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SMUSA PIGEONHOLE

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SMUSA PIGEONHOLE

This initiative was created to share how SMUSA and the school offices work together to address the popular queries received from our feedback form. Through this, we aim to provide more transparency on the work flow between us and the offices — how we work together to further improve student life based on feedback received.

FIRST EDITION

In our first edition, we worked with PVO and the Vice Provost Team.

 

We raised concerns regarding:

  • Alternative class arrangements and academic support for students affected by COVID-19

  • Safe management measures in classes

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We received assurances from them that their top priority is to ensure the educational experience of all students are not negatively impacted by COVID-19, and that they would assist students to the best of their abilities. (For example, should students have to miss lessons, their instructors would have to provide them with all the support necessary to catch-up, in the form of online recordings or individual consultations)

SECOND EDITION

In our second edition, we worked with Office of Campus Infrastructure and Services (OCIS). 

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We raised concerns regarding:

  • Facilities

  • Increasing variety of food in SMU and addressing issues on food options 

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ISSUES ON FACILITIES:

  1. Lack of water coolers on campus in places with higher footfall. 

We have recommended that water coolers be installed at the SMU concourse, SSLs and L7 of SOE. 
OCIS' response: 5 new water dispensers will be installed: 2 units inside SCIS B1 SSL, 2 units outside SOE B1 toilets after the Arts and Cultural Centre, and 1 unit at SOE L7 Multi-purpose Area by September 2022.


2. Faulty facilities in campus (power sockets in the SOE study lounge, air-conditioning in the gym, GSR motion sensors etc.,). 
OCIS has repaired the faulty items and is contactable at 6828 0343 or fmhelpdesk2@smu.edu.sg for further assistance.

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3. Cleanliness of facilities (coffee/blood/water stains etc.,) 
OCIS has steam cleaned the couches and is looking into upholstery for the couches (replacing the cushions or couches) by end-2022.

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ISSUES ON FOOD:

  1. Increasing food variety 

There are discussions underway between potential vendors and OCIS, and students can look forward to new stalls on campus by September. The food trucks initiative will continue next semester.

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​2. Lack of halal food options

OCIS is keen on having more halal certified vendors in SMU. However, due to SMU’s close proximity to malls, they face great difficulty in sourcing vendors who are willing to operate here. As such, if you are aware of any vendors, please feel free to reach out to OCIS or SMUSA. 

 

3. Identifying food options that are halal certified, vegetarian etc.

OCIS has sent out EDMs containing the information and mentioned that SMU’s website contains the information (https://www.smu.edu.sg/campus-life/visiting-smu/food-beverages-listing). Moving forward, wayfinding screens will have visuals containing the information too.

THIRD EDITION

In our third edition, we worked with the College of Integrative Studies (CIS), Dato' Kho Hui Meng Career Centre (DKHMCC), and the Office of the Registrar (RO). 

  

The following feedback was raised: 

(i) To RO 

  • Many students are unaware of the available curriculum planning tools  

  • Many students prefer to approach their friends to be informed about academic policies / information. 

(ii) To CIS 

  • Many students are receptive to creating their own second major programme 

(iii) To DKHMCC 

  • Lack of publicity and awareness of its initiatives 

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RO

A. Issue on lack of awareness of curriculum planning tools'

  • RO and IITS are in the midst of planning for an upcoming project to integrate the curriculum planning tools to help students plan ahead and have greater visibility on the requisites for courses being planned as well as the projected graduation timeframe. 

  • RO is still in the phase of project planning and finding out suitable software applications that are available in the market. A tender will be drawn up to invite potential vendors to present their solutions. The project team hopes to kick start the project proper by Mar/Apr 2023. This project is likely to be at least a year-long in duration. 

  • As part of the project, RO and IITS will also study the feasibility of identifying and suggesting courses that they might want to consider which could shorten their graduation timeframe (double counting). 

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B. Issue on the misinformation that may come with seeking informal sources for academic information 

  • It is not ideal to be checking with friends as academic policies may change affecting certain cohorts of students onwards 

  • OBI, SSH, RO and IITS have embarked on a project to review and improve the SMOO SMOO Chatbot to provide more targeted answers and to integrate an enquiry form that would classify and direct the enquiry to the right party for response. 

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DKHMCC

With the below two initiatives, DKHMCC hopes to increase publicity and awareness to build better traction with students. 

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1. Increased online-presence via social media : @sgsmucareercentre  

  • DKHMCC has started our inaugural step to have a presence on Social Media, using Instagram. 

  • As part of our social media strategy, this was  implemented on 1st September and would feature thrice-weekly posts. A total of 11 slated for 1st Sep 2022, to start.  As required  for all external facing communiques, the postings were pre-approved by SMU’s Office of Corporate Communications and Media or OCCM. We are happy to report the draft  postings were commended by OCCM for their clarity and aesthetics, and they  subsequently approved DKHMCC’s use of Instagram on 26 Aug 2022 for our IG launch on 1 Sep 2022. 

 

2. Increased physical presence via Walk-in Coaching at SSH 

  • Starting Monday 15th August 2022, DKHMCC initiated a manned desk at SSH to facilitate a closer access for students to walk-in and have their adhoc, career-related questions answered by the Career Coach on duty. There is signage indicating “Walk-In Career Coaching” at the SSH Entrance. 

  • The desk at SSH is manned Mondays to Fridays and offers two timings: 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm.   

  • The desk is also within a small room which can be closed to ensure others are not distracted by the conversations, and for privacy. 

  • This initiative hopes to brand DKHMCC’s coaching and help students to be more aware of Career Coaching as a method to help better prepare students for internships and, eventually, their desired career destination in the world of work. 

  • Student may continue to seek one-on-one Career Coaching which continues to be offered either in-person/on-campus or online via MS Teams. Appointments will continue to be booked by students via OnTRACII. (All students are permanently assigned a Career Coach from Year 1 till 3 years after they’ve graduated) 

  • The manned desk at SSH would continue into Term 2 AY 2022/2023 (up to before the  April 2023 exams). Thereafter, DKHMCC shall  gauge its continuance thereafter based on the take-up/ usage. 

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DKHMCC continues to be responsive to feedback, and looks forward to students making use of the two initiatives DKHMCC has implemented. 

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CIS

The College of Integrative Studies is now offering an Individualised Second Major (ISM). This ISM enables you to create a theme and second major title around your own interests and career aspirations and allows you to choose mods from across all SMU’s schools. Applications open annually in spring for year 1 students to apply to commence in their second year. For more information, see: https://cis.smu.edu.sg/faq#q4

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