union support for representatives

chris jenkinsonacademic affairs officer,

2008-9

chronology: summary

• summer period, early semester 1• union training• first round of rep meetings• course rep conference• second and third round of rep

meetings• end of year

chronology: summer period and early semester 1

• prepared training material• arranged training schedule• wrote handbook• designed publicity: ‘be a course rep’

chronology: union training

• 12 core training sessions, 2 extra sessions

• 188 reps trained• varying attendance (Law top with 23

reps trained)• generally excellent feedback

received

chronology: rep meetings, round 1

• supporting meeting between myself and reps in each school

• Kevin O’Brien, Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) attended for MHS meetings, to discuss review of UG education.

• topics discussed – feedback, academic advisors, student representation

chronology: course rep conference

• successful conference with 60 course reps in attendance

• sessions on broadening the curriculum, NSS, HE funding and more

• positive feedback from course reps, TLSO and session leaders

chronology: second and third round of course rep

meetings• second round in february• third round in late may/early june• discussion topics included views on

representation, comments on the year, feedback (on exams), teaching styles

chronology: end of year

• end-of-year reports completed by many course reps, online

• reps have contributed their thoughts on what they would like the Union and University to improve for the future

conclusions

• successful year for course reps:–more events, more support, more

informed University staff, better relations between University and Union

• potential for the future