1. A new approach to Student Partnership Agreements through a dynamic, flexible and responsive online platform
Kevin Ward, Students’ Association Co-ordinator
Madeline Jean, Students’ Association Digital Officer
Milea Leone, Student President

2. Motivation
57.41% of our students are under 25
Characteristics of this age range - Digital natives, fast decision makers, highly connected
A move away from using traditional methods to gather student feedback
Through research and consultation, we started a subscription with Vocaleyes – an online democratic platform used to gather ideas and feedback from our students

3. Background
April 2017 – soft launch of Vocaleyes to two groups of students through sessions led my staff from Vocaleyes.
Initial usage – 24 hours
Run up to end of term 2017
Full launch in 2017/18 branded as My Voice

4. Students will log in through the My City portal.
They will then have the option to click the My Voice tab.
They will then be taken to the My Voice homepage. They have the option to choose:
Topics
Ideas
Motions
Actions
News
Impact

5. Initial outcomes
1082 students using the platform with 449 ideas posted, ratings and comments
Student-led decision making
Working in collaboration with the wider college to produce outcomes
Simple effective changes

7. Student Partnership Agreement (SPA)
SPA launched in October 2017
Unique in its dynamic and responsive approach
Linked to the College’s Student Experience Strategy
Informed by student opinion from My Voice online platform and student experience questionnaires

8. Partnership Journey

9. Successful Outcomes – The College
Extended library opening hours – both campus libraries now open at 8.30am Monday to Friday.
Staffing of student gateways – procedures in place to ensure students have access to teaching staff throughout the day.
Staggered lunches – the College have committed to moving half of students to a 1pm – 2pm lunch time to address overcrowding issues which impact on classroom utilisation, catering, seating, toilets and lifts.

10. Successful Outcomes - Students’ Association
Respect Campaign – Students’ association led campaign to improve behaviours on and around campus
Car Parking – identified affordable parking options for students in the city centre
Teaching Awards – awards have been designed and will be implemented in 2019/20

11. Partnership Working
Beneficial to work in partnership with the college to undertake projects.
A stronger relationship has been forged with senior college staff.
Outcomes are delivered for students quicker and more effectively.
Collaboration between the Students’ Association and the college sends a positive message to students.

12. What we’ve learned Less is more Fewer topics yield better ideas
The effect of (perceived) anonymity
We know who you are even if you don’t know we know!
NSFW
Sometimes we need to remind students of College disciplinary processes …
Sometimes it’s all learning
We need to ask questions that we can do something about
Keep it interesting
Some topics have been too dry to engage students
Know your audience
We have learned to be mindful of the perspective of users
Evidence actually matters
Longstanding issues have now been addressed thanks to this approach

13. The Future
New Students’ Association website – do we move our ideas platform there?
What happens when there are no more ‘big wins’?
Academic guidance is our current topic for the Student Partnership Agreement – watch this space!

14. Questions
If you’d like to find out more about what we are doing here are our addresses:
Kevin Ward –
Madeline Jean –
Milea Leone –