Welfare
Your welfare is a number one concern for the Students’ Union, whether that is representing you in a disagreement with the LSE or offering counselling for more serious problems. This section is also aimed at drawing your attention to some areas you will need to think about while at LSE.
Academic problems
The Students’ Union is available to support you if you have problems with your course, your academic department or with the School in general. You have the right to expect standards and the LSE’s guidelines can be found at www.lse.ac.uk/resources/schoolRegulations/. If you have complaints or problems with the School or your department, contact the Education and Welfare Officer at su.edwelfare@lse.ac.uk. It is possible to appeal against an academic decision and get representation at disciplinary hearings. Student- Staff liaison committees also listen to student complaints, contact your department for more information
Nightline: 020 7631 0101
London Nightline is a telephone helpline offering confidential listening, support and information to students in London on any issue. Nightline is run by students for students, and provides an empathetic ear and can signpost other organisations that callers may find useful. It is open every night of term from 6pm to 8am. There is also an E-mail Listening service, providing confidential listening, support and information. E-mail: listening@london.org.uk Nightline always needs new student volunteers and there is no experience necessary as full training is provided. If you are interested email london@nightline.org.uk.
Academic Integrity
Plagarism!! A Serious Matter… When you arrive at LSE, it is important that you learn how to cite sources in the formal academic fashion. Plagiarism is much more than deliberately cheating, it can also include failing to credit writers who’s ideas or words have been used in your work. Each department produces a handbook detailing how to cite sources correctly. If you do not have one, contact your tutor or someone in your department immediately to procure a copy. Please read through this document very carefully, as it will save you time and hassle later on. Of course, if there is anything you don’t understand or want clarification on, talk to your tutor or contact me right away. Your department may also organise specific workshops or lectures on how to reference properly. These are normally at the start of the year, and are often repeated for those about to write dissertations. The Students Union strongly advises you to attend one of these sessions. The LSE takes plagiarism extremely seriously, and the default punishment for those considered to have plagiarised is to fail all papers for the year. Do not risk an entire year of your degree because you failed to cite sources correctly. Read the guidelines, credit the sources you use, and ask for help if you need it. The LSE Learning World contains more information that can help you. Their website is www.learning.lse.ac.uk, or feel free to contact me directly.
Ruhana Ali Education and Welfare Officer
su.edwelfare@lse.ac.uk
Sexual Harassment
Reported incidences of sexual harassment at the School are low, but where they do occur it can cause severe personal distress. Harassment can range from unwanted comments and gestures of a sexual nature, to demands for sexual favours and to sexual assault. It is unwelcome, unsolicited, repeated and unreciprocated. It can be from a member of staff, or another student. Whatever the extent or if you are just unsure about what you are experiencing, your first point of contact is either the School’s Advisor to Women Students (Daphne Josselin), the Advisor to Male Students (Matthew Engelke), the Advice Centre, or the Education and Welfare Officer. Your complaint will be treated as confidential and not seen as "formal" until you would like it so, or have decided on the action that you wish to take.
Safety
London is normally a safe place to be, but it pays to be aware of the potential dangers. In the UK the number to dial for emergency services is 999. Here are a few ways to ensure your safety:
Night bus
The Students' Union runs a safe transport scheme from LSE to the Halls on Friday nights. The bus leaves hourly from outside the Peacock Theatre at 11pm, 12am, 1am and 2pm.
Public Transport
Try not to travel alone, but if this is unavoidable, make sure you stay close to other people, always ensure that you have some cash on you, and carry an A-Z if you are not too familiar with London. Night buses run all over London and are usually busy. CCTV cameras have been fitted to most, so they are usually safe.
Taxis
Never get into an unlicensed illegal mini-cab - last year over 200 women were sexually assaulted in illegal minicabs. Always get into a black cab or pre-book through a licensed minicab operator. Carry the number of a trusted, licensed cab firm on you - if you contact Transport for London on 020 7222 1234, they can provide you with phone numbers of licensed minicab operators. Before you get into a cab check that the driver knows your name and destination, sit in the back and carry a mobile phone.
Personal Alarms
The SU is distributing free personal alarms from the Advice Centre, in halls of residence, and from the office of the Education and Welfare Officer. They can also be bought from the SU Shop.
Welfare Wednesdays
This year, student welfare is a top priority. The Students Union will be providing a regular dosage of welfare and enrichment activities (normally on Wednesday afternoons) to improve your student experience. The SU and the Metropolitan Police will be running free Safety Awareness classes for both men and women. There will also be women only classes in self-defence. Other activities include classes on healthy living as well as certified First Aid courses. If you have any suggestions for enrichment activities that you would like the Union to provide or want to discuss issues regarding welfare in general, then keep an eye out for the termly student welfare forums or contact the Education and Welfare Officer for more information.
LSE Health Centre
Location: St Philips Building
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm
Tel: 020 7955 7016
The St Philips Health Centre offers a comprehensive service for students and covers more medical problems that the SU Advice centre can. You will be required to register before your first consultation, so have some documentation with you. You can phone to book an appointment with a doctor any time during the above opening hours. There is also an urgent clinic every day that is suitable for medically urgent problems, requiring immediate attention. These are operated on a first-come, first-served basis. There are two sessions, 11.00am to 11.30am and 3.00pm to 3.30pm. St Philips runs a Contraception Clinic daily during term time and an Osteopath clinic on Thursdays. You can also make appointments for the Dental Service by telephoning 020 7955 7444. The Health Centre, like the Advice Centre, has a Counselling service staffed by four professional counsellors. A first appointment can be arranged within one week and urgent cases can be seen each day between 4pm and 5pm. For more detailed information, please contact St Philips.
Safe Sex
Safe sex is sex using barrier methods of contraception (such as condoms) to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STIs). Without these there is a risk of exposure to a number of STIs, including HIV, the virus that can lead to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Other STIs include syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, herpes, pubic lice, hepatitis, and genital warts. Many of these infections may not have any physical symptoms. However, possible symptoms can include discharge from the penis, sores or blisters near the vagina, penis or anus, or a pain when passing urine or having intercourse. If you have any concerns, contact the Health Centre for free, professional and confidential advice. Condoms are available free of charge from Family Planning Clinics, the LSE Health Centre, the Education and Welfare Officer, SU Advice and Counselling centre and halls of residence welfare officers. Also look out for the SU Sexual Health and Aids Awareness Week campaign towards the end of Michealmas Term.
Pregnancy
Emergency contraception can be obtained if you believe that you might be at risk of pregnancy, if you have had unprotected sex, or fear that the contraceptive method you were using may have failed. Emergency contraception (such as the morning after pill) needs to be obtained within three days of unprotected sex. Free emergency contraception can be obtained from the Health Centre, a Family Planning Clinic, or even a hospital Accident and Emergency unit, if nowhere else is available. If you do become pregnant, and wish to discuss your options, contact the Health Centre or a Family Planning Clinic such as Marie Stopes (Tel: 0845 300 80 90). The Students’ Union operates the Women's
Right to Choose Fund to help women who wish to have a termination or proceed with their pregnancy. Please contact the Advice Centre or the Education and Welfare Officer for further details about the fund.
Depression Awareness
Depression is an exceptionally common condition - a survey by MIND has estimated that over 40% of students in the UK will suffer at some point in their university careers. To counter this, the SU runs a yearly Mental Health Awareness Week to raise awareness of depression and reduce the stigma surrounding it. If you feel you may be suffering from depression we would strongly urge you to seek advice. St Philips Medical Centre and the SU Advice Centre both have trained counsellors who will be happy to help you.
Alcohol
The health guidelines on alcohol consumption are that as a rough estimate, a pint of 'normal' beer is two units and a measure of spirits or a single glass of wine is one unit. These guidelines suggest that men should consume a maximum of 21 units a week and women around 14. If you drink a lot more you may be causing damage to your body. If you are concerned about your own or someone else's drinking then there are specialist helplines who will discuss any matters with you. They are confidential and you do not need to have a serious problem before you contact them. You can also contact the doctors at the Health Centre for help and advice. Alcohol Concern Information about alcohol and how it can affect us.
Tel: 020 7928 4644
www.alcoholconcern.org.uk
Alcoholics Anonymous
Tel: 020 7833 0022
Drinkline Advice and support if you are concerned about your own or someone else’s drinking.
Tel: 0800 917 8282
Drugs
Illegal drugs are widely available and certain types are used recreationally by large numbers of people, but they can be dangerous. You should never accept any form of drug without knowing exactly what it is and what the consequences of taking it may be. The are organisations who can offer advice and information for anyone concerned about their own or someone else’s drug use.
National Drugs Helpline Tel: 0800 77 66 00 (24 hours)
Release Advice and assistance on all aspects of drugs and the law. Tel: 020 7729 9904 (24 hours) www.release.org.uk
Quit For advice, support and information about giving up smoking. Tel: 0800 00 22 00 www.quit.org.uk
Money Worries
Most students have to come to terms with living in debt, so it is important to work out what your annual income will be, and prioritise what it should be spent on. If you get stuck, there are sources of financial assistance available from the LSE and the Union. But don't wait until you're broke before looking for help. If you know you will be in difficulty in the future, make sure you ask for advice right away.
Financial Support (Students’ Union)
The Advice Centre administers the Union's hardship funds for which anyone can apply. There is the Disabled Students Fund, Childcare Fund, and Women’s Right to Choose Fund, Council Tax Fund, Small Claims Fund, Asylum Seekers’ Fund, Medical Costs Fund, Homeless Students Fund and Repeating Students Fund. Get application forms from the Advice Centre. Interviews for applications are conducted by a member of the Advice Centre
staff and the Education and Welfare Officer. They are completely confidential and informal. Most of the funds, apart from the Disabled Students' Fund and the Women's Right to Choose Fund, are only available in the Lent Term.
Financial Support (LSE)
Contact the Financial Support Office if you encounter unexpected financial difficulties. They administer the School's Student Support Fund and also the HEFCE Access/Hardship Fund (for home students only), and may be able to help if you're having money problems. The Financial Support Office is located in the Student Services Centre. Please check their website for the times of drop-In sessions (www.lse.ac.uk/admin/financial-support). E-mail financial-support@lse.ac.uk or by phone on 020 7955 7155.
Part-Time Work
Many students find it necessary to take up part-time jobs in order to fund their studies. It can be difficult to balance work and study, ensuring you do not over-commit yourself. The Students' Union has the best pay of any SU in the country and there are often vacancies for casual staff. Please enquire at any of the SU services for details, ask at SU reception or check out the Careers Service Job Shop at http://www.thecareersgroup.co.uk/lse/jobshop/Page23.asp. If you work outside the Union, be careful! Students can get a raw deal, so you should know your rights. Advice is available from the SU Advice Centre or from www.troubleatwork.org.uk.
Accommodation
This may well be your biggest expenditure during your time at LSE and it is important to get good value. For advice on housing look at the SU Housing Guide from the Advice Centre. Staff there, are trained on housing law and can help you with questions or problems from landlords’ intent on keeping your deposit to shoddy repairs. Have a look at www.lse.ac.uk/accommodation
