Quality Monitoring Grid – Sept Semester 1 2010/11
Issues for Action Issue
Action
Who
When
Progress
Phil to obtain results from the Customer Services Excellence mystery shopper for the Accommodation Service.
PM/LH
Aug
These are going to CMT in Sept with action plans from the three areas mystery shopped. So far the i-centre, UAS and Finance. Apparently these will be shared with the SU once this has been through CMT.
LH to chase
LH
Oct
ME to set up Facebook groups now.
ME
April
Complete
Officers to run this campaign in full next academic year.
Officers
Sem 1 10
Ongoing
Maiken to write a campaign strategy.
MA
End of Aug
Complete
Officers and GT to discuss the campaign in more detail.
Officers /GT
Oct
Officers campaign on this as part of the wider accommodation campaign.
Officers
Sem 1 10
Ongoing
Officers campaign on this as part of the wider accommodation campaign.
Officers
Sem 1 10
Ongoing
Matt to liaise with Anne Devlin to arrange a meeting with the Trust security to try to take this forward.
ME
ASAP
Ongoing
Officers campaign on this as part of the wider accommodation campaign.
Officers
Sem 1 10
Ongoing
red text – new information
Accommodation Satisfaction Surveysi The Accommodation Office has historically been an issue and it was raised as a concern in the 2007 Student Written Submission. The 2009 Student Barometer and International Student Barometer highlight that the service is considered too expensive and the support provided by the service is poor. The quality of service and rooms need to be improved to make the provision worth the money students are paying. This issue was raised as a concern at Liaison in January. At Liaison (March) Sandy Lynam explained that students were surveyed three weeks into their contracts. She said that the survey was run again at the end of the contract and ‘results were similar’. We must get hold of this!
Student Loan Dates and the Academic Calendar ii Students’ accommodation contracts currently start a week before Welcome Week and there is nothing available for them. Student loans also do not start until Welcome Week. They should be given the option of moving into hall either at the beginning of Welcome Week, when their student loan starts, or earlier if they wish. Obviously, if they choose to move in earlier, they should pay the accommodation costs. Accommodation in Fulbourniii The number of spaces available to the University at Harston House at Addenbrookes has been reduced (the accommodation is managed by Sanctuary Housing Association, not the UAS) and therefore contracts are now only for 1 year (previously students could stay for their full three years) and first years are prioritised. Currently no accommodation support or fair is organised for Fulbourn students; although, the Sanctuary Housing Association do run something for their own accommodation. Accommodation in Peterboroughiv There have been more break-ins and burglaries in the accommodation at the Thorpe Road site. The Trust is unwilling to invest in accommodation that they are likely to vacate in the near future. Matt East, SU president, has been in discussions with Trust Security and the UAS to try to improve security in the accommodation. The Trust say students are leaving the doors open.
1
Quality Monitoring Grid – Sept Semester 1 2010/11 Issue
Action
Who
When
Progress
Officers to raise this at Liaison. We are to recommend that typed feedback is priority; the time frames in which staff members have free to mark work is kept free (e.g. no training and meetings); staff members use generic feedback processes to give some feedback to large cohorts.
Officers
23/03/10
This was taken to Liaison (March) and Julie Walkling has referred this to Lesley Dobree for comment.
Matt and Laura to take to SSIG in August.
ME/LH
Aug 2010
Matt and Laura to take to SSIG in October as part of the Annual Quality Monitoring Report.
ME/LH
Oct 2010
To be raised at Liaison
Officers /GT
23/03/10
red text – new information
Assessment and Feedback 20/20 Feedbackv This process is taking its time to bed in and not all feedback is typed. It was reported at ASQRC in October that some staff members do not fully understand the 20/20 process. Some staff members in AIBS and S&T have also raised concerns about their large workloads and students have commented on the poor quality of feedback. There needs to be a balanced approach to feedback when cohorts are large. Students need prompt and useful feedback and it appears that staff members are sacrificing providing quality feedback to adhere to the 20/20 regulation. New technologies (such as voice recording) have been discussed and INSPIRE are working on providing new technologies to support staff – see ‘E-submission’ in ‘For Your Information’ for more details.
Extensionsvi At the November Student Experience Committee the Faculty based Student Advisers provided a purely quantitative report about extensions, giving no information except for the fact that the number of extensions granted varies widely between Faculties, but the trend is upwards. There was no analysis of the data and the committee did not question this.
Liaison on 27 May was cancelled. The SU have exhausted this issue at Liaison.
SSIG is not really a forum to take individual issues; however these issues are in the Annual Quality Monitoring Report that will be taken to SSIG in October.
This was taken to Liaison (March) and Belinda Lennon offered to take this forward. Liaison on 27 May was cancelled. Ongoing
In view of the planned changes to the regulations, detailed data needs to be recorded as it links with assessment processes such as mitigation. Right to Reassessment vii The University will be removing the right of reassessment for students who do not submit at first attempt (without mitigation). It is vital that they communicate this change in the regulations to continuing students. Lesley Dobree stated that she and Julie Walkling will be working on communicating the changes to both students and staff.
Information has been put on the website. All SU representatives have been actioned to keep an eye on this issue. Students will concerns should always be referred to the Advice Service.
All
The issues with smoking will be taken to the Student Experience Committee on Wednesday 12 May.
DP
Ongoing
Estates Smokingviii At the S&T Learning and Teaching Committee in February, students complained that smoke from the designated smoking area (next to the David building) is drawn into the building. It was also highlighted at several programme committees that the Coslett and Helmore buildings also have similar issues when students smoke near the entrances; however, students should not be smoking there in the first place. More worrying, it has been reported that hypodermic
12/5/10
This issue was taken to the Student Experience Committee in May and the University responded by explaining that there are smoking shelters on campus and smokers should be using these. The issue continues however as there is no policing and little signposting to the designated smoking areas. Sandy Lynam explained that security should be doing this: previously security has told the SU that it is not their job.
2
Quality Monitoring Grid – Sept Semester 1 2010/11 Issue
Action
Who
When
Progress
Formal complaints should be made through the Advice Service. An opinion poll is to be put on the website or a link to the CCC scheme.
LH
Sept
Ongoing
Matt and Laura to take to SSIG in August.
ME/LH
Aug
SSIG is not really a forum to take individual issues; however these issues are in the Annual Quality Monitoring Report that will be taken to SSIG in October.
Matt and Laura to take to SSIG in October as part of the Annual Quality Monitoring Report.
ME/LH
Oct 2010
Matt to prepare a paper for Liaison 27 May and use information from the Facebook group that has been set up by students.
ME
27/5/10
ME to include recent feedback from PT/PG students. This is to be included to the agenda of Liaison.
ME
ASAP
Matt to present paper to Liaison in Sept.
ME
29/9/10
Following the LibQUAL survey and a series of student complaints, £60,000 have been given to the library to improve IT. ME will be meeting with Nicky Kershaw and Roddie Shepherd to discuss this issue in the next few weeks.
ME
ASAP
red text – new information needles have been found by the designated smoking zone next to the Helmore building. It is suspected that this is because the zone is situated nearby a drug clinic. This was also raised at the S&T and ALSS Faculty Board in May/June.
Finance ASPIREix Students have highlighted to the Union that there are no discounts at the John Smiths bookshop, yet Amazon and mainstream bookshops offer huge discounts to students (30/40%). Students also find that buying second hand books more cost effective. Some students cannot afford to wait until the end of the academic year to receive their bursary, therefore they have to buy key texts using the ASPIRE card scheme at the John Smiths bookshop where no discount is available. This is disadvantaging poorer students. Students have also highlighted that they are confused about the application process to receive the bursary money back in cash form and that there has been no communication from John Smiths about the process.
Liaison on 27 May was cancelled. ME has discussed the issue with Mike Thorne and will complete his paper for Liaison on the 29 Sept.
IT Computer Resourcesx There are issues with computer facilities on Cambridge Campus. Evidence suggests that there are not enough computers and the quality of computers is not adequate. At the Student Experience Committee and the S&T Faculty Board in February the SU presented a paper that discussed the following issues: •
Login times.
•
Students finding it difficult to locate a computer to print off work quickly. The inappropriate use of recreational websites during busy periods.
•
Access to specialised software that is only available on high demand computers.
•
The requirement for more students to do online learning which is having an impact on the demand.
•
Access to University pages from halls of residence.
ME met with library staff members to discuss ways in which the ‘traffic’ could be eased in the Cambridge library. The library have been given £30,000 (although their budget initially had been cut by £60,000) to improve the facilities which is being invested in new lighting and upgrading the air conditioning. They are making the Bryant computer labs open access and are investigating using the staff room in Mum 024 as an IT room: currently this is used as a staff room. They have also recoded the zones in the library in the hope that it will spread the volume of students more evenly. The ground floor is open access, the 1st floor is for quiet group work and the 2nd floor is silent study only. There are still issues with security on bank holidays; this is still being investigated. Library staff members have invited officers to meet regularly with them to discuss library issues. It is hoped that this will generate a more proactive approach to resolving them.
3
Quality Monitoring Grid – Sept Semester 1 2010/11 Issue
Action
Who
When
Progress
The University agree that this is a big issue and had not predicted the increase in demand this academic year. At the Student Experience Committee in February a number of solutions were presented to alleviate some of the pressure on the learning zone: for more information please read feedback notes from the Student Experience Committee - 04/02/2010. At the Learning, Teaching and Assessment Committee in May students reported that there are still issues and very little has changed.
The problem with remote access to specialised software was also discussed. S&T will give students remote access to software where the licence permits; however, there are issues like this in other faculties. ME to meet with either Gregor Waddell or John Bouffler from ISMS to discuss.
ME
ASAP
This is now being taken forward by David Gale who is hitting a few brick walls. ME will be meeting with the Faculty Learning Technologists to discuss software in the different faculties.
At the L, T & A Committee in May, the SU suggested that somebody in the University should take responsibility for monitoring this until the building work has been completed. At the Student Experience Committee in May, Julie Walkling took the lead.
ME to meet with Faculty Learning Technologists to discuss software needs.
ME
Oct
red text – new information
Learning and Teaching Employability Strategyxi
Julie Walkling has been restructuring Student Services and is now starting to work on this. Matt has been invited to join the Employability Working Group.
At the Student Experience Committee in February, Julie Walking discussed plans for a new strategy about employability. She wants to start a working group to look at ways students can develop employment skills through work based learning and volunteering opportunities. Employability was an issue that was highlighted in the National Student Survey, the Domestic Student Barometer and the International Student Barometer. An issue about supporting students on work-based learning was also raised at the ALSS Faculty Board in March and the ALSS L&T Committee in June which interlinks with this strategy. Essex Teaching Blocksxii Students have complained about the quality of the temporary teaching block in Essex as they are not a nice learning environment to be in. There are issues with: •
Noise – creaking roofs; hearing other lectures; noise from the building works; hearing people walking and talking due to no insulation; the acoustics are dreadful and microphones have been requested.
•
Dirt – the toilets are messy and smelly; toilet floors are often wet and therefore dangerous.
•
Smell – rooms are damp, dark and smelly; students and staff members cannot open the window to left the smell out and fresh air in.
•
Space – Social Work students have complained that the room does not accommodate them if the whole cohort is there.
•
Access – difficult to access in a wheel chair.
Following the H&SC Faculty Board in May, where it was questioned why the SU had not raised this with Estates first. It was requested that the faculty refer this issue to Estates as they will have more influence. This issue will be taken to Liaison in September with an explanation as to why is had been raised it that forum.
Officers
29/9/10
ME
ASAP
This has also been included in the Annual Quality Monitoring Report.
This was taken to the FHSC Faculty Board in June and they asked us to liaise with Estates and Facilities. OFSTED Inspection xiii
Matt to set up a meeting with Emma
Emma and Marie met with Helen Valentine to discuss the
4
Quality Monitoring Grid – Sept Semester 1 2010/11 Issue
Action
Who
When
Progress
red text – new information The Education Faculty is facing serious issues following the OFSTED visit. In Primary Education, rated as inadequate, there was a range of issues including Early Reading and Phonics, and concerns expressed by students, which fall into the organisation and management category. In Secondary Education and FE only ‘satisfactory’ grades were awarded, but this is not considered good enough. There will be a re-inspection between March and July 2011, which means the Faculty have one year to turn this around. At Senate in April, Matt raised concerns about graduating students and the impact this might have on their employability. He also recommended utilizing the society to open communication channels.
Hobbs (PTO Education), Marie Worley (President of the Education Society), Helen Valentine (Dean or Education) and himself.
Education Society, but did not speak about the wider OFSTED report.
Maiken to meet with Emma and Marie to discuss the/another meeting with Helen Valentine and possibly Simon Pratt-Adams (new Teacher Education HoD).
MA
ASAP
MA met with HV to discuss issues in the Education faculty. There are some serious timetabling issues coming up; however the faculty focus is on the ITT pathway. The NSS have given the faculty a morale boost and the faculty are excited about the Apple Regional Training Centre. At Senate in September, Lesley Dobree and Paul Baxter explained that they are putting together a similar check list that OFSTED use for the other faculties to do a health check. DP also reported that Simon Pratt-Adams and the reps are also meeting regularly.
Social spacexiv
This issue to be taken to Liaison.
Officers /GT
23/03/10
Social space was discussed at Liaison in January. It was understood that the Cambridge campus redevelopment was ongoing, but there are students experiencing a lack of space, which was damaging their experience. In Cambridge, they had just made changes to the refectory and have provided new seating and it has been reported that this looks too clinical.
This was raised at Liaison (March) and Sandy Lynam agreed to meet with Matt to discuss this further.
Matt to meet with Sandy Lynam.
ME
17/05/10
Cancelled
Matt and Kelly to meet with Sandy Lynam.
ME/KS
14/7/10
New social space has been identified and furniture has been ordered. The University plan on improving the ground floor of the Tindal building in Chelmsford and the Academy/refectory in Cambridge is getting a complete renovation. There have been slight delays due to the quotations, but the University are investigating this.
The TDA has given the Faculty 12 months to improve or have approval for teacher training withdrawn. The University was given the option of withdrawing from teacher training immediately, but has chosen to commit. The Faculty had to prepare a recovery plan (for Primary ITT, which was inadequate) and an improvement plan (for the PGCE and DETTLS, which were found to be satisfactory).
Miscellaneous
At the Student Experience Committee in May, Lesley Dobree said that the building works preclude any improvement at the moment.
Out of Hours Experiencexv A lot of teaching of part time and postgraduate students happens into the evening. Currently most of the University (including the SU) closes down at 5pm. In order to ensure parity of experience between students taught during ‘normal’ hours and those taught in the evening or at other non standard times, the University need to consider providing all services, for example the i-centre, administrative support, media support and student services. Catering has been highlighted as an issue. Currently there is no hot food provision after 14.00. This was taken to the Student Experience Committee in November and Student Experience Committee on the 4 Feb 2010 where Lesley Dobree was going to pursue issues about catering with Sandy Lynam. Students have raised issues about access to the Cambridge campus. To exit campus after 21.00, students need to go via Broad Street. Hypothetically if a student wanted to access Mill Road, they would
Reps have raised issues at Programme and Faculty level.
A vending machine is to be installed in the Coslett lounge. This will happen over the summer, as they need to reinforce the glass first. Derrik Ferney actioned the issue about students being unable to move easily through the Helmore building after 19.00 and the door will now be locked at 21.30, after teaching has finished.
This issue to be taken to Liaison.
Officers /GT
23/03/10
This was taken to Liaison where it was discussed. Late openings were piloted in the i-centre but dropped due to the poor uptake. It was suggested that more joined up thinking was required.
This issue to be taken to the Student Experience Committee.
DP
12/05/10
At the Student Experience Committee in May Lesley Dobree said that the situation is better than people perceive and that there should be better publicity about food availability on campus. Certain evenings already have longer opening hours coinciding with students studying late. Estates &
5
Quality Monitoring Grid – Sept Semester 1 2010/11 Issue
Action
Who
When
Progress
red text – new information have to exit via Board Street and walk all the way around the front of the University, adding 10 minutes to there journey. This is something for us as a Union to also consider. The Advice Service in Cambridge is piloting one ‘later evening’ opening per week, i.e. open until 6.00 p.m. wef 10 March 2010 – the uptake will be monitored. The SU Offices will be trialling later opening too.
Facilities are looking at ‘plugging any remaining gaps’, then will be talking to students to identify what they want so future developments can be targeted. As the situation doesn’t appear much better Matt and Kelly to meet with Trudy Vout to discuss catering.
ME/KS
20/7/10
ME and KS met with Terry Hope who informed them that improved vending machines were being installed that provide students with more variety than chocolate and crisps. These will also be installed in Guild House (the new site for Peterborough). The catering department are also teaming up with timetabling to assess when students are on campus and will be opening up their coffee shops accordingly.
Gill, Laura and Debbie have been actioned to find examples of where minutes have not been recorded properly.
GT/LH/ DP
GT discussed this with Lesley Dobree (29.04.10) and in particular the minutes of the Academic Appeals & Offences Subcommittee, which did not contain one reference to the SU’s stance despite vigorous input. GT was invited to amend the minutes and send these to Rachel Ryan – action completed 05.05.10.
All SU representatives have been actioned to keep an eye on this.
All
Ongoing
Representation Committee Activity xvi At Senate recently (April) the committee considered a report about the effectiveness of the meeting. It was highlighted that comments from the SU are not always minuted. This was also the case at other subcommittees. There is also a wider concern about how information is reported from these meetings to other committees (the SRCs have discussed this at programme and Faculty level).
6
i
Student Written Submission September 2007, 2009 Student Barometer, 2009 International Student Barometer, Liaison - 27/01/2010 ii
ASQRC - 19/10/2009, ASQRC - 26/01/2010, Academic Calendar 2010/11 Working Group - 27/10/2009
iii
FHSC L&T Committee – 13/05/2010, ISB and DSB Autumn 2009
iv
FHSC L&T Committee – 13/05/2010
v
Liaison - 30/11/2009, ASQRC - 19/10/2009, Student Experience Committee - 04/11/2009, S&T Faculty Board – 17/02/2010 vi
Student Experience Committee - 04/11/2009
vii
Senate - 24/02/2010
viii
Student Experience Committee - 04/02/2010, Email - 29/03/2010, Student Experience Committee - 12/05/2010, S&T Faculty Board – 26/05/2010 ix
Student Experience Committee - 04/02/2010, Email - 29/03/2010
x
Student Experience Committee - 04/02/2010, S&T Faculty Board - 17/02/2010, S&T L&T Committee - 02/02/2010, L, T & A – 05/05/2010, Student Experience Committee 12/05/2010 xi
Student Experience Committee -04/02/2010, ALSS Faculty Board - 03/03/2010, International Student Barometer 2009, Student Barometer 2009, National Student Survey Supplementary Paper 2009, ISB and DSB Autumn 2009, ALSS L&T Committee – 07/06/2010 xii
xiii
FHSC L&T Committee - 04/02/2010, FHSC Faculty Board Committee – 08/06/2010 ASQRC - 17/03/2010, Senate - 21/04/2010, EDU Faculty Board – 03/06/2010
xiv
Liaison - 27/01/2010, 2009 Student Barometer, Student Experience Committee 12/05/2010 xv
AIBS L&T Committee - 29/09/2009, ALSS Faculty Board - 14/10/2009, Student Matters -15/10/2009, Student Experience Committee - 04/11/2009, Student Experience Committee 12/05/2010 xvi
Senate - 21/04/2010, ALSS Faculty Board – 03/03/2010, AIBS L&T Committee – 04/03/2010