Outline of the training • Introductions • What has changed at UCA because of Course Reps?
• Feedback • Course Boards • How can I get involved with the Students’ Union?
• What is a Course Rep? • Support
Who am I? • My name is Molly and I am the Advice and Representation Manager for the Students’ Union. • I am based in Epsom, but I am available to all 4 campuses. • My degree is in Counselling Coaching and Mentoring.
Icebreaker – Who are you? • Speed dating icebreaker - You have 2 minutes to find out as much as you can about people in your breakout groups - After 2 minutes you’ll need to share what you found out about your group to the rest of the group. - How good are your listening skills? Why are listening skills important?
Who are the Students’ Union? We are a Union, run by students! We’re here to make your time at UCA as fun as it can be! Each year students get to vote and elect 2 President’s meaning you are at the forefront of everything we do! From planning events, to giving support and advice we are here for you.
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Who are your Presidents? Stefan Gutierrez Yildirim: Surrey
Admire Ncube: Kent
• Announcing climate emergency.
• Climate Change
• Action for black students campaign. • It’s not ok. Tackling sexual violence. Stefan.z
• Decolonising the curriculum • Student engagement admire.ncube.su@ucreative.ac.uk stefan.gutierrez-yildirim.su@uca.ac.uk
So, what is a Course Rep? • ACTIVITY Write a word or phrase in the chat that springs to mind when you think of being a University Course Rep. • Who has been a Course Rep before?
What has changed because of Course Reps? • Longer opening times in the library across all campuses. • Fashion students’ studios were shutting at 5pm everyday when students needed them for longer. The course reps put together a petition of all the students’ names that wanted extended hours and took it to their course board.
• The course reps took information to their course board as they wanted better feedback on student work. • Students from interior architecture had no spaces to work on group work they took this to the course board and were given two rooms just for group work • Graphic design students were told their end of year show would no longer be held in London due to budget constraints. The course reps took lots of alternatives and evidence as to why a London show was important and they were successful.
Course Boards • What to expect? You will be a link for the students on your course. You will go to 4 meetings. • Where are they hosted? Programme directors will email you to assign a classroom, meeting room or online video link. • How many meetings are there per year? There are 4 meetings, 1 per term.
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What are good questions to ask your peers? • Are there enough practical sessions?
• How did you find the induction?
• Have there been enough workshops?
• Are the lectures relevant to everyone?
• Is your timetable correct?
• Do your tutors treat everyone fairly?
• Is your curriculum diverse and international enough? • Do you have to buy expensive materials? • Do you have access to all the technical facilities you need? • And anything else that affects your course!
• Are you getting relevant feedback? • How is the work paced? • Are there enough library books?
How do you get feedback from peers?
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What should I do with the feedback? • Take the feedback to the meetings- course boards. • Reassure the student that gave you the feedback that there feedback is being taken forward to the meetings. • Keep a note of all feedback given so you can be aware if the issue arises again.
What is your role as a Course Rep? • Course reps are an essential link between students and staff.
Course Reps…
• From interacting with students and gaining opinions on the course, they are able to pass on feedback to the university to improve and develop courses.
• Stay connected with the course leader.
• Attend training. • Ensure everyone on the course knows who they are and what they do.
• Attend course board meetings. • Offer suggestions for improvement. • Communicate outcomes back to students.
What do I get from being a course rep? • Be a part of improving student experience for all. • Develop professional communication & personal development skills. • Achieve a certificate of recognition and attend an award ceremony. • Meet new people and make friends. • Develop stronger professional relationships with staff and academics. • Gives insight into how the university is run. • Networking opportunities.
Course Rep Conference This year will see our first ever Course Rep Conference. You will be able to come together with other course reps from different courses and perhaps even different campuses! It will be a fantastic place to network and learn about other students’ experiences. Of course, this will be dependent on what the Government guidelines around the pandemic are, later in the academic year. We will keep you updated on dates, times and all event details! W/C 14th April 2021
Campus Executives & NUS delegates • •
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By-election and NUS referendum Nominations: • Mon 23 Nov - Mon 30 Nov Voting: • Thursday 3rd December and Friday 4th December
Purpose of this by-election Electing 12 Campus Exec Officers (3 per campus) & 2 NUS delegates Running a referendum on the question of our affiliation to NUS Nominations and voting will be online on our website.
How an I get involved with the Students’ Union?
Support as a student at UCA You can get support via • Learning student services. • The gateway (located in the library) • Molly New; Advice and Representation Manager at the Students’ Union. • molly.new.su@uca.ac.uk • advice.su@uca.ac.uk