Welcome
Congratulations on becoming a Course Representative! As a Course Rep at the Arts University Bournemouth you will play an important role as a voice of your fellow students; relaying issues, concerns and queries to both course teams and the Students’ Union. As a Course Rep you may also occasionally have the opportunity to discuss specific matters with the University Management Team (UMT). If this is your first time as a Course Rep then you may be unsure about some aspects of the role, and so will probably have some questions – this handbook is here to answer some of these and help you to make the most of your role.
As a Course Rep, you will be offered training and support from both the Students’ Union and the University to ensure that you feel as supported as possible in your new position. An initial mandatory induction and training session, which all new Course Reps attend, will set you off on the right foot and also give you the chance to meet other new Course Reps and discuss any questions that may not have been answered in this handbook. Feel free to email or phone AUBSU if you have any questions in the meantime, our contact details are at the back of the handbook. Keep up to date with Course Rep info and dates and find useful links/resources on our website: www.aubsu.co.uk/representation/course-reps/ Join the Course Rep Facebook group and speak to other reps: www.facebook.com/groups/AUBSUcoursereps
Contents
Roles & Responsibilities
3
Benefits
4
How it Works
5–6
Important Meetings to Attend
7
Student Charter
8
AUB Responsibilities
9
AUBSU Responsibilities
10
Student Responsibilities
10
Training & Support
11
Notes
12 – 14
Useful Contacts
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Roles & Responsibilities of a Course Rep Your responsibilities will include: •
Playing an active role in developing and enhancing your course.
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Acting as a representative of your peers to AUB and the Students’ Union.
• Listening to and identifying students’ concerns about the course and relaying issues to relevant course team member(s) where appropriate.
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Signposting individuals with non-course rep issues to the relevant persons within AUB.
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Attending a number of training sessions, and regular meetings with University staff including the Course Partnership Groups, Subject Boards, Faculty Boards and Students’ Union meetings.
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Being proactive by organising cross-course meetings/socials with your peers
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Communicating information about students’ rights provided by the Students’ Union and AUB.
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Being a point of contact between your peers and both your course team and the Students’ Union.
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Ensuring that your course is run in line with AUB’s equalities statement.
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Promoting the values and opportunities of AUBSU to your peers.
Benefits of being a Course Rep As well as helping to both develop the quality of academic provision at AUB and improve the experiences of your peers, your time as a Course Rep will present you with a number of great opportunities for your own personal and professional development. Many of the experiences and skills you will gain from your time as a Course Rep will be highly valued by employers and also useful if you decide to become self-employed in the future.
Opportunities: •
Being part of decision making processes and influencing the development of your course
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Being involved in the quality assurance activities of the University
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Working as part of a diverse team
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Gaining experiences and transferable skills which are valued by employers
Skills: Liaise with students and staff to provide the best experience for your peers
Learn negotiation skills to help provide the best experience for peers
Learn the importance of protecting confidential information
Gain confidence in speaking openly in front of groups of people
Being valued and understanding the importance of leading a group
Understand the value of team work, sharing opinions and responsibilities
Understanding the importance of listening to the needs of others
Being prompt when required to do so, attending meetings in good time
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Course Reps & The Course Rep system The Arts University Bournemouth is committed to listening to the views of its students – and to taking those views into account throughout its decision-making processes. The Students’ Union acts to ensure that students’ individual and collective voices are heard and that they have the best possible experience at AUB.
“The Primary Communication Channel between Students and Course Teams”
“Course Reps play a Central Role in the Universities Development”
Course Reps are the primary communication channel between fellow students and course teams, AUB as a whole and the Students’ Union. Although Course Reps exist primarily to represent the views of students, they also help to communicate information from course staff, the University and the Students’ Union and then back to students. This helps to make sure that students are aware of course specific, university and Students’ Union developments and progress, for example, what a course team may have changed as a result of students’ feedback, or what opportunities the Students’ Union can offer. In essence, the Course Rep System exists to ensure that students have the opportunity to play a central role, or be central ‘partners’, in the development and betterment of their academic experience. At AUB, every undergraduate (BA) degree course has two elected representatives for each year cohort. Preparation for Higher Education (Prep HE) has two elected reps for each of their groups. Masters (MA) courses have two elected reps from all of the full-time Masters students, and one rep from each part-time year one and all part-time year two students, (not from each course). We recommend that Course Reps only stand for a maximum of two terms of office (two years) in order to give a fair opportunity for every student in the course. Elections take place at the beginning of each academic year usually mid to late October and are overseen by the Students’ Union.
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Model for Course reps
University
Students’ Union
Faculty board meetings with students and staff
Liaise with Course Reps
CPG (Course Partnership Group)
Manage feedback Report to academic board and AUB committees
Course Rep Trained Talk to fellow students, gather opinions and communicate with course leaders Sit in on meetings with university staff Report to Students’ Union with feedback
Students Give Feedback Are kept in the loop about changes/issues
Review Have problems been resolved? Have solutions been found?
Must know who represents them
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The Students’ Union (AUBSU)
University Meetings
AUBSU’s role in the Course Rep system includes organising elections, ensuring student representation at committee meetings, running Course Rep drop-in sessions, providing training and support to Course Reps, escalating issues to AUB, and continuously improving the Course Rep system.
The main forum for discussing issues about your course is the Course Partnership Groups (CPGs). This is an open meeting between the Course Leader and all Course Reps within the subject area. You will receive an invitation to these meetings via email. The Course Leader may invite other members of Course Staff to attend the CPG, and they should inform you of all attendees prior to the meeting.
The Arts University Bournemouth Students’ Union helps in the election process at the beginning of the academic year to ensure that a Course Rep is chosen in the fairest way possible. Throughout the year, AUBSU works closely with the Course Reps, in order to understand key issues or concerns that may be raised by particular courses during the current academic year. In the case of course complaints or issues that are raised, the SU will liaise with the Course Reps to help solve these problems in the most appropriate manner. The SU will make every effort to inform Course Reps of any news or developments that are associated with their particular course.
Effective Representation You should meet with your fellow students before any meeting to find out if there are any issues or questions they would like you to raise. A good idea is to use the first or last 10 minutes of a lecture/ session to have a quick discussion with your peers and make them aware of any relevant updates or developments arising. Some Course Reps use Facebook Groups to do this, but please make sure the group is closed and only students enrolled in your course are members of the group. It is important to know how the overall group and the individuals feel about matters relating to the course, in order for you to effectively communicate and provide feedback at CPG. This will ensure that your peers have a meaningful and correctly represented voice. Tip: Ask your course leader for your group’s mailing list – this is an easy way of contacting all your peers at once. 7
Your Course Leader should take notes of the issues discussed and make a record of agreed actions. You, and all students on your course, should receive a copy of this via email. If necessary, unresolved academic issues raised in the CPG are referred to Subject Boards, Faculty Boards or to the Dean depending on the nature of the issue. This should be detailed in the actions agreed. Subject Board is a formal meeting at which one of the Course Reps from each course in the subject area represents their peers. Faculty Board is also a formal meeting at faculty level (Art, Design and Architecture or Media and Performance or Prep HE). Two Course Reps from the entire faculty will attend this meeting. Each of these meetings takes place three times in one academic year. Third year reps will have a fourth meeting after their final hand-in. The Students‘ Union also holds more informal meetings with the Course Reps once a month which take the form of drop-in sessions during lunchtime. The SU will notify you of time and location via email.
The AUB Student Charter Student Charters are documents that set out what students can expect from their university during their studies - and also what will be expected of them by their university during this time. The Student Charter therefore may act as a good initial point of reference for any concerns or issues that students may have.
“This charter sets out the Arts University Bournemouth’s commitment to provide you with a service of the highest quality. It is important that you respond in a positive way to this partnership to take full advantage of the educational opportunities available to you, and realise your full potential.
Most universities in the UK have a Student Charter in place. Part of your role as a Course Rep is to familiarise yourself with AUB’s Student Charter and ensure that your fellow students are aware of what it means to them.
This Student Charter summarises the University’s aspirations and expectations. It is not intended as a legally binding contract, or to define or limit the legal rights and responsibilities of the University, the AUB Students’ Union and each student. All students should ensure that they are aware of all policies, procedures, regulations and guidelines published by the University and AUB Students’ Union. Copies of all documents are available on the AUB intranet [Viewpoint] or from AUB Students’ Union” - Arts University Bournemouth
You can find the full AUB Student Charter along with links to other relevant documents and information (e.g. University regulations and student complaints procedure) on the AUB website and intranet (Viewpoint): aub.ac.uk/about-us/student-charter viewpoint.aub.ac.uk/things-to-know/
Why is this Important? Knowing the AUB Student Charter is an essential element of being a good Course Rep. Any concerns raised by students should be considered in the light of this key document.
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Arts University Bournemouth Responsibilities Throughout the course you can expect to: •
Be treated fairly and with respect
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Have access to accurate information about your course and AUB policies, including complaints and appeals procedures
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Receive a high standard of teaching, assessment, advice and guidance from appropriately qualified staff
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Be able to discuss academic progress with the appropriate course staff
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Have access to the learning resources you need to support your studies
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Have access to personal guidance and support from AUB services if appropriate
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Be given a timescale and framework for work set
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Have clearly defined assessments, assignments and course work marked fairly and returned with appropriate comments within an agreed timescale
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Receive help and support in developing the skills needed for successful study and subsequent progression to employment within your chosen profession
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Have the opportunity to express views on quality of teaching, services and facilities
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Receive guidance on careers and future progression routes
If you become aware that any of these are not met within the context of your course, this is an issue you are expected to raise at an SSLG.
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AUB Students’ Union Responsibilities Throughout the course you can expect AUBSU to: •
Represent the interests of students within AUB, locally and nationally
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Ensure that students are aware of their rights
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Support students in participating in the opportunities offered by the University
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Provide social events, including clubs and societies
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Ensure that AUBSU officers are elected fairly and democratically, in accordance with the Students’ Union constitution
If there are any concerns relating to these, you can raise the issue at a Course Rep drop-in session.
Student Responsibilities Throughout the course you will be expected to: •
Take responsibility for your work and actions
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Attend university regularly and punctually
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Commit yourself to work and study outside formal teaching time
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Complete your assignments within the agreed timescale
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Comply with University regulations and policies, including those governing attendance and student conduct
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Conduct yourself responsibly and show consideration and respect towards staff, fellow students and members of the local community
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Show consideration and care for University environment, equipment and facilities
Students are reminded that their responsibilities relate to all methods of communication, including electronic and social networking.
Just as you and your peers can rely on AUB and AUBSU to fulfil their responsibilities, all students should also be aware that they are expected to fulfil the responsibilities outlined above in return.
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Training & Support AUBSU’s online info and resources for Course Reps: aubsu.co.uk/representation/course-reps/
National Union of Students (NUS) NUS guidance and tips on being a Course Rep. Information on meetings and feedback, representing students and the National Student Survey (NSS): nusconnect.org.uk/strong-students-unions/courserep-hub/being-a-course-rep
NUS & Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) NUS and QAA online training, tips and support for Course Reps: qualitymatters.nus.org.uk/course-rep/
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Notes
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Notes
13
Notes
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Useful Contacts
AUBSU (Students’ Union)
AUB Academic
General
Course Leader
studentunion@aub.ac.uk
email:
(01202) 363345
phone:
President (Lauren Housego)
Head of School
lhousego@aub.ac.uk
email: phone:
(01202) 363104 Faculty Registrar Vice President Education & Welfare (Ismini Black)
email:
iblack@aub.ac.uk
phone:
(01202) 363102
NUS Vice President Higher Education (Sorana Vieru) sorana.vieru@nus.org.uk
Vice President Further Education (Shakira Martin) Shakira.martin@nus.org.uk
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