Student Representative Council INTRODUCTION FOR STUDENTS

CONTENTS Mission Statement Purpose Reporting Structure Membership Elections Meetings Issue or Complaint? Glossary of Terms Membership Terms Terms of Reference

MISSION STATEMENT The Student Representative Council (SRC), acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land and we wish to pay respect to their Elders, past and present. The Council acknowledges the important role that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to contribute within the CQUniversity community.    The SRC at CQUniversity has a proactive attitude, a student perspective and a team-based approach. All members of the SRC will be both visible and approachable for CQUniversity students and staff and aim to unite the student body with fairness, respect and constructive progress. Being a contributing voice at CQUniversity, the SRC will listen to and represent the student body with genuine interest and enthusiasm. Through developing professional collegial relationships with members of University executive management, your Council will directly contribute to enhancing your student experience and ultimately assist you with being who you want to be.  Mission Statement Established 10 August 2015

PURPOSE The SRC is concerned with the improvement of the student experience for all University students studying at all campuses and locations of the University and by distance education. The student experience includes: Student amenities and services University policies and procedures in regards to student life Student life for students based on campus or studying by distance education The University's physical, cultural and technological learning environments.

REPORTING STRUCTURE

MEMBERSHIP SRC membership comprises: Appointed members: One member of the University Council, or nominee Ex-officio members: Vice-Chancellor and President, or nominee Deputy Vice-Chancellors Elected members: One higher education student from each region One postgraduate distance education student One undergraduate distance education student Two international students Two VET students One Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies student One Tertiary Entry Program student

ELECTIONS Calls for nominations to serve on the Council are released through Student Communication Broadcasts. In the event that more than the required number of students applies for any given position, this position will then go to an online election. Elections are held in March each year. Positions that are vacant outside of the formal nomination and election period can be applied for directly by sending an expression of interest to the Coordinator, Student Representative Council. Expressions of interest should state the position you are applying for and outline why you should be an SRC member. The Coordinator, SRC will contact you and let you know if your application has been successful.

MEETINGS Meetings are held monthly and all students are welcome to attend in the capacity of observer following a permission sought to attend through the Council Chair or Council Secretary. Students can attend meeting in person, through video-conference or through teleconference. Members and approved attendees are expected to be prepared for meetings by reading the agenda and meeting documentation that is available on the Student Representative Council Portal.

ISSUE OR COMPLAINT? Issues SRC members are particularly interested in issues raised by students that reflect the views of a number of students. Issues can be raised with Council members in person or through email by contacting your SRC student representatives. Once an issue has been raised to the attention of a Council member, the Council member will submit an agenda item for Council consideration. Complaints The University has an established system in place for the handling processes of individual complaints and it is important to note that often (although not always), a complaint may not reflect the views of the wider community and as such are best addressed through the appropriate channel as opposed through the SRC.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS Membership Definition Example Ex-Officio A person who holds a position on a Council or Committee by virtue of the office or position they hold (has voting rights). Vice-Chancellor Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s Co-opted A member chosen to sit on a Council or Committee because of the expertise, knowledge and/or experience in a particular area (has voting rights). Fields may include: Information and Technology Observers With the Chairs permission, individuals may attend meetings and can contribute to discussions (no voting rights). University students who are not official members of the Student Representative Council

GLOSSARY OF TERMS CONT. Membership Definition Example Elected member A person selected by election to hold an appointment or office (has voting rights). Student Council Representative members Quorum The number of members required to be present at any given time throughout a meeting. If a meeting is not at quorate, it can not make final decisions and may only discuss at full meeting quorum at a subsequent meeting. Recommend The Student Representative Council may recommend a matter for further consideration to, for example the University Council. Approve The Student Representative Council may approve the allocation of funding following consideration through a meeting in full quorate. Endorse The Student Representative Council is provided with information with a particular emphasis to make point of.

TERMS OF REFERENCE The Terms of Reference describes the purpose, structure and operations of Councils and Committees. The SRC Terms of Reference can be accessed through the University’s Policy IMPortal (policy.cqu.edu.au)