What are Student Academic Reps (StARs)?

Whilst studying at Winchester, you may want to feedback about your course, or comment on what could be developed to improve your learning experience. One way you can do this is through the ‘StAR’ system (Student Academic Representatives). Being a StAR offers students the opportunity to collect opinions from classmates and feedback to University and Union staff through Student Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC) meetings. This allows the student voice to be heard, and can make real change happen within the courses at the University of Winchester. The changes and opinions are discussed within these meetings, and then are distributed back to their cohort by said StARs to keep the students informed of the responses to their concerns and questions.

How do I become a StAR?

StARs are elected in Semester 1 after an introduction given to the students by The Vice President, Education & Welfare (VPEW) or another member of the StARs team. You will then volunteer yourself as a StAR for your cohort (minimum 2 per year, per course), be duly elected, and then the VPEW and Student Voice Coordinator (SVC) will then carry out training sessions, in collaboration with the University, to ensure that StARs are equipped properly to carry out their responsibilities. The VPEW will also be the StARs main point of contact for support and guidance throughout their time as a StAR.

How does the scheme work? 

1. As a StAR you collect feedback from your peers. 

2. You then take this feedback to x 3 SSLCs (Student Staff Liason Committees) a year.

3. Minutes from these meetings are sent to the StARs team, and fedback to the student community.

4. The VPEW and SVC use the minutes to write SSLC Reports (10 page document, identifying key themes within each faculty).

5. Recommendations from these reports are received by the University's Executive Leadership Team (ELT), and shared with the student body. 

6. You can then claim your StAR rewards, and the whole process is repeated. 

 

Benefits

 

  • Be a voice into how your course is run.

 

  • Earn rewards for your time & hard work (e.g. entry to nighttime events, meal deal vouchers and hoodies).

 

  • Enhance your CV with a prestigious role, and transferable skills.

 

  • Being a StAR is recognised on your Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR)

 

  • Claim a FREE StARs hoodie after coming to training. 

 

More information & training sessions:

If you would like to enquire about any dates or information about all things StARs then please email StARs@winchester.ac.uk

 

Student Chairs: SSLC Agenda Template 2022-23

If you are a Student Chair or Deputy Student Chair, please click the link to download the SSLC Agenda Template 2022-23.