In relation to participation of women in non-traditional areas of study, Griffith has remained above the national average in business and maintains strong levels of participation. In engineering participation levels remain largely static, consistent with the national average - new strategies are being discussed for the coming triennium. In science, participation by women has begun to increase, although it is slightly below the national average. In terms of higher degree coursework (HD CW) and higher degrees by research (RHD), participation by women at Griffith is above the national average and increasing.

Performance Indicator: Griffith University is working to increase performance in engineering and to maintain performance in science and business.

Griffith University’s mission integrates student equity and access as part of the core activities of the University. Accordingly a range of equity programs exists at both campus and faculty level, such as the Special Admissions to Logan Campus Program, and the Indigenous Pre-Law Course and Support Program. Below is a brief overview of six major programs which operate University-wide.

Unireach: (encourage aspiration, facilitate admission) Unireach specifically targets Low SES Yr 12 students. The program improves academic performance through academic support from a mentor (University student), small group work and on campus experiences. Unireach aims to encourage school students to consider higher education options. Successful students are invited to apply for a place at Griffith University through the Special Admissions Scheme. The 1997 Unireach program included 83 students from 5 schools. 35 students were offered a place in 1998 at Griffith University and an additional 13 students were offered places with other tertiary institutions. Student evaluations of the Unireach program indicated that over 93% found it to be ‘useful’ or ‘very useful’ in preparing them for University.

Logan TAFE: (encourage aspiration, academic preparation) This access program has provided for special access to science and technology degrees at Griffith University through Logan TAFE since 1989. Program success has led to expansion of courses on offer and from 1999 the program will also provide access to a range of social science, arts, business and health degrees. The program targets mature age students who, due to disadvantage, have not previously considered university study as a possibility. Guaranteed entry to specific Griffith University courses is provided to successful students. Over the decade in which the program has been in operation generally around half the student cohort successfully completed the certificate, and of those, a majority was offered places at university. A detailed formal evaluation of outcomes for the cohort from 1989 to 1992 (Bond 1996) indicates that of those who entered tertiary study, 50% had completed their degree by 1995. Their progress completion rate was consistent with overall completion rates for Griffith students. Moreover, of those who had graduated some 13% had progressed to postgraduate study, a ratio above that of the total student population.

Masterkey: (academic & general support) This program provides additional academic and personal structured support for incoming students identifying in one or more of the target equity groups. Offered across all six campuses, it links with Griffith University outreach programs and special admissions programs offered through the Learning Assistance Unit, Deafness Centre, Logan Campus and the Disabilities office. Masterkey employs a range of strategies to meet the needs of these identified students and is normally delivered for a full semester. Strategies include an intensive orientation program, a series of workshops focusing on specific study skills, increased access to academic staff in early stages and an ongoing Peer Mentor program. An evaluation and review of the program in 1997 found that Masterkey has been effective in meeting the needs of students from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds entering Griffith University. Prior to the commencement of the Orientation program at the Nathan and Mt Gravatt campuses, 53.7% of the students involved indicated they were anxious or very nervous about starting University. At the completion of Orientation, 57.8% indicated they felt confident or very confident about starting their studies. ‘Masterkey’ catered for 175 students in 1997. Of these, 78% achieved a 75% success rate in their first year of study.

Notetaking Network: (disabilities support) Expanded since its inception in 1992 to now include five strands, the Network now offers: notetaker training, direct support, laptop/screen notetaking, notetaking resources and staff training. Notetaking services are available to all hearing impaired students, a number of whom identify with one or more other equity groups. The Notetaking Network provides print or computer disk notes of lectures, tutorial and other classes in several hundred subjects. A key feature of the service is its flexibility. The Coordinator is accessible after hours and on weekends. Students can vary the level of service requested and select the most appropriate notetaker for their needs. During the 1997 review of services, Notetaker training was rated as ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’ by over 98% of the 300 notetakers who completed training. Service provision was rated as ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’ by 83% of continuing students receiving support. Over 12,000 hours of notetaking services were provided across the 6 campuses of Griffith University by 133 notetakers. One student comment reads "Usually I get passes or fails. Last semester was my first using a notetaker and I got a distinction, a credit and a pass."

Disabilities Support Program: (disabilities support). This multi-faceted support program is available to all identified students with disabilities who request assistance. In 1997, 658 students identified either on their enrolment form or to the Disabilities Officer. Of these, 424 requested and were provided with support. The range of options available to students include: audiotaping of lectures/tutorials, provision of alternative print format, special furniture, equipment and computers, specialised tutorials, alternative assessment, mobility assistance, access maps, disabled parking, priority on-campus accommodation. Additionally, professional development for staff is offered and advice is provided to the University regarding building alteration/adaptation. Griffith University is currently participating in a cooperative evaluation project. Over 600 students have recently been surveyed. Ongoing student evaluation of services indicates a high level of satisfaction with the range and level of services offered and feedback from staff training indicates that these activities are assisting in considering issues for students with a disability. In 1997, a lift was installed at the Gold Coast campus to improve access and the School of Computing and Technology funded installation of a 17" monitor to assist a student consequently upgrading all monitors in the laboratory. A closed circuit television and monitor was installed in the Mt Gravatt campus library to assist students with low vision and a multimedia laboratory on Nathan campus was altered to enable students with disabilities to access all workstations.

Learning Assistance Program (LAP): (academic support) This support program has developed close links to a range of equity programs including Masterkey, Disabilities Support Program and Unireach. LAP provides a comprehensive range of computer-based learning assistance resources which include; academic writing, study skills, research skills, numeracy, study skills tutorials, video & print-based materials and individual assistance across all campuses. LAP has a unique emphasis on flexible delivery including provision of on-line assistance and resources. The LAP coordinates specific learning development programs for target equity groups, Low SES, NESB, disabilities, Indigenous, women in non-traditional areas as well as students on Logan campus. The establishment of a Learning Assistance Unit in 1997 taking responsibility for the LAP program will enhance the quality of service delivery and enable comprehensive evaluation and review procedures to be effected in 1998.

Griffith University Equity Contact: Ms Ann Stewart,
Manager Student Equity Services.
Phone: 07-3875 5369 Fax: 07-3875 5360
email: Ann.Stewart@mailbox.gu.edu.au