Thursday 21st saw me and VP Comms going round Chad Varah and Greestone; putting up a few new posters, but more importantly talking to a large number of students about the Union following my view to improving communication within the Union...
I also had a group of students come to me asking how to raise a particular issue, which I was more than happy to advise and assist with and believe that they plan to submit a motion to council.
Monday and Tuesday of the week of the 25th were particularly hectic for me, with now having a 7 hour day on the Monday - all my lectures for the week bar one! - and Tuesday with me being out filming for a documentary, followed by an informal yet productive meeting with my fellow Faculty Reps to discuss papers for Wednesday's meeting...
Wednesday was undoubtedly the most eventful day that week; with an intensly productive Exec Committee Meeting followed by an even more productive Faculty Board meeting...
Although not directly related to my Student Officer role and particularly of interest to B&L Faculty Students, the main points which we submitted in our report are shown below:
Action point A5 (2009-11-11)
-Business School course reps were contacted by Joe Hicks, however many failed to respond.
-This issue has been presented to Student Rep Exec. Committee and is being tackled.
This was an initiative I proposed to improve communication with students within my faculty before I was elected as a Student Officer; It is now being taken further and applied across every academic school in conjunction with an internet directory.
Staff/Student Communications
-A significant number of students have reported contacting academics, particularly through email, to be unreliable
-Proposition of a ‘good practice’ guide regarding timescale of email communications for academics.
This was received well by the board; explanations were given that sometimes when academics are away or ill, they do not have auto-messaging enabled to let students know, which is something being looked into...
Leniency during bad weather
-During the recent period of bad weather, many students had problems coming into University – particularly those spending time at home for Christmas – to hand in assignments.
-Proposition of a degree of leniency towards hand-in dates during extreme situations.
Again, the board agreed as many of the academics had been in similar situations; we were informed that deadlines can be met via post; I suggested that students needed to be more informed of this facility.
Electronic submissions are also being considered.
Time-tabling issues
-A number of students, particularly level 1 and 2, were unhappy about the scheduling of tests/exams at the start of the calendar year when they were otherwise not required to be in University for a significant amount of time.
-Proposition of more student-centred timetabling of such tests.
Academics were aware of this, and apparently timetabling is being looked at as a much bigger project, which hopefully will sort this out in the long term, however we were reminded that those weeks were still academic weeks and the timetables have to fit around other students, academics and room bookings.
Subject Committee Scheduling
-As senior reps, we feel that our Subject Committees should be held prior to Faculty Board meetings.
-This way, any issues not resolved in these meetings can be brought to Faculty Board.
-Proposition for Subject Committee meetings to be scheduled before Faculty Board Meetings, with enough time for Actions to be carried out.
This is being taken under consideration for next year, however we are taking steps to try and arrange more regular meetings (covered later in this post)
Venue Times
-It has been raised by the student body that increasingly frequently academics are allowing their tuition periods to continue past the ’ten-to’ deadline.
-This makes it difficult when students have one lecture/seminar following another which runs over.
-Proposition to remind Academics of these timing guidelines
Academics will be reminded of this policy; hopefully this will prevent future problems.
Academic Freedom Policy Statement - Regarding Reps
-Some academics appear offended, abrasive and are unhelpful when approached by both students and reps.
-The guidelines of this policy do not only apply to academics, but to students and reps as well.
-Proposition to remind academics of this policy’s relevance to students and reps, and of their duties as academic tutors in support of students.
This was accepted, and we were encouraged to (and inform students to) essentially stand up for ourselves; academics are there to give knowledge and sometimes take any queries as a personal attack, it should be stressed that students have full rights to talk to academics without receiving hostility.
NSS
-08/09 - These results show particular weaknesses in certain courses and specific areas across the board (i.e. – Assessment Feedback)
-How are these issues to be tackled?
-09/10 - Action Plan not included in papers with NSS starting soon
-What is the Action Plan for the Business and Law Faculty?
These plans were delayed due to unforeseen circumstances... We were told those particular weaknesses are general across the whole University, and are something many faculties are striving to improve for the future.
Other Progressions:
Following on from the faculty board meeting, myself, James Spittlehouse and Kimberly Smith (Business/Law/Faculty, respectively) met with Heather Hughes, to discuss mainly NSS and communication...
It has been decided that a 'Rep Forum' for the Faculty will be held (more frequently than faculty and subject committees) for reps to discuss issues arising; eventually, we hope that academics will also come along, in a very informal 'coffee and a chat' scenario, to try and get issues sorted out as quickly as possible...
This was mentioned at the end of student council last week, and it has been suggested that our faculty run the initiative to see how it works, with a view to all faculties doing the same next year...
Hopefully, this will make communication within specific faculties much more comprehensive and resolutions much quicker...
Apologies for this blog post being a little belated, I have much more to say, but I'm conscious of this getting a little too long for comfort; expect an update of my activities soon!
-Joe
