Course Rep Training Lisa Burton VP Education and Welfare Richard Buckley Representation and Democracy Co-ordinator

Session Objectives - To identify skills and qualities needed of a Rep and ways of developing them - To locate the role of the Rep in effecting positive change on behalf of students and the role that Course Reps play in the Union and University - To explore means of feeding ideas up, feeding ideas in and feeding ideas back in accordance with the Representation Cycle

Contents Brief intro to the session Brief intro to the session Why the role exists and why you matter Why the role exists and why you matter Qualities: picturing the ideal Course Rep Qualities: picturing the ideal Course Rep Communicating with the students you represent – the Representation Cycle Communicating with the students you represent – the Representation Cycle

Contents Meetings: tactics and the art of diplomacy Meetings: tactics and the art of diplomacy The benefits of being a Course Rep The benefits of being a Course Rep Your Students’ Union Your Students’ Union Debrief/ any questions? Debrief/ any questions?

Who are we? Lisa Burton Vice President Education & Welfare Richard Buckley Representation & Democracy Co-ordinator

Why the role exists and why you matter The role exists because… - Quality Assurance - Northumbria Student Learning Values - Feedback for the Students’ Union on core issues You matter because… - You’re qualified to speak on the education you pay for! - Academics can’t simply assume they know what’s best for you!

How you fit into Union policy making… 900+ Course Reps across the University ( per School) The troops on the ground! l 20 School Reps across the University (2-3 per School) The Union’s eyes and ears l VP Education and Welfare Students’ Union Executive Team

Qualities: picturing the ideal Course Rep What qualities would the ideal Course Rep have? Draw him/her on flipchart paper, emphasising the parts of his/her anatomy relating to those skills

Communicating with the students you represent To be effective as a Rep, you need to be well-known on your programme and gather ideas How will you: - Get known amongst your peers on your programme? - Gather feedback from your peers as a group? - Gather feedback anonymously? - Help foster a strong and confident community of Course Reps, School Reps and students in your School? Hint: what resources are available to you – electronic or otherwise?

Meetings: the art of diplomacy Consider the situation on the sheets – now imagine that you’re the delegate to the meeting described on the slip of paper. How would you behave at the meeting? Now work out why it went wrong!

Putting what you know to the test… Look at the scenarios that your group’s been allocated. How would you go about tackling them? Think about the resources at your disposal… School RepeLPTutors and lecturersNational Student Survey Northumbria Student Learning ValuesProgramme LeadersNUS research Advice and Representation CentreStaff-Student LiaisonUniversity Chaplaincy NUS campaignsOther Course RepsStudents on the groundOne Planet Student ServicesSkills SessionsUnion Skills ProgrammeStudent Activities Distribution ListsAssociate Deans in your SchoolLibraryVP Education and Welfare Representation and Democracy Co-ordinatorCITSUnion campaigns Disabled Student ServicesInternational Student SupportAccess to Learning Funds

The benefits of being a Course Rep Learning and Teaching Awards - Take advantage of your extensive experience - Chance of a £1000 cash prize! Course Rep of the Year - Category in the Students’ Union Awards Northumbria Plus+ - The perfect boost to your CV - Logbooks to be issued shortly…

Debrief Those objectives again: Those objectives again: - To identify skills and qualities needed of a Rep and ways of developing them - To locate the role of the Rep in effecting positive change on behalf of students and the role that Course Reps play in the Union and University - To explore means of feeding ideas up, feeding ideas in and feeding ideas back in accordance with the Representation Cycle Any questions? Any questions?

Thanks for coming! Stay in touch!