How to be an effective Course Representative

Introductions How to be an effective Course Representative Working in pairs: 1.Introduce your self to each other and find out each other’s name, course and year of study 2.Write this information on a sheet of A4 paper 3.Take a picture of each other holding up this paper 4.Send the picture to

Explore the role of a Course Rep Identify skills needed by Course Reps Identify ways of gathering student opinion and evidence Discuss meeting practice Aims and objectives How to be an effective Course Representative

What is the Students’ Union? How to be an effective Course Representative ‘The Students’ Union is a campaigning and representative body which aims to advance education for students at Queen Mary, University of London.’

What is the Students’ Union? How to be an effective Course Representative MISSION To Improve students' lives. VISION For all students to feel part of a Queen Mary community where they can develop, are supported and can make changes on issues that affect them. VALUES Student Led & Democratic Diverse & Inclusive Open & Accessible Progressive & Creative Welcoming & Fun

How it works Students' Union Members (You!) Elected Officers (including VP Education) - sit on many University Committees etc. Student Council (includes all elected Officers, full and part-time) - passes policy and holds Officers to account Education Zone (includes Faculty, First Year, International, PGT and PGR Reps) - proposes policy, runs campaigns etc. Faculty Reps (x2) - sit on Faculty and University Committees School Reps (1 per SSLC) - liaise with Faculty Reps Senior Reps - can be School Reps and Co-chairs Course Reps Students

What is the role of a Course Rep? How to be an effective Course Representative Task Why do we have Course Reps and why did you want to be one? (Call out your answers)

To represent students’ views on the learning and teaching on your course. To gather evidence and opinions from students on your course. To work with the Students’ Union and the University to improve the student experience. What is the role of a Course Rep? How to be an effective Course Representative

Course Representative Course Representatives are elected by the students on their course. Course Reps are the link between students and staff on their course. They ask for students' views and represent them at Staff Student Liaison Committee (SSLC) meetings, work with staff to improve their course, ask for changes, and solve any course-related problems. Course Reps work with the Students’ Union QMSU and its elected officers, to help make things better for their fellow students. Responsibilities: 1.To attend the training provided by QMSU. 2.Attend SSLC meetings and contribute to the discussion. 3.Ask for opinions/issues from students before SSLC meetings. 4.Ask for items to be included on the SSLC agenda. 5.Give feedback to students after SSLC meetings. 6.To raise course related issues with teaching or support staff as they happen. Course Rep Job Description How to be an effective Course Representative

Faculty Reps HSS Petros Petrikkos Aidan Higgins S&E Paulo Arroyo Ali Talib

Faculty Forums A Faculty Forum shall be held once each semester. Membership of the Faculty Forum shall be as follows: Faculty Representatives (one of whom will take the Chair) All School Reps from within the Faculty PGT and PGR Reps from each SSLC Chairs and Secretaries of each SSLC within the Faculty (whether staff, or student Co- chair) The QMSU VP Education The QMSU Education Representation and Policy Coordinator (Secretary) The Deans of Faculty will be invited to their Faculty’s Faculty Forums. Any Course Rep may attend their Faculty’s Faculty Forums. Faculty Forums HSS Faculty Forum Semester 1 Monday 16 November – S&E Faculty Forum Semester 1 Tuesday 17 November – S&E Faculty Forum Semester 2 Monday 1 February – HSS Faculty Forum Semester 2 Tuesday 2 February – 18.30

Pass it on… Students may come to you with more personal problems. Remember you are not a councillor or an advisor, so please pass them on! You can direct students to the Students’ Union Academic Advice service, or the University’s Advice and Counselling and Disability and Dyslexia services. If you are not sure what to do, just ask a member of University staff or someone in the Students’ Union to help. What should you not deal with? How to be an effective Course Representative

Who are you resposnible to? How to be an effective Course Representative As an elected representative you are responsible to certain stakeholders. Task Who do you think you are responsible to? (Call out your answers)

Who are you accountable to? How to be an effective Course Representative Some of the people you are responsible to… Students on your course! The University. The Students’ Union. Other Course Reps. Future students (you can help make things better for them!)

The opportunity to volunteer – volunteer agreement Great opportunity to develop and demonstrate new skills You get to meet new people from across the University Receive recognition at the end of the year at the Students’ Union Education Awards What are the benefits for you? How to be an effective Course Representative Can be included on your CV to enhance your employability

Education Awards How to be an effective Course Representative Date tbc Drapers Hall, London When are they? The Education Awards are to recognise Course Reps and University staff. What are they?

What skills will you develop? How to be an effective Course Representative Task Working in pair, discuss the skills you think you need to be a good Course Rep (You will be asked to call out your answers)

What skills will you develop? How to be an effective Course Representative Skills Checklist Leadership Interpersonal Listening Speaking Problem solving Presentation Negotiation Team-working Time management

QM Skills Award How can YOU take part? Complete and log 30 hours of activity in the Union Attend 3 training sessions Complete reflective exercises QM Skills Award helps YOU: Recognise the skills you have developed through your dedication to QMSU Strengthen and gain further employability skills Articulate your skills to employers Identify further development opportunities As a Course Rep YOU are eligible for this Award! How do YOU register? Complete a short survey here:

Staff Student Liaison Committee (SSLCs) meeting. SSLCs are a meeting of staff from your course and Course Reps. SSLCs are formal meetings and are part of the University’s quality process. They are used to discuss and receive feedback on the student learning experience The SSLC has a Chair and Secretary. There should be an agenda, minutes and actions. You are a full member of the SSLC and can ask for items to be put on the agenda. Meetings with your School How to be an effective Course Representative

Meetings with your School How to be an effective Course Representative SSLCs aren't everything If problems arise between SSLC meetings, you do not need to wait until the next SSLC. You can always contact the relevant staff member directly, or seek advice from the SSLC Chair or Secretary.

Meetings with your School How to be an effective Course Representative Task Working in pairs, think about what you should do… 1 – Before a meeting 2 – During a meeting 3 – After a meeting (You will be asked to call out your answers)

Meetings with your School How to be an effective Course Representative Before a meeting Ask students for opinions or problems and collect evidence Prepare arguments and offer solutions Talk with other Reps Put items on the agenda During a meeting Take notes Mention things you like as well as problems Support each other After a meeting Feedback to students Monitor follow-up actions (including your own!)

Meetings with your School How to be an effective Course Representative Just complaining won’t always help...

Gathering evidence How to be an effective Course Representative Simple ways to gather evidence… Discussions before or after class. Ask for a couple of minutes in a lecture. Set up a Facebook group. Send a group . Create a survey. Noticeboards and newsletters. Hold a meeting. Why and how should you gather evidence?

National Student Survey The National Student Survey provides us with a wealth of evidence about the student learning experience. If you would like more information on an issue, contact the Union and we will help find evidence to back up your argument. Being evidence-based is vital as it means your argument will stand up better. What information is already available? How to be an effective Course Representative

QM Student Survey

You are not always going to get exactly what you want so you may need to negotiate. Negotiation How to be an effective Course Representative Top tips to negotiation Remember there are always at least two sides to every issue. Make your argument evidence based. Provide options, in case you don’t get your first choice. Listen carefully and show respect for each other.

Helps to identify the root causes of a problem and not the symptoms, ensuring that you offer possible solutions which address the cause rather than the effects. How to be an effective Course Representative Problem tree analysis

The student learning experience How to be an effective Course Representative Collecting students’ opinions Use this sheet to help collect student opinions. Remember to ask why and how things could be improved

Resources How to be an effective Course Representative

Explore the role of a Course Rep Identify skills needed by Course Reps Identify ways of gathering student opinion and evidence Discuss meeting practice Aims and objectives How to be an effective Course Representative

Further training planned for includes: Let us know if you would like us to provide anything else. How to be an effective Course Representative Further Training Lunch and Learn Problem Solving Tuesday 1 December Wednesday 2 December Communication Thursday 3 December Monday 7 December Interpersonal Skills Tuesday 8 December Wednesday 9 December Self-management Thursday 10 December Monday 14 December

Do you have any questions? Questions How to be an effective Course Representative Training evaluation and feedback We hope you found today useful. However, we are always keen to improve so please fill out a training evaluation form and hand it back before leaving.

How to be an effective Course Representative

QMUL Model Agenda Template

QMUL Model Minutes Template

Minutes Template Contd…

SSLC Guidance assurance/sslc/ pdf Quality Assurance Handbook / Updated & approved Senate 03/10/13 V1.1