2017/18 HALL REP TRAINING

Housekeeping In the event of a fire alarm sounding, please use your nearest exit and head to the lawn outside the front of the Northern Stage. Toilets are located just outside. To help promote the training we may take photos during the session. If you would prefer not to be in the photos, please let us know.

Objectives Know the key parts of your role and who you should work with. Understand the importance of being representative. Understand your role at Hall Exec meetings. Identify ways you can promote yourself to the students in your halls. Know the importance of feeding back.

Background Hall Reps started in 2010/11 Hall Reps in all University Managed and Private Halls Partnership between Students’ Union and Accommodation Services at the University

Icebreaker Introduce yourself to your table with the following information: Name Halls of Residence Best thing about your Halls of Residence and one thing you would improve

NUSU Run by students, for students, independent of the University Not for profit, Charitable status 6 full time sabbatical officers, elected by students Part time officers to represent Marginalised groups REPRESENTATION IS MAIN FOCUS Supported by permanent staff e.g. student advisers, finance team, marketing department

NUSU – Representing your academic interests Mental health Equality (both generally and linked to specific groups, e.g. women, LGBT+) Academic quality (teaching quality is the most frequent specific issue, followed by feedback) Career development and opportunities (work experience, networking) Money/financial hardship/tuition fees Housing This should give you an idea of the broader issues in student representation at Newcastle University. As part of the 2017 NUSU Student Survey, students were asked to list the three most important issues that matter to them. Here are the most frequently recurring words from those responses represented as a word cloud, and then grouped together thematically and ranked. As you can see, general academic issues are the third most important issue to students, with teaching quality and assessment feedback the most important subsets of those issues. This is something you might wish to consider when collecting feedback. In a minute, we’ll discuss the limits of your role, but hopefully this will give you a sense of the issues that NUSU is working on and that, if a student were to raise any of these issues, you can refer them to the Union to find the appropriate support or opportunities.

What are Hall Reps? You are volunteers from your halls who wish to represent the students in your halls. You will be attending hall exec meetings and others, letting staff from Accommodation Services know the positive and negative aspects of your fellow students’ experience in halls.

Benefits of being a Hall Rep Meet new people. Develop skills & enhanced employability. Organise events. NCL+ Award Accreditation Scheme. Free Hoody. The chance of further progression: Hall Rep (You) > Community Rep > Part-time Officer > President.>

Your role and responsibilities

Title What are your most important tasks as a Hall Rep? Promotion! to the students that you represent that you are their Hall Rep Gathering feedback Attend the meetings Feeding back to those you represent. What skills do you need to be an effective Hall Rep? Written and verbal communication skills Teamwork – negotiation, diplomacy, problem solving Presentation skills Organisation – effective time management Who will your decisions affect? THE STUDENTS YOU REPRESENT! Staff in accommodation services Other reps Newcastle University Students’ Union and the University Future students in halls

Representing Different Opinions A key part of the Hall Rep role is being representative. Giving the opinions of the majority of students, rather than your own opinion.

Know your limits You are not a counsellor You are not there to sort out individual issues Do not attempt to give legal or other specialist advice Consult us before promoting any external events, companies or products

Hall Exec Meetings Three meetings over the year Chaired by NUSU President Attended by staff from Accommodation Services An opportunity to discuss campaigns and events A chance to feedback issues discussed at Hall Rep meetings

Hall Rep Meetings An internal meeting with the Students’ Union A great chance to discuss plans in an informal setting A chance to get to know each other better and work as a team

Meeting tips Before Speak to students and other Hall Reps in your halls. Once the agenda is emailed, get some feedback on what is going to be discussed. During Be positive in your discussions. Ask if you're unclear on something. Feedback on any achievements. Discuss solutions to any issues/problems. Try to keep your opinion representative. Be vocal! After Check the minutes Feedback any changes to other students in your halls Promote all of the Hall Rep achievements!

Campaign and events ideas BBQ Local Tours Homeless Sleeping mats GIAG Are you part of a Club or Society? Do you have any events planned? NUSU Campaigns

Make yourself known

How you can promote yourself? Methods Notice boards Posters Suggestion polls Suggestion Boxes Social Networking Sites Drop-ins / Informal catch-ups Hoodies Students’ Union Council Tips Collaborate as a team Make videos Use Facebook polls Send regular communication Keep your communication short and simple BE PRO-ACTIVE & CREATIVE!

What happens now? Promote yourself within your hall as your hall rep, letting your hall mates know what you can do for them Confirm the 3 Hall Exec Dates and locations Collect your hoodie We’ll invite you to Hall Rep Facebook Group

Additional Sessions Meeting Skills (8 November 3pm-4:30pm) Communication (Skills 15 November 3pm-4:30pm) Negotiation Skills (23 November 3pm-4:30pm) Presentation Skills (24 November 2pm-3:30pm) Student Rep Lunch (1 December 12pm-2:30pm) Wellbeing and Mental Health (5pm-6pm) Equality and Diversity (6 December 1pm-2:30pm) How to Plan an Event (11 December 5pm-6pm) Notetaking Skills (28 February 1pm-2:30pm) Marketing Your Rep Experience (2 May 1-2:30pm)

NCL+ Want your experience as a Hall Rep on your degree transcript? Then sign up for the accreditation scheme Email Jo Day (employability.union@ncl.ac.uk) to sign-up.

Any Questions?

Thank you for coming! Please fill the feedback form provided Ronnie Reid e: president.union@ncl.ac.uk t: 0191 239 3916 Kay Hattam e: campaigns.support@ncl.ac.uk t: 0191 239 3909 Paul Bandeen (Manager of accommodation services) e: p.c.bandeen@ncl.ac.uk Lesley James (Secretary for Halls Exec) e: lesley.james@newcastle.ac.uk