Student Services Department

The goals of the Student Services Department are as follows:

1.      To provide effective continuous orientations to new and continuing students.

2.      To counsel students for progression in academics and to provide effective academic advisory.

3.      To orient students with knowledge and skills set through Professional Skills Development Programmes (PSDPs) thereby grooming them for suitable global career opportunities.

4.      To coordinate and address issues of Class Representatives, SRC and hostel students.

5.      To plan, coordinate social events and club activities.

6.      To process all student requests timely.

1.      Counselling

 Student Counseling Policy aim at comforting the students in the first month of joining Skyline University Nigeria by orientating them on various Academic and Academic Support Services available at the university. The counselling continues throughout the stay of the students on various dimensions of academic-related issues, performance issues, career issues and graduation requirements. Student counseling also helps students take maximum benefit of the facilities and services rendered by SUN as a student and as an Alumnus. The students’ counsellors carry out the Academic counseling at the Undergraduate level. The forms of counselling they offer include:

• Provisional Admission Counseling 
• Graduation counselling
• Withdrawal & repeat course counselling
• Low attendance counselling
• Low Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) students counselling
• Exam Absentees Counseling
• Mitigation Counseling
• Financial Outstanding Counseling
• Postponement & Reactivation Counseling 
• Cancelation & Exit Interview Counseling

·         Personal/ General Counselling

·         Change of Programme counselling

·         Transfer of Credit (TOC) Counselling

• Hostel Student Counseling
• SAP Counseling

2.      Orientation

The SSD is responsible for coordinating continuing and new students’ orientation. The Vice chancellor, Registrar, Deans, Director of Academic Support Service (DASS) and the Department heads, gives the orientation jointly. The orientation activity is scheduled and carried out at the beginning of every semester in each academic year. This orientation covers various aspects of their academic tenure and familiarizes them with different institutional activities at the university such as:

• Continuing Students Orientation
• New students Orientation
• Orientation For SIWES students
• Placement Training and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation for graduating Students.
• Orientation for SUN Clubs and Committee members
• Orientation for Class Representatives (CRs)
• Orientation for Hostel Students

3.      Applications and Requests 

• Request 
• Complaints
• Leave request 
• Mitigation
• Repeating Course
• Cancellation
• Reactivation 

4.      Advisory

The department with the collaboration of admin department allocate faculty members to respective students as their advisors who will offer consultations, guide the students, track their academic progress and encourage them. The department also coordinates advisory meetings and consolidate advisory reports twice in a semester for the advisors and their respective advisees to discuss issues and find proper ways of resolving them.

5.      Professional Skills Development Programme (PSDP) and Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) Coordination

SSD is responsible for organizing and coordinating PSDP. The main objective of PSDP is to train and equip the students with skills set towards personal and professional development. This training becomes handy when students set out for SIWES or when in the labour market after graduation. The department in collaboration with the corporate affairs Office (CAO) also helps in coordinating Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) for junior students.

6.      Class Representatives (CRs) Election

The department with the help of the faculties are responsible for Class Representatives’ election every semester and holding monthly CRs meeting to discuss issues and concerns of students if any and to find possible ways of resolving them.

7.      Students Club and Associations

Student activities are important elements of the learning process in developing students holistically. The department (SSD) establishes students clubs for execution for various extra-curricular and co-curricular activities and students are encouraged to participate to improve their cognitive, social and mental abilities.  The SSD invites interested students to register online through their portal for membership of various committees and clubs based on students areas of interest. The Department is responsible for organizing, coordinating and managing the club activities. Some of the clubs and associations include:

·         Chattered Skyline University Nigeria Toastmasters Club with Number: 07870285 (District 94)  

·          SUN Arts and Photography Club

·          SUN Music and Theatre Club

8.      Students Community Services and Volunteering

To strengthen the universities Corporate Social Responsibilities and to give room for volunteering and engaging the students in communities services, the Students under the guidance of SSD came up with an initiative called “Hand to Heart”, a project where students with the help of SUN staff donate food and other basic needs items to the needy monthly and more often in the holy month of Ramadan.

9.      SUN Peer Learning Package

SUN Peer Learning Package is a creation of the SSD to cater for hostel students (SUN Care) and academically weak students (SUN Tutorials). It is a package that supports and gives assistance to students in the different capacities. The team in charge of each package will serve to guide students in each category to an efficient orientation/induction into the culture at play in the University and the host community as well as improving their Academic standing/quality of students respectively; these Programmes run concurrently and supervised for good outcomes.

10.  Events

As part of its activities, the department in collaboration with Students Representative Council (SRC) organizes and coordinates events for SUN students to socialize and create awareness to become better part of themselves throughout their stay in the university and beyond. Some of the SUN students events include:

·         Neophytes (Freshers’ Party)

·          Iftar Party

·         Cultural Day

·          Matriculation

·          Farewell Party

·         Convocation/Graduation

·         Celebration of World Event Days:

-World Cancer Awareness Day

-World Environment Day

-Africa Day

-World AIDS Day

-World Teachers Day

-Independence Day

-International Youth Day

-World Hepatitis Day

-World Women’s Day

1. FAQ’s SSD DEPARTMENT (Internal)

   Q: Who is a Class representative and what are his/her responsibilities?

   A: Class Representative (CR) is the official representative of the class. CR has a positive role to play by enabling communication and constructive change within the course and/or Programme.

   The CR is the link between the class academic faculty and the SUN Academic Support Services Department.

   A Class Representative brings forward any opinions, concerns and ideas from their classmates regarding their academic & academic support services experience.

   Q: How can I apply for scholarship?        

   A: Current Students can apply for need based scholarship. Need based scholarships are awarded to continuing students, who are from educationally and  socially disadvantaged backgrounds. An applicant must show financial need and must produce adequate and supporting evidence to claim the same.

   Q: For my grievances whom do I contact?

   A: For your grievances you can contact the SSD.

   Q: For events, clubs and committees who do I contact?

   A: For your events, clubs and committees you can contact SSD.

   Q: For sports related queries who do I contact?

   A: For your sports related queries you can contact Sports Department.

   Q: How can I register for a course?

   A: Admin department will enroll the student as per their Graduation plan

   Q: Where can I find all the institutional calendars?

   A: You can know your institutional calendars in student’s portal/LMS and notice board.

   Q: What are the various channels through which I can communicate?

   A:  You can communicate through the portal, your advisor and/or the SSD.

   Q: What is a student portal/ LMS?

   A: A student portal can be used to access class attendance, lecture notes, assessments, handbook and the results online.  The student’s academic profile and academic advisor as well as school events can also be accessed through the portal.

   Q: What is an academic year and what is the duration of a degree?

   A: SUN normally operates in Fall and Spring semesters in an academic year.

   Q: What is student handbook?

   A: Student handbook is a ready reckoner that guides the student to understand the academic and academic support service policies and procedures, semester wise course plan, examination calendar, academic calendar and persons to approach for services.  The student handbook enables students to plan their leave and participation in activities for self-development. The student handbook can be accessed via the student portal/LMS.

   Q: How can I make a student request?

   A: Students can make request through the portal/LMS.

   Q: How can I withdraw a course?

   A: Withdrawal of a course/s can be done within the first week of commencement of a semester for a maximum number of two courses only.

   Q: What is a class schedule?

   A: The class schedule details the courses offered for the batches during the semester.  It contains details such as classroom, faculty member name, batch and the course name.

   Q: Does the university block the portal?

   A:  Yes, the access to portal for students blocked in a case of non-adherence to SUN policy & procedures.

   Q: If I want to postpone my course what is the policy?

   A: A student may postpone a semester only once in an academic year and not more than twice during the graduation Programme. The postponement form should be filled within two weeks of commencement of a semester only under mitigating circumstances.

   Q: If I want to repeat the course what is the policy?

   A: student who scores less than ‘D’ grade in any course will be allowed to repeat that course and better of the two grades shall be considered for calculating the CGPA and student is allowed to repeat the course only twice

   Q: What is the attendance requirement?

   A: 75 % attendance is a must to appear before the main final exam (exceptional cases will be considered only on approval by the VC, registrar and other committee members).

   Q: How will I know the policies of the University?

   A: You can check your student handbook for the university policies.

   Q: What is hall ticket?

   A: Hall ticket is the exam admission slip issued for the students to appear in mid-term, Final & Mitigation exam.  Student has to carry the hall ticket and produce on demand in the examination hall.  It contains Student name, Programme, DOB, gender, photo, course ID, student ID, Exam date, course code and course title.

   Q: From where can I get exam timing and schedule?

   A: Examination schedules along with the Mid Term & Final examination dates will be announced within 2 weeks from the start of the class and will be displayed on the SUN website & Student portal

   Q: If I miss the exam, how can i re-sit and what is the policy?

   A: Yes, Mitigation policy to excuse the absence of students during exam can only be as a result of the following causes:

   §  Accident

   §  In the case of death of an Immediate Family Member

   §  Hospitalization

   Student is required to use mitigating circumstance form available in the portal to file their appeal for consideration of mitigating circumstances along with necessary documentation.

   Q: How do I check my semester progress and grades?

   A: Students can check the grades in student portal.

   Q: What are academic integrity offenses?

   A: The following are the academic offenses recognized by the SUN and could have been committed at any level of B.Sc. Programme and for all academic activities including assessments, midterm and final examination.

   Plagiarism:

   Paraphrasing materials or ideas of others without identifying the sources. Using sources of information (published or unpublished) without identifying the source. Directly quoting the words of others without using quotation marks or indented format to identify them. Detection of such plagiarism based on plagiarism software is also included.

   Presenting false credentials:

   Is an act of submitting misleading certificates / documents / information like presenting false medical excuses; change of identity; presenting falsified certificates. 

    

   Cheating:   

   Using material not permitted by the faculty during exams, including stored information on electronic devices.

   Copying answers from another student during exams or assignments.

   Altering graded exams or assignments and submitting them for re-grading.

   Submitting the same paper for two classes.

   Altering exam answers and requesting that an exam be re-graded.

   Cooperating with or helping another student.

   Fabricating information such as data for a computer lab exam.         

   Other forms of dishonest behavior, such as having another person take an exam in your space.

   Facilitating Academic dishonesty:           

   Allowing another student to copy an assignment or problem set that is supposed to be done individually.

   Allowing another student to copy answers during an exam.

   Taking an exam or completing an assignment for another student

   Collusion:

   An agreement between two or more persons is not allowed.

   The work that has been done with others is submitted and passed off as solely the work of one person.

   Working with others without permission from your faculty to produce work which is then presented as your own independent work.

   Fabrication of Data:

   The falsification of data, information, or citations in any formal academic exercise. This includes making up citations to back up arguments or inventing quotations. Fabrication predominates in the natural sciences, where students sometimes falsify data to make experiments "work". It includes data falsification, in which false claims are made about research performed, including selective submitting of results to exclude inconvenient data to generating bogus data.

   Q: How can I obtain a Provisional Certificate and transcript?

   A: Provisional certificate is the letter containing the successful completion of the graduation requirement by the student; it is issued to serve an interim purpose before the award of the degree on the graduation ceremony.  The provisional certificate is valid for 1 year from the date of issue.

   Q : What is SUN PEER LEARNING PACKAGE?

   A. SUN peer learning is a creation of the SSD to cater for hostel students (SUN Care) and academically weak students (SUN Tutorials). It is a package that supports and gives assistance to students in the different capacities. The team in charge of each package guide students in each category to an efficient orientation/induction into the culture at play in the University and the host community as well as improving their Academic standing/quality of students respectively.

   Q : Do you have career counseling unit?

   A. Yes, the purpose of Career Counseling is to counsel the students who are seeking SIWES and placements. The orientations are carried out to facilitate students and give them tips on the internship and placements. As per policy, students are facilitated with internship opportunities only once. Similarly, placement facilities are provided to students wherever opportunities are available.

   FAQ’s SSD DEPARTMENT (External)

   Q: What are the campus resources?

   A: Skyline campus is replete with resources like: Class rooms with audio-visual equipment, bulletin boards, computer labs, printing & photocopying center, portal services, cafeteria services, hostel, library, lockers, mail services, wireless services, SMS services, health services and Tennis courts, Indoor sports equipment, football pitch, creative zone, Students recreational center among others.

   EVENTS FAQ’s

   1. How can I find out about activities or events being held?

   We announce our activities through notice boards, emails, SMS, SUN website and SUN Social Media handles.

   2. How can I sign up for any activity?

   Simply visit our department on the first Floor and sign up or send an email to SSD (ssd@sun.edu.ng). We encourage our students to participate in club activities and external University competitions.

   3. How can I join a student committee/club?

   Register on your portal or attend the Club activities to meet different clubs and committee members and register on the spot.

   4. How long is a club/committee membership valid for?

   All memberships are valid for a one year.

   5. How is the Student Representative Council election?

   All Student council executive members are selected through the process of voting based on certain criteria by the Class representatives and interview by a committee. Each year, new councils are elected.

   6. How do I find out about meeting timings?

   Meeting timings will be informed through SMS, emails, WhatsApp platform, notice boards and updates on the portal.

   7. Do I receive any reward for being a part of extra-curricular activities?

   Reward is given to student(s) based on the number of hours they spend for extra-curricular activities. Reward booklets will be provided at the beginning of the semester.

   8. What other benefits do I receive for being a part of extra-curricular activities?

   It is a great opportunity to learn new things, build stronger personal skills and meet new people. It also helps to build your resume and increase scholarship opportunities. All active members are provided with certificates at the end of the semester.

   9. What are the office hours of  SSD?      

   SSD is open from 8:30am until 6:00pm on Weekdays.

   10. What do I need to become a student organizer in SUN EVENT Committee?

   Register on your portal or attend the Club Fares, meet different clubs and committee members and register on the spot. You can also join the meetings scheduled during the mid-semester or visit the SSD.

   1.       Can I write for the News line Magazine if I am not in the committee?

   Yes, we accept all student contributions on various topics. We also encourage students to showcase their talents of art and poetry in the magazine.