What is the SU?
We are a charity led by students for students, with a vision to play a key role in transforming the lives of students through support, representation and opportunities. The SU is run by four Sabbatical Officers (Education, Postgraduate, EDI and Welfare), all of whom were elected into their roles by students. There are non-student staff in the union who use their experience to ensure the union running effectively and aligns with Student Voice.
What is Student Voice?
Student Voice is about listening to the views and opinions of students to make positive changes to the learning experience of everyone! There are many roles in the SU that help contribute to ensuring the SU is student-run (Student Parliament, Elected Officers, Academic Reps, Student Head of Faculty, Networks).
Academic Rep Information for Staff
Recruiting student volunteers for the role of Academic Representative is crucial to ensuring that student voices are effectively heard and represented at the school level. This guide provides university staff with strategies and resources to encourage students to volunteer for these roles.
What’s happened to Course Reps?
With the University changing structure, the Students’ Union has investigated the representational structure; after liaising with various schools, faculty heads the SU has decided to change rep structure to ensure an easier election and management process.
Academic Reps will now replace Course/Programme Reps.
The Difference:
- Academic Reps will no longer be elected
- There is no limit on how many a module can have.
- A new structure has been created to ensure all reps have the similar experience.
Student Head of Faculty is a new role, and the SU will be managing these students more closely. This role will be elected and will work with the head of education to ensure student-wide issues in the faculty are addressed. There will be an undergraduate and postgraduate student head of faculty per faculty.
Introduction/Promo Pack for Staff
This will be sent out closer to the time and will include the benefits for being a representative. This will include presentation slides and a video.
Students interested in the Academic Representative role should contact their school before 13th October 2024.
Managing Academic Reps:
Getting Rep Started:
- Please fill out this form once reps are recruited. This will alter the Students’ Union and Student Head of Faculty to who reps are.
- The SU will reach out and train reps once the form has been filled out.
- The SU will supply reps with lanyards and regular coffee mornings.
Meetings:
- Meetings should be cluster wide (termly). First meeting should take place in week 5.
- An email with updates from the meeting should be sent to reps in week 10.
- Mins from Meeting should be sent to su-voice@bbk.ac.uk this is to help ensure Student Head of Faculty is aware what is going on in schools.
- Student Head of Faculty should be invited but not essential that they attend (SU will make the faculty aware of who has been elected).
- Should follow university guidance on meeting structures.
Resources
Coming Soon!
Dates
- Reps need to be confirmed by 13th October and this form needs to be filled out (form).
- Rep conference will be taking place on 26th October where reps will be invited to come and gain the skills they will need in the role.
Key Contacts
- Student Voice Assistant
- Student Voice Manager
- Education Sabbatical Officer
- Student Voice Team
- Elections Team