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► Introduction

 
Hi there,

At the beginning of this academic year we introduced a new system of Course Representation. The new system represents a joint project between the Students’ Union and the University. It is designed to enhance both your experience, and that of your lecturers.

Each course will elect 1 rep for each year of the course (3 reps for a standard degree course, 1 rep for a foundation course etc.) to sit on a Faculty Staff Student Liaison Committee (SSLC).

A what?

At the SSLC, every course sends one representative to discuss any issues which have been raised by the students on that course. However, the SSLC is not there only to discuss academic issues. Indeed if the times of the buses don’t suit you, the assignment hatch is closed when you try to leave your essay or the lecture room is too cold, then the SSLC can hear about them through your rep. If you really enjoy a part of your course, then this is the forum to air it also. What’s more, the SSLC is a forum for University staff to raise any issues that they would like heard. By taking this approach then most issues encountered will be sorted before they become major; or if they become major, sorted so they don’t happen again.

How does this happen?

As both the minutes and an executive summary from each SSLC go to all the Course Boards (CB), Faculty Boards (FB) and Campus Operation Groups (COG) most issues will be dealt with. In reverse, the Chairs of the CBs, FBs and COGs have been asked to submit an executive summary for the SSLC. If the issues are too big for the Faculty level boards then there is a mechanism in place for the Senior University Executive to hear about them.

The SSLC must elect a student chair and deputy chair to represent the faculty at a higher University committee: the Student Affairs Committee (SAC). Not only does the SAC receive the minutes from each SSLC but its membership includes senior University Executives. Furthermore the SAC reports directly to Academic Board, which is the highest University committee.    

That sounds busy?

Not really, it is expected that each rep will have to dedicate about six hours per month. Reps will be given full training and access to all the resources that they need to accurately represent their fellow course mates, i.e. you! Currently we do not have a Student Representation and Experience Co-ordinator and until we re-appoint, please email Linda Farrall, Membership Services Co-ordinator lfarrall@glos.ac.uk if you have any queries. Alternatively, call 01242 71 4360

Who is my rep?

To find out who your rep is, and how to contact them, log onto www.yourstudentsunion.com/coursereps.

What if I can’t contact my rep and have an issue?

Easy. You can now ‘text-a-rep’ on 60300 (start your message SUREP (costs 25p/txt)). You can also ‘email-a-rep’ on reps@glos.ac.uk or ‘phone-a-rep’ on x4360 (office hours, free from any internal phone). You could also leave a message for a rep on any of the rep notice boards or send a note to us through the internal mail on the address at the end of this letter. We’ll make sure it gets to the right place.

Great, how do I become a rep?

In week three, stand for election for a course rep! Your course leader will be holding a course meeting for this very purpose. If elected you won’t look back; you’re time at the University of Gloucestershire will be enriched and you will be more attractive to future employers.

If you want more information on Course Representation, the system, or you just want to chat about your experiences of being a student at the University of Gloucestershire then we would love to hear from you.  Drop us a line, we're here for you!

Your SU

 ‘Working with you to enhance your experiences at your University’

www.yourstudentsunion.com/representation

EMAIL-A-REP :  reps@glos.ac.uk

TEXT-A-REP : 60300 (start your message SUREP (texts cost 25p))

PHONE-A-REP : 01242 71 4360 (during office hours, free from internal phones)

MAIL-A-REP : SUREPS, Students’ Union, The Park, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham, GL50 2RH