Be a StAR Empower the student voice

Outline  Your role  What is a StAR?  Student Opportunity Profile  Why you should become a StAR?  What will you gain from the experience?  What is the election process?

What is your role? Students have a crucial role to play in shaping the learning experience around them:  as recipients of information,  as participants in their learning experience,  as providers of information and feedback,  as shapers of their learning and  as actors in the management of and the delivery of the learning experience. Through course and faculty representation, you have in your hands the power to directly shape and enhance the learning experience.

What is a StAR?  StARs (Student Academic Representatives) are elected to represent students’ views on their experience to UCL.  StARs sit on various committees at a course, faculty and University level, at which they act as the voice of students, ensuring that UCL takes into account the needs of students in its decision making processes.  StARs achieve this through liaising with UCLU and UCL staff to resolve issues.

Opportunity Profile Responsibilities may include:  Play an active role in the development and enhancement of the course;  Take up students’ complaints and grievances about the course;  Communicate information about students’ rights;  Raise difficulties students encounter about the access to equipment and facilities;  Help negotiate changes in the timetable;  Be a point of contact for the UCL Union on changes and developments within the department and faculty;  Advise students that they can get assistance from the UCL Union;  Ensure that courses are being pursued in accordance with UCL’s policies on equality;  Promote the value of the UCL Union to other students on the course.

Opportunity Profile Further to these responsibilities, the opportunities that exist are:  Be an active part of UCLU, by publicising UCLU activities and matters that relate to your role as a StAR and students’ educational experience;  In conjunction with the UCLU, negotiate with any revisions that are being made to the course regulations;  Explain to students their rights under the University’s regulations and code of practices; and  Take part in the development of transferable skills and improve your personal employability.

Why you should become a StAR?  You believe that students should have a say in the decisions that affect their experiences at UCL.  You believe that you should take an active part in your own education.  You believe that you could be a leader and empower others.  You want to take part in University life to the full.  You enjoy talking to fellow students and helping them.  You are determined to leave UCL with more than just a degree.  Being a StAR is an opportunity not to be missed!

What will you gain? Loads! In particular you will have the opportunity to:  Make new friends, meet like-minded people and work with other motivated and enthusiastic people.  Learn new skills that are recognisable by future employers, including interpersonal, communication, organisational and problem solving skills.  Help others resolve course related problems.  Get involved in the wider issues that surround UCL Union and the University.  You will also receive a certificate of recognition from UCL Union acknowledging the role you have been involved in.

Support is available: The department and faculty is on hand to provide local support for you. You can also get the following from UCLU:  Training and development opportunities.  A handbook containing information, advice and contacts.  Online information and resources at  Staff support to help with your enquiries.

The election process  Fill in the nomination form if you are interested  Prepare a short speech about why you should be elected  Then we will have a show of hands to see which candidate(s) gets elected  The candidate(s) with the majority vote wins  Good luck!

Congratulations Your StAR is…