Student Rep News
Student Reps E-Bulletin January 2011
Happy New Year! I hope you all had a relaxing and enjoyable Christmas holiday.
In this e-mail bulletin the topics are as follows:
1- UEA ‘Techpocalypse’- I.T and network problems
2- The New Academic Model-next Social Event for all reps!
3- SSF Faculty Convenor Elections
4- Training for Chairing meetings
5- Union Council
6- Volunteering Handbooks
I.T and network problems- Techpocalypse
As I’m sure you are all aware, the I.T network went down in the last week of term, meaning that students could not access the portal, their e-mails or the UEA network. Library services such as printing and borrowing and returning books also were unavailable over this period. Deadlines were extended to try and make up for the time that students had lost. However, there have still been issues with the network, particularly with student e-mails.
The Union has written an open letter to the University about their handling of the I.T problems and issues about deadlines, to view it click this link; http://www.ueastudent.com/news/view/57
The New Academic Model- Next Social Event!
The University are proposing significant changes to the way degree courses are structured, from changing the amount of module choice students get to making it compulsory for all students to pass all modules in order to progress with their studies.
To view the broad proposals of the New Academic Model in full click this link; /image_uploads/new-academic-model.pdf You can comment on them by clicking on to the google document link.
We would really like to get your feedback on the changes the University want to make. We are going to hold an event for all reps to come along to so that we can find out what you and the students you represent think about the new model. It will be a great opportunity for you to have your say, and will be over lunch between 12 and 1.30pm on Friday 4th February.
It would be great to see as many of you as possible, do RSVP to this address if you plan on attending so that we can buy food and drink for the right amount of people!
SSF Faculty Convenor Election
For all student reps in the Faculty of Social Sciences- voting opens for the SSF Faculty Convenor will be from Saturday 22nd to Tuesday 25th January- keep an eye out for the manifesto of candidate Gemma Devenish on our website. Voting will be on-line, and when it opens you will receive an e-mail with a link which tells you how to vote.
Training for Chairing Meetings
If you’re interested in learning how to chair meetings such as SSLCs, contact our Representation Support Worker Tony at [email protected] to set up a session.
Union Council
There are still some available positions on Union Council, the policy-making body of our Union. It’s a great opportunity to influence what the Union does. To find out more, see our website; http://www.ueastudent.com/voice/union-council and if you’re interested in becoming a Union Councillor, fill in the nomination form which is also on the website.
Volunteering and Student Rep Handbooks
Pick up a Volunteering logbook from the reception in Union House, fill it in and get it counter-signed by either myself or Tony Moore, the Representation Support Worker (our office is just above the reception desk, next to the Grad Bar). You can submit your logbook in the next semester and you will receive your award at the Union Awards in the spring. There’s a Bronze Award (25 hours), a Silver Award (50 hours), and a Gold Award (100 hours), and a Platinum Award if you do more than 100 hours!
As always, if you have any questions about this e-mail, or anything about being a student rep generally do feel free to e-mail me and ask!
Student Reps E-Bulletin December 2010
This is the first of a regular series of e-bulletins from your Academic Officer.
The work you all do as reps in your School is vital, as it helps University staff to improve the experience of students by listening to the issues that students bring up in meetings. I’d really like to hear about your experiences as a rep this semester, as well as give you any information which will help you.
If you have any questions about anything in this e-mail, or about being a student rep generally do feel free to e-mail me and ask- I used to be a course rep so hopefully should be able to answer any queries!
In this e-mail bulletin the topics are as follows:
1. Free Christmas Lunch!
2. Volunteering and Student Rep Handbooks
3. Student Rep Training
4. Positives/Negatives of being a Student Rep
Free Christmas Lunch!
The first social event for student reps will be on Thursday, 9th December in Union House Room 1.33 (upstairs above the Hive) with free food and drinks! Please do come along, it would be lovely to have a chat and find out a bit more about your experiences as a rep. The lunch will start at 12.30pm and go on till 2.30pm so that those of you with lectures can hopefully make it for at least half an hour or so. Thanks to those who have RSVP’d already, if anyone else can make it, please do send me a quick e-mail to let me know you’re coming, we don’t want to over order on the food and drinks!
Volunteering and Student Rep Handbooks
As a student rep, you provide a great service to the students you represent and the issues you bring up in meetings. We want to reward you for the hard work you do as a rep, and so together with Voluntary Norfolk, we are offering all reps a chance to get a nationally recognised accreditation in voluntary work. We have created logbooks where you can chart the number of hours you spend on being a rep- whether that’s attending meetings, researching an issue you want to put on the agenda, or talking to your coursemates about any issues they’re having with their course, it all counts!
Pick up a Volunteering logbook from the reception in Union House, fill it in and get it counter-signed by either myself or Tony Moore, the Representation Support Worker (our office is just above the reception desk, next to the Grad Bar). You can submit your logbook in the next semester and you will receive your award at the Union Awards in the spring. There’s a Bronze Award (25 hours), a Silver Award (50 hours), and a Gold Award (100 hours), and a Platinum Award if you do more than 100 hours!
Also, the handbooks that are given out at the training for student reps are available if you need any extra information on being a rep, you can pick them up from the office if you haven’t already received one, or I’ll be giving some out at the Christmas lunch on Thursday.
Student Rep Training
Did you go to any training provided by the Union on how to be a student rep? If so, how useful did you find it? If you have any thoughts positive or negative ,do e-mail me back on this address, we want to make it as good as possible and improve for next time.
Positives/Negatives of being a Student Rep
What has been the best bit of being a student rep? Have there been any particularly good/bad experiences you have had in meetings? I’ll be asking similar things at the lunch so if you don’t get a chance to come to the lunch on Thursday just e-mail me your thoughts.
Feedback from Reps at the Christmas Party!
Find out:
- What student reps think is the best bit about their job
- Thing student reps find frustrating about their job
- What reps think the Union could do to help