Health and Social Sciences SU Forum

Health and Social Sciences SU Forum

SU Forum Unconfirmed Minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 9th February at 11:00-12:00 in 4C02

Present:Sammie Floyde (Ps), Andy Streatfiled (Ps), Jasmine Peris (Ps, 3rd), Jessica Brown (Ph, 2nd), Melissa Zuu (Ps w L, 1st), Katie Oates, (Cr w Ps, 1st), Rog Deane (Cr, 3rd), Ross Elliot (Ps, 3rd), Kiera Frost (Ps, 1st), Adele Tan (Ps, 2nd), Elle Thorpe (IR&P, 3rd), Rawlance Ndejjo (EH, PG), Marieme Fall (PH, PG), Caria Rees (Ps, 1st), Ashley Pead (Ps, 1st), Janet Ige (PH, PG), Will Anderson – Acting Chair (P&IR, 3rd), ChukonChioms (EH, PG), Amrit Banstola (PH, PG)

In Attendance:Sarah Hickie (Secretary, UWESU)

Apologies*: Frances Key, Lauren Gatting, Gabi Keogh,Rikky Sweet, Jonathan Fifield, Christina Berry, Stacey Hadley, Theda Htun Hlaing, Sharon Bean, Vanessa Menezes, Anna, George Elliot, Catherine Casey, James Gumbrell, Anna Hyatt, Naomi Kelly,

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021/1415Welcome and introductions

021.01Sarah Hickie welcomed Reps to the third and final SU Forum of this academic year. As the Chair and Deputy Chair were unable to attend the meeting Will Anderson volunteered to chair the meeting.

022/1415Minutes from the Previous Meeting

022.01These were agreed.

023/1415Matters Arising from the Previous Meeting

023.01Chair explained that VP Education had compiled all the student feedback gathered from across SU Forums and taken this to Deputy Vice

Chancellor Jane Harrington and the Pro Vice-Chancellor JoMidgley.They were grateful for the feedback and it was decided that VP Education would author a discussion paper. This work is ongoing.

023.02In relation to 015.05 this action is pending an update from VP Education. 3rd year Psychology Rep confirmed they had had a 24hr extension.

023.03In relation to 015.07 and 015.09 the Secretary, who had met with HoD and AHoD after Reps had accidentally not been invited to any Departmental Committees by UWE/the Department, provided an update. This point was discussed at the meeting but staff had concerns that students should be revising or referencing the most up to date version of resources – and that including older resources could prevent this.

In response to this feedback from staff Reps present felt students wanted and needed these resources. A Rep from Psychology 3rd year reported that on their programme they had been given access to past resources and future resources via a folder on Blackboard within ‘Courses’. Students appreciate this as can look back at previous modules but also make informed decisions when selecting future modules as can look at content from them. Having content given to them in this format has meant they aren’t getting any notifications about past modules.

The room felt students should be able to have access to all their courses materials and that there should be a warning about making sure to revise and reference most recent materials if staff felt this was necessary.

Action:Reps to raise this at Departmental Committee.

023.04In relation to 015.09 again this was discussed between Secretary and HoD and AHoD.

They were unsure as towhere responsibility lied in terms of whether students were expectedto ensure they accessed computers where they could download filesand/or seek support from ITS if needed OR if staff were expected to‘second guess’ what formats students may need and make files

available in multiple formats.

VP Education looked into this for staffand raised with Web Applications Manager who replied to him and DeptHoD and AHoDwith the following: Hi JJ,

I am not aware of any policy as such. I understand there is an expectation that resources are provided in standard formats such as Microsoft Office and PDF which work across platforms/devices and which are supported by UWE computers. Alternatively the content is created using the content editor in Blackboard which it is accessible through supported web browsers, on multiple devices.

There are exceptions where various disciplines/modules require specific software, more so in FET. In those instance instructions are usually provided to students through module handbooks and Blackboard course information. IT Services provides the following information on software for students to download from home:

We provide guidance for academic staff covering a ranges of topics and tools on the Blackboard Support website however is does not specify what file formats content should be used.

From a student perspective, coursework is required to be submitted in Microsoft word format for the majority of assessments.

I hope this helps. Please let me know if you need any further information.

Regards,

Kevin

Secretary explained that it might be worth ensuring you have the latest version of MicrosoftWord and asking staff to make sure they have done the same, you can download it in this way:

Q: How do I install Office (for free)

A :

Log in to myUWE

Click on UWE e-mail

Click on Office 365 Logo (Top Left)

Click Install Scroll down & Click Install

Press Run

Enter uwe e-mail address & password when asked

Reps present all felt that if students were expected to submit in specific formats staff should have to make their resources available in specific formats and these needed to be communicated to students. Reps reported that none of them had instructions included in their module handbooks. Some Reps would like files to be available in PDF but one Rep did point out this is a large file size and can’t be edited or copied and pasted.

Action:Reps to raise this at Departmental Committee.

023.05In relation to 015.10 this is also still pending in relation to 015.07 and 015.09 due to staffs concerns.

Action:Reps to raise this at Departmental Committee.

023.06In relation to 015.11 HoD and AHoD have said they will look into the availability of staffs contact details on BB as they are in agreement they should be on BB across the board.

023.07Student Reps have not yet raised 015.13 and the praise for Psychology programmes use of Blackboard at SRSF.

023.08In response to 016.02 the Rep who raised that he didn’t have an APT tab confirmed that this wasn’t unique to him but has now been resolved.

023.09First year Psychology Reps have not yet raised 016.03 or 016.04and their feedback about organisation of APT on their course.

023.10The joint Psychology and Law Rep who had been assigned a Psychology APT but wants to go into Law raised the issue with PMs, she hasn’t changed APTs but is fairly happy for now as only in first year. Secretary reported that VP Education could factor joint honours students into his work with Jo Midgely.

Action:VP Education to take to APT working group.

023.11In relation to 019.01 No Reps present could confirm if anyone had emailed UWE Transport and Green Leader Coordinator but they did comment that new showers had recently been built for cyclists so they were aware work is ongoing.

023.122nd year Psychology students have not yet raised feeling overwhelmed with the amount of reading they are expected to do and assignment bunching having many deadlines at once at SRSFs (019.03 & 019.04)

023.13Direct entry students in 3rd year Criminology have raised their timetable spread (019.05) at SRSFs. Staff asked Reps to contact partner colleges to remind them to make sure they let students know taught activity at UWE site may be timetabled across a week.

023.14The same students raised the praise of the standard of teaching at UWE (019.06) at SRSF.

023.15Reps believed 019.07 should have been minuted as 3rd year Sociology students. No one was present to provide an update as to whether the issue around changing dissertation tutor had been raised at SRSF. Reps present suggested VP Education look into if there is a UWE policy around this.

Action:VP Education to establish if UWE have a policy around changing dissertation tutors.

023.16In relation to 019.07 Politics and IR 3rd year students have not yet raised changing dissertation supervisors. A Rep volunteered to email the programme manager.

Action:Rep to email programme manager.

024/1415Report from Departmental Committee

024.01Due to the fact no Reps were invited to attend Departmental Committee this could not be given.

025/1415Report from ASQC and SRC

025.01No Reps who attended ASQC or SRC were present at this meeting. The secretary had attended SRC so was able to give a verbal report.

025.02In relation to SRC she explained that Derek Norris (Deputy Director - Strategic Business Engagement, ITS) had attended to give an update to students on developments to UWE IT in response to student feedback. These included reducing planned maintenance weekends from two a year to four and making these outside of main term time, rolling out Wi-Fi to all rooms on all campuses and the move away from thin client PCs through replacing all to thick clients. He agreed more and more timely promotion of free Microsoft 365 download was needed. She explained a need for staff to be well trained in IT in order to make good use of blackboard, lecture capture etc.

025.03As Secretary hadn’t been able to attend ASQC as it clashed with FBL ASQC no report could be given.

026/1415Student Communications and Information Provision

026.01The Chair introduced the item on the agenda and encouraged Reps to discuss to what extent Students know where or who to go to about aspects of their Student Experience that they may need support with. To also discuss what extent UWE and UWESU communications are clear or adequate in providing students with information needed to find sources of support. He then prompted students to suggest ways in which UWE and UWESU could improve their communications to students to help students know where to go for such support.

026.02A third year Rep started the discussion expressing that this year it seems people are a lot more aware. A second year Rep agreed that in first year students are given a lot of info at the start in inductions etc but this is not reinforced. A first year Sociology student supported this advising that they were aware of services available however wouldn’t know where to find them on campus.

026.03The Chair suggested that there should be an online directory with a link to this included on the back of UWE ID cards.

026.04A third year Rep advised that the help was needed most in first year when students tend to be shyer. They suggested that information should be up in halls on posters.

026.05An MSC Rep reported that there is not much information on Glenside, they suggested that posters should be put up around different campuses with support information. They advised that they would only go to infopoint for

queries about what rooms support can be found in and weren’t aware they could go there about support or booking support appointments. Another Rep agreed with this and had concerns if a 3rd year student doesn’t know this then how would a first year student.

026.06The chair also commented that the poster for wellbeing isn’t very clear as it is a tree, students may mistake this for green leaders.

026.07A third year psychology Rep advised that the web provisions for booking appointment with wellbeing are problematic, especially with questionnaire element prior to getting an appointment. This can be long and offputting as it is personal.

026.08A first year Psychology Rep relayed her experience at the start of the year, reporting to the group that they got a card with all the key contacts on but nothing else. They suggested that it could be mentioned in PAL sessions at the start of the year.

Action: Secretary to raise this point with the PAL office

026.09A PAL leader who was in the meeting explained that they are trained in signposting etc and know about which services are available. Secretary explained that this is also included in Student Rep training. It was suggested by a Rep that training on signposting should be in societies and sports committee training.

Action:VP Sports and Health and VP Societies and Communications to consider.

026.10A second year Psychology Rep said information should be given to third and second year students as well. As some students could have come from St Matts and wouldn’t know where anything is on Frenchay campus. This could also be an issue for direct entry students.

Action:All feedback to be passed to VP Community and Welfare and VP Societies and Communications to consider.

Action:Secretary to pass feedback to Communications Officer.

027/1415Reflection on the Rep System

027.01The chair explained the next item on the agenda and encouraged members to discuss the best parts and the biggest challenges of the Student Rep role. He also invited them to consider the top 3 highlights and challenges within the Rep role.

027.02As a group this was discussed and the forum concluded that the positives of being a Student Rep included getting plenty of support from staff.

They also agreed that it allowed them to get to know the university better and have a better understanding of all the different things going on.

It was also felt that getting paid to be a Student Rep was a bonus and made Reps feel more valued and made them consider the importance of the role.

Another positive was discussing things with staff and then seeing changes quickly and effectively, they concurred that it was positive to see staff engaged and responding.

027.03The group also discussed the negatives of being a Rep and they concluded that communicating with large groups of students can be challenging but they felt that MyUWE announcements make this easier. They also felt that it can be difficult to discuss with students issues that can’t be changed or improved.

Action:VP Education and Student Reps team to consider all feedback on the role and recommendations made at SU Forum.

028 /1415Student Rep Conference

028.01Reps were reminded of and invited to the Student Rep Conference, which will be held on Friday 27th February in the ECC on Frenchay Campus. The day will last from 11:00-16:00 (although you can just attend the morning or the afternoon) and a free buffet lunch will be provided! There will be a choice of 4 workshops to attend. This day provides a wonderful opportunity to enhance your skills and share your experiences of the year so far. You can find more information

029 /1415Student Rep Notices

The Secretary ran through the rest of the Student Rep Notices…

029.01Nominations for the Student Rep and Student Led Teaching awards are still open. Nominations can be made on the Student Rep webpage, along with full details of criteria for each category.

029.02 The National Student Survey (NSS, for final year undergraduates) and Student Experience Survey (SES, for all other years) are now open. All students are encouraged to fill in their survey and have their voice heard. In addition to this, there are prize draws for iPad Minis for those who complete their relevant survey plus the Students’ Union will receive £1 per completed survey for your new SU building.

029.03Secretary explained that myUWE announcement training had been offered and drop in type sessions run across campuses with mixed success and attendance. She explained that for next year the team hoped to launch this training sooner or incorporate within fundamental Rep training. She asked if this was something Reps would still be interested in and if there was a need for further sessions. There was limited interest due to the timing of the year.

029.04 UWESU Elections are now open! Any student can run for one of the full time sabbatical positions or one of the part time office positions in the forthcoming UWESU Elections. Full details about each role and the nomination process are on Nominations opened on 3rd February and close 26th February.

030/1415Student Matters

030.01Students raised issues with car park 20 advising that it is a “nightmare” and also that it is dark at night. They suggested that lights are needed for personal safety and general reassurance.

Action:SU President and VP Community and Welfare to consider.

030.02A level 3 Criminology Rep advised that a member of staff has left and students are still awaiting a replacement. Those students studying module ‘Social Psychology of Violent Crime’ who have lost lectures due to the staffs absence and want a “seen exam” to make up for lack of teaching. They reported that staff are looking into this and have offered to give additional support if the exam cannot be changed to a seen exam.

Action: Reps to email to VP education if this is not resolved.

*Feedback sent via email.

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