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Libraries

The University has a large Central Library, an extensive Law Library, and several smaller specialist libraries including Architecture and Design, Commerce, and the W. J. Scott Library on the Karori Campus. Opening Hours for these libraries are available online.

Computer facilities are available to all students, and computers are used in teaching many courses. In addition, the Library provides services for distance students.

The Central Library

The Central Library is located beside the Quad in the 10 levels of the Rankine Brown Building on the Kelburn Campus.

The Library is your gateway to the world’s knowledge, via advanced electronic resources and an impressive and diverse collection of books, journals and other paper-based items. There are actually over a million items physically stored by the Library, but don’t be put off by its size. The online library catalogue is very user-friendly and Library staff are there to help – just ask!

Library skills are among the most valuable you will acquire at university, so take the earliest opportunity to become familiar with the Library and its services. Attend Library sessions, lectures or tutorials and pick up the free printed guides from information points. One of these is a self-guided tour. Check the library instruction programme page for more information. General enquiries may be made to the Central Issue Desk, and Reference enquiries to the Reference Desk on Level 2.

The Library does not provide required textbooks, but holds other items on course reading lists. Many are kept in the Three Day Loan collection on Level 3. Some items in high demand are kept on closed reserve at Reserves on Level 2 and must be read inside the Library. Other items are issued from the Central Issue Desk, Level 2. The Library Interloan Service will request any item not held by VUW Library.

The Library houses areas for individual or group study, Student Computing Services, and facilities for printing, photocopying and scanning.

The Library has an audiovisual suite, where you can view a growing collection of videos and listen to recordings. There is also the Sutherland Room for the sole use of students with disabilities – access is by application to Disability Support Services.

The UN room on Level 1 focuses on official publications, online and printed, from the United Nations, governments and international organisations. The J.C. Beaglehole Room houses the rare books and archives which make up part of the special collections of the Library.

To find out more about the University libraries, check the Library website or Tel: 0-4-463 6186.

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Student Computing Facilities

Victoria’s Information Technology Services - Student provides all enrolled students with access to electronic resources that support communication, learning and research needs.

Most resources are accessible on and off campus using the myVictoria Portal. This portal provides secure access to:

  • Student e-mail
  • Workspace (your allocated space quota for storage of personal files – also called your H: drive)
  • Blackboard (online teaching and learning tool)
  • Student Records (to check and pay your fees, update contact details, view your grades, and check your timetable)
  • Library Catalogue
  • Library Databases
  • The University website

Student computers on all university campuses offer access to these resources, and also to selected productivity and academic software (including Microsoft Office, SPSS, and Endnote) and scanning equipment and software (including Photoshop and OmniPage Pro). Fees are charged on a cost-recovery basis for campus-based access to the Internet and to printing services.

You need to log on to myVictoria Portal and Student computers with your individual Student Computing username and password. When you enrol, your unique Student Computing username is automatically created and printed on your Confirmation of Study form. Your initial password is your student ID number. When you log on for the first time on campus, the system will ask you to create your own confidential password.

If you are a distance student, before you can use myVictoria Portal you need to telephone the ITS Service Desk (0-4-463 5050). The ITS Service Desk is open from 8am to 5.30pm weekdays. If you are a campus-based student, you can log-on to Student computers at a range of ITS-Student facilities.

For more information, visit myVictoria Portal, contact the ITS Service Desk weekdays 8am to 5.30pm, tel 0-4-463 5050, or when you are on-campus visit a Help Desk in the Central Library Level 2, or Law Library Level 1, weekdays 8am to 5.30pm.

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Online Student Services

Many common tasks students need to do around the University can now be done online. Student Records, available to all enrolled students through the myVictoria Portal, allows you to perform the following tasks online:

  • Change your course (domestic students only)
  • Check your timetable
  • View your grades
  • Update your contact details (NB: Change of name cannot be done online)
  • Check your fees balance
  • Pay your fees by Visa or MasterCard

To access these, click on the Student Records link in the menu at the top of the myVictoria Portal.

Other tasks you can do online include:

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Online Fees Payment

You can now pay your university fees by Visa and MasterCard through Student Records, which is available to enrolled students through the myVictoria Portal. Use “View My Financial Summary” to access credit card payments. This service is available to all enrolled students from within and outside the campus.

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Blackboard Teaching and Learning System

In a growing number of Victoria courses you can view your course material online, download lecture notes, check your grades or exchange messages and documents within your study group as part of the Blackboard online teaching and learning system.

Blackboard is a university-wide system designed to support a more flexible approach to teaching and learning. Blackboard not only gives you access to course materials, but also offers you a range of personal productivity tools, such as a task list, calendar and an address book. In addition, if your course is run on Blackboard you can easily get an overview of the latest notices and announcements.

You can visit the Victoria Blackboard website from the myVictoria Portal on or off campus, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can log-on to Blackboard using your standard SCS username as provided on your Confirmation of Study.

To find out more, contact an SCS Helpdesk or pick up a brochure from the Helpdesk or around campus.

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Language Learning Centre

The Language Learning Centre supports the teaching and learning of foreign languages and English as a Second Language at Victoria.

The Centre is used by students enrolled in language courses but is also available to University staff, members of the public, and students from all faculties who are interested in learning a language by themselves.

There are multimedia resources and facilities, including computers and satellite television in several languages.

The Language Learning Centre is on Level 0 of the von Zedlitz Building. For enquiries about using the facilities, contact Karen Boxall, tel 0-4-463 5315.

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English Language Courses

The English Language Institute of the School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies offers courses to help speakers of other languages learn English to the level required for university study. Intensive English courses are for 12 weeks, 23 hours per week, and run from November to February, March to June and July to October. The School also teaches undergraduate writing and communications skills courses for all students.

To find out more, contact the School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, tel 0-4-463 5600.

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Centre for Continuing Education and Executive Development

See:

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The University Marae

Victoria’s Te Herenga Waka Marae is a place of welcome for visiting groups to the University, a host venue for culturally significant events and a key teaching facility – Māori language and culture courses are taught there and student noho marae (live-ins) are a regular occurrence. Te Herenga Waka Marae also offers study spaces, a computer room, a lunch service, and somewhere for students to ‘hang out’ in a Māori environment.

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Outdoors Classrooms

The Karori Wildlife Sanctuary and Otari-Wilton’s Bush are unique resources, not only to New Zealand, but internationally, and are used for teaching and field research in some courses.

Victoria’s Coastal Ecology Lab at Island Bay focuses on postgraduate teaching and research in the local coastal and marine environment and has live displays of many sea creatures. It was at the forefront of the successful campaign to establish the South Coast Marine Reserve, which will become an invaluable resource over the next decade.

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Advanced Teaching and Research Facilities

On campus are many important centres of research in a wide range of areas.

Victoria’s School of Government provides advanced courses for senior and middle management and business professionals in both the public and private sectors. Victoria also makes its expertise available to the business community and government agencies in New Zealand and overseas. Victoria Link Ltd facilitates research and consultancy contracts.

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Alumni Relations Office

The experiences you have at Victoria will remain with you for the rest of your life, not only in the knowledge and understanding you gain, but in the people who help you find it – new friends, fellow students, tutors and lecturers.

To help you keep in touch with your university and each other, we have developed an online directory for graduates. By registering with 'Life After Vic' you can keep your contact details up to date, write a few lines about what you are doing now, join special interest groups and search for old friends. By keeping your contact details up to date you will receive the Victorious magazine free of charge three times a year and invitations to events and reunions relevant to your degree or in your local area. Graduates are also entitled to elect representatives on the University Council through the Court of Convocation’s biennial elections.

To find out more, contact the Alumni  Relations Office, Tel: 0-4-463 6700, drop in at Robert Stout Building room RS001, or visit our website: Alumni Relations Office.