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► SWANSEA SU POLL
► Minutes 28.10.09
Course Representatives Assembly
Wednesday October 28th 2009
Wallace Lecture Theatre
To read these minutes in Welsh, please click here >>
Convenor – Dr. John Follett – SUSU Research & Representation Advisor
Welcome
Dr. John Follett introduced himself and informed the meeting that his role with regards the Course Reps Assembly (CRA) is to advise, offer guidance and conduct the training for the Course Representatives. Beyram Sagir, SUSU Research Assistant, was introduced to the meeting – his role is to assist, supervise and carry out societies training. Edy Parr, SUSU Campaigns & Political Advisor, is introduced to the meeting – his role will be to compile the minutes for the CRA.
Apologies were conveyed to the meeting from Ross Gilman, SUSU Education Officer, he was attending a Higher Education Conference in Manchester.
John Follett explained the role of Course Rep to the meeting. The attention of the meeting was drawn to the “conduit” nature of being a Course Rep – a conduit between the Students Union and students - and between students and the university authorities. “You are the front line” – it was emphasised how important the role of Course Rep is and that the role had only recently received the recognition it deserved. “You represent your academic year and your academic course”.
The structure of the Course Rep committee system was explained – Faculty Committees are above Student / Staff liaison committees.
The meeting was informed that there are vacancies for some Faculty Reps – self nominations were invited from the meeting.
Faculty Rep for Arts & Humanities
One person self nominated – Adam Barnes was duly elected.
Faculty Rep for Business, Economics & Law
Five students self-nominated – each was invited to speak for 1minute each – Georgia Thomson was duly elected.
Faculty Rep for Engineering & Science
Three students self nominated – each was invited to speak for 1minute each – Marura Al-Sulaimani was duly elected.
Faculty Rep for Health & Human Science
One person self-nominated -Rebbecca Parry was duly elected.
The Role of a Course Representative
John Follett outlined the role of a course rep and informed the meeting that they are there to represent any issue, any problem – anything – BUT only academic issues. Students sometimes need to be pointed in the right direction and issues or problems can be raised at the Student / Staff committees. The course rep is situated centrally and therefore able to meaningfully contribute to the improvement of the academic experience by monitoring the quality of teaching and courses.
John drew the attention of the meeting to the Course Reps handbook that had been distributed earlier in the meeting. Course Reps were encouraged to promote themselves by ensuring contact details are available via the SUSU website, contacting departmental secretaries, using departmental notice boards to advertise course reps – a promotion pack had been compiled by Ross Gilman and should be with the departmental secretaries.
The meeting was informed that above all, course reps are NOT a counselling service and should concern themselves with only academic matters. Personal issues such as housing or mental health issues should be referred to SUSU Advice Centre or the University counselling service – details of which are available in the back of the Course Reps booklet.
Academic issues such as the lack of feedback for a period of time should be pursued via the departmental internal structure first – departmental secretary and/or tutor/lecturer. Only in the absence of a satisfactory response should it then be raised at the Student / Staff Committee. If no satisfactory outcome is obtained at this level, the matter should be referred to John Follett or Ross Gilman so it can be pursued at a higher level.
All matters should be treated in confidence and with tact.
What do Course Reps get out of it?
- Course Reps get a SUSU Certificate in recognition of the contribution made.
- A CV entry that in a difficult economic climate adds value – shows potential employers that a position of responsibility has been held that involved working with people.
- If Course Reps attend each CRA and all departmental meetings, an opportunity is available to obtain five extra credits, which is obtained through the additional activity of writing and submiting a 1,000 word essay on your experiences as Course Rep.
The meeting was then briefly informed the Departmental Meeting agendas should be received by reps a week in advance of any meeting. It is important to read them and familiarise yourselves with the content. Examples are available for inspection on the SUSU website. The purpose of minutes was explained to the meeting – a record of the last meeting and of its outcomes. Examples are available on the SUSU website for inspection. John Follett explained the location of his office and invited reps to call in if they needed any assistance.
Reps will receive regular emails from Ross Gilman with updates and there is a Facebook group for reps with important information etc. There will be a Course Reps Corner in Waterfront – volunteers were invited to submit articles, interviews etc. There is also a Course Reps radio show– by Course Reps for Course Reps – volunteers were also invited for this endeavour – a form was passed around to collect volunteers contact details. A focus group is also to be established between SUSU and Swansea University to examine the future of the proposed SA1 second campus. Volunteers were also invited to establish a Joint Honours focus group. Faculty Reps were made aware that they would be contacted soon to assist with National Student Survey (NSS) research. It was announced that a Course Reps society would soon be established – volunteers were invited.
Questions were invited.
The meeting closed at 4.45pm
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