you feel a student must see a counsellor (or a doctor in the medical service), especially if you think they are at serious risk, tell them openly about your concern and insist that you will need to refer them on. You can offer them your phone to make the appointment in your presence, or else ring the service yourself, preferably when the student is present. If you feel the student needs to be seen immediately, ring the counselling service's secretary and ask for an emergency appointment.
What about after hours or at weekends?
If you need to contact help for a student after afters or during the weekend please click on our external support services page for contact details: http://www.dit.ie/campuslife/counselling/externalsupportservices/
Chaplaincy Service
The Chaplaincy Service is actively engaged in inviting students and staff to get involved in activities under the following headings:
Volunteering
- Supervised Study and Shadowing
Currently the chaplaincy service works very closely with the DIT Community Links Office to implement the following programmes: Supervised Study, (DIT students help second level students from inner city schools with homework in a supervised setting) Shadowing (students from second level inner city schools are allowed to shadow a DIT students for a day to gain an insight into third level education and a particular course area, again in a supervised setting). - Peace Corp - Localise
Peace Corps - Localise is a youth and community development organisation with over 38 years of experience in community service work and volunteerism. Localise has been actively engaging young people and young adult leaders in community work and Active Citizenship in order to affect positive change. DIT has worked closely with Peace Corp – Localise and the following are some of the events which have taken place at DIT campuses: Homeless Shelter Decoration Project; International St Patrick’s Evening; Primary School Christmas Party; Events for Senior Citizens; Fundraiser for Teenagers with Cancer; Integration Events; Special Need Group Party - Homelessness Action Group
There is currently a group of students, based at Aungier St. working to ease the plight of homeless people. They organise collections of blankets and clothing for the homeless. Further information can be obtained from Sr. Mary at Aungier St.
Peer Mentoring
DIT Chaplaincy is taking the lead role in introducing a Peer Mentoring programme in DIT, which involves DIT students from the second year of their programme, assisting first year students in the same programme with their transition to third level education. The chaplaincy has worked closely with the DIT counselling service in the provision of training for mentors. A pilot project has been successfully introduced this year, in DIT Kevin St and in DIT Bolton St with the aim of rolling out similar peer mentoring programmes in more schools in DIT into the future. This will provide huge opportunities for students and staff to become involved.
Spirituality
The DIT chaplaincy service provides many opportunities for staff and students to get involved:
Retreats and Pilgrimages; Meditation and Prayer; Eucharist and Eucharistic services; Annual Mass of Remembrance for deceased Students and Staff of DIT; November Services of Remembrance on each DIT campus; Christmas Carol service; Ash Wednesday and Lenten services
Justice and Peace Issues
The chaplaincy seeks involvement from students and staff in the promotion of justice and peace, through involvement in appeals organised by third world charities, such as Trocaire and Concern, and also in raising awareness around the environment.
Disability Service
The DIT Disability Service also offers support to staff with disabilities. Staff who have a disability or are interested in getting involved with the service are more than welcome to do so – please contact disability@dit.ie or (01) 402 7681 and we’d be happy to talk to you.