Education Zone (4th December 2017)

Sam opened the meeting and ran through the apologies. 

Two open places were elected.  Sam welcomed Akshada Rawat and Alexandra Turda to the Education Zone. 

The Zone had been sent Officer Reports from JH Officer, FPSE, FSHMS and FH Faculty Officer ahead of the meeting.

Sam read out FNES and FHS Faculty Officer updates.

All Officer reports attached.    

The zone discussed engaging students to fill in module surveys, Chloe raised the problem in FPSE with the comments box not being available.  The group discussed who is in control of the module surveys and the fact there is not a standard across the university.  ACTION: Sam to look into.     

Agenda item rolled over to the next meeting.  

The survey has been launched, and the physical part of the consultation is booked for the 5^th December – 10am-4pm on the Redbrick handing out hot drinks in exchange for filling in the survey.  It will stay open through the New Year, particularly through the exam period.

One suggestion was looking at the unused space at the entrance to the Bridge. 

Sam and Giles presented a PowerPoint on the university restructure and how Academic Representation might look.  ACTION: Kate to circulate to Ed Zone

Comments welcome on the proposal. 

The point was also raised that PGT/PGR academic officers need consideration.

Faculty Executive Boards – the reps that sit on these, will the uni appoint them or will they be Union reps?

ACTION: Send any feedback about the proposal to Sam. 

The group then discussed the restructure which is a current student interest issue.

The general opinion of the group was that the distribution of students to admin staff is a concern.  There are also other financial issues, such as unoccupied houses and the derelict  South Stoneham Tower.  The group also discussed the news around the VCs pay and the voluntary severance process.  Concerns were raised over the student experience.  A few key points were raised during the discussion:

• The amount of information that has been made available (Sam asked everyone to signpost any students with questions to either Flora or himself)
• There has been no student consultation
• No information on the impact on faculties or departments
• Concerned about the lack of information and transparency
• The impact of staff leaving on student experience
• Online options- may have implications
• Liaison Tutors – loss of jobs, now could be potentially cross faculty
• Costings- where is the unspecified amount coming from, £15 million

ACTION: Sam to take this feedback to Senate.         

The zone ran through the grant applications and the decisions were recorded. 

A few YMC have come through recently which Sam will be looking at.  More details will follow.

Petra spoke to the group about online module choices, what do students want it to look like. Petra has created a document and would like feedback. There has also been the idea of an App, feedback on this is also welcome. ACTION: Kate to circulate to the zone, feedback to be sent to Petra.
Adrian raised the issue of Student Voice – what is it? A survey is currently going around about this.