Student Journeys: Valuing the HEAR Sheffield Students Union and the HEAR

Kathryne Fraser: Activities and Sports Manager, Sheffield Students Union Tom Dixon: Activities Officer 2012/13 Megan Howlett: HEAR Project Assistant (Students Union Activities Department)

1.Sheffield Context (Kathryne Fraser) 2. Student Consultation (Tom Dixon) 3. Implementation (Megan Howlett)

1. Sheffield Context

Extra-curricular Opportunities 70% participation in activities, volunteering & sport 17% in Leadership Roles 320 sports clubs & societies Volunteering and Fundraising Give it a Go Activities Programme Student Media Course Representatives and governance

NUS Deepening Participation Commission Report 2012 ….Assessing the results of question 23 in the National Student Survey, …the students unions who have appeared near the top of the satisfaction list are excellent at….. providing a breadth of activities which encourage engagement and belonging.

Extensive extra- curricular programmes engage our students University supports Students Unions role in this important aspect of student experience Students want achievements recognised by University Students aware that extra-curricular experience enhances employability

2. Student Consultation

Institutional Protocol (extract) Inclusion Criteria for Section 6.1 In order to be eligible for inclusion in Section 6.1, an activity or achievement must fulfil all of the following criteria (this list represents a selection of the full criteria): 1. Correspond to one of the three categories identified in the national HEAR implementation guidance, namely: –Additional Awards –Additional Recognised Activities –University, Professional and Departmental Prizes 2. Be overseen and verified by a member of staff before students have completed their academic programme. 3. Be verified in accordance with an agreed protocol that outlines the process for completing the activity or achievement in terms of objective, quantifiable outcomes or achievement indicators only, and is made accessible to students and staff via the HEAR website (

Challenges: Identifying Achievements Robust quality controls

Student Feedback: 6.1 to be earned Extensive commitments Retain independence Employability

Summary: Verifying leadership & significant achievement/ commitment Incorporated employability competencies

3. Implementation

Students Union HEAR 6.1 Verifiable Activities Societies and Committees Society Committee Positions Working Committee Positions Representative Committee Positions Activities Awards Forge Media Forge Press Committee Forge Radio Committee Forge TV Committee Forge Today Committee Forge Press Editorial Team Fundraising RAG Committee Positions Bummit Committee Positions RAG Reps Bummit Volunteers Club Sport Club Sport Committee Positions Sports Awards Sheffield Volunteering Sheffield Volunteering Committee Positions Volunteering Committee Ambassadors Project Leaders Project Volunteers Sports Ambassadors Schools Volunteers Volunteering Awards Representation and Democracy Academic Representative Union Councillor Senate Representative Students Union Officer Academic Awards Students Union Positions Student Marketing Brand Ambassadors Coffee Revolution Student Group Liaisons Extra-Curricular Modules and Awards Give it a Go Professional Qualification Courses Give it a Go Language Courses Give it a Go Events Management Courses

Amendments to Institutional Protocol for Section 6.1, April 2013 An extra-curricular activity can only be HEAR-able if it requires either: Sustained and regular commitment over a minimum of one semester, or At least 10 hours interaction, or The completion of an additional task (for example the submission of a reflective account). These amendments have been proposed to ensure that activities recognised in Section 6.1 require a certain level of student engagement.

Example Contextualising Statement: President of a Society Committee (to be accompanied by a description of their society) The President has overall responsibility for the society and should lead the society committee in its decision-making. S/he should ensure that all other committee members are fulfilling their roles effectively by motivating them, delegating tasks and providing advice and support where necessary. S/he should act as a spokesperson of the society and as a link between the society and Students' Union staff.

Document Guides Section of the Students Union HEAR Webpage Part of the Handover Document Online Submission Form

This is such a great initiative! Its more important than ever for students to show skills rather than just marks. Comment on Twitter, February This is a progressive step at a time when there has never been such fierce competition amongst graduates. Forge Press (student newspaper), November 2012.