Cardiff University Students’ Union

Student Academic Rep Coordinator Briefing 14th September 2011

THE ROLE OF THE STUDENTS’ UNION IN THE STUDENT ACADEMIC REP SYSTEM

By Samantha Reid (Academic and University Affairs Officer)

Who am I?Sam Reid: Academic and University Affairs Officer

Key responsibilities:

• To represent all students on all of the Students’ Union’s work relating to the academic experience

•To represent students on the highest academic committees in the University

•To listen to the Students and campaign for their key issues and concerns.

The Union is run by 8 full-time Elected Officers ...And 8 part-time officers!

• Marcus Coates-WalkerPresident

• Harry NewmanSocieties and Democracy Co-ordinator

• Nick MatthewFinance and Commercial

• Olly SmithHead of Student Media

• Sarah HalpinHealthcare Integration

• Ollie DevonAU President

• Chris DaviesWelfare and Communications

WHAT IS A STUDENTS’ UNION?• We are an organisation that looks to promote the interests of our 29,000 students,we are currently ranked 5th in the UK, and here are some of the services that we offer:

Advice and Representation Student Development Unit

Student Volunteering (1000+ Students)

200 clubs and societies

Award winning student news paper, TV and radio station

Jobshop

Cardiff Student Letting (1st and best in UK)

Safest and cheapest nightclub in town.

New non-alcoholic social work space – The LoungeMobile Union reaching to

students Welfare Support

What is the role of the Students’ Union in the Student Academic

Representation system?

Support students

Express the students’ needs

Represent at the highest

level

Resolve issuesTrain students Hold the University

to account

How do we use the Student Academic Representatives?

• Update them regularly via email about what is happening within the University

•Source of information

• Campaigns• E.g. JSTOR and the Assessment Matters project

• Events like the Enriching Student Life Awards

• For focus groups about projects and ideas• E.g. The Student Charter (2011-12)

ACADEMIC COUNCIL

•Meets 3 times a year.

•Discuss key issues in the University and the Student Body.

•Share best practice.

•Presentations by the University.

•Feeds into meetings in both the lower levels and the senior levels of the University and our annual Student Written Submission.

A student led project in partnership with the University

Why is it important that we facilitate the Student Voice?

How can WE can help YOU?

TRAINING (is COMPULSORY) ADVANCED TRAINING

•8th November 2011 6.30pm Great Hall, SUON

We will explain:• Their role• Their responsibilities• Who to talk to• Benefits of being a Rep• How to use and interpret data e.g. Such as

the NSS and Red Brick data.

•For Senior Reps and Chairs later on in the termWe will:•Try to further develop their key skills•Try to give them the additional skills needed to be effective in their roles • i.e. We will give them training

on how to chair meetings and how to network with the University.

N.B. We will put on as much extra training as required by the students throughout the year. We will consult with them about this topic on a regular basis.

NSS BRIEFING AND PROMOTION

ELECTION SUPPORT•Educating Reps on the importance and impact of the NSS

•Educating the Reps on how to interpret NSS data

•All in the aim of widening knowledge about the NSS and it’s impact.

•Potentially a promotion tool for the NSS

•Publicity

•Talking to students as to why they should become a Rep.

How can YOU can help US?ELECTIONS

Cooperation Dissemination of information

Communication Be enthusiasticSupport the students

THANK YOUDon’t Forget Student Academic Rep Training on the 8th November

2011 6.30pm in the Great Hall (SUON)

AcademicOfficer@cardiff.ac.uk 02920781428