class rep manual lit
TRANSCRIPT
Limerick Institute of Technology
Students’ Union
Class REP Manual
Firstly, LIT Students’ Union would like to congratulate you all on getting
elected to the position of Class Rep. You have been given the great
honour of becoming the representative for your class for the coming
academic year. We’re delighted to have you on board. The Students’
Union would not be able to function as well as it does if it wasn’t for
the continuous input of Class Reps.
Class Reps are the link between the Students’ Union and the wider
student body. This year we hope that the Class Rep system will
continue to grow and strengthen so that we will be able to fulfil our
collective goal – to represent and defend the rights of all of our
members. The purpose of this handbook is to provide you with the
basic information you will need for your time as an active Class Rep.
While it is a fairly comprehensive source of information, it couldn’t
possibly handle absolutely all queries or questions that may be put to
you during your year. In tandem with the information which is here, the
training we provide and the on-going support of the staff and
sabbatical Officers, you will learn the skills necessary to find answers,
and how and where to refer students if and when the need arises.
Always remember that your role is a positive one, you are there to
support and stand up for your fellow students, those on your course
and the wider student body. We look forward to working with you over
the year. LIT Students’ Union wishes you the best of luck during your
time at LIT and in your role as Class Rep.
Enjoy Your Term,
Your Union Executive.
Phone Number: 061 293135
Email: [email protected]
Introduction to the Students’ Union
LIT Students’ Union is the representative body of students within Limerick Institute
of Technology (LIT). Its main aims are to represent students, defend their interests
and work on their behalf both within LIT and nationally.
You are now part of the Class Rep system, which, according to the Students’ Union
Constitution is the very backbone of the organisation. You now have the
opportunity to help develop and strengthen the Union.
LIT Students’ Union Structure
The membership of the Students’ Union is defined as all registered students of LIT
(i.e. all those students who pay the student contribution fee). This means that you
are a member of the Students’ Union and so are your classmates. You can have
your say as a member and one of the best ways to do this is through being a Class
Rep. This is the reason why this manual refers to your Students’ Union; because
that’s what it is – yours!
LIT SU and the Class Rep System
With the ever-increasing number of students attending the Institute it is important
now more than ever that there is active representation for the student body. It is
difficult for the Sabbatical Officers to make contact with the entire student body,
and this is why Class Reps are a vital component of the Union.
The Students’ Union works with Class Reps to represent students in all areas of
college life. Through regular class rep Meetings, the Union will keep Class Reps
informed on relevant issues within LIT. The Union oversees and intervenes where
students are not being represented, and is committed to empowering Class Reps to
actively lobby, negotiate, represent and support the rights of their classmates
where possible. Class Reps play an integral role in representing students, helping
students overcome problems and maintaining the quality of courses in LIT.
Class Reps sit on course committees at school or department level in which they act
as the voice of the students, ensuring that the college takes into account the
requirements of students in any decisions that are made.
Remember your priority is class/lecture attendance.
Top Six Duties of a Class Rep
As with every job there are duties attached. The following is a list of
duties which Class Reps are obliged to carry out:
1) Dealing with Class issues
As Class Rep, you will act as a medium of communication between your class and
academic staff. If a class is experiencing problems relating to their course it is the
Class Reps responsibility to bring concerns to the attention of the course
coordinator. If any Class Rep is ever unsure about what action to take or who to
talk to, get in contact with the Students’ Union as it’s our job to HELP YOU!
2) Dealing with Personal issues
Occasionally Class Reps may find that a member of their class will approach them
with a personal issue that is causing them some distress. The advice that the
Students’ Union is to get the student to put their concerns in writing to you the
class rep. Inturn send this to a member of the student union where it will be dealt
with confidentially and appropriately.
3) Representing the class at Class Rep Meetings
Class reps, if possible, are to attend class rep meetings. It is in your best interest to
attend these meetings.
4) R epresenting the class at Course Board Meetings
A significant role of a Class Rep is to attend any Course Board Meetings that are
scheduled between course/class coordinators and Reps. During course board
meetings, Class Reps communicate the views and opinions of their class.
5) Providing Services
At your own discretion you may choose to provide extra services to your class. Such
extra services include; organising class parties or social events for the class and/or
arranging the purchase of hoodies or clothing for the class.
6) Feedback
As a Class Rep, it’s important that you keep your class informed by ensuring that
their class is made aware of the issues which arise at class rep meetings and
anything that will affect the class. Feedback on course board meetings or any other
meetings held with regard to the class is essential.
How to express the views of your class
In order for you to be able to express the views of your class you first of all need to
know their opinions. You should never assume or guess what their views will be.
Consultation can be a simple process and here are some ways of findings out the
opinions of your class:
> Ask them as a class
> Hand out a questionnaire
> Organise meetings with members of your class that are suited to you schedule.
> Set up a class facebook page
> Organise a class mailing list (email)
Dealing with Class Issues
It is difficult to predict what issues you and your class will face over the
year, but here are a few common problems:
> Classroom facilities
> Lecturing issues
> Course workloads
> IT issues
> Timetabling issues
> Health and safety
Once a problem has been identified it is important to establish who can fix it - can
you manage the problem or is it an issue for the Students’ Union Officers?
• For your specific class issues, such as time tabling, contact should be made with a
member of staff in the relevant department. The Students’ Union should then be
contacted if a satisfactory outcome cannot be agreed.
Support Services for students
As a Class Rep it’s your job to be aware of the various services available within LIT
so that if one of your students has an issue, you are able to direct them to the right
people. As a Class Rep you could well be the first person a classmate confides in.
LIT provides a range of Students Support Services which are predominately
based “Up the Hill”. These include:
Career Guidance
Counselling Service
Medical Service
An Access Service supporting students with disabilities, financial difficulties and
mature students
Chaplaincy (main building)
The Students’ Union
Full details of these and other services can be found in the LIT Student Handbook
on-line.
Quick Pointers
> Don’t presume you know how they are feeling, even if you think you do.
> Listen to them
> Do not be judgmental
> Do not give advice - refer on
> Do not feel you should know all the answers
> Do not tell any of your friends, this will only hinder matters
Records and Archives
It is important to keep a record of what action you have taken so that you can
follow up on any issues. The best way to keep records is to communicate through
email and save a copy of all correspondence to a folder. It is advisable to ‘cc’ a copy
of the correspondence to the relevant Students’ Union Sabbatical Officer.
Class Rep Meetings
Every Class Rep is a member of and is entitled to attend class rep meetings along
with the Union Officers. These will be held regularly throughout the year. Keep an
eye out for notices of these meetings around campus. The purpose of a class rep
meeting is for all the Class Reps of the college to get together and discuss issues
that are pertinent to all classes both on an academic and resource front.
Students’’Union Council Awards
Class Reps are at the core of the Union’s growth and development and you form a
pivotal role in the two-way communication process between students and the
Union. Class Rep involvement is integral to the success of events, projects and most
importantly campaigns organised by the Union. The Union Council Awards
recognises the contribution of Class Rep to the Students’ Union and to the Institute
as a whole. At this ceremony all active Class Reps are presented with a Certificate
of Merit recognising their voluntary contribution to Students’ Union activities.
Class Reps may also be nominated for a Union Council Award acknowledging
‘Outstanding Voluntary Contribution’ by their classmates. Nomination forms are
sent to all students’ email accounts and students are encouraged to nominate their
Class Rep if they deem
them worthy of an award. Receiving formal recognition of your contribution in the
form of Certificates of Merit and/or an Award provides you with a great
opportunity to differentiate yourself in a very competitive jobs market. Employers
are impressed by those who volunteer and those who seek out opportunities to
develop their skill set.
LIT Students' Union
Mairéad Keogh
Deputy President
Sara Dowling
LSAD Convenor
Andy Summers
Deputy Convenor
LSAD
Mark Brady
Tipperary Convenor
Gráinne Nolan
Deputy Convenor
Thurles
Ryan Burke
Deputy Convenor
Clonmel
Chris Walshe
President
Lily Goggin
Office Manager
Julie Hyde
Administrator
Contact Details:
Chris Walshe
Phone: 061 490142
Mobile: 083 1001920
Email: [email protected]
Mairéad Keogh
Phone : 061- 293429
Mobile: 087 9487104
Email: [email protected]
Sara Dowling and Andy Dowling
Phone: 061 293377
Mobile: 083 3030712 / 087 1363538
Email: : [email protected]
Mark Brady
Mobile: 085-7203874
Email: [email protected]
Gráinne Nolan
Mobile: 087-9746193
Email: [email protected]
Ryan Bourke
Mobile: 087-7973231
Email: [email protected]
www.facebook.com/LITStudentsUnion
@LIT_SU
