Athlone Institute of Technology

Student Union

AIT Students’ Union represents every single full time student in Athlone I.T. The Institute’s Students Union (AITSU) has a long tradition of excellent and effective student representation, which is valued by both students and the Institute’s authorities. The Union represents students on many Institute Committees such as the Governing Body, Academic Council and its various sub-committees.

The Welfare Officer Daniel Coulter is available in the Students’ Union to give information, advice and referral on various matters, finances, benefits, personal counselling, legal advice. The Students’ Union provides accommodation lists which are available on request or on the website at www.aitsu.ie. The Students’ Union has set up an accommodation approval system to ensure that houses for rental are of a certain standard; otherwise they will not be registered as a ‘student house’. This system assures an improved service and ensures that landlords are held responsible for the standard of their accommodation.

The Education officer John Madden is available in the Students’ Union to deal with matters such as course changes, problems students may be experiencing with grants or exams, and also provide training for all members of the Class Rep Council.

Contact:

SU Office – 090-6474388
www.aitsu.ie
info@aitsu.ie

President – Louise Kane O872565965
supres@ait.ie

Deputy President - John Madden O868120425
sudeputy@ait.ie

Vice President - Daniel Coulter O860219385
suvice@ait.ie

Chaplaincy

The Chaplaincy is not just composed of the Chaplains. It encompasses a large group of students and staff who work with the Chaplains to help students in every way possible. No problem is too big or too small, but the Chaplaincy is not just about problems. It is also about creating an atmosphere where things can happen and personal growth occurs.

The Chaplaincy Services Residence plays a vital part in the provision of the service and is situated close to the campus. Students are invited to drop in Sunday to Friday 7.30pm – 11.30pm to share in the hospitality. An all -night emergency service is provided and a limited overnight accommodation is available in times of need. In the event of sudden illness of family emergencies, students should not hesitate to make contact. The telephone number is +353 (0)9064 78318, and a mobile number is also available for emergencies +353 (0)87 2402514.

Fr Shay Casey – Catholic Chaplain
Tel: +353 (0)90 6424428 (internal 4428)
Email: scasey@ait.ie

Health Centre

The Institute has a fully equipped Health Centre on campus. It provides a general medical service with an emphasis on health education and preventative medicine. Confidentiality is maintained and all medical records are retained in the Health Centre. They do not form part of the student record. The service has been increased over the years to meet the demands of the students whose visits home at the weekends are more infrequent due to work and study commitments. The Health Centre employs a full time Nurse and two doctors hold clinics for a total of 15 hours during the week.

• The nursing service is available to all students. No appointment is necessary. There is a €5 fee for a consultation with the Institute Nurse

• Consultation with the doctor is by prior appointment. A €15 fee is charged by Student Services for students who do not qualify for a medical card.

• All students are covered by a personal accident insurance policy, which is part of the student services fee. This provides cover for medical costs while on college activities.

Appointments for consultations with the doctor can be made at the Health Centre by phoning the receptionist at 090 6424693, or by calling in to the Health Centre.

Counselling

The Counselling Service also provides training for individual /groups on study skills, exam skills, and stress management. Educational and self-help information leaflets are available at the counsellor’s office and at other points around the college.

Appointments with the Counsellors can be made by phoning the Health Centre at 090 6424693 or calling in to the Counsellors offices (C2366/C2367) each day between 10am-10.30am and 3pm -3.30pm.

Email counsellor@ait.ie

Careers

The Careers and Appointments Service within Athlone Institute of Technology combines careers advisory work with students and facilitates employers to come into direct contact with students for recruitment purposes.
All registered students at Athlone Institute of Technology are entitled to avail of the Careers and Appointments Service. Most of the activities of the service are directed at final year and postgraduate students.

Location of the Careers Service

The Careers Service is situated in the Main Institute Ground Floor Building, just off the Student Canteen.

Opening Hours

The Careers Office is open from 9.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Monday to Friday.
For an appointment, or query, contact…

Careers Officer:

Denise Dolan
090 6424524
ddolan@ait.ie

Careers Administrator:

Lorraine Sammon
090 6424475
lsammon@ait.ie

Student Advisory and Tutor Service

The Student Advisor provides support for all students experiencing difficulties with Computing/Software, Maths, IT & Business Studies subjects. It also offers students a space to express their concerns regarding social, personal or practical issues. This is a confidential service and the Student Tutors can offer referral to Departmental and Student Services support staff where necessary.

Academic staff may refer a student to the service or students can make direct contact with the Tutors by calling to the Student Tutors Offices whose details are given below.

• Tutorials are FREE and are flexible to suit you.

• Tutorials can be arranged for individuals or groups

• Tutorials are held in the strictest confidence

Karol Fitzgerald
Email: kfitzgerald@ait.ie
Room: E3218 Direct Line: 090 64 83038
Computing Software Engineering, Math’s, IT based subjects (e.g. Databases), Computing (e.g. Java, C++ C etc.)

Brendan McLarney
Accounting, Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Managerial Finance & Financial Management
Direct Line: 090 6442567
Email: bmclarney@ait.ie
Room: B2087

Disability Support Service

The Institute welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities and/or special requirements. It aims to ensure that these applicants are given an opportunity to enter the Institute and, while here, to complete their studies successfully.

Students with disabilities/specific learning difficulty should make contact with the Disability Support Service Coordinator as early as possible (prior to commencement of academic year) to discuss in confidence any facilities they may require during their course of study.

The Disability Support Service Coordinator, will aim to support and advise all students with disabilities and/or special needs attending the Institute. On application to the Institute, all prospective students are encouraged to contact the Disability Support Service Coordinator directly to discuss their individual needs.

The role of the Disability Support Service Coordinator includes:

• To provide support and advice to students and prospective students with disabilities/special needs.

• Set up the necessary support structures needed for the student to participate fully in college life.

• Advice and assistance on administrative matters such as registration.

• Organise the necessary accommodations for additional provisions during examinations.

• Co-ordination of specific educational supports, such as assistive technology training, learning support, note-takers, readers, and tutorials.

• Advice on subject choice with particular relevance to impact of disability

• Increase awareness of disability within the college by running training programmes for staff and students.

• Co-ordination of applications for grants from the National Office for Equity of Access to Higher Education (NAO).

To contact the disability support service call 090 6424435

Disability Support Service Coordinator- Patricia Kearney. The disability office is located on the ground floor of the main building off the coffee dock.
Room Number: D1131.
PH: (090) 6424435
Email: pkearney@ait.ie
FAX: (090)24417

Learning Support Tutor-Bernie Langtry
The learning support office is located on the ground floor of the main building off the main canteen.
Room Number:D1135
PH: 090 6424410
Email: blangtry@ait.ie
FAX: 090 6442564

Assistive Technology Trainer-James Keane

The Assistive Technology Centre is located on the ground floor of the main building off the main canteen.
Room Number:D1134
Assistive Technology Trainer E-mail : jkeane@ait.ie

PASS – Peer Assisted Student Support

Peer Assisted Student Support (PASS) is being introduced by Athlone Institute of Technology and Galway-Mayo Institute (our SIF II partner) from January 2009.
PASS is a scheme that offers cross-year support between students on the same programme. It encourages first year students to support each other and learn co-operatively under the guidance of a trained student from the second years of your programme.
PASS aims to help first year students:

• Quickly adjust to college life

• improve their learning and study skills

• enhance their understanding of the subject matter of their programmes

• prepare better for assignments and exams