COURSE REP GUIDE
Hi!
Hi, I’m Rosie McKenna, and I’m your Vice President Academic Representation at Edge Hill Students’ Union; I’m one of four elected officers.
The point of having elected officers in your students’ union is simple – we’re here to help you! Within my role I represent you on anything related to your academic studies here at EHU, for example, placements, course issues, assessment and feedback issues, etc. I am also the elected officer responsible for supporting and working alongside the Course Rep system. So please don’t be shy! If there’s anything you think I may be able to help you with, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
vp academic representation
Having course representation is really important to improving your student experience, it is a democratic system that allows you to easily feedback issues to the students’ union and your university department. It enables you, the students, to have a voice and help shape how your course is run. My personal experience as a course rep was invaluable to me, I developed key communication skills, such as mediation and debate tactics. Having the opportunity to be that voice for my course mates definitely contributed to my realisation that I wanted to stand for Vice President, it’s a great way to develop personal and professional skills. Course Reps are an extremely valuable positon to both us at the Students’ Union and the University, as it lets us keep in touch with what’s going on with your courses, as told by the students who are on them. (Not to mention, it looks great on your CV!) Rosie McKenna Vice President Academic Representation
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At Edge Hill University we are committed to providing an outstanding Dear Colleagues experience and we hope that every student will leave feeling they have been constructively challenged and supported to realise their potential. As academics involved in the production and delivery of curriculum, Every facet of the experience plays a part in this but perhaps none is as you are at the forefront of the effort to ensure our courses are important as the learning experience a student has on their chosen course. relevant, challenging and supportive; that they are well stimulating structured We aim to ensure our courses are intellectually challenging, and organised, with timely feedback on assessments and that and relevant in their contents. We also work hard to ensure they are well students are fully aware of what is required of them to maximise structured and organised, that you receive effective and timely feedback their potential.and Thethat investment you make inare this is perhaps the what on assessments, our communications clear so you know mostofimportant element of our students’ experience. issingle expected you and when. We know that getting overall such things right really matters in terms of student success and satisfaction and we try to remove as many unnecessary to effective learning as possible. improve And nothing is morebarriers valuable, in our effort to continuously Hearing, first hand, how these efforts comefirst-hand, together and impact the academic experience, than hearing how that on the experience of individual students is critical in ensuring we’re enabling experience translates in reality for our students; this is the aim of students to maximise the opportunity that University presents the Course Representation structure. Through open and and in continually improving what do.Course Representatives about what constructive dialogue withwe our
works well and should be shared more widely and what needs to be Your role as the of our students invaluable the Course Representation enhanced, we voice have an enormously resource and structure is therefore vital. We encourage open and constructive dialogue opportunity to improve things for our existing and future students. and suggestions for improvement and will seek, where possible, to act on that feedback in real time to benefit both the existing students studying Thank you for engaging in this process, helping our students to with us as well as our future students. You have a real opportunity to help work in partnership with us and enabling them to have their voice grow and improve the University through your feedback and ideas and we heard; this openness agenda not only an important are sincerely grateful toand you shared for taking on thisisrole. And when we’re getting part of our University culture but provides an essential opportunity it right, please tell us – everybody thrives on positive feedback and we’re for the individual representatives to develop a range of skills which keen to share the great practice as widely as possible. will be crucial to their future employability. And for your own part, we hope you’ll see your role in the representative The Students’ Union lot of resource in training and students structure not only as a invest way of apresenting the voice of your fellow to enhance what University does but as anwould, opportunity for personal supporting our the course representative and I’m sure, be keen development which supports thehave development of ensure a skills set to hear any feedback you may on how to wethat are all employers willthe be student impressed with. Thankour youprovision. for being such important maximising voice within Veryan sincere part of the University – enjoy the challenge and the opportunity thanks for being such an important part of the University. it presents.
With very best wishes Best wishes Lynda Brady Lynda Brady Pro Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience) Pro Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience)
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OURSE C E H T T WHA P ROLE IS E RE IS NOT YOUR ROL T AND WHA
You are elected by the students within the relevant department that you represent (e.g. a year group, a module, a program etc.). Term of Office: 12 months. Accountable to: The students that you represent. Attends: Student Staff Consultative Forum, Programme Board (if elected), Faculty Board (if elected) and Students’ Union Annual General Meetings. Duties: • To find out the academic opinions of the students that you represent on a regular basis, including any examples of excellent academic practice. • To represent these opinions at all meetings you attend, regardless of whether you agree with these opinions personally. • To feedback the outcomes of any meetings to students and to the Students’ Union. • To attend Course Representative training and/or development opportunities. • To make yourself known to the students you are representing. • To ensure that students are informed of any developments that may affect them. • To return any surveys that you may be asked to complete by the Students’ Union. • To encourage students to vote and participate in Students’ Union referendums/elections and general meetings when there is a relevant educational issue being discussed. In your role you are not responsible for: • Personal problems – e.g. students with health, emotional, family, housing, financial, employment problems or students who are struggling with their personal academic work. • Complaints of individual students – e.g. complaints about a particular interaction with a member of staff or administration, allegations of harassment or bullying. • Malpractice/disciplinary – e.g. plagiarism, cheating in exams or other disciplinary issues. • Other issues relating to life on campus – Such as car parking, childcare or welfare. If any of these issues get raised to you, you should direct the student or students in question to the Students‘ Union (01695 657301, suadvice@edgehill.ac.uk) upstairs in the HUB, our Students’ Union Reception or to the Student Services Help Desk in the Student Information Centre.
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WHAT S MEETING WILL ED
STUDENT ST AFF
CONSULTATIV E
FORUM (SSCF) What it is for? Student-Staff Co nsultative Foru are there in orde ms following topics r to discuss the absolutely anyt , but can cover hi your teaching ng regarding and learning experience:
XPECT YOU BE E AND THE D TO ATTEN OF THEM... E S O PURP
• Assessment and assessment feedback. • Best practice on the course. • Communications. • Curricula development. • Departmental or faculty arrangements. • Learning and teaching. • Placements (where appropriate). • Proposed changes to the course or department that would impact the student experience or the organisation of programmes. • Resources, e.g. availability of teaching and learning materials, library or LINC resources, IT provision etc… • Retention and/or progression issues. • Social events. • Student employability. • The effectiveness of the SSCF itself, including the number of Course Representatives who have been trained. • The most recent External Examiners’ report for that programme. • The results of the National Student Survey for that course or department. • Timetabling issues. There should normally be at least one Course Representative per course per year, or one per 75 students, as appropriate. What is expected of you? You are here to represent students, as an elected representative for your peers. Your role is mainly focused on academic matters and group views, but not exclusively. You will be expected to gather student feedback, which can be done in numerous ways (we have a whole section to help you with that later on) and then to present that feedback in a constructive way to the members of the SSCF. How often do they meet? The SSCF meets once a term, the exact date of which will be provided to you by your specific department.
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PROGRAMME BOARD (PB)
What it is for? The Programme Board is there to provide a formal process for student representation which complements the more informal SSCF: • Monitoring, evaluation and review of all academic provision within the remit of the Board. • Monitoring student academic performance, progression and achievement. • Monitoring student recruitment and retention across provision within the remit of the Board. • Consideration of the department’s Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) and, at the appropriate point in the cycle, its periodic review report. • Consideration of reports and action points from SSCF within the remit of the Board. • Where practicable, consideration of outline programme proposals (Applications for Development Consent) and proposals for programme modifications. • Recommendation to Faculty Board for the appointment, or extension of the terms of appointment, of external examiners. • Receipt and consideration of external examiner reports and departmental responses. • Responding to consultation from other committees and groups in the University on matters relevant to the programmes that are within the Board’s remit. • Engaging and facilitating the involvement of Student Representatives including arrangements for their nomination and selection and processes for feeding back to other students. • Ensuring that equality considerations are taken into account in the conduct of the Board’s business. This Committee should have at least one Course Representative per department, as nominated by the SSCF committee. What is expected of you? Your role here would be to represent students, as an elected representative for your peers. You will need to gather student feedback, which can be done in numerous ways (we have a whole section to help you with that later on) and then to present that feedback in a constructive way to the Programme Board. How often do they meet? Programme boards meet once/twice a year, the exact date of which will be provided to you by your specific department.
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FACULTY BOARD (FB) What it is for? wing: Faculty Boards are responsible for the follo enhancement of all Faculty academic • The monitoring, evaluation, review and . provision including collaborative provision n across all programmes in the Faculty. ntio rete and ent uitm • Monitoring student recr evement across the Faculty. Monitoring student progression and achi esses ent of student representatives and proc • Engaging and facilitating the involvem for feedback to other students. Programme Boards throughout the • The consideration of regular reports from academic year. academic development prior to approval of outline proposals for future The • mittee (APC). submission to the Academic Planning Com tion documents from the Academic ulta cons to onse resp • The consideration and Board and its committees. r to n, including collaborative provision, prio • The scrutiny of validation documentatio submission for Institutional approval. ramme modifications on the basis of • The consideration of proposals for prog rds and any subsequent referral to the recommendations from Programme Boa P). Validation and Audit Standing Panel (VAS d and responses or where this is delegate rts repo iner • The approval of external exam mary report. to a subcommittee, the approval of a sum ment Plan. elop Dev arch Rese lty Facu • The approval of the rts and proposals from Faculty • The consideration and approval of repo and Assessment, Academic Standards and sub-committees for Teaching, Learning g ge Transfer and Retention and Widenin Quality Assurance, Research and Knowled Participation. emic Teaching Committee (LTC) and other Acad • Regular reporting to the Learning and Board committees as appropriate. the are taken into account in the conduct of • Ensuring that equality considerations Board’s business. as Course Representative per department, This Committee should have at least one me Board committees. nominated by the SSCF and/or Program What is expected of you? Your role here would be to represent stud ents, as an elected representative for your peers. You will need to gather stud ent feedback, which can be done in numerous ways (we have a whole sect ion to help you with that later on) and then to present that feedback in a construc tive way to the Faculty Board. How often do they meet? Faculty boards meet once a term, the exac t date of which will be provided to you by your specific department.
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HOW TO GATHERCK
EFFECTIVE FEEDBA
You need to communicate with students on your course to do your job effectively. Some Course Representatives set up Facebook groups, some use noticeboards in the department, others speak in lectures and some get in touch with Course Representatives from other years or departments and borrow ideas from them. Here at the Students’ Union we can send out an email on behalf of a course representative containing contact details or a message. Other Course Representatives use areas of Blackboard to get feedback from students or create surveys using Survey Monkey (or similar websites). The key being using multiple forms of feedback gathering.
It is always important to try and find out what outco me students are looking for when they have a concern or complaint, this way you know what you are working towards when discussing the student feedback you have gathered with staff.
what would be the best way If at any point you are unsure of ch with the Students’ Union to gather feedback, then get in tou some more hints and tips. (coursereps@edgehill.ac.uk) to get There is more information on our website around fee dback, data collection and helpful tip s! www.edgehillsu.org.uk /coursereps
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HOW TO
RAISE AN ISSUE OR COMPLAINT TO THE UNIVERSITY EFFECTIVELY AND CONSTRUCTIVELY
Before we look at ho w to raise or compla an issue int, remem ber that th University e (and their sta many grea t things bo ff ) will be doing th on your in your de course, partment and across University the itself. So re me them prais e when it is mber to give due. That being said, in ord er to raise issue or m an ake a com plaint you to phrase will need it in a way which it ca perceived nnot be as a perso n al attack. No one lik es getting blamed for an issu e, it is abo u t being polite but assertive.
EXAMPLE OF AN ISSUE: Poor Quality of Feedback
INEFFECTIVE WAY TO PRESENT THIS: “Your feedback on essays is rubbish! Sort it out.”
CONSTRUCTIVE WAY TO PRESENT THIS:
“The feedback on students essays could be made more useful by the lecturer suggesting areas to improve, areas to expand or new areas to explore in order for the student to improve their essay”
The easiest way in which to raise an issue or concern solution, and mea is by offering a po ns the issue will ho tential pefully be solved rest of the studen in a way you (and t group) will be ha the ppy with. This means that the University st aff do not need to of the time your think of one. Qui course tutors will te a lot agree to the solu suggestion will sp tion you suggest ark debate around or your this. If you ever have any issues or com plaints which yo phrase or approa u are unsure how ch with staff, get best to in touch with us (coursereps@edge and we will help. hill.ac.uk).
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BREAKDOWN OF
ACRONYMS YOU MIGHT COME ACROSS APC ARC BA BSc CertHE CL CPD CPR DipHE DoSE EdD EHSU FAR FB FE FHEQ FoAS/FAS FoE FoHSC FQO HE HEAR HNC HND HoA HoD HoY ISS KIS KPI LTC MA
- Academic Planning Committee - Advice and Representation Centre - Bachelor of Arts - Bachelor of Science - Certificate of Higher Education - Course Leader - Continuing Professional Development - Compelling Personal Reasons - Diploma of Higher Education - Director of Student Experience - Doctor of Education - Edge Hill Students Union - Faculty Assistant Registrar - Faculty Board - Further Education - Framework for Higher Education Qualifications - Faculty of Arts and Sciences - Faculty of Education - Faculty of Health and Social Care - Faculty Quality Officer - Higher Education - Higher Education Achievement Award - Higher National Certificate - Higher National Diploma - Head of Area - Head of Department - Head of Year - Internal Student Survey - Key Information Sets - Key Performance Indicators - Learning and Teaching Committee - Master of Arts
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BREAKDOWN OF
ACRONYMS YOU MIGHT COME ACROSS cont...
NSS NUS OIA PB PG PGCE PGR PGT PhD PL PRES PST PTES QAA QTS SSCF UCAS UG VASP VLE
- National Student Survey ts - National Union of Studen judicators - Office of Independent Ad - Programme Board - Postgraduate in Education - Postgraduate Certificate - Postgraduate Research - Postgraduate Taught
- Doctorate - Programme Leader erience - Postgraduate Research Exp Survey m - Professional Support Tea erience Survey Exp ght - Postgraduate Tau y - Quality Assurance Agenc tus Sta r - Qualified Teache ive Forum - Student-Staff Consultat es Application - Universities and Colleg Service - Undergraduate nding Panel - Validation and Audit Sta nment - Virtual Learning Enviro
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ON JARG TER BUS
covered at AGENDA items due to be e going to of t lis a is is ar Th the order they a meeting, in u should receive this Yo be discussed. k before the meeting is ee around one w e. ac pl ke ta to e du
APOLOGIES Any member who is unable to attend a meeting sends apolog committee secretary in advanc ies to the e. noted at the start of the meetin The apologies are usually read out or g. If you cannot attend for any you should always send your reason apologies. whole thing runs MEETING CHAIR OF THE g is responsible for ensuring that the that everyone re tin su ee agenda and en The chair of a m the meeting to the sion. smoothly. They keep k by facilitating equal and open discus ea sp has a chance to
s G MATTERS ARISINtes on progress of actions from previou e up to ar This is used for upda opportunity to discuss where things rred. ur meetings and is yo further problems that may have occu y an lve and how to so was rate record of what MINUTES g should be an accu is responsible for tin ee m a of s te inu d who The m be checked that were agreed an discussed, actions e minutes of a previous meeting will cted. completing them. Thxt meeting and any errors will be corre ight not m at the start of the ne tool for following up on actions that ul ef us a e ar s Minute ed. have been complet OFFICER) R (SABBATICAL officers who STUDENT OFFICE are a team of four full-time elected meetings rs Your Student Office ction of the Union. They sit on various at re th lead the political di ty and external partners to ensure rsi paign for m ive ca Un d ll an Hi d, ge ar Ed with to across the bo d ne te lis e ar ns s. er spective area student conc nt to see in their re the changes you wa
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QUESTI
THAT YOU C ONS OULD ASK...
CURRICULUM How is the course organised? How clear is the timetable? Does the curriculum taught match your expe ctations from the prospectus? Were learning expectations clearly outlined?
· · · ·
LEARNING RESOURCES Are there adequate library and computing facili ties? Do you have access to materials you need (for example books, lab equipment and art materials)? If you are studying a practical course, do you have access to the right resources?
· · ·
LEARNING & TEACHING PROCESS Were you guided to practice your skills throu ghout your course? How would you rate the teaching? Are there any forms of learning you would like in addition to lectures and tutorials? ASSESSMENT & FEEDBACK Does the assessment adequately and fairly repre sent the content of the course? Do all the lecturers grade to the same standard? Do you receive adequate feedback from your assessments? Can you comment on the types and timings of assessment on your course – are they varied and adequately spaced?
· · ·
· · · ·
STUDENT PROGRESSION AND ACHIEVE MENTS Do you feel you have improved by completin g this course? Has your course made you more employable? Are you able to move from one module to the next? GUIDANCE & SUPPORT How much support are you getting from staff ? Is there a place/person you can get help from if you’re struggling with the subjects? Do you get relevant careers advice?
· · ·
· · ·
QUALITY ENHANCEMENT & ASSURA NCE Do you feel that your department is receptive to concerns? Do you know how to communicate issues abou t the student experience to your programme team? Has your programme/department responded to issues raised about the student experience?
· · ·
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SOME GUIDANCE FOR RAISING AN ISSUE
Bringing student feedback to meetings with staff from across your course and faculty can be daunting, particularly when the comments from your students are less than positive. This guide will help you to bring difficult issues to the table with a few handy pointers.
ABCD
before you get to the meeting. Think about what you are going to say w the ABCD of representation As much as possible, ensure that you follo and give feedback that is:
ACCURATE
BALANCED CONSTRUCTIVE DEPERSONALISED Where students have pro blems with individual lec turers, they should be encouraged to conta ct their Programme Le ader in the first instance, and to contact the Students’ Union’s Ad vice & Representation Centre if they wish to ma ke a complaint. The Stu dent Staff Consultative Forums and Programm e Boards are your oppo rtunity to talk about suitability of teaching and learning style and environment as a whole and removed from the , individual as much as is reasonable.
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SOME GUIDANCE
FOR RAISING AN ISSUE cont...
EVIDENCE as Be sure to back up what you say with as much evidence with ngs meeti d atten possible. This doesn’t mean you need to reams of data going back five years. nt The faculty will already have that and be aware of stude utilise is do can you concerns arising within that data. What and student feedback, which will mean you have information that at g feelin are data about how students on your course g this moment. The Students’ Union can assist you in gettin talk with to tant impor information before the meeting. It is also any of track keep to your classmates as much as possible and consistent trends. COURSE RE P SUPPORT STAFF The Students’ Union has a d ed icated member Engagement Coordinator (C of staff, our St udent ourse Represe point of contac ntation), who t and support w ill be your direct for all aspects provide guidan of your role. In ce and insight p ar for you in adva ticular, they ca your first link n nce of your m with the Stud eetings. They ents‘ Union an independent are d as a member of the universi of EHSU staff ty. If you ever meeting that are also have somethin you don’t feel g to feed back comfortable w at a ith, we can su pport you to d o this. POSITIVE FOCUS better to go Where possible it is always utions sol ve to a meeting with positi en Wh . ms instead of a list of proble include to r be em collecting feedback rem out d fin you lp positive questions to he es ng cha see to how students would like e giv o als l wil It made on their course. rtunity to tell your classmates the oppo t the things ou ab you and the university portant to im as t that work well. It is jus so that ll, we ng tell staff what is worki it. ing they know to keep do
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TRAINING
AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES Throughout the year we will have a number of opportunities for you to further develop your skill set and help you in your role as a course rep. In addition we will be ensuring you know what is expected of you in your role and giving you more detail about what to expect in each meeting you may be invited to.
se you are ar, just in ca e y e th t u o evelop rough to further d available th r s o p y o a D sh t rk n o e on our pm e more w out for them ader Develo e Le y t e There will b n n e a d p tu e S e day will end the role, so k velopment e D unable to att ring the course of your r e d a Le t du the Student your skill se f the year. surrounding n o ti a rm beginning o e fo th In . t a te si te b si e w r web ilable on ou d in or think become ava ’re intereste
you touch: aining that tr f o s a re a se do get in a y n le a p n re e a th re lop If the eful to deve would be us hill.ac.uk
edge
coursereps@
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USEFUL CONTACTS STUDENTS’ UNION CONTACTS 01695 657301 Students’ Union Reception uk sureception@edgehill.ac. 01695 657305 Course Representative main contact coursereps@edgehill.ac.uk 01695 657311 ion Vice President Academic Representat suvpacademicrep@edgehill.ac.uk 01695 657301 C) Advice and Representation Centre (AR suadvice@edgehill.ac.uk
SUPPORT AND ADVICE CONTA CTS (University) Accommodation Support 01695 584200 accommodation@edgehill.ac.uk Careers 01695 584866 Counselling & Wellbeing 01695 650988 counselling@edgehill.ac.uk Health and Wellbeing Centre 01695 657265 Student Financial Advice 01695 657250 financialadviceteam@edgehill.ac.uk Student Services Help Desk 01695 584554 stuservadmin@edgehill.ac.uk L CONTACTS OTHER USEFU 01695 567686 IT Service Desk 01695 584687 tre en C e ag gu an L The k efl@edgehill.ac.u 01695 584554 Desk es ic rv Se t en Stud gehill.ac.uk stuservadmin@ed 01695 584286 y Help Desk ar br Li y it rs ve Uni ac.uk lsdesk@edgehill. 01695 584482 Sciences & s rt A of y lt Facu 01695 575171 ion at uc Ed of y lt Facu 01695 657050 Care al ci So & h lt Faculty of Hea 16.
ET HOW TO OGLVED V MORE INH IN E SU...
Want to get m ore involved in the SU? Here at the St udents’ Union we have a lot going on. Her e and contact d are some of the things we d etails of who to o you have any questions/que speak to if ries/want to ge involved. t
NS CAMPAIG ns on the following things: This year we are looking to run campaig with Disabilities, Housing, International Day of Persons health to name but a few. tal men and lth hea discrimination, sexual nise, volunteering for one of orga Interested in taking part, helping ? Get in touch with the our campaigns or have an idea for one dent@edgehill.ac.uk or resi President of the Students’ Union: sup edgehill.ac.uk or pop in and see are@ welf suvp : fare Wel t iden Pres Vice us upstairs in the HUB.
SOCIETIES
Currently we have 40+ societies and mor Climbing and Mountaineering, to Mus e joining all the time, ranging from ical Theatre, to Anime. To find out wha societies have on offer check our web t the site, contact our Vice President Acti vities suvpactivities@edgehill.ac.uk or com e in and see us upstairs in the HUB. Interested in starting up a society? Get in touch with bestl@edgehill.ac.u k or pop in and see us upstairs in the HUB.
CHARITY & FUNDRAISING We have our Raise and Give (RAG) society who are responsible for our charity and fundraising activities, for more information please contact: suvpactivities@edgehill.ac.uk or bestl@edgehill.ac.uk
made burgers and The SU Bar also serves a great range of hand lable to take away. pizza’s every day and our menu is also avai clothing and NUS Cards, For your official Edge Hill merchandise, ts! oun disc and s The SUShop has regular deal
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BAR
& SHOP
I HAVE A MY COU PROBLEM WIT H HOW DORSE... I PROCEED First, d ?
FAQ’s
iscus of staff co s the issue with the nc m admin sta erned, or a membe ember ff from the r of departme not resolv nt. ed at the rele at this stage, raise If it is vant depa the issue rt Student S taff Consu ment meeting, ltative Foru Programm m e If you are Board or Faculty Bo , not satisfi ard. ed resolved, c ontact you that it has been Representa r VP Acade mic ti the issue w on who will raise ith the Un iv an attemp t to get a re ersity in solution.
INVITED TO WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I’M NOT BEING MY OR MEETINGS I SHOULD BE ATTENDING M? DEPARTMENT IS NOT HAVING THE tation who will raise the You should contact your VP Academic Represen are being invited to the issue with the department and make sure you meetings you should be.
WHAT HAPPENS IF A NON-ACADEMIC A STUDENT COMES TO ME WITH PROBLEM? Re-direc
t them to the Advice an d Representation or the Student Service s Help Desk in the Stude Centre upstairs in the HUB nt Information Centre.
ING? MAKE A MEET ganising the ’T N A C I IF O or WHAT DO I D ur apologies in advance to the person em any issues th l ai can, em u send yo
e. If you that Make sure yo you won’t be ther nce then even better. If you find ow kn ey th so g n se tio ab ta meetin ur en yo es in pr d like covere Academic Re ld VP ou w ur u yo t yo ac ch nt hi co w missing meetings tion. lu you are regularly so a ith w up e u com who will help yo
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