Nottingham University Business School
MA/MSc Staff Student Consultative Committee
Tuesday 31st October, 2pm, C3, Exchange Building
MINUTES.
Chairman : Jorge Molina
Secretary : Niko Vijayaratnam
Present: Wendy Bull, Lesley Wells, Mike Byrne, James Tannock, Zhi Yong Wu, Cristiana Anca, Angeli Ghai, Jian Xiong, Bharat Mittal, Stephen Diacon, Andy Crane, Prithwiraj Nath, Sally McKechnie, Tim Bailey, Adam Blake, Darryn Mitussis, Scott Goddard, Kathleen Visser, Carol Harley, Andrea Glasgow, Julie Blant
- Apologies :
Simon Mosey, Anna Maria Arnadottir, Dyneshia Johnson, Mette Asmild, Wendy Chapple, Sarah Davies, Margaret Burdett, Kim Tan, Leigh Drake, Elaine Kay, Ken Starkey, Gerardo Patriotta, Dan Edge, Nishal Gooroochurn, Suzana Grubnic, Jeremy Moon, Chris O’Brien, Kul Pawar, Stephen Thompson, Deniz Ucbasaran, Helen Whalley, Xi Qu.
- Minutes of last meeting
- Student Cards/Email/library access problems. (All programmes)
Discussion :
· Issues were raised regarding the fact that some students were having problems with their student cards, specifically regarding some cards not working in the business school readers.
Conclusions :
· Students should contact the postgraduate office regarding problems with the cards.
· Andrea Glasgow has said that the problems with the card system should hopefully be resolved within the next week.
- Student representation on Teaching and Learning Committee.
Discussion :
· There is currently no student representation on the Teaching and Learning Committee. The committee meets 5 times a year and the next meeting will be held on 08/12/06.
Conclusions :
· The committee would like 2 students and a substitute (Ideally students who attend the SSCC meetings) to volunteer as representatives for the MA/MSc courses as the committee is a way of getting any issues that students may have raised directly with the business school management.
· Jorge Molina and Niko Vijayaratnam volunteered as student representatives on the Teaching and Learning Committee.
- Health and safety issues / student disability issues:
Discussion :
· Issues were raised regarding the waiting times at Cripps health centre after making an appointment.
Conclusion :
· The committee concluded that international students may have different expectations regarding the health service in this country compared with the service they receive in their home countries.
· To better inform international students on the procedure for seeing the doctor, more information should be included in next year’s edition of the student handbook and during the induction week.
· Students should also make use of the NHS direct telephone service.
- No related or specific case studies in Module N1D045 Tourism Business, Markets and Strategy. (TM&M)
Discussion :
· At present there is more theory to the beginning of the course and case study material is introduced in the later stages of the module.
Conclusion :
· Efforts can be made in the future to make improvements to the course content to include more case study material.
· Case study material is currently included in the course content within student presentations.
- Some module teachers unable to give good examples for the theory in Module N1D015 Marketing Management. (TM&M)
Discussion :
· The original feedback regarding this matter was canvassed after the first lecture. Since this time students now feel more comfortable with the course but some international students may be finding it hard to understand the theory.
Conclusions :
· The lecturer has been engaging in email correspondence with students who may be finding it hard to grasp the theory. Students can meet with the lecturer during office hours to discuss any problems.
· By possibly engaging in further reading and preparation before the lectures, the theory may become easier to understand.
- During the Quantitative Research Methods lecture, the strong accent and fast speech of the tutor made understanding difficult for various students. (TM&M)
Discussion :
· Speed of delivery of lectures is too quick.
· Students whose first language is not English should be encouraged to speak English at all times to enhance their language skills.
Conclusions :
· Students should raise issues regarding the speed of delivery of lectures at the time that they experience problems with the lecturer (i.e. during or after the lecture).
· Nexus forums can be used as a means to raise any issues students may have with a particular module.
9. Assignment submission for 2B(qualitative) too close to winter break. (MA)
Discussion:
· Coursework submission date is too soon after the winter break.
· The coursework deadline has been made available to students since the beginning of term.
Conclusion:
· If students feel strongly about this issue then they can speak to the module convenor.
10. Increasing the length of some of the key courses:
- in particular the CSR in Global Context and Business Ethics classes (which form the core of knowledge base). (CSR)
Discussion :
· In previous years the feedback from previous cohorts indicated that this was not popular.
Conclusion :
· The length of the CSR in Global Context and Business Ethics classes is not likely to be increased this term. In general if students feel excited and get involved in the subject matter, lecturers are happy to spend more time on these topics.
· It is positive that students feel that they want to discuss the module further.
11 Career advice (CSR)
Discussion :
· Increased support for CSR students with regards to career advice.
· Careers fairs.
Conclusions :
· CSR students need to consider a creative approach to their career searches – networking, speculative applications etc.
· CSR students advised to contact AIESEC, an international student-led employer liaison body, as CSR has been identified as a key priority for AIESEC to explore.
· ICCSR has organised a CSR employment session in November.
· An ethical careers fair is usually run by the environmental social justice committee each year. Details for this academic year are awaited.
12 Access to study skill classes for students of MA in CSR. (CSR)
Discussion :
· Lack of study skills sessions for CSR students.
Conclusions :
· If particular help is needed in relation to study skills then personal tutors can be consulted.
· The school will ensure that each course has a specific study skills programme that is tailored to the course.
· Students should consult the course director if they feel they need additional study skills sessions.
·
13. Introductory talks for 2d semester optional modules. (CSR)
Discussion :
· Dates that 2nd semester optional modules need to be selected by.
· Logistical reasons behind the deadlines for optional module choices.
Conclusions :
· The introductory talks will be released in the following couple of days and a schedule will be drawn up soon after.
· There will be a two week period in February when students will be able to amend any module choices they may want to change.
· Students can check feedback on NEXUS to help inform them about optional modules they may want to choose.
14. Accommodation prospectus – poor quality and incorrect information. (Raleigh Park cited)
“False statements:
- Prices are current (in fact fee quoted as £3,570, but charge was
£3,786.75).
- Rooms equipped with phone (handset included) and broadband
internet points with direct access to the university’s network.
- Cleaners will take care of areas like the stairwells, corridors, the
common room and the bar.” (CSR)
Discussion :
· The university outsourcing accommodation and gaining a bad reputation as a result of problems.
· Phone handsets.
· Lack of communication between Derwent housing and Nottingham University students.
Conclusions :
· The postgraduate office has spoken to the accommodation office regarding the misleading figures. When the brochures go to print the current years prices are quoted as the updated figures have not been finalised. The same thing is happening this year.
· Students should speak to the head of Nottingham hospitality if they want to raise any specific problems.
· Students should also communicate any problems regarding Derwent accommodation directly to Derwent.
· The Associate Director is to write to the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs to highlight the problems.
15. Restriction on selecting optional modules from the MBA list. (CSR)
Disussion:
a. Different entry requirements onto courses.
b. AMBA Accreditation
c. Fee difference between courses.
Conclusion:
a. Because different course have different entry requirements (MBA students have a certain amount of industrial experience before they embark on the course), it is not feasible to allow non MBA students to take MBA modules.
b. AMBA would revoke the AMBA accreditation that the University enjoys if the business school was to allow non-MBA students to take MBA modules.
c. The massive fee difference between the MBA courses and the MA/MSc courses means that MA/MSc students cannot take MBA modules.
· MA students may be able to use their dissertations as an opportunity to explore some of the content covered in MBA modules.
· A review of all PG programmes is underway to assess how courses can become more focused and to reduce the amount of subjects that don’t appear to be directly related to a course.
· According to the context in which courses are taught, CSR is designed to be taught with some knowledge of general business issues. It would be very concerning not to teach the course in this manner.
· CSR is a relatively new field and as such it is harder to produce a large number of relevant modules. More modules will become available as the field evolves.
Any other Business.
Discussion :
· In Broadgate park, all en-suite studios do not contain any telephone handsets.
· Noise complaints in Broadgate park
· 11 people share a mail box in Broadgate park flats, some students feel uncomfortable sharing the same mail box when the apartments have the facility for individual mailboxes but these facilities are not being made use of.
· Dirty Keyboards in the resource room and non functioning machines.
Conclusions:
· Regarding problems at broadgate park (noise and handsets), students should create a forum for discussion between Derwent housing and the Nottingham University students.
· Following this meeting, the committee will look into replacing the current keyboards. With regard to any non-functioning computers, IT support should be consulted.
Date of next meeting (if required).
TBC – MARCH 2007
Key
TM&M = MSc Tourism Management and Marketing
MA = MA Management
CSR = MA Corporate Social Responsibility