Student Representative Committee
Confirmed Minutes
30th January 2014
Student Representative Committee
Minutes of SRC meeting held on at 6:00pm on Thursday 30th January 2014
Present:
Kaytie McFadden, Jadeon Bacombe, Sarah Monaghan, Leah Blackman, Juliana
Nardone, David Anmed, Catrin John, Ashleigh Nicholls, Collin Danglish, Marc May,
Emily Duignan, Erica Toms, Eulaee Sandford, Rosie Newman, Kevin Wilson, Liz Apap
Bolgna, Julian Stopher, Harry Winser, Callum Foster, Callan Powers, Ryan Coulthard,
Ben Grieve, Elizabeth Parker, Will Bindley, Charlie Roper, Megan Edmunds and
Lauren Conen.
Apologies:
Izzy Beveridge, Robert Lloydking, Yasmin Anning, Chris Middleton, Marc Seccombe.
In attendance: Sarah Hickie (Secretary), Edd Burrell (Representation Support Coordinator), Duncan
Stokes (Representation & Support Manager), Fay Croft (Director of Widening
Participation & SCPS), Nerrys Neath.
013/1314
Minutes from the previous meeting
013.001
No members present raised any issues with the minutes. They were
therefore confirmed as accurate.
014/1314
Matters arising from the previous meeting
014.001
VP Education ran through the matters arising chart.
014.002
In relation to point 003.1314/036, department of Education chair updated
the committee that Primary Education students were timetabled until 3PM.
014.003
CSCT deputy chair updated the committee that regarding Eduroam things
have been getting better; and that it will probably be replaced in a couple of
years”. He also fed back that his department didn’t seem to be worried about
Blackboard.
014.004
Arts St Matts chair informed the committee that BlackBoard use would have
minimum standards in that department. This had been brought up at the
Faculty ASQC. Law representatives added that their department has had an
audit of BlackBoard and there is a push for a standard blackboard practice but they want to know student preference. The deputy chair of Education
asked will this be rolled out across all faculties. Law chair reported that if
there are examples of good practice this will be shared.
015/1314
Reports from Academic Board
015.001
Kaytie McFadden and Harry Winser provided a verbal report back from
Academic Board. Key topics fed back include;
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015.002
Details of research carried out by academics of the university have to be sent
as reports to Hefce (which controls some of the University’s funding). SRC
representatives said at the meeting that it is important that students know
what research is happing and how to report that to students.
Action:
VP Education to investigate what currently exists to inform students of any
research undertaken
Action:
VP Education to assess if further dissemination is required and work with
key UWE staff if appropriate.
015.003
The cap on students has been removed, allowing up to 30,000 new students
(although that number is unlikely to happen). Kaytie and Harry were
concerned about if there are resources available to accommodate them.
015.004
Smoke free spaces - the university is looking at becoming smoke free. Bower
Ashton campus is already smoke free but this change hasn't gone down
particularly well. Harry said that most campuses are but it hasn't really
worked. Creative Industries (Bower) Deputy said it has worked well in his
mind, that students are being directed to smoking shelters. Education deputy
stated that when it’s raining people don't want to walk to the shelters and
get wet.
015.005
Allotment space - there is one currently near the farmhouse but there is talk
of rolling it out and creating opportunities where students can go and use the
areas more. VP Education informed that several groups such as People and
Planet are wanting to use it.
015.006
VP Education informed the committee that there was PG Research (PHD)
representation on the board.
016/1314
Widening Participation
016.001
Fay Croft gave an introduction and outline into the Widening Participation
Strategy (WP). She highlighted that one of the reasons they have this strategy
is that it is a condition of Hefce funding but it is also key for allowing students
to achieve well, throughout the full student lifecycle.
016.002
The chair of BBAS feels it is important to focus on people from different areas
and not just certain chosen areas.
016.003
Education deputy said that it is important to keep disabled resources
advertised to show perspective students what is available to them at the
University. Fay Croft said it is a challenge which is recognised by them and
she could get support from the SU working on this. ABBE Chair said that this
should also be told to the Student Ambassadors, to train them in the support
systems in place, Fay Croft will liaise with Marketing Ambassadors to
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coordinate training in these areas (which already exists for Schools and
Colleges Partnerships Reps).
016.004
Deputy of DGEM said that he feels as a mature student who came from a
foundation course, a lot of his students feel they are now stronger candidates
then those who came from the traditional route. Fay Croft said there is
evidence of mature students performing better than standard age entrance.
Fay Croft added it is a challenge to the foundation level as you used to be
able to get additional funding for a Foundation but this has now been cut.
Summer schools try to prepare the students but cannot replace the
Foundation level.
016.005
Chair of HASS stated that hidden course costs is a big issue across the
University and that this is something that can be easily forgotten and needs
to be known to students pre-entry. Fay Croft asked SU President to provide a
copy of his Hidden Course Costs report and actions to her.
SU President to send report to Fay Croft.
Action:
016.006
Chair of BILP asked if this strategy and support was only aimed at
undergraduate (UG) students? Fay Croft replied that no it’s for postgraduate
(PG) students as well. They have been looking at the tendency for students to
study PG. A member of the committee asked if there was scope for PG
bursaries. Fay Croft replied that in 2015/16 there should be national
scholarship bursaries for PG students (not UG though), however given the
current funding climate this could well change. Currently they don’t know
what funding they will even have this September (2014).
017/1314
Elections to Student Council
017.001
VP Education ran through the details of Student Council.
017.002
Leah Blackman, Erica Toms, Kevin Wilson, David (Ashfaq) Ahmed, Elizabeth
Parker, Will Bindley, Julian Stopher, Callan Powers, Ashleigh Nicholls and
Emily Duignan ran uncontested. They were confirmed by a vote and were
duly elected to Student Council.
017.003
The committee were informed that motions that were not heard at AGM
would need to be resubmitted for Student Councils consideration.
Duncan Stokes to email all proposers of unheard motions reminding them
to resubmit if they want to.
Action:
018/1314
Update from SU President (Note: this was originally scheduled as 019/1314,
however it was agreed by the committee that this could be moved up the
agenda to this point).
018.001
Charlie Roper, SU President, provided a verbal update. This included;
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018.002
Hidden Course Costs: A paper written by Charlie was submitted to Vice
Chancellors Executive for their consideration, where they had no objections.
Next week it’s going to Finance and Resource Executive for actioning and
approving. Some suggestions include £75 for Arts students for materials
(Bower based) and £15 printing credit for all students.
018.003
‘The Only Way Is Wessex?’: Flyers for this campaign were distributed to all
members present. Charlie informed the committee that this campaign is a
partnership between UWE and UWESU to gather feedback on how users and
non-users view the service. To date 900 people had completed the survey.
Feedback from this consultation will feed into negotiations into new
transport contract. Charlie requested that any additional feedback goes to
him via email supresident@uwe.ac.uk or via his social media
(@theSUpresident on twitter or SU Pres on Facebook). Deputy Chair CSCT
suggested inviting a representative from Wessex into the next SRC. Deputy
Education added that the drivers need further training (a comment echoed
by a lot of the members of this committee).
018.004
A member of this committee asked the SU President if any updates were
available for motions that were passed in the AGM. The SU President advised
that if people have questions on policy to speak to VP Education. The UWESU
Website will also be updated when they know any updates on motion
activity.
019/1314
UWESU Elections (Note: this was originally scheduled as 020/1314, however
it was agreed by the committee that this could be moved up the agenda to
this point).
019.001
Nerys Neath, deputy returning officer, provided an explanation of the
UWESU elections procedures and encouraged members of the committee to
run for positions.
019.002
Business Management deputy asked how long does campaigning lasts. Nerys
stated that campaigning lasts for 6 Days.
019.003
AEF Chair asked if the SU President can do a ‘day in the life video blog’. SU
president expressed a keenness to do this.
SU President to create this video
Action:
020/1314
Reports from the SU Forums (Note: this was originally scheduled as
018/1314, however other agenda items were moved up therefore delaying
this item).
020.001
HASS: - Communication to students about things such as Eduroam hasn’t
been incredible; an email sent round to students would be easier.
- It was also asked if recording of lectures be standardised?
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- Online sessions don’t appear on it and it doesn’t work well on BlackBerry.
(Education Deputy reported that last week timetables went blank for some
students).
020.002
VP Education asked how did students find recording lectures? Law
representatives stated for them it’s up to lecturers, they haven’t noticed a
difference of students not showing up due to this practice, also it has been
used for where a lecturer couldn’t deliver a lecture so kept students up to
date. Arts Frenchay added that some of their courses have a lecture recap as
a compromise (10 min video to make revision notes etc). DGEM have also
had lecture capture and lecture recap. Education reps brought this topic up in
SRSF but people are positive about it. BILP representative stated his course
needs to have it captured due to the nature of their course. EDM added they
find it very useful, if you miss something at the start of the lecture you don't
have to play constant catch up.
The committee voted on if they think lecture recording is a good thing, all
(apart from Hartpury representative) voted in favour of this practice.
AABE chair suggested if some lecturers are worried about attendance, why
not have a sign in list? Deputy DGEM replied to this stating that students are
responsible for their own attendance and it shouldn’t be affected by whether
or not video materials are present. Nursing and Midwifery chair informed the
committee that her department doesn't have lecture capture but had a video
created about an assignment and found it really positive.
HASS Chair questioned if online hours could be done by video lectures?
Although the CSCT Deputy is worried that those sessions could be recycled
year on year, however other committee members saw benefits in practice in
gathering an archive of content.
020.003
Action:
EDM: Contact details on Blackboard for lectures don’t have room numbers
for lecturers and ITS don’t want to add it unless students really need it. The
committee voted and agreed this would be beneficial.
VP Education to take this feedback to the BlackBoard team.
020.004
Arts Frenchay: All matters dealt with at lower levels.
020.005
Law: Key information is being put on social media such as Facebook and
Twitter rather than on BlackBoard so some students miss out. This has now
been brought up at Departmental Committee and moving forward should be
put on BlackBoard then put on social media. AABE chair reported they also
have had the same issue. On another note, they wished to inform the
committee that the Frenchay library out of term time is looking to be open
until midnight and looking for funding to be 24/7 all year long.
020.006
Arts St Matthias: Hidden Course Costs and St Matthias Closure were the two
main issues that arose. However it was noted that UWE came and spoke to
reps regarding the campus closure which was found to be useful. Another
suggestion that came from this department is whether Western Eye could be
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circulated on the busses? Kaytie McFadden (Western Eye Editor) replied that
the paper would love to but they are worried that they would be thrown out
at the end of the day and have budget constraints meaning they only can
have a limited print run.
020.007
Business & Management: Their reps would like additional support from staff
to do shorter internships as well as 12 months and there is talk of looking into
this.
020.008
Allied Health Professionals: All matters dealt with at a lower level.
020.009
Education: Placements issues were a key feature of the SU forum. Wider
issues which haven’t been addressed include travel expenses and lack of
communication about claiming and the amount is not enough.
020.010
Nursing and Midwifery: The head of nursing took a lot of points that had
been raised. Travel was an issue but a meeting will be held next week around
this. (Department Chair also informed the committee she had been selected
to be a part of the Florence Nightingale memorial).
020.011
Creative Industries: Pathway between Spike and Bower needs to be
improved, as students are growingly worried. Reps report that parking has
improved dramatically since cricket ground opened. Placements (especially 1
week work experience placements) are an issue. Some Bower students feel
that the feel of bower may be lost with the new building and DAA have been
strongly affected, they feel that students views haven't been prioritised.
Students are worried its behind schedule, but the secretary reported it is on
track. New courses are also due to be taught at Bower, and the deputy chair
reports there is some concern that students’ needs won’t be prioritised.
Feedback re: student concerns about the pathway between Spike Island and
Bower Ashton Campus to be passed onto VP Community and Welfare to
consider appropriate action.
Reps to send feedback on students concerns to VP Education and SU
President for consideration.
Action:
Action:
020.012
Accounting, Economics and Finance: Nothing to be reported to this
committee.
020.013
Architecture and the Built Environment: The chair has been working with
Elena in the department on the issue of studio space. A new Hive type
solution for R Block (hot desking) will be created to add new space for
September. There was another issue surrounding marking criteria (where
tutors weren’t clear of it) but this was resolved at ASQC.
020.014
Bristol Institute of Legal Practice: Niche issues that have been resolved.
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020.015
Action:
020.016
Action:
Action:
Computer Science and Creative Technologies: Lots of chairs in Q block are
breaking in rooms which have been refurbished. VP Education questioned if
this had been fixed. It hasn’t been to date. Games Tech course also has had
issues with finding placements and state that the employment fair didn't help
that much. InfoHub has generic CV information and so isn’t relevant to
courses and specific needs of groups of certain students, (Law echoed that
tailored support isn’t available - Suggestion faculties need to have more
tailored support).
VP Education to take this feedback to Employability Service to discuss what
currently exists for students, where responsibility lies for more tailored
support, where scope is for this and current barriers to increasing this.
Geography and Environmental Management: Heating in Q Block is an issue
and has been for years. The deputy chair stated if the heating isn’t capable
then it needs to be upgraded, especially when windows in this room (where
this meeting is taking place) are open and the heating is on. It has gone to
ASQC, AQEC and SRSFs but they have always been told that it’s because of
the building’s design changing and “that that’s how it is”. They feel it is
affecting the student experience. Allied Health Professions chair echoed this
saying that Glenside students have been told to fill in an accident form if their
rooms are too hot. Education deputy added that some S block students have
the opposite problem where upstairs rooms are often too cold. AABE chair
also commented that the new R block goes into a cooling mode at night and
opens the windows letting out all the heat at night. BILP Chair, who also
works for UWE facilities informed the committee that the room temperature
is checked each day in the morning.
VP Education to bring it to the attention of Green Reps Coordinator.
VP Education to contact facilities regarding this issue.
020.016
Geography and Environmental Management (Cont.): R Block atrium as a
teaching space. AABE chair says that something is being done about this area
and it will become a super studio Hive type area. In its current state it is not a
very good working environment. Computers in Q Block was also brought up
as an issue, where it is sometimes hard to find computers, although there is
an interactive board to show availability it doesn’t include if there’s a lecture
going on in it. CSCT deputy said he has already fed this comment back to ITS
who are looking into it. Education deputy suggested booking for computers
on the new computers in S block.
020.017
Hartpury: They are looking at “ceasing to use BlackBoard and going to
Moodle instead”. Hartpury chair also reports BlackBoard inconstancy.
Transport issues have been raised with their provider, but a negative
response was received. Hartpury students also suggested a desire to learn
Spanish and other languages, although the chair of Arts Frenchay informed
him of the reasons why language courses were dropped. Students also report
that the bars are not SU run and are very expensive and so would like less
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Action:
expensive options on campus. Harpury chair has spoken to their timetablers
to begin to resolve timetabling issues. Hartpury students can’t access UWE
books from UWE libraries via the inter-campus loan system due to their ID
numbers not being recognised by UWE.
VP Education to liaise with the Library over the library issue
021/1314
Updates from the Presidents and Officer
021.001
VP Education circulated a written report.
021.002
The deputy chair of Creative Industries asked for more information regarding
the rep radio show. Edd Burrell, representation support coordinator and
secretary gave an update on the Radio Show and how reps could get
involved.
021.003
Kaytie McFadden discussed the possibility of Student Reps writing articles for
the Western Eye. Reps who are interested to email editor@westerneye.net
021.004
Lauren Conen, education officer, provided a verbal update.
021.005
Education Officer asked the committee if they would like to see the
introduction of Department newsletters. Law representatives stated that
they tried it before but they were told there are too many data protection
issues. Some members of the committee suggested having it on the faculty
screens instead of emailed or printed, on the whole positive feedback from
this idea.
Action:
Departments who already have newsletters in place to email examples to
Education Officer via studentreps@uwe.ac.uk
021.006
Education Officer informed the committee of an idea of getting reps teaming
up with University of Bristol student reps to do a cross university forum.
Creative Industries deputy suggested having similar for Societies, Networks
etc.
022/1314
NSS and SES (Note: this was originally scheduled as 021/1314, however due
to other agenda items moving, this item is now item 022/1314).
022.001
VP Education gave an introduction to the surveys (National Student Survey
and Student Experience Survey) and urged reps to promote them.
023/1314
SU Forums Terms of Reference (Note: this was originally scheduled as
022/1314, however due to other agenda items moving, this item is now item
023/1314).
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023.001
Action:
Duncan Stokes, Representation Manger for UWE Students’ Union, gave an
introduction to the draft terms of reference for SU Forums.
Any comments, suggestions or potential alterations must be emailed to
Duncan Stokes (duncan.stokes@uwe.ac.uk) ahead of the next SRC Meeting
in March.
024/1314
A.O.B (Note: this was originally scheduled as 023/1314, however due to
other agenda items moving, this item is now item 024/1314).
024.001
A member of this committee reported that in L block some technology fails
and this often eats into lecture times. Another member of the committee
added that Tech staff in the University are ‘horribly’ understaffed and
services are therefore understaffed, with simple things take a long time to
implement.
024.002
CSCT deputy doesn’t think BlackBoard should be scrapped, instead he
believes a committee could be set up to create standards and support staff
training.
VP Education to speak the head of Technology Enhanced Learning to see if
student input is in any existing groups.
Action:
025/1314
Date of next meeting
025.001
Thursday 13th March (Provisional)
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