New support to help you connect with others
Posted on 14 May 2021
We know how important it is for students to feel connected to others on their course, and to get to know other students in their year group who are studying the same modules. We also know that studying online has made it more difficult for some students to make these connections and to feel part of a departmental academic community.
Departmental Community Coordinators (DCCs) are new paid student roles working in departments/schools and are part of a new University initiative to support building academic and departmental communities. The DCCs are supported and managed by three Faculty Community Coordinators (FCCs).
What do the DCCs do?
The DCCs work in their own department/school, which gives them a good understanding of how their department/school works. They liaise with department/course reps and department/school staff to communicate with students and to identify and respond to student needs, and are able to link departmental communities with University initiatives.
Their role includes:
- promoting existing activities and events and encouraging students to attend within their community networks;
- setting up new events and activities to help build community in their department/school;
- encouraging students to form ‘circles of support’ and to share or participate in activities together, eg York Strengths, Academic Skills Community groups, study groups.
Examples of activities organised so far by the DCCs include quiz nights, film nights, online study groups, online drop-ins, step count challenges, art competitions, craft sessions and more!
To find out more or get involved, look out for more information in your department newsletters, or contact inclusive-learning@york.ac.uk.