The following section is really important to read through and become familiar with as this section addresses the Non-academic Rights, Rules and Responsibilities for you as a student in UCC.

Student Charter

University College Cork Student Charter is issued jointly by the University and the University College Cork Students Union. The student charter is a living document that describes the responsibilities of staff to students and what is expected of students during their time in UCC. The charter guides students and staff in understanding how they interact with one another, what they can expect from one another and how to behave accordingly. The reciprocal nature of the charter means that the sense of community that the University tries to create is upheld and understood by all who work and study within UCC. This is not a document designed to enforce actions or behaviour. It is designed to help the UCC community grow and work together for each other's betterment.

UCC expects each student and staff member to respect the principles of this Charter on a reciprocal basis. You can click on this link to access and download the Student Charter.

GDPR Rights

What is GDPR?

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force across the EU on 25^th May 2018. It replaced the previous Irish Data Protection Acts, 1988 and 2003. This regulation standardises and strengthens the right of all European Citizens to data privacy.

GDPR emphasises transparency, security and accountability for organisations when collecting, using, sharing and storing any personal data. At the centre of GDPR is the requirement for organiations to be fully transparent about how they are using and safeguarding your personal data, and to be able to demonstrate accountability for their data processing activities.

Why is GDPR important for UCC?

UCC is an organisation that processes significant amounts of personal data received from its students, staff, research participants, and many others. As an individual you should be aware of your rights and expect organisations like UCC to protect your personal data.

The GDPR places significant obligations and responsibilities on the University in how it collects, uses and protects personal data.

Twelve steps

Below is an illustration of 12 steps specified by The Irish Data Protection Commissioner to achieve compliance with GDPR. These steps have been adopted by UCC in its approach to implementing GDPR. If you have any further enquiries about GDPR at UCC, you can follow this link.

Student Policies & Procedures

The below section provides you with necessary information you need in terms of the various student policies and procedures.

Student Rules
Student Advisor & Ombudsman
Student Alcohol Policy
Fitness to Practice / Study

Student Rules

The document containing the Rules of the University, outlines and describes the standards of conduct expected from UCC students as well as the disciplinary and appeal procedures applicable to breaches of these rules. It is important that you are familiar with these rules to ensure that you adhere to it and avoid unnecessary, additional stress and disciplinary procedures due to ignorance. You can access and download the UCC Student Rules by following this link.

Student Advisor & Ombudsman

The purpose of the Student Advisor and Ombudsman is to advise and assist students with resolving difficulties, complaints or grievances involving staff or services of the University in an informal manner. All enquiries to the Student Advisor and Ombudsman will remain confidential, except in cases of serious threat to life or property. To access and download the Student Advisor and Ombudsman Terms of Reference document, you can follow this link.

Student Alcohol Policy

The purpose of the Student Alcohol Policy is to make all student aware of the rights, rules and responsibilities regarding alcohol usage on any premises associated with UCC. To access and download the UCC Student Alcohol Policy, you can follow this link.

Fitness to Practice / Study

The Fitness to Continue in Study Policy is expressly intended to be supportive of individual students who may be in distress or difficulty while studying at UCC. This policy also recognises the right of the wider UCC community work, as well as the right of students to study and live free of undue anxiety and stress caused by others. To access and download the Fitness to Continue in Study Policy, you can follow this link. Additionally, to access the Fitness to Continue in Study Policy Appendices you can follow this link.

The Fitness to Practise Policy describes an individual as ‘Fit to Practise’ in the context of certain professions. This is to say the individual possesses the necessary attributes to allow that individual to practise as an independent practitioner in their relevant profession. The Fitness to Practise Policy therefore ensures that, in addition to having achieved the required academic standard, students are deemed 'fit to practise' in their chosen profession. To access and download the Fitness to Practise Policy, you can follow this link. For further information regarding this topic, you can follow this link.

Support for Pregnant Students

The purpose of the Support for Pregnant Students document provides information to students and staff about UCC's approach to supporting a student who is pregnant. To access and download the Support for Pregnant Students, you can follow this link.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion on Campus

The establishment of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Unit in University College Cork was announced in 2017. This unit focuses in a holistic and targeted way at gender equality in particular. For more information on the EDI Unit in UCC, you can follow this link. To learn more about Genovate, you can follow this link.

However, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion have been a core focus of teaching, research and policy activity for a wide range of UCC staff and students for decades. At University level, the UCC Equality Committee has existed for many years and has advised the University on equality initiatives, and produced equality strategies and annual reports.

If you want more information on the Equality Committee within UCC, you can follow this link.

Student Accommodation RRR

Finding accommodation in Ireland can become a nightmare, it is therefore important that you start looking at potential places early enough and that you familiarise yourself with the rights, rules and responsibilities for you as a student in UCC. For more information on renting places, follow this link to download the UCC Rent and Information Booklet.

You can also watch the below video for some answers to general accommodation questions you might have.

If you want to secure safe and affordable accommodation, it is advised that you begin your search early January. Many options will be unavailable by the end of February each year. If you are a returning student and happy in your current accommodation, you should begin discussions with your current provider at this time as well. Campus Accommodation may be your preference, but you should also consider all of the alternative accommodation when starting your search. Cork City has a wide variety of accommodation types that are available to students. There are almost three times as many rooms available in the private complexes than in Campus Accommodation but the application windows, standard and price tend to be very different throughout.

For more information on any of the below matters, you can click on the icons to follow the links.

Campus Accommodation
Privately Owned Student Apartment Complexes
House Shares
Digs

Campus Accommodation

Campus accommodation typically opens its application window mid February and remains open for a month. Once the application window closes all applicants are included in a random selection lottery. All applicants, regardless of when you applied or any other criteria, have the same chance of being offered a room. If you are not selected you will be added to the waiting list for later draws. For more information on campus accommodation, you can follow this link.

Privately Owned Student Apartment Complexes

If Campus Accommodation is your priority, it is also advised to book a room in a private complex. Remember, you are not guaranteed a place in Campus Accommodation due to the random selection lottery but most private providers run a first come, first served system of booking. The private complexes generally begin accepting applications from January/February. Please be aware that the most popular options may fill in a matter of minutes. For this reason you should carry out your research beforehand, knowing your budget, which complexes you are interested in, when they will be accepting applications and how you can apply. If the private complexes are full when you begin your search you should check in with them periodically to enquire about cancelations. Rooms may open up through cancelations as we approach the start of the academic year. For more information on private complexes, you can follow this link.

House Shares

It is possible to source accommodation in a house share at any time of the year. If you are interested in house shares you should start searching early and be prepared to continue searching for several months. For more general information on house shares, you can follow this link. You may find that there is more availability in April and May. This kind of accommodation can be found through UCC StudentPad. For more information on UCC StudentPad, you can follow this link. The UCC Accommodation Search Facebook page also has accommodation option. For information on the UCC Accommodation Search Facebook page, you can follow this link. Additionally, you can find house share options on Daft.ie.

Before you pay a deposit, please make sure to view it in person and do not secure the tenancy unless you are happy and feel safe.

Digs (Owner Occupied Rentals)

Owner Occupied Rentals, also known as 'digs' are available throughout the year. If you are interest in this type of accommodation, it is best to search during summer months. Digs can be found through various websites such as UCC StudentPad, Daft.ie and Homes.usi.ie. It is important to note that renting in owner occupied accommodation is a licensee arrangement and the normal tenancy rights do not apply. With that in mind, it is important that you set clearly defined terms in writing before entering into this kind of agreement.

If you find something suitable it is very important that you view it in person and meet with the homeowner before making a financial commitment.

Scams, Facebook and Staying Safe

Facebook Scam screenshot

Scam 2

When searching for private accommodation, you should be vigilant for bogus landlords. If in doubt, do not pay a deposit. Accommodation scams do happen, so be mindful of the following tips to ensure that you are not impacted by an accommodation scam:

1. Ask the landlord if they are registered with UCC Student Pad.

2. Ask if the previous tenancy has been registered with the Residential Tenancies Board (rtb) and if the landlord intends to register your tenancy.

3. You can check out your tenancy rights on the RTB website

4. You should always view a property prior to signing a lease or handing over money.

For more information on website scams, you can visit the Threshold website by following this link.

You should always be aware and vigilant of potential scams on Facebook sites not regulated by UCC. If you see image like on the left, you need to consider that these are potential scams. Only search recognised and trusted Irish sites, such as UCC StudentPad, Daft.ie, Rent.ie, Homes.usi.ie and other reputable sites. If in doubt, keep looking.

Mind How You Go - Be Responsible

The below section provides you with necessary information you need in terms of aligning with the values of a responsible student in UCC.

Bystander Intervention
Be Media Smart
Consequences - Having a Criminal Record
ePub & MyUSE UCC

Bystander Intervention

The UCC Bystander Intervention programme was developed to address sexual and relationship violence issues, by educating and empowering students to support the development of a visible, pro-social institutional culture which stands against unacceptable behaviour and abuse but instead fosters a culture of positivity and support. The programme highlights the danger of normalising abusive behaviour, and cultivates an understanding of a bystander’s capacity to intervene. The blended-learning approach of the Bystander Intervention programme seeks to not only enhance knowledge and understanding of these issues, but also to lead to attitude and behavioural change across the university. To download the Bystander Intervention Brochure, you can follow this link.

For more information on Bystander Intervention, you can click on the above illustration or follow this link.

You can also watch the below video for a quick guide on Bystander Intervention.

Be Media Smart

Responsible Social Media Usage

Social media has the world by storm - with the touch of a screen or click of a mouse, you can share your thoughts, opinions, and interact with someone halfway across the world. You can even live stream footage or share snippets of your life in 30-second stories. That is how powerful social media has become. The more your online power increases, the more essential it becomes to familiarise and teach yourself to properly manage this 'power' or you will face the consequences. There are just too many instances where celebrities, politicians and other admirable persons in society have lost their credibility due to one irresponsible social media post. There are also cases where ordinary students have lost their college tuition and sponsorships due to irresponsible use of social media. That said, be mindful of what you post and make sure that you learn how to use social media responsibly.

The University College Cork has an entire Web & Social Media Policy page where you can locate and download all of the necessary information, Policies and Procedures, especially on social media usage. To access the Web & Social Media Policy page, you can follow this link. Be sure to familiarise yourself with these documents to ensure responsible and safe social media usage at all times.

Fake News

Be Media Smart is an initiative that was started by Media Literacy Ireland and is generously supported by various organisations in Ireland. The University College Cork also firmly supports this initiative and believes in the essence of spreading this message to as many students as possible. Information is everywhere and it can sometimes be difficult to judge the accuracy or reliability of the information you receive. It is your responsibility as a student and a sensible individual to always STOP, THINK, CHECK that what you see, read or hear is reliable, truthful and accurate.

For more information on the Be Media Smart campaign, you can follow this link. The RTE News Website produced a 4-part podcast on Misinformation called The Truth Matters. If you are interested in listening to the podcast, you can follow this link or alternatively click on the image below. You can also get a free subscription to The Irish Times with your UCC student email.

Consequences - Having a Criminal Record

Important - The following section is not included to scare you, but rather to make you aware of the consequences for students of having a criminal record. This is in order for you to ensure you are responsible in your whereabouts during your time in UCC. If you currently have a criminal record, it does not mean that you are not welcome in UCC, but it does mean that your options of the career you want to pursue are limited.

UCC offers a number of programmes, especially in the areas of medicine, health, social work and education, that require students to undertake placements with external agencies, which will bring you as a student into contact with children and/or vulnerable adults and in which you will assume positions of public trust. Therefore, UCC requires its current (and prospective) students for relevant programmes to be vetted. The University uses the National Vetting Bureau (NVB) to assess the suitability of such applicants, and in some cases, may also require applicants to provide an enhanced disclosure by the completion of an affidavit. Registration on these programmes is provisional, pending the outcome of the Vetting process.

Having a criminal conviction can impact your degree in UCC in a number of ways:

1. It may prevent registration for the course entirely in the case of some offences.
2. It could potentially block access to placement on the programme or access to a visa for a study abroad year.

Students engaging in the Garda Vetting process will be treated with the utmost respect and dignity during the vetting process.

- Travel Implications : A criminal conviction could restrict your ability to travel abroad. Some countries including the United States, Canada and Australia could refuse entry. In many countries, where a visa is required, a criminal conviction will, at the very least, delay the processing of a visa application.

- Implications for you career : A criminal record could prevent a graduate from obtaining a licence to work or professional membership in a chosen field. Many professional and vocational bodies require their members to be of ‘good character’ and may reject applicants convicted of certain crimes. A conviction or even a finding of guilt, involving theft or fraud could bar you as a student from work in an industry where you have access to other people’s money or property such as banking, finance or retail.

Again, the above section is not a method to prohibit you from enjoying your student life, it is simply a message to advise on why you need to take responsibility for your actions and the behaviour you choose to associate with during your time in UCC.

ePub UCC

Every first year student at UCC is expected to complete the Alcohol E-Personal Use Barometer (ePub UCC), an online alcohol-behavioural change and information programme. By completing this you will be empowered to make well informed decisions about alcohol and other related issues. It is critical for your success to monitor your drinking patterns and identify risk factors. University College Cork is committed to supporting all students regardless of circumstances, so be aware of the resources and the supports that are available for you. For more information and to complete the programme, you can follow this link. You can log on to e-PUB UCC by clicking the logo above or following this link.

MyUSE UCC

The My Understanding of Substance-use Experiences (MyUSE) intervention is a multi-disciplinary research and development project based in UCC. It has been ongoing since 2017. This novel health app serves to protect college students’ well-being from drug use. It provides screening, brief interventions and serves as a behaviour change tool for drug use among students in higher education.

MyUSE is currently undergoing a pilot evaluation in UCC. Future work will include a comprehensive technical, clinical and economic evaluation of the MyUSE platform, and implementation into higher education institutions across Ireland.

- Further information

For further information on this project, please contact Samantha Dick, School of Public Health UCC, at samantha.dick@ucc.ie

Non-Academic RRR