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Student Reps Handbook

2012 — 2013

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ContentsIntroduction

What's in it for you?

What Reps do

Role boundaries

Communication

Signposting

Where you fit in

Going to meetings

NSS

Sussex Plus

Key contacts

Timetable 2012–13

Glossary

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IntroductionSo, you’re a Student Rep… now what?

Becoming a Student Rep is a brilliant choice that will benefit you, your fellow students and the University so on behalf of all of us, thank you!

This handbook is here to guide you through what happens next and contains all the information you need to be the best Rep you can be.

The Rep Scheme in a nutshell

You are important to everyone involved in the development of the University of Sussex and you provide an essential link between the Union, the University and students. That’s why the Rep Scheme is co-run by the University and the Students’ Union. Because you are a student it makes it easier for fellow students to seek your

assistance when they have concerns about their education and experience of the University.

As a Student Rep you are the eyes and ears of the University and the Union. You can tell us what it’s really like being a Sussex student, what works and what doesn’t, and you can set the agenda for change.

You can make a difference. Student Reps actively make things better for Sussex students. From faster turnaround for assessment and feedback to the amount of talking in the Library, Reps get things done!

You are the student voice and that makes you powerful. The University is committed to improving the student experience and promises that ‘we will continue to closely monitor student feedback with School-level student

experience working groups’. You can read more about the University’s plans at www.sussex.ac.uk/aboutus/documents/strategicplan/strategicplanupdate.pdf

The Student Rep Team is here to help you.

This may all sound like a big responsibility. Don’t worry, we are here to help! We deliver essential training to all Student Reps between November and January and additional training is also available. The Rep pages on the Students’ Union website are also a brilliant resource for you to use:

www.sussexstudent.com/studentreps

If you have any queries or concerns please get in touch with The Student Rep Team – see Key Contacts (page 20) for details.

Welcome to the exciting world of student representation!

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What's in it for you?

So, apart from the enormous sense of satisfaction, you may be wondering what you get in return for all your hard work. We want to make sure that being a Rep is not a thankless task and also that you make the most of the experience you have gained as a Rep in your future endeavours.

Valuable skills and experience for your CV

It’s a tough employment world out there. You can use your experience as a Rep to boost your chances.

Communication skills

This is a big one for lots of employers. From presenting information in meetings and lectures to writing reports and emails, you’ll learn a lot about putting your point across effectively. You will also be able to demonstrate experience of effective listening in order to gain the fullest picture of the situation.

In my experience as a Career Development Advisor, employers focus more and more on skills that students develop during their time at university alongside their academic achievement. Being a Rep is a great way of developing and evidencing the sort of communication and personal skills that employers look for in graduates and can really strengthen your CV.

Andy Howard Career Development Advisor

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Organisational skills

You will need to develop effective time management and organizational skills to make sure you can fit in your work and your Rep commitments.

Networking skills and confidence

The University in an enormous organisation with numerous layers of management. To be an effective Rep you’ll need to develop useful contacts in order to raise issues at the appropriate level and get your voice heard. These contacts may help you in both a representative and a personal capacity. The stronger and more numerous your contacts are within the University, the more people you may be able to ask for references.

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What do Reps do? Identify problems and/or areas of good practice

Put your findings into action

Provide good feedback

Listening to the student voice is an integral part of how we in the University develop our teaching and learning and the wider student academic experience. By representing the views of your fellow students, you allow us to understand how different issues affect students and to respond effectively, helping us to identify good practice and to make changes. As Reps you represent the diversity of students at Sussex and are part of the strong tradition of independent student views at Sussex, and we very much welcome you and appreciate the time you are able to give to your role as Rep.

Prof. Clare MackiePVC Teaching and Learning

Talk to other students on your course to find out what’s bothering them. Make it easy for people to contact you as their representative. See the section on communication (Page 9) for ideas.Remember, being a Student Rep is not just about identifying problems. It is also about identifying areas of good practice within the University in order to make sure that these continue and expand.

This means attending appropriate committee meetings, raising issues and working with relevant staff to find solutions. It is important to take an active role in meetings in order to communicate any issues you may have. See sections on how to get the most out of meetings and more about your role. If you’re having trouble, contact a member of the Student Rep Team from the Key Contacts page (Page 20).

Let your coursemates know what you’ve been doing on their behalf. Communication works both ways and it’s always nice to know what you say has been acted on. This applies even if the answer is not what you or your fellow students wanted or expected. It is up to you to determine what the best way of feeding back is but generally the rule is face to face if it’s a personal issue, via an email to your department if it’s to a group of students or directly at a lecture/seminar.Remember to let the University know about your concerns – they can’t improve if you don’t tell them what the problem is. Keep in touch with other reps in your School, and with the Students’ Union.

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What do Reps do?

Gathering ideas

Through dialogue with students

Forming arguments

Moulding student opinion into solid,

cohesive viewpoints

Feeding inCommunicating viewpoints to the

University

Feeding back

Resulting action to students

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Role boundariesIssues Reps can deal with

As a Rep you are likely to come across students who want to discuss the following issues. Where possible, try to assist students in your department year-group to resolve issues/complaints initially informally and subsequently formally, as necessary.

Teaching resources: Availability of lecture rooms, lecture facilities, room facilities, disabled access etc

Teaching methods: Do students have the opportunity to experience different learning environments such as small seminar groups as well as lectures? Do lecturers make use of a variety of teaching methods such as board-work, lecture room tehnology etc, as appropriate? Do the teaching methods used exclude students with specific learning difficulties?

Study resources: Availability of books and other resources in the library, access

to workstations, laboratory facilities etc.

Course content and structure: Does the course match the description in the course handbook? Do lectures and seminars focus on the important topics? Have changes been made to the course without warning or consultation? Is the workload distributed reasonably throughout the course? Are the feedback mechanisms clear and appropriate?

Hidden course costs: Have students been given adequate information about the costs of photocopying, attending field trips, laboratory charges etc. Are charges reasonable?

Access to facilities after hours: Does the University campus provide adequate services to part-time students and students who need facilities outside 9am-5pm?

Issues concerning placements: Where students have professional placements as part of their course (e.g medical, social work, education courses), do they have adequate support from the University during the placement?

Communication of issues: Are students aware of what is happening in the University and Students’ Union and are they happy about the way this information is disseminated?

Comparisons between schools and/or departments: Sometimes students hear of an area of good practice within another school of study or department and want their Student Rep to get it introduced in their own school or department

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Issues Reps cannot deal with

Where a student wants to discuss the following issues, you will need to refer or signpost them to appropriate sources of help.

Individual student performance: It is not a Rep’s role to represent students in relation to their marks. Students who have concerns about their grades should speak in the first instance to their Academic Advisor. If unsatisfied with the response, they can be referred to the Students’ Union Advice and Representation Centre, who can advise on whether a student has grounds for an academic appeal or complaint.

Allegations of harassment or bullying: Students who allege that they have been bullied or harassed should be referred to the Advice and Representation Centre or the Student Life Centre.

www.sussex.ac.uk/equalities/1-3-1-7.html

www.sussex.ac.uk/humanresources/documents/harassment-policy.pdf

Complaints: Students who wish to make a formal complaint should be referred to the University’s complaints procedure and may wish to seek independent advice from the Students’ Union's Advice and Representation Centre.

www.sussex.ac.uk/ogs/governance

Personal problems: If a student has personal problems you can refer them to the Student Life Centre.

www.sussex.ac.uk/studentlifecentre/

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Here are some of the things Reps have achieved during the last academic year:

I have had to collate information from my fellow students and take this to student experience meetings. Most importantly discussing what monies should be spent where and what is the best way to develop the communal areas. It was useful to report back information regarding the assessment process within the school and how this could be developed. Most importantly as a Student Rep I have advocated for extra lectures in areas that people feel lacking in knowledge - this was taken on board and will be voluntary for students to attend.

I feel that the School of English is highly concerned with the wants and needs of its students. All of the issues I aired were taken on board and discussed at meetings. I asked for a way in which students from all schools would be able to view a timetable of lectures so that they could attend lectures from other schools if that subject was applicable to their studies and this is being taken into consideration. I also flagged up the importance of office hours that are not being very well advertised, and changes are being made here too.

There were several instances where students contacted me with queries and I was able to get answers where they may have just suffered in silence or gone on bad advice. Important questions and views from students were raised at school meetings. Reps are an excellent voice for people who are unsure of how to get things out in the open!

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CommunicationHow to identify problems and good practice

Effective communication is the backbone of good representation. Try to be varied and persistent in your efforts to canvas student opinion. Here are some tips to get you started…

Ask to do “shout outs” at the beginning/end of lectures to introduce yourself to your peers.

Talk to people – make sure they know you’re their Rep and listen to their concerns. This could be before lectures or even in your social spaces.

Publicise your email address – this makes it as easy as possible for students to contact you quickly. You can even ask staff to help you send emails to all the students you represent.

Social networking sites (Facebook and Twitter) – Appropriate use can be a very effective way of communicating.

Notice boards – use your department notice board to update students regularly by posting new minutes, contact details, etc. You could even be creative and make your notice board a place where people can leave feedback.

Hold “office hours” – make yourself available for people to come and speak to you at a set time and place.

Pigeonholes – check if there is a pigeonhole available to you in your department or school so that students can leave messages for you.

Use online surveys to gather opinions/data such as SurveyMonkey - The Students’ Union is keen to help Reps generate your own alternative survey data. Check the Reps website for further information:

http://www.sussexstudent.com/represources

• You are there to represent the views of your peers, these may not necessarily reflect your own, but you are asked to present the majority opinion or a balanced range of feedback.

• A wide range of support is available to help you perform your role to the best of your ability.

• Making improvements to the student experience requires research, patience, persistence and co-operative working.

• Communicate as often as possible, particularly before meetings.

Points to remember

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Academic AdvisorsEveryone is allocated an academic advisor when they start at Sussex. To find yours go to Sussex Direct g Study Programme. This is particularly helpful with…Questions about your course / Modules / Changing courses / Assessments

Doctoral SchoolFalmer Housewww.sussex.ac.uk/doctoralschool' (01273) 87 7767 * doctoralschool@sussex.ac.ukFor postgraduate research students

Student Support UnitPevensey 1www.sussex.ac.uk/studentsupport' (01273) 87 7466 * studentsupport@sussex.ac.ukSupport and advice for students with disabilities.

International OfficeFriston Buildingwww.sussex.ac.uk/international' (01273) 67 8422 * international@sussex.ac.uk

Student Life CentreGround Floor, Chichester 1 Open Mon–Fri, 9am–5pmwww.sussex.ac.uk/studentlifecentre' (01273) 87 67 67 * studentlifecentre@sussex.ac.ukPersonal problems / understanding University procedures / student funding / thinking about leaving or taking a break from study / complaints / discipline / mentoring

Housing OfficeBramber Housewww.sussex.ac.uk/residentialservices' (01273) 67 8220 ' FAX (01273) 678 696* housing@sussex.ac.uk

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The Students' UnionAdvice & Representation Centre 1st Floor, Falmer Housewww.sussexstudent.com/advice' (01273) 87 7038 * advice@ussu.sussex.ac.ukProfessional advice and representations on issues including money problems, housing rights, academic appeals, academic misconduct, and complaints to the University.

Education & Welfare OfficersThe Students' Union Education and Welfare Officers can lobby the University to change their policies and procedures – on issues that may affect students both collectively and individually.* education@sussexstudent.com ' (01273) 87 3324* welfare@sussexstudent.com ' (01273) 87 33549

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Where you fit in

Doctoral School CommiteeWhat? Oversees the University's provision for postgraduate research students and postdoctoral research staff, including their educational and career development.When? Once per term - see meetings timetable.Who? Chaired by the Pro-VC for Research, 3 postgraduate research Student Reps sit on the committee.Reports to? Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee (and ultimately Senate).

School Student Experience Group

What? This is the least formal committee you will attend. A chance for all Reps to feed back on issues relating to student experience within the school.When? TermlyWho? Chaired by the DoSE also includes the Head of School and all Student Reps in the school.Reports to? School Teaching and Learning Committee

School Teaching and Learning Committees

What? Oversees Teaching and Learning in each school.When? TermlyWho? Key academic staff within the school. A limited number of UG and PG representatives.Reports to? University Teaching and Learning CommitteeMore Info: Ask your Chair Rep about raising issues at this committee

IT Consultative Group (ITCG)

What? Discusses the issues around essential IT access and provision at Sussex.When? Once per term. See meetings timetable.Who? Chair: Head of ITS. One UG and one PG student rep per school.Reports to? Information Services Committee (and ultimately University Council)

Library Consultative Group (LCG)

What? Discusses issues to do with library provision and facilities. When? Once per term – see meetings timetable.Who? Chair: Head Librarian, one UG and one PG rep from each school.Reports to? Information Services Committee (and ultimately University Council)

Here are the main University and Union committees on which Student Reps sit or can attend:

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Senate

What? Highest decision making body of the University for academic matters.When? Usually once per term in week 10Who? Membership includes elected undergraduate student reps from each area of study (cluster), one elected PGT rep and one elected PGR rep, top members of University management (the VC and Pro-VCs), heads of schools, Librarian, Director of ITS, Union Education Officer and Union President.More Info: www.sussex.ac.uk/ogs/committees/senate

Union CouncilWhat? One of the highest decision making bodies of the Students' Union.Who? Representatives of Union committees and elected officers. All current Sussex University and BSMS students have the right to attend Council and suggest items for discussion. Only representatives and elected officers may vote.More Info: www.sussexstudent.com/council

University Teaching

and Learning Committee (TLC)

What? Top University Committee for issues relating to Teaching a Learning. When? Once per term – see meetings timetable.Who? Chaired by Deputy VC Clare Mackie. UG and PGT Cluster Reps attend this committee as do the Union's Education and Welfare officer.Reports to? Senate

Student Experience Forum (SEF)

What? A forum that brings together Student Reps and Students' Union officers with senior members of the University to discuss matters relating to the learning experience and welfare of students. Student Rep Chairs are members but all Reps are welcome to attend.When? Once per term – see meetings timetable.Who? Chaired by the Pro-VC for Teaching and Learning or a Students' Union officer.Reports to? University Teaching and Learning CommitteeMore Info: http://tinyurl.com/bw8mj5c

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Going to meetings

A big part of the Student Rep role is attending meetings and/or committees to represent students. This section guides you through how meetings work and how to prepare. Understanding this will help you get on with the important part: getting the student voice heard!

What are committee meetings like?

Some committees are more formal than others; school level meetings will be less formal than University level ones, of which Senate is the most formal of all. No need to sweat about them though as Student Reps will get briefings before University level committees to support their participation and this guide plus your training should tell you the rest.

The Chair is responsible for the flow of the meeting, ensuring all agenda items are covered within the timescale and that everybody gets to say their bit. This is usually the person to whom you address any questions so it is good to sit where they can see you! When you would like to say something to the meeting you will need to indicate this to the Chair by raising your hand slightly.

The Secretary is responsible for sending out committee papers and keeping minutes during each meeting. This is the person you would contact if you want an item added to the agenda prior to the meeting.

Key Players

Chairperson (Chair) Secretary

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1. Apologies for absence: If you know you can’t make a meeting it is always worth sending the secretary apologies. It is both professional and helpful to the timing of the meeting to know whether people are attending or not.

2. Minutes: Notes of the last meeting are checked for accuracy.

3. Matters arising: Action points from the last meeting not covered elsewhere on the agenda are discussed.

4. Reports: Members of the committee have the opportunity to talk about specific issues they want to raise. You should be given the opportunity to do this too (or to submit a written report in advance if you can’t come to the meeting). If this doesn’t happen, ask your secretary to timetable a report section for Reps at each meeting.

5. Any other business (AOB): Supposed to be used to make brief points that didn’t fit in anywhere else but can’t wait until next time. If you think of an important issue for discussion, ask during AOB that it be added to the agenda for the next meeting.

Structure…Most meetings go like this ê

The next page will give you more details on how to get the most out of the meetings you attend. You may also want to look at some real examples of agendas for various different committees so you know exactly what to expect. The link below will take you to a list of committees in the University. You can click on them and view minutes and agendas from past meetings.

http://bit.ly/sussexcommittees

If you have any questions about attending meetings then you should address them to the Student Rep Team (as in certain cases we arrange briefings for meetings), or we are happy to have an informal chat regarding your concerns.

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Going to meetingsHow to get the most out of meetings

Before a meeting…

• Look through the agenda and papers, so that you can collect student feedback on the issues to be discussed.

• Locate past papers and minutes to get an idea of previous discussions.

• Find out who the committee secretary is: let the secretary of the meeting know of anything you would like to bring up so that they can put it on the agenda.

• Make notes of things to bring up and any questions.

• Always explain an absence: if you are unable to attend always send

During a meeting…

• Be punctual.

• Know who is who: you’ll find members of the committee more responsive to you when you address them by name.

• Listen to others’ views.

• Be concise when making points.

• Give examples to illustrate your points.

• Never be afraid to ask.

• Do not be scared to put the opposing view.

• Have a positive attitude: you are more likely to be listened to if you present solutions to problems than if you are just seen as

your apologies and check that the apology is included in the minutes.

• Identify the main points you want to discuss and your key objectives.

• For University-level meetings – attend one of the Students’ Union briefing sessions (where a member of Students’ Union staff will talk through and explain what’s on the agenda, the accompanying papers and relevant issues).

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After a meeting…

• Feedback: it is absolutely vital that you feedback to the students in your School and/or department exactly what happened at the meeting.

• Carry out any action points you have been allocated.

• Organise: file away your committee papers carefully for next time.

• Spread the word: where you come across an issue you believe affects more than just your department (i.e. the whole School or University-wide), let the Students’ Union Education Officer know as soon as possible.

complaining about everything.

• Make sure you know what action will happen as a result of the things that have been raised.

• Direct all comments to the Chair, do not get into discussions with just one person.

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NSS

The National Student Survey is completed by final year undergraduate students at all universities in the UK. Questions are asked on the following topics, asking students to rate the University on a scale of 1-5:

• Teaching

• Assessment and feedback

• Academic support

• Organisation and management

• Learning resources

• Personal development

Additionally, students are asked about their satisfaction with the Students' Union.

The University uses the survey results and comments to improve the quality of education. If you are challenged to provide evidence of student dissatisfaction in your meetings, the NSS gives hard data specific to last year’s finalists in your School. University-wide data is also available. It can be a very powerful tool to back up issues you want to raise.

You can find recent results and more information at www.sussex.ac.uk/nss

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Did you know that the University has a Careers and Employability Centre specifically focused on helping you get the kind of work that you want? Check out their website:

www.sussex.ac.uk/careers

You can also find information here about Sussex Plus - an online resource where you can collate and present your skills and experience to help you stand out from the crowd:

www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/sussexplus

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The Student Rep Team

Students' Union:Education OfficerMaria Da Silva' (01273) 87 3324 * education@ussu.sussex.ac.uk

Representation & Engagement AdministratorDuncan Stokes' (01273) 87 3342 * d.j.stokes@sussex.ac.uk

University:Student Development CoordinatorStuart Fahey' (01273) 87 6552 * s.fahey@sussex.ac.uk

Teaching & Learning Project OfficerAmy Horwood' (01273) 87 6552 * s.fahey@sussex.ac.uk

Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS)

Director of Student ExperienceBobbie Farsides' (01273) 64 7630 * c.c.farsides@sussex.ac.uk

Student Support Co-ordinatorJon Mason' ext 7826 * bsms2285@sussex.ac.uk

Teaching & Learning Project OfficerEleanor Williams' (01273) 87 7607 * e.s.r.williams@sussex.ac.uk

There is also an email address for the whole team: studentrepsteam@sussex.ac.uk

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Education and Social Work (ESW)

Director of Student ExperienceCath Holmstrom' (01273) 87 3409 * c.j.holmstrom@sussex.ac.uk

Engineering and Informatics

Director of Student ExperiencePaul Newbury' (01273) 87 2615 * P.Newbury@sussex.ac.uk

Head of Schools Co-ordinatorLaura Tovey' ext 2856 * L.Tovey@sussex.ac.uk

History, Art History and Philosophy (HAHP)

Director of Student ExperiencePaul Davies' (01273) 87 2158 * P.Davies@sussex.ac.uk

Head of School Co-ordinatorAhmed Ahmed' ext 3726 * Ahmed.Koyes@sussex.ac.uk

English

Director of Student ExperienceMatt Dimmock' (01273) 87 7663 * M.Dimmock@sussex.ac.uk

Head of Schools Co-ordinatorMichele Harrison' ext 7152 * M.J.P.Harrison@sussex.ac.uk

Global Studies

Director of Student ExperienceDominic Kniveton' (01273) 87 7757 * D.R.Kniveton@sussex.ac.uk

Resource Centre ManagerEvelyn Dodds' ext 3244/7238 * E.Dodds@sussex.ac.uk

Business, Management & Economics (BMEc)

Director of Student ExperienceFiona Marshall' (01273) 87 7130 * F.Marshall@sussex.ac.uk

Information Co-ordinatorRussell Eke' (01273) 67 8020 * R.Eke@sussex.ac.uk

Course Co-ordinatorGeorgina Dean' (01273) 87 3921 * G.Dean@sussex.ac.uk

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Maths and Physical Sciences (MPS)

Director of Student ExperienceBarry Garraway' (01273) 87 7016 * B.M.Garraway@sussex.ac.uk

Head of Schools Co-ordinatorDorothy Lamb' (01273) 87 2724 * D.J.T@sussex.ac.uk

Media, Film & Music (MFM)

Director of Student ExperienceThomas Austin' (01273) 87 2549 * T.R.Austin@sussex.ac.uk

Head of School Co-ordinatorElaine Saunders' (01273) 67 8019 * E.Saunders@sussex.ac.uk

Psychology

Director of Student ExperienceAlison Pike' (01273) 87 7288 * alisonp@sussex.ac.uk

School AdministratorLee Thompson' (01273) 87 2944 * L.Thompson@sussex.ac.uk

Law, Politics and Sociology (LPS)

Director of Student ExperienceMarie-Benedicte Dembour' (01273) 87 7337 * m.dembour@sussex.ac.uk

School AdministratorLynn Gibbs' (01273) 87 7632 * L.M.Gibbs@sussex.ac.uk

Life Sciences (LifeSci)

Director of Student ExperienceLiz Somerville' (01273) 87 7460 * E.M.Somerville@sussex.ac.uk

Head of Schools Co-ordinatorFiona Hurd' ext 2731 * F.Hurd@sussex.ac.uk

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Timetable 2012–13

Date Committee Time

Wed 21 November 2012 Senate 13.30 – 16.00

Tues 4 December 2012 Doctoral School Committee 9.00 – 11.00

Wed 6 February 2013 IT Consultative Group 14.00 – 16.00

Thurs 7 February 2013 Library Consultative Group 14.00 – 16.00

Wed 6 March 2013 Doctoral School Committee 12.00 – 14.00

Fri 8 March 2013 Student Experience Forum 10.00 – 12.00

Wed 27 March 2013 University Teaching & Learning Committee 13.00 – 17.00

Wed 17 April 2013 Senate 14.00 – 16.30

Mon 13 May 2013 Library Consultative Group 15.00 – 17.00

Wed 15 May 2013 IT Consultative Group 10.00 – 12.00

Tues 21 May 2013 Doctoral School Committee 10.00 – 12.00

Wed 22 May 2013 Student Experience Forum 11.30 – 13.30

Mon 3 June 2013 University Teaching & Learning Committee 13.00 – 17.00

Fri 14 June 2013 Senate 14.00 – 16.30

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Glossary

Chair of the meeting

The Chair of a meeting is responsible for ensuring that it runs smoothly, to time and as effectively as possible. In summary, the Chair forms the agenda and makes sure it is stuck to, ensures that everyone has the chance to speak, keeps the group focused on the agenda so as not to go off on a tangent and summarises discussions to key action points.

Cluster (also known as area of study)

Arts: English; History; Art History; Philosophy; Media; Film and Music

Sciences: Brighton and Sussex Medical School; Engineering & Informatics; Mathematical and Physical Sciences; Life Sciences, Psychology

Social Sciences: Business, Management & Economics; Education & Social Work; Global Studies; Law, Politics and Sociology

School Teaching and Learning Committee

This committee is responsible for overseeing all matters affecting students from across areas of study or needing a more central resolution. For example issues about school social space, web information, communication issues, timetabling, substantial changes to degree courses, feedback on induction and study resources.

University Teaching and Learning Committee

This committee is responsible for overseeing all matters relating to the development and delivery of all taught courses in the University and ensuring appropriate academic standards are maintained.

Student Experience Forum

A meeting which consists of a committee, attended by one Student Rep from each School (the ‘Chair Rep’), which is followed by a forum, to which all Reps are invited to raise any issue they like with the Pro Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning (A member of the University's senior management). This committee is essential to making sure that the University is open to student needs and opinions, and making sure that action is taken to provide the best student experience possible.

Students’ Union Full-Time Officer

Either a recent Sussex graduate or a student taking a year out of their studies who has been elected by students to work full-time in the Union for a period of one year, so they can represent the interests of all students at the University. There are six full-time officers and a range of part-time officers (who aren’t paid for their duties and who are still on their courses).

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AOB – Any Other BusinessAny Other Business is the section where the items can be brought up that has not appeared on the agenda and is often abbreviated to AOB.

DoSE - Director of Student Experience

HEI – Higher Education Institution

NSS - National Student SurveyA survey for all final year degree students at institutions in England, Wales and Northern Ireland which is designed to assess students’ opinions of the quality of their degree courses.

PG – Post-Graduate

PGR – Post-Graduate Research

Senate

Senate is one of the highest level decision making bodies in the University. It is essentially responsible for the academic aspects of the University e.g. teaching, examinations and research. Many issues raised at lower-level committees such as the University Teaching and Learning Committee will filter up to senate.

Council

Council is one of the highest level decision making bodies in the University, with responsibility for the governance of the University e.g. setting the University's strategic objectives and ensuring the University meets its legal and external requirements.

Acronym BusterPGT – Post-Graduate Taught

PVC - Pro Vice Chancellor

QAA – Quality Assurance AgencyAn external body that inspects, reports on and ensure the quality of all HEI’s in Britain.

SEF – Student Experience Forum

TLC – Teaching & Learning Committee

UG – Undergraduate

VC – Vice Chancellor

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The Student Rep Schemestudentrepsteam@sussex.ac.ukwww.sussexstudent.com/studentreps