Student Ambassador's Newsletter Q2 2021

The Student Ambassador’s quarterly newsletter keeps you updated on how the Student Ambassador and many others are working to improve students’ legal position and develop dialogue and understanding between students and the University.

Universities Denmark’s webinar on students with functional impairments

On 15 April, Universities Denmark held a webinar on how to simplify the application process for students applying for exemption due to functional impairments. More than 100 people from universities and interest organisations participated and discussed the Agency’s letter (in Danish) and checklist (in Danish) of 7 May 2020 on administration of the disability area. During the webinar, the Danish Association of Young People with Disabilities (SUMH) recommended increasing efforts in the following areas:

highlighting counselling opportunities and ensuring a good study start
highlighting assistance in applying for exemption
establishing one entrance and one contact person
having specific student counsellors with knowledge of students with disabilities

Counselling needs in Q2

In Q2, the Student Ambassador received 145 enquiries.

Almost a third of the enquiries were from students who wanted guidance in relation to applying for an exemption.

In addition, a number of the enquiries were from students who wanted to complain about an exam, most often because they disagreed with the assessment.

Up to the deadline for applications for higher education programmes on 5 July, we also received a number of enquiries about admission, which is why they account for approx. 11 percent of the enquiries in Q2. However, we refer many of them to more relevant counselling services.

In addition, almost a third of the enquiries are within the three categories legal complaints, suspected exam cheating and bullying of students by staff.

Presentation to the association Foreningen P.S.

On 14 April, the Student Ambassador was invited by UCPH students from Foreningen P.S., the association of psychologically vulnerable students, to give a presentation on how to apply for exemption to adjust teaching and exams.

The 2020 annual report

On 15 June, the University Board finalised the review of the Student Ambassador’s annual report for 2020 (In Danish).

In the recommendation to the meeting (in Danish), the Rector noted that UCPH, in its follow-up to the report, will have particular focus on the University’s approach to students with functional impairments.

The Rectorate has also decided to initiate a process focusing on student statements concerning bullying and harassment. Among other things, it is to focus particularly on ensuring that students can turn to one place and that the assistance provided to students better supports their needs.

In the months up to the board meeting, the annual report was also reviewed by Administrative Management (AL), at a joint meeting between the Academic Board on Education Strategy (KUUR) and the Study Administration Coordination Committee (SAK) as well as by Senior Management (LT).

UCPH course to write clearer decisions and emails to students

Since the establishment of the Student Ambassador in 2013, the students’ enquiries to us have shown that, for example, reasons for rejection can sometimes be communicated more clearly. This applies to the processing of student applications, complaints and disciplinary cases alike. Read more about our insights into communication regarding decisions at UCPH in the Student Ambassador’s annual reports from 2013 to 2020.

On this basis, we have now set up a UCPH course, on 10 November, on writing even clearer decisions and emails to students.

Would you like new inspiration for how to communicate even more clearly with students regarding decisions or via email? Are you often unsure about how you can express yourself in the clearest way? Have you experienced a dialogue with a student come to a deadlock? Or do you just want to become even better at avoiding misunderstandings when you communicate in writing?

Then this half-day course is for you!