Course Rep Training 2014/15 (second session) Ellen-Rose Jones – VP Pontypridd Jenny Catherine – Academic Affairs Coordinator

Aims of the session Refresher on your role as a Course Rep Stress the importance of the student voice Teach you about Quality Assurance Help you research and campaign Effective meeting behaviour Inform you of upcoming events

Your role: Recap from the first training Gather student feedback Liaise with SVRs/ Course Reps Raise concerns at meetings Follow up points raised Feed back to students Start

Think about the topics that may affect students during their studies Name 3 big issues from each category: -course-specific -Faculty-specific -University-wide Issues students can face

Student experience Course issues Specialised equipment IT and library Assessment and feedback Academic support Student engagement Quality of teaching Communications

Academic staff or Course Leaders for course- specific issues Student Voice Representatives for Faculty- wide issues Students’ Union for advice on campaigning Full-time Elected Officers for extra support Student Council Officers for liberation issues Support services for anything else Who to go to for support?

SU President: Carys Rhiannon Thomas SU Vice-President Pontypridd: Ellen Rose Jones SU Vice-President Newport: Drew Burman SU Vice-President Cardiff: Roz Green- Innes Full-time elected officers

SU PresidentChair Student Council PontypriddSU Vice President PontypriddBlack Students OfficerInternational Students OfficerLGBTQ OfficerMature Students Officer Post-Graduate and Part-Time Students Officer Societies OfficerSports OfficerSupported Activities OfficerStudents with disabilities OfficerWelsh Language OfficerWomen’s Officer Carys Rhiannon Thomas Gareth LuTheryn Ellen-Rose Jones Jessica Wu Awele Otakpor Ceri Viscount Thompson Orie Itoro Effiong Daniel Wilmot Philly Hearnden Vacant Frankie Ridley Sally Davies Jade Procope Elected officers

Your role is vital in ensuring the quality of your degree The student voice should be at the heart of decision-making Course Reps are the first point of contact with students Student Voice Representatives sit on University- level Committees Elected officers represent ALL students Importance of gathering effective feedback Student Representation

Questions you can ask your course mates: -Do you feel the course is making you more employable? -Is the course well organised? -Do you receive sufficient information about careers through your course? -Does your course match your expectations? -Are the library and computing facilities adequate? -Does feedback help you improve your performance in future assignments? Student Feedback

How you can have an impact Attend training Attend Course Rep Assembly Research and Campaign Students' Union With other Course Reps With SVRs Attend Student Staff Liaison Committees/Course Boards Liaise Module Evaluation Forms National Student Survey (NSS) - KIS Internal Student Survey Complete forms

Higher Education Institutional Review Student Staff Liaison Committees Course Boards Review and Revalidation National Student Survey (NSS) Student Led Teaching Awards (SLTA) Students’ Union / Student Council - Campaign Students and Quality

Is it a ‘change’ or ‘awareness’ campaign? Research existing practices to support your campaign Plan how you can resolve this. (what tactics will you use? Be inclusive) Submit a motion to the Student Council (anyone can!) (contact Glenn Page – Brand your campaign (logo/slogan) Update your course mates! Campaigning

Documents you may come across: Evaluative reports on the course; external examiners’ reports; annual reports; statistics, etc. -Highlight examples of good practice to be commended -Note points that may be an ‘issue’ needing investigation -Chase up to see if they are being dealt with (you can ask SU staff to assist you in this) Analysing data

Prepare for the meeting: read documents, gather feedback, plan your participation During the meeting: clarify issues; don’t ask multiple questions or make long speeches; TAKE NOTES. After the meeting: be clear on key outcomes; discuss what you have taken from it; refine a what is left to do. Effective Meeting Behaviour

NUS Course Rep conference – Wednesday 11 th February (sign up here representative-conference-tickets ) representative-conference-tickets Queree Conference and AGM – Thursday 12 th February (Atrium – more information here ) Course Rep Awards Student Led Teaching Awards (nominate staff/students who make a difference) (nominations will open end of February; event will be held after Easter) NSS 2015 Help us raise awareness! Quality Assurance Agency review (visits March/April) Keep an eye out on the SU website and get involved Upcoming Events

2014/15: Institutional Review by the Quality Assurance Agency Student Submission (1 st draft SU website under ‘Get involved – Campaigns – 2014/15 – Institutional Review’) Get involved: focus groups, surveys, raise issues with SU staff. Attend the review visit (03/14 and 04/14) More info: review QAA Review

Community Toolbox: To help you develop skills Further Information

Democratic restructure.

The Union is divided into three geographical regions, each with its own representative system. Student Numbers: Cardiff 2,534 Newport 4,034 Pontypridd 11,102 Current Structure

There are currently four Officer Trustees (the sabbaticals), who have the following roles: President Vice President to represent students of the Cardiff Region Vice President to represent students of the Newport Region Vice President to represent students of the Pontypridd Region Sabbatical Officers

There is currently a Student Council in each region that is made up of the following officers; Chair of Student Council Women’s Officer to represent female students Black Students Officer to represent black students Students with Disabilities Officer to represent disabled students International Officer to represent international students Welsh Language Officer to represent students who are or who wish to be Welsh speaking Postgraduate and Part Time Students’ Officer to represent students on postgraduate and/or part time courses Mature Students’ Officer to represent students over the age of 21 LGBT Officer to represent students who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans Sports Officer to represent students who are members of the Union’s sports teams and clubs Societies Officer to represent students who are members of the Union’s registered societies 2 x Campus Officers to represent students studying at the different campuses – Cardiff Council – Atrium Officer, Cromwell House Officer – Newport Council – Caerleon Officer, City Officer – Pontypridd Council – Glyntaff Officer, Treforest Officer In addition the President and the region’s Vice President sit on each Council. Student Council

It was proposed by student council and decided by trustee board that...

Cardiff 4,486 Newport 3,130 Pontypridd 13,366 In the light of these number it was decided that the Sabb roles and student council would change to... Student Numbers

President (all regions) Vice President Education and Welfare (Pontypridd) Vice President Education and Welfare (Cardiff and Newport) Vice President Student Actives (all regions) Sabb roles

One council representing all regions made up of the following officers... Chair of Student Council Women’s Officer to represent female students Black Students Officer to represent black students Students with Disabilities Officer to represent disabled students International Officer to represent international students Welsh Language Officer to represent students who are or who wish to be Welsh speaking Postgraduate and Part Time Students’ Officer to represent students on postgraduate and/or part time courses Mature Students’ Officer to represent students over the age of 21 LGBT Officer to represent students who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans Sports Officer to represent students who are members of the Union’s sports teams and clubs Societies Officer to represent students who are members of the Union’s registered societies 4 open positions reserved for each region that will preferable be gender balanced In addition all 4 sabbaticals. Student Council

Questions...?

Help us improve our training session, please give us your feedback! Was this session useful? How can we improve the support we give to you? Exercise & Feedback

Previous minutes: -Disruptions to studies due to building work -Lack of software/out-of-date (J1) -Coursework given on material not covered -SU review process -Length of halls contracts Course Rep Assembly