If there's an issue with anything on your course then Course Reps are the people who will represent you and your opinions, and make sure that the University listens. Working with the Academic Presidents, they are a pivotal link between the University and the student body and without Course Reps, both the University and SUSU would lack the proper guidance in improving the academic experience of students.

What do they do?

Course Reps have three main responsibilities. They make themselves known to their course mates, provide a link between students and University staff, as well as a link between students and SUSU.

To make themselves known to you, they will make regular opportunities for you to discuss issues with them, as well as having their contact details available online on the Course Rep voting site.

To provide a link with University staff, they sit on the Staff-Student Liaison Committee. They can also meet up with staff informally to discuss any issues that may arise. The relationship is two-way and Course Reps also feedback any movements taken by the University to resolve a problem to make sure that you know what is going on.

Finally, in providing a link with SUSU, Course Reps meet with their Academic President and pass on any major problems that they are unable to resolve on their own. These issues are then dealt with by the Academic President, or can be referred on to the VP Academic Affairs if the problem is proving particularly difficult.

How do I get involved?

At the beginning of Semester 1 every year, all students have the opportunity to become a Course Rep. This year, we are electing our Course Reps online for the first time. The nominations open during Week 3, and voting runs through Week 4, before the results are posted online on the same website.

Make sure you check out the Course Rep website at www.coursereps.soton.ac.uk for alll of the details.

Once elected, Course Reps are given full training, a handbook, as well as continued support from both SUSU and academic staff at the University – so don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. If there are ever any issues or questions you have about your role, your Academic President, Faculty Leader, VP Academic Affairs and the Representation team from the Advice & Representation department at SUSU are all here to help you.

In return for your work as a Course Rep you'll receive Graduate Passport points, great experience for your CV, and the opportunity to win Course Rep of the Month awards.

If you have any questions or want to get involved, email vpacademic@susu.org.

Staff-Student Liaison Committee

Every Academic Unit has a Staff-Student Liaison Committee, which acts as a forum for discussion between Course Reps and departmental staff. The number of meetings varies from course to course, ranging from one per month in Health Sciences to 3 meetings per term as a minimum.

The Committee discusses a range of issues, including evaluating modules, assessing the availability of resources, discussing the quality of the communication with students, and the quality of teaching methods.

Course Reps are expected to prepare for each meeting by discussing the issues raised on the agenda with their course mates. They can also propose agenda items in advance, and have these discussed at the committee. After every meeting, University staff will take away a series of action points that they will try to accomplish in order to improve your course, and if they aren’t able to do so it’s up to the Course Reps to hold them to account.