Winchester Students Union

StAR: Student Academic Representation 

 

What's It All About?

 

Highlights...

 

• You have the group power to sort out problems – both minor and large
  
• You can use the power of many if you speak for many - not just for yourself!
  
• Fulfilling your job requires little time commitment, but you are not just a rep when sitting in a meeting! 
   

Becoming a Student Academic Rep (StAR) is a great way to enhance your CV and help you and all your coursemates ensure things run smoothly. Volunteer at the start of your course, or ask if reps are needed at any time. It's not a massive commitment, but it is an important and rewarding job. All that's required is for you collect student views and attend termly meetings for your subject. Then let students know the outcome.

Students have a real say in the running of our learning community at Winchester, but you can only be most effective in using this right if your rep is doing a good job. Using the StAR system you can make the course experience better for yourself and others in the future. Ensure your voice keeps your course on track and any problems are highlighted by speaking to your rep! Let them know how things are going - keep in touch with them to let them know of any concerns or positive experiences. Reps are responsible for speaking the collective student view to the university. They are not left alone - we offer training and guidance for all reps.

A schedule of upcoming meetings for your subject will be uploaded to here soon.

 

Student Representation - Information:
Reps take on a voluntary role, but it's an important one. It doesn't take up much time - but reps are responsible for some basics: going to termly meetings and speaking for you rather than themselves - only possible if they hear from you!

Do not let students become under-represented - volunteer if there's a space! Student Academic representatives (StAR's) are elected by you at both subject and faculty level.

Committee Meetings are termed 'Programme' or 'Field' Committees - either a combined meeting for a number of courses in a subject area or a particular Programme (course). Each faculty also elects student reps to attend Faculty Quality Committees - a unique opportunity to become incvolved with overseeing all courses in the faculty. These are important meetings deciding how your course of study runs throughout the year and in the future.

Reps attend meetings to represent your views. They provide a vital service to all students on every undergrad and postgrad course - so keep your rep informed - if your rep cannot attend a meeting then it's worth the group finding a stand in to go instead -
Let your rep(s) know of problems, praise, suggestions, questions - and feedback.
Reps should then let you know what decisions are being made about the running of your course - or ask the staff to explain if it's necessary.