Faculty Reps
A Faculty Representative is a step up from a course rep and is a great way to gain extra experience whilst at University but doesn’t bare a heavy workload. Alongside this, our Faculty Reps will also be voting members of our Student Forum and will gain HEAR accreditation at the end of the academic year that will go on their transcript when they graduate to show what they did alongside their studies whilst at University.
Responsibilities of the role include:
- To support Course Representatives.
- To attend SSCCs with Course Reps where possible.
- To have minimum 1 informal meeting with Associate Deans to provide feedback.
- To be the bridge between the faculty and the SU and the course reps – so if there are bits of feedback or issues that they feel need acting on before an SSCC, then to bring to the attention of the SU, the faculty or both and work with them to achieve a resolution.
Benefits of the role include:
- HEAR Accreditation.
- Opportunity to generate real positive change within the institution.
- Several opportunities and the experience of working in the higher education sector and alongside a charity which will really help you stand out on Graduate job applications and interviews.
- Invited to the academic representation awards ceremony and conference at the end of the academic year.
- Opportunity to attend Faculty Boards with the President.
- Discounted merchandise from the Students’ Union.
Course Reps
What is a course rep?
Course Reps are our way of collecting lots of students views about their course and experience whilst at Newman. With roughly 2,800 students, it can be difficult for a small SU team to really hear every single voice, so we aim to make sure that we have course reps on each course from every year to round up the views and collective opinions of their peers.
Course reps attend meetings called Student Staff Consultative Committees (SSCCs) twice a year to present their feedback to course staff and key university departments, including ourselves. We also take this data and interpret it into themes which are presented to the University through the Executive Committee.
What are the benefits of becoming a Course Rep?
Aside from helping make your course better for you and your course mates, you will get HEAR accreditation which is a record that you get alongside your degree which shows the extra curricular activities you took part in alongside your studies.
Alongside this, course reps will get a discount on Union merch throughout the year.
There are also skills that can be developed within this experience that you can talk about at interviews such as:
- Meeting Etiquette
- Negotiating with key Stakeholders
- Presenting Information and Data for Purpose
- Professional Skills
- Networking
You can make the most of your experiences as an Academic Rep when you come to planning your career. For further help with this visit the University Careers Service for help and guidance. You can find out more by clicking here.
How do I become a course rep?
We usually pop into lectures when you return to campus in the Autumn. If you are already reading this after this time and feel like this could be an opportunity you’d like to take please contact the President, the Academic Representation Officer, Student Voice & Governance Co-ordinator or your lecturer.