Department of Landscape
University of Sheffield
STAFF STUDENT COMMITTEE (4)
Minutes of the Staff Student Committee
2012/13 Session
2 May 2013
4.30 pm
Meeting 4
Arts Tower Flr 13 meeting room
Present: Students: Matthew Lintern (BA1), Amy Furness (BA1) Dora Wunschova (LAE2),
Ellen Ashbourne (LAE2), Ashley Bailey (LAP3), Aaron Yu (LA2), Svetla Minkovska
(Landmark/SLIC), Fran Halsall (MA1), Helen Davies (MA1), Mark Walter (BA1), Yana
Huntington (LAE3)
Staff: Andy Clayden, Nicola Dempsey, Emma Payne
1.
2.
Apologies: PB, HM, Camilla Allen (MA1), Eleanor Godfrey (LAP2),
Minutes of last meeting and matters arising
Studio storage issues – a locker bench has been made and is currently in the
Dept office for students to view and comment on. It has not been made to
specification and is more expensive to produce than originally intended so if a
decision is made to go ahead with them the design will need to be reviewed.
Alternatively it was discussed if it would be more cost effective to allocate
existing upright lockers 3 per student to share. AC invited the group to
comment on this issue. The consensus was that additional lockers would be
helpful although students also suggested that they would be happy to share
but this might need to be co-ordinated by the department so that a lock could
be provided for each group. There was also a brief discussion about the
proposed benches or traditional stand up lockers. The general feeling was
that there is already an issue about the amount of furniture in the studios
although there was also a concern that any standup lockers would be a
problem regarding access to wall space. The genral feeling was that the
benches would be a good idea but that perhaps these might be shorter than
the test sample so that they could be more easily arranged in the studio.
Review of Module Evaluation questionnaire – to be discussed at this meeting.
3.
Departmental Estate and IT
AC informed the group that the IT committee will be meeting shortly to review
the IT resources within the department, this will include the reprographics
team on floor 15.
Suggestions from students to take to the meeting were the use of
Architecture owned Laser Cutter and a request to purchase Film Software for
windows.
Students asked if they could use wall space in the kitchen to put up a pin
board so that they can use it to share ideas and information across year
groups? This was thought to be a good idea and given the go ahead.
It was commented on that the Swivel chairs in the studios are causing
discomfort to students with back problems.
Level one student’s commented that they are finding their studio space rather
neutral and uninspiring. AC reiterated that students are encouraged to take
ownership of their studios spaces and make it a more creative space to work
in and to raise any space management issues at Year group meetings.
AC asked how the students were progressing with their petition to allow Arts
Tower out of hours access to UG students? It was reported that a petition
was circulated and supported but it has not as yet been submitted to the head
of department. . ACTION It was agreed that the petition would be taken
over and moved forward by other students in the committee.
4.
Landmark
Congratulation to Aaron Yu who has been appointed as the new Landmark
president and will take over during the next academic year.
AC thanked the Landmark team for their good work on raising the profile of
the society this year. AC suggested that he would like to meet with Aaron to
discuss what support the department can give to Landmark for the next
academic year.
The annual Landmark Ball will be held on the 5th of June. All are encouraged
to attend including staff members.
SLIC
Svetla informed the group that SLIC will be holding a conference in London
this summer entitled ‘Global Warming or Wetting’. This is a weekend event
including field trips and workshops and will cost £52. ELASA are also
organising a two week conference in the UK. ACTION – Svetla to arrange
for this information to be published on the landmark website.
5.
Review of Module Evaluation Questionnaires
A paper copy of the existing questionnaire was circulated amongst the group.
It was suggested that a separate evaluation could be produced with questions
on formative feedback (on going feedback given throughout the module) and
Summative feedback (feedback given at the end of the module). It was also
put forward that questions could be presented about the timeliness of
receiving their work back.
AC suggested that an alterantive proposal should be presented at the next
staff student committee for discussion with a view to any changes being
implemented for the next academic session.
6.
Year Group Feedback
Level One
No further issues.
Level Two
Students are requesting clarification with regards to timing schedule on the
brief for LSC206. They also raised an issue with the credit rating of the
module. AC to inform HW.
AC
Insufficient Erasmus/study abroad advice at departmental level was raised as
a problem. Students who are embarking on a study abroad next year are feel
that they need additional support from the department. They are concerned
that without this support that they may not be able to take advantage of this
opportunity.. AC to inform JW of these concerns.
AC
Level Three
It was reported that the students are enjoying LSC307 and LSC308. With
regards to LSC306 students are also happy with the tutorials but again
clarification is needed with regards to the brief. AC to inform KG of these
concerns and to arrange a year group meeting.
AC
With regards to LSC315, students were confused as to why they had only
received a mark of 70 for attendance and participation marks when they had
attended all sessions. AC to forward this comment to RC
It was suggested again by students that Peer Review of group work could be
implemented and may be beneficial. This is still be reviewed by the
department.
MA1
Students confirmed that a year group meeting had taken place that was
agreed as an action at the previous staff student committee. This had been
helpful in clarifying issues arising from the last meeting.
An issue was raised with regards to the integration of Home and overseas
students within the studios, with mandarin being reported as the language
predominantly spoken in the studios. It was also highlighted that the
overseas students are approaching Home students for clarification on things
that they are not understanding fully in lectures instead of seeking it from
tutors. Aaron Yu commented that Chinese students are not forth coming in
approaching tutors because of Chinese hierarchy cultures.
He also
commented that many overseas students lack confidence in their English
speaking ability. AC commented that this is a concern but was also keen to
stress that the department is trying to find ways of supporting international
students. He specifically commented on the international lecture series that
had been hosted by the department and how well these had been attended,
especially by Chinese students. AC also noted that the lectures and
questions were all in English despite the audience being predominantly
Chinese. AC noted that there is still more that we can do in terms of
supporting both home and international students in terms of integration and
that he looked forward to working with landmark to assist in this process.
AOB
Svetla commented that a A Le Notre representative is needed. More details SM
to be put on the website.