Important changes to Crucial Guide for 2013

22 Apr 2013

Staff are asked to note that the format and distribution model for the Crucial Guide is changing this year.

There is a move away from the single ‘tell you everything’ guide towards a multi-channel approach, designed to deliver relevant information in a staggered, more timely way to new students.

As well as splitting the usual single guide into two, there will be no separate UG and PG versions – instead, where there is specific content relevant to postgraduate students (and also International Students) there will be signposting to further online information and resources.

This document provides an overview of the schedule of central communications around Welcome – while not exhaustive, it provides some clarity on the main mass communication activities and when they will be happening.

As in previous years, electronic versions of the paper Guides will be made available for colleagues to refer to in their own Welcome and Induction materials and student correspondence. The format will not be PDF but a more readable, mobile-friendly format called Issuu.

Orders will shortly be taken for the ‘Crucial Guide: Welcome To Manchester’ guide (to hand out during the Welcome Period) through our usual designated contacts – once printed in late August/early September, copies will be delivered directly to Schools, as in previous years.

In response to comments about the lack of a Crucial Guide for students arriving outside September, it is also planned to produce a single generic Guide with all references to September and the Welcome Period removed.

This will be available in electronic format only, for distribution to students – again, it will be in the Issuu format. This should be available from September onwards.

Further queries can be directed to:

• Alex Waddington, Student Communications and Marketing team, at alex.waddington@manchester.ac.uk