Liverpool Hope Students’ Union
Course Rep Handbook
• Course Rep Training
1
WELCOME
First of all a huge congratulations on being elected. The decision you have made to become a Course Rep is something that will be a great experience for you. By becoming a Course Rep, you have joint the system of LHSU officers and you will be making a difference at Liverpool Hope University both for yourself, your course-mates and future students. Your role is vital to Liverpool Hope, as you will become the point of contact between students and academic staff with regards to how the course is run. Not only are you adding to your CV, but you are a catalyst for change in your department; which all adds to making your time at Liverpool Hope much more fufilling. Course Reps also have a far wider effect on the university by feeding back to the Students’ Union, enabling the elected officers to respond directly to the issues that matter to students to develop relevant policies or lobby on their behalf. The Course Rep System enabels you and other students to enhance the quality of your course by identifying good practice and areas for improvement. As a Course Rep you’re there to make sure that the University takes into account the needs of students ensuring that they receive the best possible education. A Course Rep system that works well is of a massive benefit to everyone involved. From the individual student on a course who is able to feedback to the University and have this acted upon, by course leaders, departments and Faculties to Professor Pilay, the Vice Chancellor. This handbook will provide you with the advice and information on your new role. If at any point in the coming year you need future support or guidance the Students’ Union is here to help. If you have any issues, questions or would like to speak to someone about your role do not hesitate to contact us at vpresed@hope.ac.uk or courserepofficer@hope.ac.uk We hope you have a great year and enjoy your time as a Course Rep.
2
BENEFITS
The Benefits of being a Course Rep By being a Course Rep: Course Awards Rep Help to improve the quality and delivery of education on your course
Develop a greater understand of how the University works Get to know other students and staff better Enhance your CV by taking on different responsibilities and acquiring new transferrable skills such as: 1. Communication & negotiation skills 2. Self confidence 3. Time management & organisation skills 4. Team working 5. Leadership.
As part of Liverpool Hope Students’ Union’s Student-Led Teaching Awards Course reps have the opportunity to be nominated for a Course Rep of the Year award. Look out for the opportunity to make your nomination in February 2014
What am I expected to do? As a Course Rep your role is to express the collective view of the students on your course and ensure these views is heard by those in a position to make change. Sometimes you may be asked to represent a view which differs from your own, if it is the view of other students on your course and then it is your responsibility to do this to the best of your abilities.
3
The role of a Course rep is an important one for both Liverpool Hope Students’ Union and the University expect you to embrace a certain level of personal responsibility towards the role.
As a Course Rep you should: 1. Make yourself known to the students you represent This way students who want to raise an issue will know who you are and how to contact you. Let other students know about your role and how to contact you by: Sending a group email Asking your lecturer if they will give you five minutes at either the beginning or the end of a lecturer to introduce yourself Getting a Course Rep notice board, so you can post information and set up a suggestion box in the same area, Setting up a Facebook or similar group to help communicate 2. Attend training provided by the Students’ Union These sessions run throughout the academic year and provide an important overview of the role and the opportunity to meet fellow reps. 3. Be Proactive Talk to your fellow students to find out what they think of the course, not just what needs changing but also what works well and can be built upon. Consult widely so that you find out the opinions of all the students on your course. 4. Takes student concerns to staff members Some issues are best dealt with by talking to the relevant tutor, course leader or even Head of Department. Try to raise issues as soon as possible- the longer things are left the worst they can become. Where you take the issues depends on who is in the best position is resolve the situation. 5. Maintain Confidentiality Always check whether or not a course mate who has raised an issue is happy for their name to be mentioned when you take the issue forward. 6. Raise student concerns at the Student Staff Liaison Committee SSLC are the main meetings course reps are required to attend. At these meetings you will be expected to put forward the view of the students 4
you represent. Your department should have the details of when these meetings will take place. 7. Report back to other students on the outcomes of the meeting It is important that you feedback the outcome of meetings to the students you represent. If an issue is taking a while to resolve, keep everyone informed what progress is being made. This completes the feedback loop. 8. Signpost students with individual problems to the Students’ Union or Student Services. 9. Keep a record of what you do Keep a folder of relevant papers, emails and research. This can then be passed on to the next year’s rep so they have a wealth of information what they take on the role. 10.Tell us what you have achieved We want to know what issues you are dealing and your success storiesno matter how big or small. Email us with your stories to vpresed@hope.ac.uk
5
BOUNDARIES
Sometimes students will come to you with matters of a personal nature. It is very important that you do not become involved with these individual issues; it is not in your interests or those of the student concerned, but instead refer the student on to someone who is professionally trained and will be able to help them.
You are not expected to deal with: Disputes between individual students and academic staff (eg. Harassment, bullying, discrimination and victimisation) Formal procedures such as academic appeals, individual complaints, academic misconduct or disciplinary meetings Welfare problems- Health or personal issues, financial and funding queries.
For individual complaints and formal procedures Advise the student to contact the Students’ Union Name: Shauna Fivey Email: vpresed@hope.ac.uk Tel: 0151 291 3651
For welfare problems Advise the student to contact the Students’ Union Name: Peter Downey Email:vpreswelfare@hope.ac.uk Tel: 0151 291 3663 6
What Kind of Issues can I deal with? A wide variety of issues may be raised with you in your role as a Course Rep. Below are some of the key areas that may arise and which you should discuss further with your course mates
Course Content and Structure Is the course the same as it states in the prospectus? If not, why not? Are the optional elements suitable? Is the workload too high or disproportionate between elements? Are all your deadlines on the same day? IS the timetable appropriate?
Academic support and guidance Are students able to contact your tutors and academic staff at times appropriate to their needs? Are course materials and lecture notes available on Moodle?
Teaching Methods Are they interesting, varied and appropriate? Do they allow you to reach your learning objectives? Should there be more lecturers, labs or tutorials?
Assessment methods and feedback Do you understand the criteria for assessment and methods used? Are there any opportunities for peer assessment? Is the feedback provided to students by staff useful and delivered in a meaningful way that allows them to improve the quality of their assessed work?
Study Resources Are library and computing facilities adequate? Up to date? Are the relevant books and journals available? Is the software you are using industry standard?
7
Placements Are there problems with particular placements? Does the University provide adequate support during placements?
Remember: You are a student as well! Be careful not to take on too much work or put yourself under too much pressure. If in doubt ask for help.
8
SSLC
The SSLC The SSLC stands for “Student Staff Liaison Committee” This is basically a meeting between senior staff and student representatives to discuss what’s going on in that department. Every Course rep is automatically a member of their Department’s SSLC. SSLCs work differently in different departments but they will all have Course Reps, course co-ordinators (who organise the different modules), lecturers and other members of staff on them. The SSLC will usually be held twice a semester. Make sure you do attend, as this is the most important way for you to communicate directly with senior staff and to raise issues and concerns. The SSLC will discuss all and any aspects of academic life within their Department. More information can be found in the SSLC Guide Book under the Course Rep Section on www.hopesu.com.
9
Conduct in meetings It can be intimidating walking into a room full of your lecturers, supervisors and people who you respect and who are widely respected in their field. You must remember though, that you know something that they don’t and cannot. You know the real student perspective on how the department is run, and the real student experience. They rely on you for this. However, for a good student rep, the actual meeting is not the first step in making changes… Let your students know that a meeting is coming up and make sure you have researched whether there is anything that you should bring up. Mention some points that you intend to bring up, which may generate more feedback than just an open question.
Arrange a meeting with your other student reps to discuss any issues that you’d like to bring up, if you know you have each other’s’ support before the meeting you will feel far more confident.
Remain professional and focused, never shout or target a particular member of staff. Sometimes you may disagree with the majority of your cohort but you must still raise the issue as if you felt as strongly as they did about it. Find out when your meetings are. Ensure that at least an oral report from you is a standing item on the agenda.
Find out when your meetings are. Ensure that at least an oral report from you is a standing item on the agenda.
Before any meeting ask yourself two questions. 1. What do I hope to be able to contribute to the meeting? 2. What do I hope to be able to get out of this meeting? Always be polite, positive, constructive and assertive Be prompt, even early and take your papers with you. Arriving early is an excellent way of having informal chats with people, getting settled in and making yourself comfortable Avoid interrupting others to make your contribution and don’t let people interrupt you. If someone does, point out that you would like to finish your comments before people give their suggestions. Support other speakers, if someone’s argument seems unclear, try to rephrase their point but try not to be patronising.
10
NSS National Student Survey The Nation Student Survey (NSS) is an annual survey of final year students that takes place between January and April. The NSS is a great opportunity for students to feedback on their course and academic experience at University. It carries a lot of weight within the University.
Every year the University analyses the NSS results and highlights areas that are in need of attention. The results are broken down by course. You can use the NSS to see how last year’s students viewed your course and use this information to support your case when bringing up recurring issues. The Main heading in the National Student Survey are:
Teaching & Learning; Assessment & Feedback; Academic Support; Organisation & management of courses; Learning resources; Personal development; Overall satisfaction
When you raise an issue if you can relate it to one of the NSS headings this will help your case further since the University takes the National Student Survey very seriously.
11
ISSUES What do I do when an issue is raised? Research When an issue is brought to your attention you will want to do some research and establish the facts before deciding what action to take.
Consult with other students and gather opinions- does everyone hold the same view or do opinions differ? Is this an issue just affecting your course or are other years/courses affected- maybe it would be beneficial to work with other Course Reps?
Find out what constructive solutions your course mates are suggesting. To ensure you are taken seriously it is important to be able to give an educated opinion, so do some research into the facts. Useful information can often be found in your Course Handbooks, University regulations and in previous years NSS results.
Consider the most appropriate way to take the issue forward If an issue needs dealing with quickly, you should arrange to meet with an appropriate staff member to discuss the situation. They may not realise there is an issue and an informal approach such as this will be able to quickly resolve the situation. It is usually not appropriate to bring up a sensitive issue about a member of staff in a public forum- including meetings or online methods. Course Leader Your Course leader will be able to discuss issues with you that concern aspects of the Course Programme Head of Department If issues have not been resolved by discussion with your course leader, it may be appropriate to take your issue to your Head of Department. 12
SSLC If an issue can wait and is a more formal issue that would benefit from a discussion with a larger group then raise the issue at your next Staff/Student Liaison committee Seek Advice Please contact the Students’ Union if you would like to discuss the issue before deciding how to proceed, please email: vpresed@hope.ac.uk
How do I know what my class mates think? Before you go to a meeting as a course rep, you need to gather as wide a range of opinions as you can. Remember, you are there to represent the views of the whole group whether or not you agree with them all. There are several different ways of communicating with the students you are representing;
Survey Monkey
Focus Groups
Notice Board
Blogs/Wordpress
Talk to your classmates
13
#wearethehope
www.hopesu.com 14