Course Rep Training 2017/18

Julian Porch (JP)YUSU Academic Officerj.porch@yusu.org

Kimi SmithStudent Engagement Development Coordinatork.smith@yusu.org

Gabby MorganStudent Engagement Coordinatorgabby.morgan@yusu.org

Charlotte ChamberlainGSA Presidentpresident@yorkgsa.org

Graeme OsbornRepresentation, Advice & Welfare Coordinatoradvice@yorkgsa.org

Brontë Wright

Social Sciences facultyrep-socialsciences@yusu.org

Brontë is working on variation in assessment and

exam types

Send them feedback here:www.yusu.org/facultyfeedback

Christian Stickles

Sciences facultyrep-sciences@yusu.org

Christian is working on ensuring everyone is heard

and noone is forgotten

Matthew Worrall

Arts & Humanitiesfacultyrep-artsandhumanities@yusu.org

Matthew is working getting students access to modules they are not registered on

YUSU Advice + Support Centre

Please signpost students to ASC if they are dealing with:

● Exceptional circumstances● Academic misconduct ● Appeal processes after failing an

assessment● Disciplinary or fitness to practise

investigations● Health or wellbeing problems

asc@yusu.org01904 32 3724Open 10am-4pm

GSA Advice Service

The GSA Advice Service supports postgraduate students with the same issues, plus the following specific to postgraduates:

● Academic progression● PhD confirmation● Relationship problems with

research supervisors or TAP members

www.yorkgsa.org/book

advice@yorkgsa.org01904 32 2718

Open 10am-4pm

Basics of being a Course Rep

Roles and ResponsibilitiesTo improve the student learning experience in partnership with the department

Act as a communication channel between staff and students

Identify solutions to problems

Represent your cohort’s views

Provide both positive & negative feedback

Work as a team with your Department Rep and YUSU/GSA

What can you do?One of your biggest roles is to gather student opinion.

Curriculum

● Are contact hours useful?● Do the learning outcomes match what you have learnt?● Is the course challenging?● Are you satisfied with the way the module is structured?● Is the workload evenly distributed throughout the term?

What can you do?One of your biggest roles is to gather student opinion.

Resources

● Does the library meet your needs?● Are there enough study spaces available?● Do departmental facilities meet your expectations?● Was lecture material easily accessible?● Do you need more lecture capture?

What can you do?One of your biggest roles is to gather student opinion.

Teaching Quality

● How would you rate the teaching?● Do you feel prepared for assessments?● Are the number of contact hours adequate?● Are staff knowledgeable?● Is the teaching material up to date?

What can you do?One of your biggest roles is to gather student opinion.

Assessment and Feedback

● Have you been fairly marked?● Is the criteria clear?● Is feedback prompt?● Is feedback valuable, does it allow you to improve?● Are there too many assessments?

What to do with it?Open up discussions with departmental staff

Present your findings at the relevant meetings:

● Board of Studies● Teaching Committees● Student-Staff Forums*● Course Rep Catch Ups● Course Rep Forums

Keep YUSU/GSA in the loop - it might be a University-wide issue that we can start a campaign for e.g. lecture capture

*AKA Student-Staff Liaison Committee, Student Voice Committee

Communication Is KeyCommunication is Key!Course Reps in Committees

The Basics

Board of Studies● Meets once per term● Department staff & academic

reps● Main agenda only● Responsible for content,

structure, delivery and quality assurance

Student-Staff Forums● Meets once per term (at

least)● Department staff, academic

reps & students● Chance for students to raise

concerns and address issues● Staff there to respond to

queries and help draft formal proposals for BoS

Outside of Committees

You don’t always need to wait until a committee meeting!

If you need a quicker solution, try speaking to:

● Module Leaders● Programme Leaders● Department Reps● Academic Officer

Even if something has been resolved, do still bring it up at either a Course Rep Catch Up or your next SSF so that there is a record of it.

Before

Key things to do before a committee meeting:

● Make sure you are being invited to them● Make sure you are receiving papers● Read the papers● Consult your cohort on matters● Prepare anything you are wanting to raise - think about

whether it should be submitted as a main item.

During

When in a committee meeting:

● You can feed into all agenda points and discussions● The Chair should ensure that you feel comfortable to do so● Make notes, especially of any actions● If presenting, be clear and concise - know what you are

asking for and be prepared to answer questions

Lobbying

● Clearly state the problem as your cohort sees it● Give reasons for why this problem occurs● Provide evidence to back up what you are saying● Offer a desired solution

Remember, you are part of a huge network across the University and can lobby staff, students and students’ unions. By keeping in touch and working as a team we can make change happen from bottom up and top down.

How would you…?

How would you help this student?

A lecturer does not allow students to have electronic devices in their sessions. A student comes to you to say that they need their iPad to makes notes as they have dyslexia.

● Is this something you should deal with?● What would you do first?● Who would you speak to?● What if you can’t get a quick solution?

sS

How would you…?

How would you deal with this?

There is an historically bad module, that nobody does well, nobody finds useful and it doesn’t seem to have any connection to the rest of the course.

● Is this something you should deal with?● What would you do first?● Who would you speak to?● What if you can’t get a quick solution?

How would you…?

How would you campaign for this?

Students on your course have to print excessive amounts of material for their seminars. The Department doesn’t give any printer credit and students are struggling with the costs.

● Is this something you should deal with?● What would you do first?● Who would you speak to?● What if you can’t get a quick solution?

After

● Minutes - read them, check them, follow up on actions

● Close the feedback loop - go back to your cohort and tell them what has happened due to their feedback.

● Celebrate your success!

www.tinyurl.com/depwins

Communication Is KeyCommunication is Key!Communication is key!

Lecture shout outsCheck Timetables

● Timetable button on Student Homepage● Login and click "Add timetable"● Click on "Route"● "Filter on department" ● Then you can click the timetable(s) you wish to see ● You can then click close and the timetable will appear.● Click view and pick what you want!

EmailsThings to think about...

● Clear subject lines● Do you really need to click reply all?● Be careful with your humour● Proofread● Email Signatures

Gabby MorganStudent Engagement CoordinatorT: 01904 32 4453 E: gabby.morgan@yusu.org

Surveys● Speak to the masses● Facts and Figures● Google Forms, Survey Monkey and Facebook Polls

Social Media● Think about everyone● A picture speaks a thousand words● Scheduling● Interaction

T: @YUSUCourseRepsFB: /yusuacademicreps

The Big Picture

Student Voice Nationally

● We input into sector-wide consultations e.g. TEF

● We will be inputting into the recent one for OfS

● We work with other Unions to find best practice

The Student Voice at YUSU

www.yusu.org/representation/officers/part-time