Student Representation – Staff Training Wednesday 9 th September (2-3pm) Followed by Staff Forum (3-4pm)

Student Representation – Staff Training Background – Representation: What, who, and why? The Union’s role Running an effective Student-Staff Committee

What is Student Representation? Putting students at the heart of the learning experience. Structures and processes that: – Ensure that the student voice is effectively represented at all levels of the University. – Enhance programmes of study and improves the student learning experience. – Provide a mechanism for feeding back outcomes of representation.

What is Student Representation? “We aim to work in partnership with our students in order to develop their learning experience to be as stimulating, relevant, challenging and satisfying as possible. In order to do this, we will: – Encourage students to be active and engaged members of the University community, sharing ownership of their learning experience […] – Work with the Students’ Union to offer effective mechanisms for partnership, student engagement and representation in line with the student representation framework, and other involvement in decision- making structures consistent with the principles of the National Union of Students Manifesto for Partnership.” – Newcastle University Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Strategy

The Student Representation Policy Produced jointly by the University and the Students’ Union Launched During 2010/11, the Student Representation Policy was reviewed. (Minor updates in 2013/14) Following widespread consultation, a revised policy was produced and was approved by ULTSEC in December The aim of the review was to assess the effectiveness of the current policy and ensure it remained fit for purpose.

Items of Note Current requirement to hold minimum of four Student-Staff Committee (SCC) meetings per year to be maintained. NUSU to continue to offer centralised training. Schools encouraged to facilitate informal meetings / events for SSC members. Minutes from SSCs to be made available to relevant cohort. Chair role to remain mandatory and deputy chair role to be created. Annual reports to be a standing item for the final SSC meeting. Schools encouraged to reward representatives. html htm

Who are our Student Representatives? The Student voice. Students who have volunteered to represent their student cohort at University learning, teaching and student experience meetings. 5 representative roles open to students: Course Reps; SCC Chair; SSC Student Secretary; School Rep; and Education Officer.

Student Representation Roles and Responsibilities Course Rep 1 for every 20 students (1168 reps – 68.3% UG; 25.5% PGT; 6.2% PGR) 60.5% have completed induction training provided by the SU Should be elected by the students they represent Gather feedback from students on their course Attend Student-Staff Committee (SSC) meetings Inform staff of student opinion on their course Develop solutions with staff Provide feedback to students on their course SSC Student Chair & Secretary 115 reps Organise their Course/Programme’s SSC Create the agendas Lead the meetings Ensure the committee makes decisions Follow up on actions Take notes/minutes Completes the annual report Attend Boards of Studies

Student Representation Roles and Responsibilities School Rep 64 positions of which 33 have currently been appointed. Usually two per School - one taught, one research* Usually recruited in semester 2 Trained by the Students’ Union Represents the student view at Faculty meetings Feeds back to Course Reps what has been decided at both University and Faculty meetings

Student Representation Roles and Responsibilities School Rep Attend all training provided by the Students’ Union Be familiar with the outputs of all Staff Student Committees within their School. Maintain regular contact with all chairs. Meets at least once a term with the Head of School. Attend FLTSEC/GSC pre-meetings each month alongside other School Representatives from their Faculty. Submit a termly update to the Education Officer, to keep the Students’ Union informed on issues within the School. Develop and conduct a handover to the incoming School Representative at the end of their year in post. f

Student Representation Roles and Responsibilities Education Officer Elected by the student body Represents the whole student view Attends University wide meetings Feeds back to the School Reps what has changed Matthew Price

Why is Student Representation important? A key part of the University’s responsibility to place the student voice at the heart of the learning experience. Enables students to become more involved in their degree programme, improving satisfaction and making them more likely to achieve the highest grades. Enhances students’ employability. A way of demonstrating to students that their ideas and concerns are being listened to and addressed. Nurtures a learning partnership between students and staff.

Examples of Achievements Architecture, Planning and Landscape Have convinced the Head of School and Directors to spend part of the school’s budget on a new laser cutter for the workshop. Computing Science Have agreed that a mentor scheme will be trialled for MSc students this academic year. Combined Honours Have redesigned their induction week and independently organised a fortnight of careers events. History, Classics and Archaeology Have introduced a successful new style guide, as well as securing longer opening hours and additional storage space in the Armstrong postgraduate room. Psychology Have refurbished their common room, improving computing and printing facilities.

Comments From Previous Reps “Being a Course Rep has been a completely positive experience […] I now have a better understanding of how my course runs and the constraints and problems facing the staff.” “I was surprised how seriously the staff took our opinions.” “Not only did it improve the course but I got to know my Degree Programme Director and the course admin staff which is useful.” “I have gained important diplomatic skills from the meetings that I have attended.”

Task: Build a Course Rep!

How the SU supports Course Reps and Staff

NUSU Values and Priorities Values Our members are at the heart of our decision making. We represent and empower them. We are supportive, responsible and accountable. We make sure that our students feel as though they’re supported in the best way possible, regardless of their circumstances. Priorities for Representation We will improve our training and support to an effective network of student academic representatives. We will empower Reps to make positive changes at a course, school and faculty level. We will continue to represent students locally and nationally. We will maintain and improve our strong democratic base. NUSU strategic plan,

Union Support for Student Reps Induction Training Skills Training Opportunities to get further involved Social Events Monthly newsletter Dedicated Facebook page Rep Employability Day Pride of Newcastle Awards NCL+ Award (HEAR accreditation)

Training TypeDateTraining TimeLocation Staff Facilitator Training09/09/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Staff Facilitator Forum09/09/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Course Rep Induction Training Taught07/10/ pmMartin Luther King Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Course Rep Induction Training Research07/10/ pmMartin Luther King Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Course Rep Induction Training Taught #14/10/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Student Chair & Secretary14/10/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union School Rep Training16/10/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union School Rep Forum16/10/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Course Rep Induction Training Taught20/10/ amHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Course Rep Induction Training Taught21/10/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Course Rep Induction Training Research22/10/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Course Rep Induction Training Taught #23/10/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Course Rep Induction Training Taught26/10/ amHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Course Rep Induction Training Taught #27/10/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Student Chair & Secretary27/10/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Course Rep Induction Training Taught28/10/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Course Rep Induction Training Taught #29/10/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Course Rep Induction Training Taught29/10/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Course Rep Induction Training Taught30/10/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Course Rep Induction Training Taught02/11/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Course Rep Induction Training Research03/11/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union School Rep Training04/11/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Additional Skills Training - Meeting Skills04/11/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Course Rep Induction Training Taught05/11/ amHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Course Rep Induction Training Taught #07/11/ amHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Course Rep Induction Training Taught07/11/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Student Chair & Secretary09/11/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Course Rep Induction Training Taught #10/11/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Course Rep Induction Training Taught11/11/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Additional Skills Training - Communication Skills11/11/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Course Rep Induction Training Taught16/11/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Course Rep Induction Training Research17/11/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Course Rep Induction Training Taught #18/11/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Additional Skills Training - Negotiation Skills18/11/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Student Chair & Secretary19/11/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Course Rep Induction Training Taught20/11/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Course Rep Induction Training Research23/11/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Course Rep Induction Training Taught #25/11/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Additional Skills Training - Survey Trends25/11/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Academic Rep Lunch27/11/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Course Rep Induction Training Taught02/12/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Additional Skills Training - Equality & Diversity Training02/12/ pmHistory Room, 1st Floor Students' Union Key Staff Training School Rep Training Course Rep Induction Training Student Chair & Secretary Training Skills Sessions/Events

Union Support for Staff Information point Happy to meet to discuss any issues or concerns you may have. Regular updates. Staff webpage. Can share good practice between schools and other institutions. Attendance at SSCs You tell us!

What we require from the University Details of the members of staff supporting student representation in the School (1 st October) The details of elected Course Reps, Student Chairs & Secretaries (1 st November) Copy of the annual report Promotion of the different student representation roles. Encouragement for Course Reps and promotion of achievements

Promoting Student Representation Key task for current student reps Some will need help – Provide representatives with the addresses of the students they are representing – Noticeboards that advertise their contact details and achievements – s introducing Reps – Blackboard space

How to run an effective Student- Staff Committee

Purpose of SSC To provide feedback geared towards enhancing the quality of the learning experience. To provide a platform for students to offer their perspective on how their course is being run. To raise awareness of any issues relating to availability of learning resources. To encourage the swift resolution of any issues. To help ensure that the delivery of a course is fair to all students. To share good practice.

Constitution Student Chair – elected by the members, where appropriate, at the final meeting of the previous academic year Secretary – student where there is student interest Elected student representatives (Course Reps) ratio 1:20 A named staff facilitator Academic staff Representatives from central University services

Task: The ingredients of a good SSC

Tips for running an effective SSC Preparation: Dates agreed well in advance, as well as being clearly advertised and accessible. Papers available for all and sent out in advance. Pre-meets – establishes good working relationships with representatives. Support Student Chairs & Secretaries.

Tips for running an effective SSC Delivery: Allow students to take the lead. Be constructive and listen to the concerns of students. Ensure confidentiality of any students or staff who have raised issues for discussion. Take minutes. Re-cap on previous meeting and report on any progress made in relation to issues raised. Name tags Refreshments (time to mingle) – lunch hour meetings?

Tips for running an effective SSC Reflection: Check the minutes of the meetings. Identify areas that need to be followed up on and, where possible, act on them. Ensure that any non-attendees are informed of what has been discussed. Highlight the committee’s achievements (annual report).

Final Tips for Engagement Providing access Consider giving reps engagement tasks that will help you. This should nurture a sense of partnership. PROMOTION!

Questions?

Thanks for coming! David Jones (Representation Support Worker) e: t: (ext. 1090) George Watkins (Rep and Dem Co-ordinator) e: t: (ext. 1083) Dr Simon Meacher (Senior Development Officer) e: t:

Student Representation – Staff Forum 3-4pm

Student Representation at Newcastle: Facts and Figures Student representation puts students at the heart of the learning experience. Structures and processes that: – Ensure that the student voice is effectively represented at all levels of the University. – Enhance programmes of study and improves the student learning experience. – Provide a mechanism for feeding back outcomes of representation.

The Student Representation Policy Produced jointly by the University and the Students’ Union Launched During 2010/11, the Student Representation Policy was reviewed. (Minor updates in 2013/14) Following widespread consultation, a revised policy was produced and was approved by ULTSEC in December The aim of the review was to assess the effectiveness of the current policy and ensure it remained fit for purpose.

Student Representation at Newcastle: Facts and Figures 5 types of academic student representative: Course Reps; Student Reps; Student Chairs; Student Secretaries; Education Officer 1,168 Course Reps – Ratio 1:20 – 68.3% UG – 25.5% PGT – 6.2% PGR – 60.5% trained 115 Student Chairs & Secretaries 33/64 School Reps appointed 1 Education Officer

Student Representation at Newcastle: Achievements Architecture, Planning and Landscape Have convinced the Head of School and Directors to spend part of the school’s budget on a new laser cutter for the workshop. Computing Science Have agreed that a mentor scheme will be trialled for MSc students this academic year. Combined Honours Have redesigned their induction week and independently organised a fortnight of careers events. History, Classics and Archaeology Have introduced a successful new style guide, as well as securing longer opening hours and additional storage space in the Armstrong postgraduate room. Psychology Have refurbished their common room, improving computing and printing facilities.

Discussion: Why engage with course reps?

NUSU Survey Results 2015

NSS 2015: Q.25 I have had adequate opportunities to provide feedback on all elements of my course

NSS 2015: My feedback on the course is listened to and valued.

NSS 2015: It is clear to me how students’ comments on the course have been acted upon.

PTES 2015: I have appropriate opportunities to give feedback on my experience

PRES 2015: My institution values and responds to feedback from research degree students

Suggested Discussion Topics Promoting achievements of representation Course rep attendance at your SSC Making the SSC more strategic and effective Barriers to effective representation and how to remove them Student engagement at Boards of Studies Sharing good practice Plus any of your own

Thanks for coming! David Jones (Representation Support Worker) e: t: (ext. 1090) George Watkins (Rep and Dem Co-ordinator) e: t: (ext. 1083) Dr Simon Meacher (Senior Development Officer) e: t: