Big names on campus
Tutor, Adviser, Deputy Vice-Chancellor - you might hear these people's names or titles during your studies at uni, but who are they?
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Academic Registrar - The Vice-Principal and Academic Registrar is accountable for the overall management of the University's student centres and academic administration. This portfolio includes the management of course-related issues such as breadth subjects and concurrent diplomas.
As a student you would have contact with the Academic Registrar if you were a student representative who liaises with members of the Senior Executive; if you were involved in a serious issue relating to your enrolment (such as misconduct or a serious complaint); or if you had a grievance issue.
Chancellor - The current Chancellor is Mr Ian Renard and his is an honourary position in the University. The Chancellor chairs University Council and some other committees, and he will be present at your graduation to hand you your degree.
Chaplain - You'll find a Chaplain at University Chaplaincy, 138 Cardigan Street. There are chaplains for a range of denominations for you to talk to.
Chemist/Pharmacist - The campus pharmacy, in Union House, is the place to go if you need prescriptions, medical and personal care products, cosmetics, phone cards, Metcards, passport photos or photo processing. A pharmacist can also witness the signing of documents where an official witness is required.
Dean - The Dean is the academic head of the faculty. You will probably encounter the Dean at introductory, welcoming and information sessions, and again at your graduation. How often you see them depends on how interactive they can be with students, as a lot of their time is taken up with faculty and university planning, and staff issues. Each faculty also has a number of Associate or Assistant Deans who take up a particular portfolio of tasks, such as Associate Dean - International or Associate Dean - Academic Programs.
Demonstrator - Students in courses that involve practical, laboratory classes - such as Science and Engineering - will have demonstrators. They are often later-year or graduate students, who demonstrate the activities you need to do in the pracs and guide you through them.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor - There are several Deputy Vice-Chancellors at the University of Melbourne and they work to support the Vice-Chancellor, ensuring that the University of Melbourne runs smoothly and remains a premier research and teaching institution. Each is responsible for different issues in the University, for example there is a Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).
Disability Liaison Officer - The Disability Liaison Unit (DLU) has several officers who support students with a range of disabilities (including mental health and chronic medical conditions), to provide services that reduce the impact of their disability on their study.
Doctor (1) - At university, not all doctors have a medical degree! Most of the people you encounter on campus with the title of 'Doctor' (Dr) will be academic or teaching staff. The title means that they have completed a degree called a Doctorate or PhD, which usually involves a long research project. Some of your lecturers or tutors will have the title of 'Dr' and may ask you to refer to them with that title, while others may be less formal and prefer you to call them by their given name.
Doctor (2) - The other kind of doctor is the one you're probably more used to - the doctor who can help you when you need health care. There are many health professionals on campus, available for students and staff. These include: doctors and nurses at Student Health; sports doctors; podiatrists; masseurs and physiotherapists at Melbourne University Sport; and counsellors at the Student Counselling Service.
Information Centre staff - There are two main Information Centres on campus: on Swanston Street near the tram stop and in Union House. You might see these helpful people often in your first few weeks, as they are the people you can ask where lecture theatres, services and buildings are. The Union's info desk can also help with small change, equipment hire and room bookings, tickets for Union events, first aid, lost property and anything that requires a Justice of the Peace (JP). They're a first port of call when you don't know where to begin!
IT Help staff - There are IT - Information Technology - Help staff all over the University. Depending on where you are, they may be termed ITS Help staff, Student Union staff, Library staff, or Departmental staff. In many cases they may be undergraduate or graduate students hired to help you set up your email account, connect to University online services, or use the computer labs to complete essays, assignments or theses. Considering how often students need to use computers you'll probably see these guys on a regular basis.
Lecturer - Lecturers, not surprisingly, give lectures. These people usually have the title of Doctor or Professor, and they deliver the main content of each subject for everyone studying that subject. Guest lecturers are sometimes invited to speak on a particular topic in which they have expertise. Depending on the size of the subject and how many other commitments a lecturer has, they are often available to speak to students about lectures, but you should make an appointment to see them rather than simply turning up. Some will have a time for student consultation marked on a timetable on their office door.
Office Bearers - The Student Union, Postgraduate Association and Sports Association all have office bearers - students who have been elected, by students, to manage particular portfolios within these organisations. They include roles such as President, General Secretary, Activities Officer, Queer Officer, House and Services Officer, etc. Their governing body is their student members, represented by their respective Student Councils.
Professor - A Professor is a senior member of the academic staff. These people have completed many years of distinguished teaching (including lecturing and tutoring) and research. Professor is a title conferred by the University.
Provost - Professor Peter McPhee is the University of Melbourne's Provost, with particular responsibilities for managing and monitoring changes in the policies and practices that affect the academic life of the University as a whole, including the delivery of curricula and the provision of high quality, consistent student support services.
Security Officer - Security Officers are here not only to keep University property secure, but to keep an eye out for your safety. If you are on campus at night, and don't feel comfortable walking around alone, you can call a security officer to escort you off campus. Use the internal phone for wherever you are and dial 44674, or 8344 4674 from a mobile or pay phone.
Student Adviser - After you have accepted a place in a course and you come to university to enrol, you will have an appointment with a student adviser. An adviser is a staff member in the faculty who knows all about subjects, prerequisites, what you need to do to complete a course and how to get support. If you have questions during your degree, such as how to decrease or increase your subject load, change from full-time to part-time study, take leave, or if you want to find out what career options are available to you if you choose a particular major - basically, anything to do with your course - talk to a student adviser. You can find student advisers at your student centres.
Besides these student advisers, there are a number of other advisers to help you with other aspects of your life while at uni. Advisers for Financial Aid, Housing and Careers and Employment are in the Baldwin Spencer building. The Student Union also has advisers for a range of issues; see them at the Student Union Advisory Service, third floor, Union House.
Student Centre Staff - Your Student Centre is a good place to start for course-related questions. There is a wide range of staff working in your Student Centre; the ones you will have the most to do with are Information Officers. They are the helpful people who answer telephone and counter queries about almost anything in relation to the course, ranging from subject queries, timetables, filling out forms, exchange programs, special consideration and more. To make the most out of talking to them, have a specific question in mind so that they can help you quickly and give you accurate information.
Student Representatives, Student Councillors, Student Office Bearers - The University of Melbourne Student Union (UMSU) and the University of Melbourne Postgraduate Association (UMPA) are your student representative organisations. Students are elected annually, by students, to represent you and provide important services, support and activities. There are also undergraduate and graduate student members on the majority of central University Committees, to make sure student opinions are heard by the decision-making bodies.
Tutor - You will probably see your tutor once a week for a one- or two-hour tutorial. Tutors are there to help you clarify lectures and discuss the content in depth. They mark your assignments, so the tutor is the first person to ask if you need an extension or want further feedback. Most will have a student consultation time when you can speak to them individually.
Vice-Chancellor (VC) - The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Glyn Davis, is the head of the University: the senior executive staff member, responsible for major planning and management decisions. You'll see the VC at official University events, on some committees if you become a student representative, and possibly at your graduation. You'll also see the VC regularly in the media as a spokesperson for the University.