Course Rep Guide 2016/17

COURSE REP IMPACT GETTING BOOKABLE SLOTS FOR KNIT AND WEAVE MACHINES Students could not have guaranteed access to machines in the Technology Building. A paper booking system was established so that people could be sure that they would be able to get a machine and get their work done.

LECTURES MOVED FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOONS Members of sports teams could not play for the University as they had lectures on Wednesday afternoons. The School moved the timetable so that the students were available to play for the University teams.

BREAKS IN LONG TEACHING DAYS Students had six hours of back-to-back teaching. An additional 20 minute break was factored into their day.

MAKING CHANGE FOR STUDENTS A GUIDE FOR COURSE REPS

Find out more at huddersfield.su/courserephub/wins

W W W. H U D D E RS F I E L D. S U @ H U D D E RS F I E L D S U

INTRODUCTION CHARLOTTE JACKSON VP Education

Congratulations on becoming a course rep! I’m Charlotte, your education officer for the year. I am really looking forward to working closely with you all to ensure that your studies here at Huddersfield are the best they can be! Being a course rep is a fantastic opportunity that you should all make the most of. As a course rep you get the chance to take control of your own education and work with us to help solve problems and tackle academic issues. The Students’ Union and myself are here to support you every step of the journey.

So make the most of it, and most importantly, have fun!

CHRISTINE JARVIS Pro Vice Chancellor Teaching and Learning Thank you for taking on the important role of Course Representative. Your work helps to build a genuine partnership between staff and students so that we can all work together to build the most challenging and rewarding courses and learning opportunities possible for the whole student community.

I think you will find that being involved in the running of your own course develops skills which help to make you a more rounded graduate of the University as well as enhancing your CV and your capacity to contribute to other organisations at a critical and informed level.

HEATHER WADE

Course Rep Programme Manager I work with Charlotte and 7 Course Rep Assistants to help all of the Course Reps on Campus. If it is training, advice, feedback or contacts that you need then I am around in the Students’ Union with help you.

I am in regular contact with the University and work with your feedback to let them know what is going on with students.

You can contact us at representation@hud.ac.uk, 01484 473439 or come in and see us in the SU on Floor 5 of Student Central.

WHAT IS A COURSE REP AND WHAT IMPACT DO THEY HAVE? The Course Rep system at the University of Huddersfield is a joint initiative between the University and the Students’ Union.

• •

It’s the University’s responsibility to arrange the election of Course Reps and facilitate the student panels and other meetings that allow you to put your views across.

It’s the Students’ Union’s responsibility to offer you training, ongoing support, and to help you turn your ideas or concerns into meaningful action.

A Course Rep is a student who is elected to represent their fellow coursemates by:

• • • •

Listening to their ideas and concerns.

Communicating these to the University through both informal discussion and attendance at Student Panel and Course Committee meetings.

Keeping the Students’ Union up to date with developments on their course.

Improving their coursemates and their own experience at University, while developing their own skills in the process.

SAVE THE DATE! Educating Huddersfield Course Rep Conference Wednesday 30 November 2016

COURSE REP HUB

FAIL TO PREPARE, PREPARE TO FAIL. Whichever way works best – you need to be in communication with your fellow students often, find what works and use it.

You’re the intermediary – you sit in the middle of the University, the Students’ Union and your fellow students, you need to speak to all three regularly.

We’ve got an online resource available for you 24/7 which offers advice about all aspects of being a Course Rep.

Identify and address – anything that needs raising in terms of assuring quality or enhancing the quality of the student experience.

You can find it at: huddersfield.su/CRH

Want some help?

Speak to your support team at representation@hud.ac.uk, call them on 01484 473439 or come in to the Students’ Union for a chat on Level 5 of Student Central.

SHOUT IT LOUD, SHOUT IT PROUD. Shout about it! – no matter how big or small the change is. Make sure your fellow students know that it has changed!

Keep track – the best way to get the most of your time as a Course Rep is to track what you’re doing to reflect on what you have achieved.

YOUR STUDENTS

Use the Students’ Union – we’ve got an activity log at huddersfield.su/youractivity or contact representation@hud.ac.uk and outline what you’ve been up to and they will keep track of it all for you to request at any time!

Trained Course Reps are encouraged to join our Facebook group! Information, conversation and events can be found here:

Avoid negativity – be solution-focused and separate yourself from the issue.

You can find it at: huddersfield.su/REPFB

Remember – make it exceptionally clear where ideas you raise come from. If they’re on behalf of one student, a large group of students or if it’s just something personal, keep it honest to avoid misrepresenting views.

representation@hud.ac.uk 01484 47 3439

Take notes – whether it’s a committee meeting or an informal chat, write down what’s said and agreed.

Get a timeline – if something is agreed to be done, get a timeline to make sure it is kept to.

FOLLOW UP

Remember – saying thank you is a really simple act to do and really important for building relationships with staff.

STAY ON POINT. STAY FLEXIBLE. Follow up your timeline – nothing in this world gets done without following it up! Check in at key dates in your agreed timeline to make sure it stays on track.

Adjust – sometimes timelines can’t be kept to.

It happens. Keep talking with the staff members dealing with the idea and reset your timelines.

Use your diary – put reminders in your diary to make sure that you follow up on any agreed actions and the dates they should happen by.

CHARLOTTE VP Education

General Course Rep Support

CONFIRM IT

MEETINGS

KEY CONTACT su.education@hud.ac.uk 01484 47 3424

CONFIRMATION IS KEY.

Re-adjusted timeline? – not a problem.

Praise the responsiveness of the staff and the communication in the readjustment as you work towards the agreed goal.

Staff can’t do anything? – keep positive!

Thank the staff for listening and ask where they can raise it to get something done, or come to the Students’ Union for advice.

Always stay ahead of the curve – speak to staff as soon as something is identified, the sooner they’re aware, the quicker they can respond.

HOW TO MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN

PRAISE AND PROTEST. Got a win? – when a staff member addresses something that you raise, shout about it. Praise the responsiveness of the staff member at the next meeting you attend, no matter how small an act it is.

FACEBOOK

Be proactive – make sure that you’re proactively asking for ideas for improvement.

INFORMAL CHAT

SUCCESS

TALK EARLY, TALK OFTEN.

Email confirmation – send a summary of what’s discussed and any actions agreed upon to whoever was present.

Remember – someone saying the words “Yes, we can do that” does not lead to change happening – it’s your role to make sure that the agreement turns into action.

HEATHER Course Rep Programme Manager

h.wade@hud.ac.uk 01484 47 3439

REMEMBER Your role is to look after assurance and enhancement.

Assurance is about turning the bad into the good. Enhancement is about turning the good into the better.