Note-Taking Guidelines

The note-taking service provided by the Disability Support Service (DSS) is intended to supplement, not replace, a student's own consistent attendance at lectures and time commitment to their chosen course of study.

Note-takers attend the relevant lectures at the specified times, type up the notes and email them to the student within 48 hours of the lecture.

Where a student is using the note-taking service, they must supply the relevant member of staff at the DSS with the following information

• Times of lectures
• Location of lectures
• Subjects (including module codes)
• Working email address*

* It is imperative that you supply the DSS with an email address to facilitate the Note-taker in sending you your notes.

The following are the terms and conditions under which this support is provided:

At the commencement of the note-taking service, a student's note-taker(s) will make contact with the student by email, introduce him/herself and arrange a meeting at the first lecture. The Note-taker and student do not have to sit together in lectures, but it is the student's responsibility to make their presence known to the Note-taker at each lecture.

Every student must take responsibility for his/her own learning.  In effect, this means that if a student does not attend a lecture, he/she cannot expect to receive notes for that lecture (unless a satisfactory reason for the absence is presented to the DSS. Notes will be withheld until directed otherwise by the Disability Support Officer.)

If there is a temporary cancellation or an alteration in lecture/tutorial schedules, please notify the notetaker as soon as possible. Also, where possible, notify the Note-taker if you are ill and unable to attend a lecture.

While note takers will take down and record as much as possible, notes provided by the DSS are not a verbatim record and should not be considered, in any way, to be a complete and definitive record of any lecture. The DSS and contracted note-takers are not responsible for any omission or error.

Where possible you are expected to attempt to make your own record of the lecture (i.e. at very least key words, concepts and themes should be noted). This is an excellent method for you to facilitate a better recall of each lecture.

It is intended that notes will be made available, where possible, within 48 hours of delivery of the lecture. However, do allow for unforeseen circumstances.

Make the most of your Note-taker. We encourage regular communication between Note-takers and students. Give prompt and adequate feedback to ensure that the service you are receiving is beneficial to your learning. If you have any concerns or problems with your notes, communicate this in the first instance to your Note-taker. If it is not resolved, make an appointment with the relevant member of staff at the DSS to discuss your concerns.

Any notes provided are to be used only by those designated students who are registered with the Disability Support Service (DSS) and cleared on a case-by-case basis by the Disability Support Officer. Notes are not a shared resource for the use of the general student body. If we become aware of the note-taking service being abused, we reserve the right to withdraw the service.

The note-taking service provided by the DSS is a confidential service. Please be assured that other than making themselves known to the lecturer, the Note-taker will not be communicating with anyone else in the class, and will not be discussing their role with other students.