Class Rep Handbook 2015

8/20/2019 Class Rep Handbook 2015

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HOW TO REPRESENT

CLASS REP HANDBOOK


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WELCOME!Congratulations and welcome to your new role as a Class Representative! Your role as a Class Rep

is invaluable as you are the first port of call when it comes to making change.

This role is to facilitate communication between academic staff, the student body and DUSA.

You have the opportunity and potential to create change in your university and improve yourlearning experience.

Through the training provided by DUSA and the advice in this handbook, you will be fully equippedto go and #raiseyourvoice.

REPRESENTATION STRUCTUREAs a Class Rep you are the most important aspect of

representation on campus.

By talking to your fellow peers and communicating to staff members aboutthe factors of university of life that impact you, you make up the largest

network of problem solving in the university.

You will work alongside other forms of representation such as the DUSAExec, Student Representative Council (SRC) and School Presidents.

As a collective, representation in DUSA can help to make big changeshappen!


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WHAT IS A CLASS REP?The primary role of a Class Rep is ensuring that you effectively communicate the views and the

needs of the students you were chosen to represent.

Throughout this year you will get opportunities to convey those opinions effectively through

meetings called Student - Staff Liaison Committee meetings (SSLC), where you will meet otherreps and staff.

You can discuss issues with your course, technical issues but also give positive feedback.

Your role does not limit you to academic issues as you can approach Student Services, SRCcouncillors and your School President.

REMIT OF A CLASS REP

Being a Class Rep will require some time and dedication but only as muchas you can give. By engaging with your class you can find out their likes and

dislikes at university.

OPPORTUNITIES OF A CLASS REP!

Improve your course

Meet other reps and the students on your module

Get involved with DUSA

Be credited for your work as a Class Rep

Gain skills from training

Be able to learn more about your school

Improve University visibly


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SKILLS? WHAT SKILLS?

Engagement

&Public speaking

Campaigning&

Communication

Negotiation&

Listening

Leadership&

Problem-Solving

AND DAY TO DAY? Gather your classes opinion on the module they are taking

Attend SSLC meetings

Liaise with your Academic President on subject issues

To feedback and discuss issues raised at the SSLC meetings

Distribute minutes to your class


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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT Once all Class Reps are in place across the university then you will be invited to a

training event at the end of September/start of October. This interactive workshop is designed to getyou into real and common situations that you may face while being a Class Rep.

Your School President and the Vice President of Representation can help you with any queries you mayhave and provide you with support for effective change. Resources are available on the website where

you can find things like follow up email layouts, feedback forms and action tracking.

COMMUNICATION These things are common sense but equally important. It’s important for class mates

and also staff members to know who you are, so don’t be shy, introduce yourself!

• Lecture shout out – take 4-5 minutes at the beginning of a lecture • Email – draft of what you might want to say is in the resources section • Social media – maybe your class as a Facebook group which you can post in • MyDundee – ask your school secretary to post your name and email address on

MyDundee

By using these methods you can let your class mates know when a SSLC meeting is coming up andwhen they should have their feedback in by. It is equally important for you to return feedback and

discussion from the SSLC meeting to your peers.


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STUDENT - STAFF LIASION COMMITTEES

This is a meeting where reps from each year and staff representatives get together todiscuss student matters that affect their academic life. This is the opportunity you have

to discuss problems that has been raised in your class.

This is also useful to learn about issues in other years and maybe you can help! Thereis usually a Learning and Library Centre (LLC) representative so you can pass on all

library matters directly. In the SSLC agenda there are items set out for each year groupso you will have your opportunity to speak when it gets to your year.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION Curriculum

Technical issues

Learning spaces and resources

Assessment and feedback

Advisor/tutor support

Teaching methods


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KNOWING WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES

ARE YOURS Issues that are to do with a specific individual

This is not in your remit. If there is an issue that is specific for an individual then it is notyour responsibility to help. Advise them to speak to the School President or a memberof staff. Student Services in the enquiry centre, can also be of great help; they provideservices such as study based support, counselling, money advice and so much more.

Issues that affect you and your class

This is what Class Reps do, if you have an issue within your class that you needaddressed then why not be the hero?

Issues outside of class that affect the whole university

These issues can be taken to your School President, a Student Representative Council(SRC) member or a member of the DUSA Exec. The SRC has the power to vote on

motions to lobby the University on key issues on campus.


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Something to consider as important is beingable to understand issues and feedback you

get from your peers. This means that youare able to communicate this information to

another representative or staff member ifneeds be.

As your role is all about communication andnegotiation, these skills can be transferred

to other part of life and after university. Thereare fundamental for employment. You will also

gain skills in public speaking, listening andleadership.

Understanding

Commitment

HOW TO BE A GOOD REP?


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Being effective can mean that you need tounderstand the limits of your own capabilities

and responsibilities. When faced with anissue you will need to establish if you are

capable to resolve this in an SSLC meetingor whether you need to take this to a higherlevel for discussion. Having knowledge and

understanding of limiting factors towards anend goal can be more effective than being

ambitious.

Keeping it in your diary when SSLC meetingsmay be can help with planning out the year. Youcan also create a feedback form for your class.Your peers can then submit a request quicklyand easily for you to take to a SSLC meeting

or to another representative. Other things youmay want to think of is having a list of useful

contacts such as lecturers, other reps or yourAcademic President.

Be Realistic

Organisation


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ADVICE & SUPPORT

For student academic support:

Your School President is .................... .............................

My School Secretary is .................... .............................

My Library Representative is .................... .............................

Vice President of Representation 01382 381084 [email protected] President 01382 386002 [email protected]

For academic appeals:

Deputy President 01382 386007 [email protected]

Other matters:

Student Services & Enquiry Centre 01382 381900 [email protected]


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WHAT NEXT?

In the resources section there are some resources you mightconsider using in your time as a Class Rep.

The feedback sheet can be distributed to your class and alsoemailed. This can keep students in the loop about what issues

they raised and what is going to be done about it.

Action tracking is a great way of keeping on top of points raisedin an SSLC meeting. As a group, targets can be set for the next

meeting so that everyone can work to achieve progress. This canbe things for both staff and students.

REWARDS OF BEING A CLASS REP?

This is a great way to meet new people and staff in your school. This alsogives you the opportunity to see the inner workings of your course and

what is takes to give you a quality learning experience.

As well as learning new skills, you can develop ones that you already haveand use them outside of university life. Skills that you have can also be

useful to mention when you are applying for jobs after you graduate.The Dundee Plus award is a scheme that recognises the value of being aClass Rep in university life. You will also receive a certificate at the end of

the year for all the work you have done.


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RESOURCES

Best Practise Letter/Email

Date

Name and address (always have title and full name (e.g. Dr, Professor)

RE: Title bar – Name of student/issue in hand/Praise for course etc

First paragraph: Acknowledgement of the receiver’s position. Explain what the letter is

about and who it concerns.

Second paragraph: explain who you have been corresponding with regarding this letter,the progress that has been made/ no progress been made.

Third paragraph: explain what you would like from the individual to help this matter.You may want to attach documents or something for the individual to refer to.

Closing Statement: “I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible” or “I willbe in contact again regarding this matter”

Yours sincerely,Your name and position


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RESOURCES

Feedback Sheet

Issue: Date: Time:

Issues raised at SSLC:

Was the objectives met? If yes, how? If no, why?

Additional comments:


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RESOURCES

DeadlineDetailAction

Point

What has

been done?

Action

Required


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RESOURCES

Notes


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D O N ’ T P A N I C

Class Rep Handbook 2015

Documents

Transcript of Class Rep Handbook 2015