NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF ENGLISH LITERATURE, LANGUAGE AND LINGUISTICS

STUDENT STAFF COMMITTEE /STUDENT VOICE COMMITTEE

Minutes for meeting: 14/03/2018

Present: Samantha Cooke (Chair), James Annesley, Felix MacKay, Victoria Mezzetto, Abigail Middlemas, Emily Smith, Ian Smith, Isabel Sykes, William van der Wurff, Ian Wallace

Apologies: Alicia Brittle, Hannah Cookson, Lucy Keating

  1. Minutesof previous meeting (DOC A)
  • The minutes were approved as an accurate record, pending correction of typo in item 6
  1. Matters arising from previous minutes
  • Item 6.2: Not discussed in section meeting. Best possible effort was made to ensure spread of mid module deadlines however a last minute change caused a clash. Extra care will be taken in future
  • Item 7.2: To be discussed at the next meeting teaching committee and reported back to SVC
  • Item 8: No students came to the rep event, future events to be advertised more
  • Item 9:Academic Journal could be more about SELL UG Community- more of a magazine that features more than solely student work. VM will update at next SVC
  • It was agreed that the Career Blog could feature a ‘Where are they now?’ article. SC to discuss with Blog editors
  1. NUIT Update (DOC C)
  • DOC C was circulated and discussed
  • My School will be moved to the Homepage
  • Push notifications being introduced but will need to be tested with a new poll. Ideas for poll to be sent to SC/AM/ES
  • It was requested that Course Reps can contact their cohort via the app, IS will investigate and report back. In the meantime Reps can send messages to ES who will pass them on
  1. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Update (DOC B)
  • Doc B was circulated and discussed
  • Signage within the building are currently being improved, especially toilet signs
  • Ideas for improving awareness should be sent to SC
  1. Course Rep Updates
  • The café is going well, the loyalty cards are proving to be a successful marketing ploy
  • Concerns were raised regarding Industrial action (see item 8)
  • Concerns were raised regarding module choices for 201819 and pre-requisites. Module information will be published ASAP and pre-requisites are at the module leaders discretion, if any students express concern please ask them to speak with the module leader.
  1. Feedback from SELLL Employability Event
  • Video was shared with the committee:
  • More alumni will be involved in future to ensure there will be more opportunities for current students to talk to ex-students
  • There was some misunderstanding between students as to what the event was about, most thought it was a jobs fair so better communication will be provided next year
  • Day was too long but enjoyable. It was agreed the event will be shorter next year
  • Some students with anxiety found that doing unexpected presentations made them uncomfortable
  1. Semester 1 Assessment and Feedback
  • Issues regarding online feedback were raised. Issues with Turnitin have been resolved and should not be a problem in future.
  1. Industrial Action
  • Possibility of more of disruption days after Easter
  • Students advised to look out for further communication and guidance from the University (from the Vice-Chancellor Professor Chris Day) about exams and assessmentetc and mitigating the impact
  • Support from students was expressed about the revised deadline of 17th April on modules with assessments deadlines covered by the period of the dispute.
  • Students offered the chance for further conversations with the Head of School if required.
  1. School Rep Role/SVC Elections
  • We will be electing the New Chair of the SVC at the next meeting, see Sam Cooke if you are interested in the position
  • The School Rep position is also available, which includes up to £200 of vouchers, please apply here if interested:
  1. Any other business
  • The Teaching Excellence and Celebrating Success awards are open for nominations. Members encouraged to nominate themselves.