Facsoc info booklet a5 issu

UWA STUDENT GUILD EDUCATION COUNCIL

UWA STUDENT

GUILD E D U C AT I O N

the guild guide to

running facsoc 2018

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THE GUILD GUIDE TO RUNNING FACSOC 2018

Hey FacSocs,

This guide has been compiled from a series of breakout discussions of the 2017 Education Council, a wealth of knowledge from eleven Faculty Societies, as well as the Education Council Committee. It contains tips to help you engage your members, be they domestic or international, undergraduate or postgraduate; as well as suggesting some ways that you can help support their education and welfare at uni. I hope that you find this resource useful in your endeavours as representatives and advocates for students in your faculty.

All the best, Conrad Hogg 2018 Education Council President UWA Student Guild

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UWA STUDENT GUILD EDUCATION COUNCIL

CONTENTS 02

INTRODUCTION

04

COMMITTEE MANAGEMENT

07

RELATIONSHIPS WITH FACULTY

09

ORIENTATION TIPS FOR FACSOCS

12

CAREERS AND INTERNSHIPS

14

IMPROVING STUDENT WELFARE

18

ENGAGEMENT WITH POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS

19

ENGAGEMENT WITH INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

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THE GUILD GUIDE TO RUNNING FACSOC 2018

Committee Management HOW DO I MAKE MY COMMITTEE INCLUSIVE AND APPROACHABLE FOR MY MEMBERSHIP? • Engage strongly with students through orientation, especially first year students - Especially important for undergraduate Faculty Societies - Camps are effective at doing this • Offer target groups resources and events that serve them to get those groups engaged - Ensure that you are providing value to all of your constituencies • Giving out prizes at events • Setting up subcommittees - Be careful of creating a ‘reject’ status of these committees (students feeling as if they aren’t good enough to be on the main committee) - Helpful to running of the committee • It is good to have international representatives on committees to help to better engage them • Consistent engagement through weekly events (e.g. study sessions) HOW DO I MOTIVATE VOLUNTEERS? • It is important to have clear expectations - People can be held to these expectations

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UWA STUDENT GUILD EDUCATION COUNCIL

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THE GUILD GUIDE TO RUNNING FACSOC 2018

• It is important to motivate unpaid volunteers - Need to feel valued - Give people responsibilities - Make them leaders • Foster friendships between committee members, especially new ones - Work out what people are good at, and what people enjoy – assign them these tasks - Treat everyone with respect, and reward them HOW DO I MAXIMIZE MY FACSOC’S

- E.g. event attendance, engagement on social media - This can be used to track progress (students are always changing) • Have regular, structured meetings HOW DO I AVOID COMMITTEE DRAMA? • Everyone deserves to be treated with respect • Large committees are more likely to have drama • Drama can cause people to drop off • Ensure that your executive pay

POTENTIAL THROUGH STRATEGIC

attention to drama in the committee

AND FINANCIAL PLANNING?

and take action on any drama quickly

• Develop a comprehensive budget • Have financial transparency to the rest of the committee - Give reports of the state of the finances at meetings • Strategic planning is important - Set goals at the beginning of the year - Avoids clashes of portfolios (esp. double-booking events) - Retreats are a good way to do this - End of year evaluation is important • SWOT analysis - Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to your organisation • Use metrics to assess the performance of each portfolio - Metrics should give a quick summary of each portfolio - Gather statistics

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• It is important to have clear expectations - People should understand what is expected of them - Everyone should show respect to others on the committee

UWA STUDENT GUILD EDUCATION COUNCIL

relationships with faculty

• If you want something, ask for it

WHO DO I CONTACT IN MY FACULTY

• Show initiative

TO DISCUSS PROBLEMS WITH DEGREE STRUCTURE/UNITS/ETC.?

• Contact different staff depending on the issue - Issues with degree structure – Dean or Associate Dean - Education issues – Associate Dean - General issues/student experience – Head of School

engage with students (e.g. mentions in school newsletter/ promoting events)

• Make contact and a maintain a good relationship with student experience representatives in the faculty • Volunteer at faculty events • Can even offer honorary membership to members of the faculty • Offer to speak at first year lectures SHOULD I INVITE STAFF MEMBERS

WHO DO I CONTACT IF A STUDENT

TO OUR EVENTS? WHICH KINDS OF

HAS AN ISSUE WITH A SPECIFIC

EVENTS ‘SELL’ YOUR FACSOC TO THE

STAFF MEMBER (E.G. ACADEMIC

FACULTY?

DISAGREEMENT)?

• Invite faculty members to ‘classier’

• Complaints are dealt with centrally through the CRU (Complaints Resolution Unit) • Contact the Head of School or the Associate Dean if the student wants to remain anonymous and say “we have had a complaint about…”

HOW DO IMPROVE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MY FACSOC AND MY FACULTY? • Gauge how the relationship with the

events (e.g. networking cocktail events, careers events) - E.g. UEC has a staff table at their ball every year!

- E.g. Blackstone Dinner Debate • Ask students who they would like to see at an event • Some events engage staff and students (e.g. debates, sport) • Alumni events often work well involving staff

faculty was in the past and formulate

DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER TIPS FOR

a strategy to improve it

DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS WITH

- Try and match your strategy to the goals of the faculty for the year • Set up meeting with the faculty and speak to them about getting to know the key people/players in each field • Offer to collaborate and help them to

YOUR FACULTY? • Meet regularly with the Dean • Be professional • Address faculty through the correct channels

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THE GUILD GUIDE TO RUNNING FACSOC 2018

- Formal addressing of emails etc.

- Get peoples’ titles right • Wear smart casual • Avoid speaking about your own issues, frame issues as “a student raised [concern] with me” • Get good handover notes from your predecessor - What is the dress standard - How much info are you trying to get out of certain meetings - Who in the faculty is on your side etc.

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UWA STUDENT GUILD EDUCATION COUNCIL

Orientation Tips for FacSocs WHAT IS THE INVOLVEMENT OF FACSOCS IN THE NON-GUILD ORIENTATION? • Each faculty has a “faculty orientation day” (all student welcome, a tour and a faculty lunch) • In the past some FacSocs have been involved in the faculty lunch or have positioned a stall on the tour • Get in touch with your faculty WHY SHOULD STUDENTS SIGN UP TO MY FACSOC? WHAT WILL THEY GET OUT OF IT THAT THEY CAN’T GET ELSEWHERE? There are a huge range of benefits to joining a FacSoc and it is important that students understand this.

• Build culture within a faculty • Fun events that they can attend with their friends • Make new friends • FacSocs represent students and allow their concerns to be heard by the university (Faculty Boards, relationship with Faculty and through the Guild Education Council) students can express their concern about majors/units/etc.

• Keep up to date with changes within the university which may affect their degree

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THE GUILD GUIDE TO RUNNING FACSOC 2018

WHAT WILL MAKE STUDENTS WANT

• Membership benefits (cheap tickets)

TO SIGN UP TO MY FACSOC?

• Educational benefits (e.g. study

• Have a strong presence at O-Day at the beginning of the year, as well as at other events such as club carnival.

• Get your committee out to mingle with students • Free food/drinks (e.g. slushie

nights, fresher guide, advocacy) • How others that aren’t studying the major can be involved HOW IS IT DIFFERENT ENGAGING WITH INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS?

machine) and fun activities or

International students represent a

performances at O-day (e.g. having

large and growing proportion of UWA

a paddle pool if the weather is hot)

students, and in many cases engaging

may make student more likely to

with these students is different to

engage with you.

engaging with domestic students.

• Postgraduate FacSocs (e.g. WAMSS,

• Respond well to events that focus

Blackstone, UDSS) can often better

around meeting people (international

engage with undergraduates by

students often struggle to make

running ‘direct entry events’ targeted

friends with domestic students

at students who intend on studying

• Events that are accessible and relaxed

the relevant degree

• Education focused events.

WHAT WILL MAKE MY O-DAY STALL ATTRACTIVE AND WELCOMING? • A sense of busy-ness often makes O-Day stalls more noticeable • Keep your stall neat and professional looking • Sell merchandise (e.g. T-shirts) • Run activities or give out freebies • Consider playing music (there can be problems if it is too loud, or if a nearby stall is also playing music)

• Market events towards international students • Get involved at the international student orientation day (Monday of O-week) • Have a presence of committee members who are international students • Reduce the amount of writing on your posters and use more graphics • UWA Guild Volunteering are able to translate material into other

WHAT ARE GOOD CONVERSATION

languages for you free of charge,

TOPICS TO TALK TO FRESHERS

email volunteering@guild.uwa.edu.au.

ABOUT? • Their degree (e.g. majors/units) • Events

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UWA STUDENT GUILD EDUCATION COUNCIL

HOW IS IT DIFFERENT ENGAGING

Society about having a stall at the

WITH RESIDENTIAL STUDENTS?

mature age students welcome, or

It can be more difficult for FacSocs to engage with college and other

distributing materials (masa@guild. uwa.edu.au)

residential students because many of these students are heavily involved in res clubs. Try: • Education and networking events • Engage through the res clubs • Stalls at college orientation (NB each college has different dates) • Having a representative at each college • Get involved in the scavenger hunt run by colleges during the orientation • Provide fliers/promotional material to be included in fresher packs HOW IS IT DIFFERENT ENGAGING WITH MATURE AGE STUDENTS? Students who are over 21 when they start their degree are mature age students. Often these students will not attend O-day, but it is important to consider them, especially if your faculty has a high density of mature age students.

• These students are often interested in representation and networking opportunities rather than large social events • Family friendly events (on the afternoon or weekend) • Mature age student mentors, and mature age reps in your FacSoc • Talk to the Mature Age Students

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THE GUILD GUIDE TO RUNNING FACSOC 2018

Careers & Internships WHAT IS THE CAREERS CENTRE? HOW CAN THEY HELP MY FACSOC? • Runs careers services for students

clashes with UWA events • Simply sign up under the “for employers” tab on CareerHub and list your event • The careers centre may be able to advertise your event on the UWA Facebook page

at UWA (includes workshops, networking events, advice) • Events are advertised on CareerHub (employer events, careers fairs, VIVE fair, Mentorlink, workshops) • Why students should get involved

WHAT MAKES MY GRADUATES EMPLOYABLE? • Employers want to know what students do apart from academia • Part-time work, mentoring, leadership,

with the careers centre as early as

volunteering and work experience

possible:

(FacSocs can help with this!)

- Students need to develop

• Employability skills (communication,

employability skills and build their

interpersonal, problem solving,

resume

leadership, teamwork)

- Students need to work out what their best skills and attributes are,

WHO WILL SPONSOR ME?

what needs to be developed, what

• Look where your graduates find

work environment they want to be part of - Students need to start applying for internships at the start of second year - Careers Centre have compiled “employability checklists” for 1st year, 2nd year and 3rd year • Career advisors are happy to come

employment - E.g. in commerce there is the ‘big 4’ – good target for sponsorship WHO SHOULD I CONTACT IN AN ORGANISATION TO REQUEST SPONSORSHIP? • Varies between fields • Many companies have a graduate

and talk at societies’ events – please

outreach staff member

give notice (preferably over a month)

• Otherwise, contact the HR

– just email careerscentre@uwa.edu.

representative, or recruitment

au

manager

CAN I PUT MY FACSOC’S EVENTS ON CAREERHUB? • This is encouraged to avoid event

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• Be sure to cover your contacts in handover between committees

UWA STUDENT GUILD EDUCATION COUNCIL

WHAT CAN COMPANIES OFFER MY

- Free food and drinks are good

FACSOC?

- Breakfasts often work well

• Money/sponsorship • Internships • Link for students to industry • Networking opportunities • Company reps to come to or speak at events

• Careers fair – companies want to feel that they are presented well • Panel discussions with different career pathways in a field • Speed networking • Networking workshops

HOW DOES MY FACSOC’S CAREERS PORTFOLIO KEEP UP WITH PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS? • Internships and grad work • Faculty can help with this • Alumni of your faculty & past committee members • It can be good to compile a “careers handbook” for students HOW DO YOU APPROACH POTENTIAL SPONSORS? • Build a relationship during the year • Invite them to events • Establish what makes you unique, i.e. you are uniquely connected to students (direct contact to students – capitalise on this!)

WHAT’S THE BEST KIND OF EVENT THAT CATERS TO THE DEMANDS OF YOUR RELEVANT GRADUATE EMPLOYERS? • Careers events - Companies usually like a representative to speak and mingling between reps and students

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THE GUILD GUIDE TO RUNNING FACSOC 2018

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UWA STUDENT GUILD EDUCATION COUNCIL

Improving Student Welfare WHAT ARE THE MAJOR WELFARE ISSUE THAT FACE STUDENTS? The students of today lead busy lives and deal with a lot of stress. Many students face mental health issues (suggested to be ~80% by 2016 NUS National Wellbeing Survey), which are exacerbated by the stress of exams, work, family situations, and in some circumstances, appeals and special consideration. There is a lot of stigma that surrounds these issues that can prevent students from seeking help.

Student bodies, such as the Guild, FacSocs and clubs are well positioned to address these issues in a lowbarrier way.

HOW CAN FACSOCS ADDRESS STUDENT WELFARE ISSUES? Below is a collection of ideas to help tackle welfare issues: • “De-stress days” - Free food and friendly animals to provide a break from the stress of uni - “Take a break” resources (e.g. colouring in, knitting) - Face-masks, cosmetic products • Study resources • Participation in group exercise activities (e.g. fun-runs, ping-pong tournaments) • Sports and volunteering activities

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THE GUILD GUIDE TO RUNNING FACSOC 2018

• Mindfulness activities

• UWA Sport passes

• Publications on student wellness (e.g.

• General CentreLink assistance

Blackstone’s Blackbird magazine) - Can feature articles, advice, recipes, pictures • Events aimed at “breaking stigma” around mental health issues - E.g. mental health quiz nights, panel discussions • Events specifically aimed in supporting members from minority groups (e.g. networking evenings, catch ups, panel discussions, film screenings etc.)

• Train committee members in mental health first aid so they can act as a friendly, educated and capable face for students in your faculty • Reminders to students to take care of themselves on social media and in newsletters WHAT IS STUDENT ASSIST? Student Assist are a team of qualified social workers and a counsellor who offer free, confidential advice, support and advocacy for any issues that UWA students may face.

Student Assist are always happy to help and collaborate with FacSocs and clubs on their events – email assist@guild. uwa.edu.au or pop into the Student Assist Office in the Guild.

Key Services: • In-house counselling service • Referrals and information on UWA Psychological Services

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• Legal resources • Budgeting Support • UniAccess referrals • Visa agent referrals • Mental health resources (internal and external) • Food Pantry • General friendly drop in to chat/vent/ cry/laugh • Gap between UWA psychologists, GP and Mental Health Nurse • Chill out zone at night events

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THE GUILD GUIDE TO RUNNING FACSOC 2018

Engagement with Postgraduate Students WHAT IS THE PSA? • Postgraduate Students Association • Independent department of the Guild that represents postgraduate students • The PSA President represents postgrads on many university committees • The PSA Committee also encompasses a research representative and a coursework representative from each faculty • PSA also runs events for postgrads, including PSA Connect WHAT ARE THE GREATEST ISSUES FACING POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS? • Largely excluded from ‘campus culture’ and social life on campus • Financial circumstances - Especially concerning for students excluded from AusStudy - Research costs (e.g. conferences, publication costs) - Students are largely unaware of the funds available to them • Coursework is more difficult and more time consuming • It is more difficult to find the time for work, volunteering and extracurricular activities

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• Welfare and mental health - Many postgraduates work alone, especially in research degrees HOW CAN THE GUILD, CLUBS AND FACSOCS HELP POSTGRADS? • Engage with postgrad students to help them feel connected • Help students to grow networks and make friends • Encourage students to use services such as Student Assist WHAT ARE SOME STRATEGIES FOR ENGAGING POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS? • Give students a platform to present or talk about their work, especially for research students • Provide food and drinks (e.g. wine and cheese nights) • Speak with the coordinators of honours/masters programs for help engaging with students (they may be able to help you to get contacts, or suggest particular times that fit with students’ study commitments) • Family-friendly events work well for engaging postgraduate students with families • Try to tailor events to a specific group (cf. ‘one size fits all’ events) • Don’t be afraid to change long standing event ideas if they are proving unsuccessful • Establish networks with postgraduate students

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Engagement with International Students WHAT ARE THE MAJOR ISSUES FACING INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS? • Trouble finding internships jobs - More pressure than domestic students • PhDs can take longer than the scholarships last, making it expensive • Many students lack a support network • Must keep a full-time load to keep their visa • Financial hardship - Larger fees than domestic students without fees - Less able to work - Hidden costs that aren’t anticipated by international students - Partially addressed by food pantry and loans from the Guild • Mental health • Cultural barriers • Language barriers HOW CAN I BEST REPRESENT INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS?

WHAT ARE SOME KEY STRATEGIES OF ENGAGEMENT WITH INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS? • Social media - Engage students using platforms that they understand - WeChat is used by many international students at UWA • Organise events specifically for international students • Work with Taylor’s college (feeder college of international students to UWA) • Work with residential college clubs to engage international students that live at college • Low barrier events for meeting new people (esp culturally focused) - E.g. speed friending - Giving students an opportunity to engage with their culture is advantageous • Engage with ISS (Guild department that is the peak representative body of international students at UWA) - ISS Guild send a newsletter to every international student each month - Publish a magazine called Lighthouse

• It is good to have international representatives on committees • Helps to engage new groups of students

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