StARs are students who represent everyone in their year-group who is
studying for a degree in a subject. Dual-honours students may act as a
StAR in one of their disciplines or in both. StARs are usually chosen for one
year, but they can also seek re-election throughout their undergraduate
study and so act as a representative in successive or multiple years.
StARS provide a link between the Student Union, academic staff and current
students; they communicate concerns or highlight issues in order to ensure
the best academic experience for everyone. In this way, student opinion
voiced through StARs can make a significant difference to module
structure/assessments/feedback, personal tutor support or targeting of
resources.
Why have StARs?
Sharing the responsibility: Tutors and academic disciplines have a duty to
deliver learning and teaching, but what happens if things go wrong? Every
module invites student feedback at the end of teaching (and this process can
prompt module revisions for teaching in future years) but access to StARs
gives everyone the chance to resolve significant problems more quickly.
Discussing the options:
StARs attend Staff/Student Consultative
Committees (held at least once each semester in each disciplinary area)
where they represent students in their year of study. This forum can be
used to share information, gather opinions, and ensure a two-way
communication between students and their academic tutors in a
constructive way. In Humanities, the StARs of each discipline are also
entitled to attend the Learning and Teaching Committee meetings for the
School of Humanities. Dates of these meetings will usually be advertised to
StARs in advance via an email alert.
We hope that active engagement with the StAR system will ensure a culture
of consultation with, and representation of, student opinion. A list of all
StARs is available on disciplinary noticeboards for each academic year.
Why should I be a StAR?
Personal development: practice and develop skills in communication,
negotiation, problem-solving and organisation, to enhance your CV and
improve your employability.
Rewarding involvement: play a vital part in the life of the University by
ensuring that student perspectives are heeded, by academic staff, the
institution and the Student Union.
Social opportunities: get to know other students on your programme in
different year-groups, and students in other disciplines (at training and
other events). Build effective, negotiated relationships with University staff.
Official recognition: receive a Volunteer Experience award in recognition of
the time you spend in the service of student representation. Find out more
at http://www.kusu.net/veawards.html
How can I contact my StAR?
Your StAR’s email address will be available via your disciplinary noticeboard. If you cannot find it, just ask in the Humanities office, and staff
there will be able to put you in touch. Your StAR can then represent you at
meetings and raise questions, complaints, comments or suggestions on your
behalf.
How could I become a StAR?
StARs are recruited at the start of each academic year via online elections.
Contact the Student Union for more details. If you are successful the
Student Union runs an induction and training event, to ensure you have the
information you need to act effectively as a student representative.
For further information, see the StARs page on the KUSU website at
http://www.kusu.net/stars.html