TSA e-news April 2010

Welcome to the first edition of the Theological Students' Association e-news.

The TSA aims to represent students' needs as they participate in studies at the UFT, and to help enliven the experiences of the student body. We hope to provide a community consciousness that covers all variations of study and participation at the UFT.

1. Library opening hours

From 17 April to 5 June, the Dalton McCaughey Library will be open on Saturday afternoons, between 1pm and 5pm, in addition to regular weekday hours.

2. Getting involved

The TSA is planning a number of new initiatives this year and there are various ways that you can get involved.

Midday prayer continues on Thursdays from 1:05pm to 1:20pm throughout semester and is open to everyone at UFT. This service is being led by students this year.

We are introducing an occasional series of student presentations. UFT students come from a wide range of backgrounds and live and minister in diverse contexts. This series will be an opportunity for students to share their experiences and stories with other students and the wider UFT community. Presentations will be held on Thursdays from 1:25pm to 2:00pm (bring your lunch); look out for the first in the series later this semester.

The TSA celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and we are looking at ways to celebrate this milestone. Some ideas that we are considering include a special edition of the TSA Gazette looking back at student life over the last forty years, and a reunion of past TSA members.

If you would like to know more about any of these activities, or would like to get involved in any way, please contact us at tsa@uft.edu.au

3. Advice and support

Academic study can be challenging for both new and more experienced students, and theological study can also present personal and spiritual challenges. If you are experiencing any difficulty with your studies, or have other issues that might interfere with your studies, please seek help early. Your lecturers, tutors and the UFT office staff can advise you or refer you to other sources of assistance. You are also welcome to contact the TSA if you would prefer to talk to a student.

4. We welcome your feedback

As students ourselves, we understand that there may be areas in which people would like to voice an opinion, and yet don't quite know how to go about it. The TSA hopes to provide all students with a platform on which to comment and consolidate thoughts on their experiences within the student body.

If you feel that there are topics / areas / discussions you would like to bring to the TSA's attention, please feel free to drop an email to tsa@uft.edu.au
All correspondence will be treated as strictly confidential and initially read by only one member of the TSA. Any further discussion of the email within the TSA will be presented as anonymous.