{"id":14,"date":"2024-07-01T14:12:03","date_gmt":"2024-07-01T02:12:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.otago.ac.nz\/studentsupport\/?page_id=14"},"modified":"2025-04-14T14:50:54","modified_gmt":"2025-04-14T02:50:54","slug":"undergraduate-students","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.otago.ac.nz\/studentsupport\/undergraduate-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Undergraduate Students"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1><strong>Student Affairs and Support:<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>The Student Affairs Office provides support to students to work at the best of their ability throughout their training.<\/p>\n<p>We are located within the Student Support Hub on the 5th floor of the UOC. Support is also provided in Timaru and Nelson.<\/p>\n<p>Students can contact the Medical Education Unit and Kim Pasley, ADSA, if they have any issues impacting on their academic performance or wellbeing.<\/p>\n<p>Email\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:meu.uoc@otago.ac.nz\">meu.uoc@otago.ac.nz<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Email\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:kim.pasley@otago.ac.nz\">uoc.studentaffairs@otago.ac.nz\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Issues we can assist with:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Financial hardship<\/li>\n<li>Need help and don&#8217;t know where to go<\/li>\n<li>Professional behaviour<\/li>\n<li>Navigating studies witha disability, physical illness or accident<\/li>\n<li>Mental health issues<\/li>\n<li>Intimidating behaviour<\/li>\n<li>Learning difficulties<\/li>\n<li>English as a second language.<\/li>\n<li>Advocacy at Student Progress meetings<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/outlook.office.com\/bookwithme\/user\/c0b4ee0953234f76bbe47a011c03fbfd@registry.otago.ac.nz\/meetingtype\/JEihTbCj0kqNNKFfncrMbQ2?anonymous\">Make an appointment with John <\/a>using your student email or<\/p>\n<p>Email\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:kim.pasley@otago.ac.nz\">uoc.studentaffairs@otago.ac.nz<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The MEU office also follows up and assists with:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Leave from the course<\/li>\n<li>Exam results<\/li>\n<li>Withdrawals and readmission to the medical course<\/li>\n<li>TI transfers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Associate Dean (Student Affairs)\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.otago.ac.nz\/christchurch\/research\/generalpractice\/our-people-in-the-general-practice-research-group\/dr-kim-pasley\">John Dean<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Email\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:kim.pasley@otago.ac.nz\">uoc.studentaffairs.ac.nz<\/a><br \/>\nTel\u00a0<a href=\"tel:=6433643613\">+64 3 364 3613<\/a><br \/>\nMob\u00a0<a href=\"tel:+64212792246\">+ 64 21 279 2246<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Associate Dean (Nelson)\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.otago.ac.nz\/healthsciences\/expertise\/profile?id=730\">Associate Professor Kirsten Coppell<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Email\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:kirsten.coppell@otago.ac.nz\">kirsten.coppell@otago.ac.nz<\/a><br \/>\nMob\u00a0<a href=\"tel:+64212791641\">+64 21 279 1641<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Health Sciences Associate Dean (South Canterbury)\u00a0<\/strong>Ben Simpson<\/p>\n<p>Email\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:bsimpson@scdhb.health.nz\">bsimpson@scdhb.health.nz<\/a><br \/>\nMob\u00a0<a href=\"tel:+64224444640\">+ 64 22 444 4640<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Services for medical students:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.otago.ac.nz\/christchurch\/services\/student-affairs\/tutors-mentors-available\">Tutors \/ mentors available<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.otago.ac.nz\/christchurch\/services\/student-affairs\/general-practitioner-services-for-university-of-otago-christchurch-medical-students\">General practitioner services<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.otago.ac.nz\/christchurch\/services\/student-affairs\/counselling-or-psychotherapy-services-for-university-of-otago-christchurch-medical-students\">Psychotherapy and counselling<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.otago.ac.nz\/christchurch\/study\/phd\/external-emergency-support-agencies\">Emergency services<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.otago.ac.nz\/christchurch\/services\/student-affairs\/other-resources-for-medical-students\">Other resources<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Free counselling:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Available through MPS (for all medical students). Freephone\u00a0<a href=\"tel:08002255677\">0800 225 5677<\/a>, option 3. The EAP counselling service is available 24\/7 for all University of Otago students. Freephone\u00a0<a href=\"tel:0800787286\">0800 787 286<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Pu\u0101waitanga counselling service:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Pu\u0101waitanga\u00a0is a free telehealth counselling service available to all enrolled students, across all campuses.<\/p>\n<p>They can support students with feelings of anxiety, low mood, relationship problems, grief, addictions, low self-esteem, or low confidence.<\/p>\n<p>Appointments can be held with a counsellor anytime between 9am\u20139pm, seven days a week.<\/p>\n<p><strong>To book an appointment:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Students can call\u00a0<a href=\"tel:0800782999\">0800 782 999<\/a>\u00a0(free phone in New Zealand) or enrol online to arrange an appointment (a University of Otago student ID number will be required).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.otago.ac.nz\/christchurch\/services\/student-affairs\/counselling-or-psychotherapy-services-for-university-of-otago-christchurch-medical-students\">More about counselling services<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>GP visits at Christchurch doctors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Free for Commnunity Services Card holders, otherwise NZ$20. Referrals available for free psychologist appointments.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.otago.ac.nz\/christchurch\/services\/student-affairs\/general-practitioner-services-for-university-of-otago-christchurch-medical-students\">More about GP services<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Kaiawhi Wairua|Campus Chaplain:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Sheila Mark is available to meet with both staff and students. Email\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:sheila.mark@otago.ac.nz\">sheila.mark@otago.ac.nz<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Chaplaincy plays a vital role in providing emotional and spiritual support to staff and students regardless of belief or background. We are trained professionals who offer confidential and non-judgemental, guidance, counselling, encouragement and comfort to individuals facing a range of challenges, such as illness, trauma, grief, and moral distress.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prayer rooms:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A Muslim prayer space is on the 7th floor of the UOC building. In the hospital there is a chapel and a quiet space on Level 1, Waipapa.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Report a concern:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Confidential concerns regarding poor professional behaviour can be submitted through the &#8216;report a concern&#8217; tab on the Student Affairs page on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/medschool.otago.ac.nz\/\">Moodle<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h1>Other Avenues of Support for Undergraduate Students<\/h1>\n<h4><strong>Module Convenor:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>If there are problems specific to a particular block module or vertical module you are strongly encouraged, in the first instance, to discuss these with the module convenor. If you aren\u2019t sure who the various module convenors are you can contact the Medical Education Unit: uoc.meu@otago.ac.nz<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Student Staff Committee: <\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The Student-Staff Committee is another place to take any concerns about the course.\u00a0 Student representatives from each year sit on the committee with members of staff.\u00a0 The committee works very well and has a proven record as an effective means of airing student and staff concerns and initiating change.<\/p>\n<p>You should approach one of your student education representatives to raise any problems at a meeting of this committee.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>2024 4<sup>th<\/sup> Year Education Reps: Lilian Campbell-Tie &amp; Lola Slaughter<\/li>\n<li>2024 5<sup>th<\/sup> Year Education Reps: Max Walker &amp; Will Dixon<\/li>\n<li>2024 TI Year Reps: Anna Scott &amp; Diana Barbu<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>Associate Dean (Medical Education):\u00a0<\/strong><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.otago.ac.nz\/christchurch\/research\/mihi\/people\/lutz-beckert\">Professor Lutz Beckert\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The Associate Dean (Medical Education) has responsibility for the whole curriculum delivered to medical students at the School.\u00a0 They are available if you have concerns about any aspects of the course, particularly if you have suggestions for improvement. Please make initial contact by email. Email\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:lutz.beckert@cdhb.health.nz\">lutz.beckert@cdhb.health.nz<\/a><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Dean of the Campus: <\/strong><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.otago.ac.nz\/christchurch\/research\/mihi\/professor-suzanne-pitama\">Professor Suz Pitama<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>It has been a long-standing policy of successive Deans of the School to listen to any concern that any student may have and to assist in any way possible. Please contact them through their PA Robyn Maguigan for an appointment for a discussion in confidence <a href=\"mailto:robyn.maguigan@otago.ac.nz\">robyn.maguigan@otago.ac.nz<\/a><\/p>\n<h4><strong>U<\/strong><strong>OC Education Unit:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">The Education Unit supports the planning, development and administration of the curriculum for years 4-6 in the School. For details of roles and responsibilities, see link \u00a0<\/span><a style=\"font-weight: 300\" href=\"http:\/\/www.otago.ac.nz\/christchurch\/services\/medicaleducation\/index.html\">http:\/\/www.otago.ac.nz\/christchurch\/services\/medicaleducation\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Student support when away from main campus:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>All satellite learning centres are supported by an Associate Dean and an administrator, who can provide similar support to the Associate Dean Student Affairs and the Student Affairs Administrator\/Manager. They liaise closely with the \u2018home campus\u2019 as needed to support students.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Financial support:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The Medical Assurance Society Wellington (freephone 0800 800 627) will consider applications for loans from bona fide students. Most banks will also consider extending this facility.<\/p>\n<h1>Support for Specific Groups of Students:<\/h1>\n<h4><strong>M\u0101ori students:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The University of Otago, Christchurch has a number of resources to support M\u0101ori students within our medical school.\u00a0Specifically these resources include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>M\u0101ori Student Support Advisor, Amber Philpott in the Department of M\u0101ori\/Indigenous Health Innovation. Contact Amber via email at: amber.philpott@otago.ac.nz or see the M\u0101ori Centre if your require additional support<\/li>\n<li>Professional mentoring and networking support:\u00a0 Please contact Dr Maira Patu,maira.patu@otago.ac.nz<\/li>\n<li>Access to UOC Kaumatua Rangihau Te Moana &#8211; Please contact Clara-Ann Paul who is the administrator at MIHI: clara-ann.paul@otago.ac.nz<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Student support to undertake extension in M\u0101ori health opportunities:<\/p>\n<p>The University of Otago, Christchurch is committed to provide all students the opportunity to further their professional development opportunities in Hauora M\u0101ori.\u00a0 Specifically these resources include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Placements within providers who work with M\u0101ori patients: Please contact MIHI via email mihi.uoc@otago.ac.nz<\/li>\n<li>Access to M\u0101ori language and tikanga development opportunities: Please contact Amber Philpott, amber.philpott@otago.ac.nz<\/li>\n<li>M\u0101ori Health Research Adviser &#8211; Cara Meredith Kaitohutohu Rangahau Hauora M\u0101ori. Email maoriadvancementHS@otago.ac.nz<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>Pacifika students:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Pacifika students are supported by Associate Deans Pacifika on each campus.\u00a0 The Associate Dean (Pacifika) at UOC is Dr Kiki Maoate &#8211; kiki.maoate@cdhb.health.nz<\/p>\n<h4><strong>International Students:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.otago.ac.nz\/international\/internationalstaff\">University of Otago\u2019s International Office<\/a> offers support in the following ways to international students based at the University of Otago Christchurch campus<\/p>\n<h4><strong>International Student Advisers:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>International Student Advisers (located in Dunedin) are available on a confidential basis to help students cope with the difficulties that arise when adapting to a new culture; such as the stress and unhappiness brought on by culture shock, homesickness, difficulties with making new friendships, financial arrangements or family difficulties.\u00a0 You can contact a Student Adviser in one of the following ways:<\/p>\n<p>Email: international-support@otago.ac.nz<\/p>\n<p>Phone: 03 479 5777\/5921 (between the hours of 9.00-4.30)<\/p>\n<p>In addition, an adviser will visit the Christchurch campus during the year. The adviser will be available to meet with international students to discuss any concerns or problems they may have. International students will be contacted regarding a visit schedule.<\/p>\n<p>Feel free to contact the advisers directly.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Student Visa Service<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The Student Visa Coordinator or a Student Adviser from the University of Otago\u2019s International Office in Dunedin will visit the Christchurch campus and will be available to accept your application provided that you are eligible to apply through the Visa-on-Campus service (for more information refer to\u00a0 www.otago.ac.nz\/international\/visas)\u00a0\u00a0 The International Office will contact you earlier in the year with details of their visit and to arrange appointments for students to submit their applications.<\/p>\n<p>International students can only make applications through the Visa-on-Campus service in person during the visit listed above; otherwise all other applications will have to be made directly to Immigration New Zealand.<\/p>\n<p>For more information please refer to the website www.otago.ac.nz\/international\/visas or contact the Student Visa Coordinator at student.visa@otago.ac.nz<\/p>\n<p><strong>Insurance Support:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The International Office provides an insurance support service. For more information on your policy or advice in making a claim please refer to the website www.otago.ac.nz\/international\/healthcare or email: international.insurance@otago.ac.nz, or Phone: 03 479 8344 (between the hours of 9.00am-4.30pm)<\/p>\n<h4><strong>International Office Complaints:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Email: international-support@otago.ac.nz<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Students with disabilities:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>If you have a disability or condition causing temporary or permanent impairment, or an injury, chronic illness or deafness that may adversely affect your studies, please let your teachers know. They are reliant on you to make your needs known and will try to meet these needs wherever possible.<\/p>\n<p>Please contact the Associate Dean Student Affairs if you are likely to need special consideration in examinations or other assessments, or if your study is affected.<\/p>\n<p>Associate Dean Student Affairs, John Dean uoc.studentaffairs@otago.ac.nz<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Student Affairs and Support: The Student Affairs Office provides support to students to work at the best of their ability throughout their training. We are located within the Student Support Hub on the 5th floor of the UOC. Support is also provided in Timaru and Nelson. Students can contact the Medical Education Unit and Kim [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38429,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-14","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.otago.ac.nz\/studentsupport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.otago.ac.nz\/studentsupport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.otago.ac.nz\/studentsupport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.otago.ac.nz\/studentsupport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38429"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.otago.ac.nz\/studentsupport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.otago.ac.nz\/studentsupport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.otago.ac.nz\/studentsupport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}