STRATEGIC PLAN 2009-14: STUDENT EXPERIENCE Trinity will continue as a student-centred institution and will aim to provide the best possible student experience in Ireland, one which is widely recognised for clear commit- ment to all of its students and because of the high quality of its supports to them. In order that this be accomplished the Dean of Stu- dents is leading a new initiative in this field. Oversight of the Student Experience comprises of three interlocking components: learning outside of the classroom; the enhancement of extracurricular engagement as a means to that learning; and the provision of sustain- able supports to enable the maximising of each student’s potential. To these ends, and in alignment with the priorities identified in the Strategic Plan, this Mid-Term Review high- lights three critical objectives: maximising opportunities for developing each student’s full potential; enhancing and extending student support services, including the provi- sion of appropriate premises; and facilitating students’ transition into and journey through College.
Maximise Opportunities for Developing Students’ Full Potential
Central to realising the vision of becoming a student-centred university and providing the best possible student experience is the objec- tive of maximising opportunities for devel- oping each student’s full potential. This is especially important given our commitment to the Trinity Access Programmes (TAP), Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) and Disabil- ity Access Route to Education (DARE) pro- grammes and our commitment to responding to the changing external landscape. Initiatives include the co-ordinated revision and devel- opment of the transition/orientation process for all of our students; the alignment of the services with a three-stage student journey, ensuring that all students are appropriately supported at every stage of their College career; the development of and implementa- tion of a policy for student parents and carers; and the development of a summer internship scheme. A further interconnected compo- nent is action relating to increasing student mobility which has been incorporated into the Global Relations Strategy.
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Commitment to our students’ academic and personal development is at the centre of Trinity’s core mission. This is not, of course, simply confined to activities in the lecture theatre, laboratory or library; on the contrary, co-curricular interests play an essential part in developing the skills and insights that aug- ment academic learning and inspire volun- tary activity. We will continue to encourage student-inspired, student-led clubs and societ- ies as a means to this end. In addition, the work of the Civic Engagement Officer has been central to increasing awareness of the various benefits of volunteering to students (and the community). The Dean of Students’ Roll of Honour, initiated in 2010/11, acknowledges the contribution that students make through co- curricular voluntary activity.
Enhance and Extend Student Support Services, Including the Provision of Appropriate Premises
The initiative led by the Dean of Students also aims to establish clear strategy-based fund- ing models for the sustainable development of our professional student services. Vital to this is the provision of appropriate premises and facilities and plans for an enhanced infra- structure are under development, recognising that this plays a vital role in the attraction, retention and well-being of our students. This initiative rearticulates and reaffirms clear lines of advocacy and sustainable fund- ing for, in particular, our unique tutorial service, as well as for our Student-to-Student programme, for our student learning support and for the Civic Engagement Office, especial- ly in the context of the increase in applications through TAP, HEAR, DARE and the Global Relations Strategy. The areas mentioned above are identified in particular because they are crucial to ensuring the development of an improved student experience and a student- centred university.
Facilitate Students’ Transition into and Journey through College
Under the new Provostship greater empha- sis has been placed on ‘easing the transition of new students into full membership of the College community’. The Dean of Students is currently working on developing a more man- aged and co-ordinated process to facilitate this transition. Some of the admissions schemes as outlined in chapter 2 also link in with this key objective, such as the proposed principle for an enhanced admissions system to include the provision of information for students so that they can make more informed course choices. The aim is to establish working models that articulate clearly the areas essential to deliv- ering a first-rate student experience and, in particular, supporting a three-stage student journey of transition/orientation, retention and preparation for employment on exit. It also includes flexibility in our curriculum for our high-achieving sports men and women, and for students with particular health needs. Trinity remains committed to its vision of enhancing the quality of the student experi- ence through investing in infrastructure that supports the student experience. Although at the outset of the Strategic Plan 2009-14 it was envisaged that this would be achieved through the building of a student centre, it is now aimed to achieve this through alterna- tive means. For instance, the new integrated Academic Registry to be opened in May 2013 will be a one-stop-shop of services for students relating to academic services. Under the Global Relations Strategy, a Global Room, where students interested in all aspects of internationalisation can meet, is in the pro- cess of being established. A family room for student parents is also proposed. Through these types of infrastructural initiatives, the quality of the student experience will be enhanced.
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