GENERAL INFORMATION
COMPUTING SERVICES
Introduction. Computing Services is responsible for the provision of computing facilities and services. A variety of equipment, software, data communications and human resources is provided to meet computing needs which arise from the teaching and research activities of the College, and from support areas including administration branches and the Resource Centre. The College is equipped to meet the bulk of its computing needs internally. External computing services are used where necessary.
Computing Services incorporates three sections whose main functions are described below.
Customer Services Section. The Customer Services Section undertakes facilities- management of public access computing laboratories and provides first line support services to students and staff. The work of the Section includes delivery of training programs and publication of a newsletter and technical bulletins.
Systems Development Section. The Systems Development Section undertakes the acquisition, development and maintenance of computer software. It provides related services including feasibility studies, software evaluation, systems analysis, systems design and programming. The Section provides a common facility for the in-house development of computer software and coordinates support for personal computer applications. Responsibility for the prioritisation of administrative systems development projects rests with the Systems Review Committee.
Technical Services Section. The Technical Services Section undertakes time-sharing computer operations in the Computer Centres and provides technical support including the selection, installation and maintenance of computer hardware and data communications equipment. The Section has a limited capacity for the development of specialised computer hardware to meet specific needs.
Computing Facilities. The main computing facilities of the College are a network of time-sharing minicomputers and some 200 personal (micro) computers. The network hosts are one AWA Sequel and three HP3000 systems. The computer network currently supports in excess of 300 data terminals. An INFOTRON Contender :500 automatic data switch has been installed. This unit allows terminals connected to it to selectively communicate with the main administration, academic and library hosts. A number of PCs can be connected to the time-sharing network and used as data-terminals/intelligent workstations. A DEC LSI 11 computer system is used for research purposes in Special Education.
Access to local, national and overseas computer-based information services is provided via telecommunications links.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Group programs on various issues may also be offered to complement individual counselling.
Part-time and external students may arrange evening appointments.
CARSELDINE CAMPUS Annie Andrews
Level 1
Community Building
Telephone: 263 6222 (ext) 222 KEDRON PARK CAMPUS Paul Neumann
Ground Floor 'D' Block
Telephone: 357 7077 (ext) 290 KELVIN GROVE CAMPUS Brian Bishop
Top Floor
Community Building Telephone: 352 8127 After Hours: 30 3498
MOUNT GRAVATT CAMPUS Ken Wright
Student Amenities Building adjacent to Student Union Office.
Telephone: 343 0657
Messages: switch 343 0611 or Student Union 343 0810 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
The main form of financial assistance to students is that offered by the Commonwealth Department of Employment, Education and Training through AUSTUDY. AUSTUDY is available on a non-competitive basis to full-time students subject to a means test and to certain conditions relating to previous tertiary studies. Application forms are available at Student Administration on each campus. Enquiries about the scheme may be made at Counselling Services, or by contacting:
The Commonwealth Department of Employment, Education and Training 167 Eagle Street
Brisbane Q 4000
Telephone: (07) 231 0777 Other forms of assistance include:
• Aboriginal Study Assistance Scheme
Assistance under this scheme is available on a full-time or part-time basis to Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders. From the beginning of 1988 the allowance will be subject to an income test. The scheme is administered by the Commonwealth Department of Employment, Education and Training. Enquiries should be made to:
The Commonwealth Department of Employment, Education and Training 167 Eagle Street
Brisbane Q 4000
Telephone: (07) 231 0777
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GENERAL INFORMATION
• Special Assistance for Students Scheme.
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The College operates a special assistance scheme for needy students under the following guidelines:
Funds provided under the legislation are to be used for the provision of loans or grants to Australian students or students with permanent residency status attending BCAE.
Full- and part-time students fully enrolled in an approved tertiary course of study at BCAE and suffering financial hardship are the only persons eligible to receive special financial assistance under the Special Assistance Guidelines adopted by the College.
Loans will be made available to BCAE students who demonstrate a genuine financial hardship, particularly those who require assistance for accommodation or for other circumstances where a student's continued study is in jeopardy.
The maximum loan or grant to a student of BCAE in any one year would usually not exceed $1500.00. Further, assistance provided by the College as special grants should not exceed 10% of the total assistance to be made available in any year.
The 10% maximum should not be regarded as a quota for grants.
Funds allocated as loans will attract interest of 7.5% per annum from the day that the agreement is signed. Interest over the period is reduced by 2.5% per annum if the loan is repaid by the due date. Should an extended date be approved for repayment, both the principal and accrued interest will attract interest from the original due date at the rate applicable to a similar personal loan by Westpac Banking Corporation.
Loans are repayable in
one
of the following ways:(i) by a specific agreed date, or
(ii) by a date six months after completing the course, or
(iii) by a date six months after entering full-time employment while remaining a part-time student, or
(iv) by a date six months after ceasing to pursue a course, or
(v) if temporary assistance is given prior to receipt of monies from some other source, e.g. AUSTUDY, the date of receipt of that money.
The campus Counsellor will be able to provide students with the 'Special Assistance Application' forms on which all applications have to be made.
In the event of a student's seeking a further loan, an additional application must be submitted.
Students must apply for the loan or grant through the Counsellor on the campus with which the course is associated. Students may not apply for a loan or grant through more than one campus.
Confidentiality and discretion will be respected and maintained at all times by all members involved directly or indirectly with the issue of funds under the legislation.
A review committee will be established which may approve non-repayable grants to students in exceptional circumstances. The Review Committee may vary the rate of interest for individual loans in exceptional circumstances.
Such applications will be referred to the Committee by the Counsellor.
Membership details and terms of reference of this Committee appear below.
Academic progression will normally be taken into account by the Counsellor in consideration of any application.
In providing assistance, BCAE will pay particular attention to the requirements of students from country or isolated areas, students who are required to live away from home to pursue their studies or students from groups which the College believes to be severely disadvantaged.
Details of the Special Assistance for Students Review Committee are as follows:
GENERAL INFORMATION
Membership:
Coordinator of Planning and Development (Chairperson) Bursar or Nominee
Counsellor
President, BCAE Union or Nominee
A second student representative being an executive member of the BCAE Union
Executive Officer (non-voting)