PhAST Track Orientation Module: Communicating with others

"Remember that staff get a lot of emails as they are teaching across all four year levels.  They’re probably not going to email you back on Sunday night about the assignment due Monday morning so be organised and don’t leave your assignments to the last minute!  Allow some time for the other person to reply before you bombard them with more emails.  Check your emails at least once a day as there will often be an email if class is cancelled and it might save you a trip to the uni!"

-        Allison Jackson

"If you are emailing someone you don’t know use formal email etiquette. If you are emailing on the JCU email system, especially don’t swear or send inappropriate information."

-        Matt Gibbs

"Check them daily! Often when lecturers are unable to attend a session or cancel one, they will communicate this via email. You do not want to be the only student who attends class only to find out it is cancelled!"

-        Renee Scott

"Always address the person with Dear ‘title’ ‘surname’ and end it with ‘Kind regards’ and thank them for helping with your query in advance. Never swear or use incorrect grammar or spelling, otherwise don’t expect a reply."

-        Jayne de Luca

"Proper email etiquette is not only important at uni, it is also important when you are practicing your professional career. I would write each email with tact and diplomacy. Once an email is sent, it can be used for future reference for many reasons. All the more reason to be thorough and professional."

- Alykhan Halari

General noticeboards are located in the corridor outside the JCUPSA office (DB47-007).   All official notices will be posted electronically, either by email or via a subject site on LearnJCU.

Email and web access is provided by the University for all students. Students are expected to use their University email addresses for communication with members of the University. Staff will not email students at private email addresses, and circular emails will always be sent to the student’s University email address.

VERY IMPORTANT: Students are expected to read their University email regularly, in order to read messages from staff and to keep up with general information and notices circulated by email.  Students should also check their email outside of semester times, especially when results are due for release and before the start of a new semester.

Many staff are comfortable with students addressing them by their first name but it is always wise to check this with the individual staff member.  It is expected that when e-mailing a staff member that you adopt the appropriate format suitable for formal communications.

What not to do

What to do

Academic staff have many roles but are still happy to meet with students.  However, it is important that you make an appointment to see them.  If you wish to make an appointment to see a staff member, contact them directly via email or telephone. Ensure you have ready a number of suitable appointment times. This allows the staff member to find a time in which you are both available for a meeting.

Telephone numbers and email addresses for all academic staff are listed above and in the subject outlines for each subject into which they have a teaching role (available on the LearnJCU site for the relevant subject). They are also listed on the School of Pharmacy webpage. You should be aware that staff members may not be able to make time for consultation at short notice.

When you arrive for an appointment with a member of staff, you will need to present yourself to pharmacy reception to be buzzed through to the staff member’s office.

"Contacting lecturers is a good idea if you had certain questions and concerns because they can point you in the right direction. If you were asking a question on the material, I would suggest doing some research first as the lecturer may ask you what your findings were. Furthermore this shows initiative and hopefully the teachers will remember this when marking your exam papers."

- Alykhan Halari

It is important to keep your mailing address information current.

Students are responsible for updating their current address in the university’s records. To do this, log on to StudentsOnline and follow the appropriate links.

All official mail from the university is sent to your mailing address.  The fact that you have not updated your mailing address or other contact details cannot be used to claim you have not received official letters or information.