This document provides an overview and training for the role of Course Representative (Course Rep) at the University of Sheffield. As a Course Rep, key responsibilities include raising student issues and views at Student Staff Committees, informing students about decisions made, and supporting the Students' Union. Benefits of being a Course Rep include improving one's course, networking, and gaining skills. Course Reps are also recognized through awards. The training covers the role and responsibilities of Course Reps, how Course Reps fit within the Students' Union, and available support.
2. Hi everyone! I’m Richard, your
Education Officer for 2012-13.
Being a Course Rep was one of my most worthwhile
experiences as a student.
This training aims to give you the knowledge and skills you need
in order to do the best job you can.
See the Course Rep briefings for evidence which will help
support your arguments when you bring up issues at meetings.
There will be a short quiz at the end of each training module,
and you’ll get a certificate at the end of each module which you
can print off.
Good luck!
3. JOB TITLE:
Course Representative
JOB PURPOSE:
The role of a Course Rep is to improve students’
education, through representing what students on
your course want to University staff.
You’ll do this by speaking to students on your course
about issues with their education, and attending
Student Staff Committees (SSCs) in your department
to communicate these issues to staff.
Course Reps aim to make change on the behalf of
other students.
4. What are my
responsibilities? views of the
Go to SSCs to raise the
Find out what students on your course Go to SSCs to raise the views of the
think about their education students you represent.
Complete Course Rep training Tell the students in your department
what decisions were made at meetings
Inform the Students’ Union about any
education issues in your department,
and any significant decisions which are Raise awareness among students on
made your course of national issues affecting
education
Provide information to students on
your course about relevant Students’ Get involved in campaigning to
Union services improve students’ education
5. What you’ll get out of being
a Course Rep
•The unique opportunity to improve your course
•Chance to meet students in your department
•A chance to be more involved with the best Students’
Union in the country!
•Credit towards your Sheffield Graduate Award
•A full training programme
•Opportunity to expand your skills
•In depth understanding of your department and
University
6. Each month, Course Reps who have done exceptional
work will be nominated by other reps and students as
‘Course Rep of the Month’.
There’s also the possibility that you will be nominated
as ‘Course Rep of the Year’ at the Academic Awards
and the NUS Awards.
Last year’s winner said:
“Winning the award was really exciting and important
to me as it reminded me that my commitment was
appreciated, and that I helped put some positive
changes into effect. I also felt a lot of pride knowing
that my fellow students recognised my efforts.”
Aysha Musa,
2nd Year Course
Rep from Biblical
Studies
7. A quick task…
In order to get you to think about what you’ll do in
your role as a Course Rep, take a couple of minutes
to grab a pen and paper and write a couple of lines
answering the following questions.
There are no right or wrong answers!
Why did you want to What do you want to
be a Course Rep? achieve in your role?
8. Your Students’ Union
As Course Reps, you are important members of the
Students’ Union community.
Sheffield Students' Union exists to provide support,
representation, advice and activities to students
studying at the University of Sheffield.
According to the recent National Student Survey,
95% of students at Sheffield were satisfied with their
Students’ Union, making us the best Students’
Union in the country!
Home Sweet Home
9. What we do for students
The Students' Union offers the opportunity for
students to get involved as representatives, Union
Councillors and as campaigners.
We want to help students make their issues and
suggestions heard, and give them the skills they need
to make changes to the world around them.
We also provide services such as cafes, shops and
bars, as well as opportunities to get involved with
activities and sports.
10. Student Advice and Support
In your role you may encounter a student who has a
problem which is specific to them.
You should direct students in this situation to the
Student Advice Centre at 285 Glossop Road, where
students can access independent and confidential
advice on a range of issues.
Your role as a Course Rep is to find out any
issues which affect students on your
course, as a group. You will then work with
staff in your department to resolve these
issues.
For more on this, check out the
Students’ Union Course Rep Handbook
11. Students’ Union Campaigns
The Students’ Union is also a campaigning
organisation, with a history of student-led campaigns.
You can see evidence of past campaigns at Sheffield
Students’ Union by checking out our completed
Facebook Timeline!
(https://www.facebook.com/sheffieldstudentsunion)
In 2010 Course Reps were involved in a high profile
campaign against the Government's decision to
increase tuition fees for UK undergraduate students.
We also campaigned against proposed
changes to visa regulations that would
have severely affected non-EU students.
12. RECLAI EDUCATIO
YOUR
N
MStudents’ Union organises a priority campaign on what
Every year, the
students feel is the biggest issue facing them. Last year, over 3,500
students voted for ‘Protect our Education’. This years Officer team felt that
the issue hadn’t been won, but had changed, so we’re continuing to
Reclaim your Education
There’s no universal funding for Postgraduate study, International students
are slandered in the press, and cuts to Higher Education funding have
lumbered students with private debts for their education, which is a public
good.
But this is your campaign, so get involved! Tell students in your department
about the campaign, give us your ideas and join Course Reps from across
the country in London on the 22nd November. Find out more at:
www.sheffieldsu.com/campaign
13. Your Student Officers
Sheffield Students’ Union is a registered charity which
uses the money it makes to invest in services for its
members- students.
The Students’ Union is run
for students by students,
with eight Students' Union
Officers elected annually
to direct it and represent
its students.
(From left to right)
Top- Abdi Suleiman- President, Amy Masson- Women’s
Officer, Tom Dixon- Activities Officer
Bottom- Jon Gleek- Welfare Officer, Luke Macwilliam-
Sports Officer, Sara Moon- SU Development Officer, Fadi
Dakkak- International Students’ Officer, Richard
Alderman- Education Officer
14. Your Education Officer
Richard is your Education Officer
for 2012-13.
The Education Officer is a full-time
elected student officer who represents students’ education issues to the
University.
This officer is responsible for all educational matters affecting students, both
undergraduate and postgraduate. They support student representation within the University, and works to keep students informed of,
and campaign on, academic issues.
15. Students’ Union Representation
Students
(around 24,000)
Course Reps
(around 2 per year for each course)
Faculty Reps
(2 per department)
Union Councillors
(46 departmental and 8 representative councillors)
Officers
(8 roles)
16. So how are Course Reps part of
Sheffield Students’ Union?
The mission of Sheffield Students’ Union is to be
exciting, dynamic and student led.
Our purpose is to represent, support and enhance the
lives of University of Sheffield students.
Course Reps help our Student Officers know what
education issues there are in departments, so they
are more informed when they lobby the University to
make improvements.
17. Support for Course Reps in the
Students’ Union
There is a dedicated member of staff who supports
course reps and provides advice and guidance for you
throughout the academic year.
This is Rachel Handforth, who works in the
Representation and Democracy department. A long
time ago she was once a Course Rep herself!
She can help you if you have any questions or
concerns regarding your role.
Contact her at Rachel.Handforth@sheffield.ac.uk.
18. End of Module One!
Hopefully now you have a better idea of the role of
Course Rep and the responsibilities it entails.
There’s a short test now, in which you have to get 80%
of the answers right in order to pass the module.
Don’t worry, you can take the test again if you don’t
pass the first time!
The next module is Etiquette for Meetings, good luck!
Remember, in order to be eligible to record being a
Course Rep on your HEAR, you have to complete the
full training programme.
