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Dear

\bigskip\smallskip

Welcome to the University of Edinburgh! 

My role as your Director of Studies is to ensure that you receive proper
support and guidance throughout your degree, on both academic and pastoral
issues. In order for your studies here to go as smoothly as possible, and
for you to get as much as possible out of the system, it is important
for you to know what you can expect from me as your Director of
Studies. Please keep this letter in a safe place throughout the year as it
contains important information about my role and includes my contact
details should you need to reach me.
\vspace*{0.5cm}

{\it As your director, you can expect me to:}

\begin{bul}
\item Provide you with academic guidance on course choices, and advice on
study difficulties that you may be having with your course.
\item Offer advice or support when personal or health problems are
affecting your studies and give you information about where to find
further help.
\item Where needed, act as your advocate on university and course matters,
and at a Board of Examiners meeting.
\item Invite you for a meeting, in addition to the one during Freshers' Week,
to discuss your progress and future course choices or career options.
\item Provide you with references.
\item Be available within one week of your request for a meeting, or
provide you with an alternative contact in case of my absence.
\item Retain in confidence anything we discuss, unless you give me
  permission otherwise.
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{\it As a student I will expect you to:}

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\item Attend meetings with me when requested to do so.
\item Inform me in a timely manner of any problems that are affecting your
studies to ensure that I can support you adequately. It is especially
important to inform me of problems that could affect your work {\it
before} the Board of Examiners meets.
\item Provide me with information, such as a copy of your CV, before
asking me to write a job reference for you.
\item Check your emails regularly for communications from me (and from
others, such as Course Organisers). {\bf If you do not use your University
email account it is vital that you forward your University email to your
regular address}.
\item Immediately inform me if there has been a problem with an exam or
course work and you want me to help you appeal against your grade.
\item Be aware of the various regulations that apply to you (note
especially the regulations in the {\it Science and Engineering Programme}
booklet), the University Codes of Practice and the support offered by the
University as outlined in the {\it Student Handbook}.
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\bigskip

My {\bf contact details} are:

\begin{tabbing}
~~~~~ \= Email~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ \= pnb@roe.ac.uk \\
\> Phone \>  0131 6688358, or 75358 from University internal phones \\
\> Office location \>  C21, Royal Observatory, Blackford Hill, Edinburgh \\
\> Office hours \> Any. To make an appointment please email, phone, or 
simply \\
\> \> drop by (and if I'm not busy we can talk there and then) \\
\end{tabbing}

Good luck with your studies!
\bigskip

Philip Best


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