the wee rep guide - napier students...testimonial “ ”??? 6 7 ensa’s decision-making bodies ......
TRANSCRIPT
1
REP GUIDETHE WEE
ENSA’s pocket-sized guide to being an effective
Programme Rep at Edinburgh Napier University
SESSION
17/18
2 1
Contents
This handbook was produced by ENSA (Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association).
ENSA is a charity
registered in Scotland
(SC012506).
Contact Us:B34 Merchiston
Campus, 10 Colinton
Road, Edinburgh,
EH10 5DT.
Tel: 0131 229 8791
napierstudents.com
Printed by Stephens
& George Print Group,
Goat Mills Road,
Dowlais, Merthyr
Tydfil, CF48 3TD.
stephensandgeorge.co.uk
VP’s Welcome 02
ENSA’s Student Executive Team 03
ENSA’s Decision-Making Bodies 06
Why Be a Programme Representative? 07
The Student Learning Experience 08
Programme Rep: An Agent For Change 09
The Role of the Programme Rep 10
Effective Communication 11
What Issues Will I Deal With as a Rep? 12
Issues Reps Do NOT Deal With 15
How Do I Help Other Students? 16
Staff Student Liaison Committees 17
The Feedback Loop 20
Providing Effective Feedback 21
Minuting Meetings 23
Benefits of Being a Rep 25
Skills Development 26
ENSA Volunteering 29
Jargon Buster 31
Useful Contacts 32
2 3
ENSA’s Student Executive TeamThree members of the Executive Committee are elected by the students to
take a year out of their studies, or add a year onto the end of their degree,
to work full time and paid for ENSA. The rest of the ‘Exec’ are students
continuing their studies and elected as volunteers to support student
representation and activities, linking ENSA with students in the classroom.
FULL-TIME SABBATICAL OFFICERS
VP’s WelcomeHey guys,
My name is Hannah Markley and I am
this year’s ENSA Vice President for
Representation and Volunteering.
Whether this role is new to you or
you are continuing your role, I’d like
to congratulate and welcome you as
a Programme Representative.
By becoming a Programme Rep you
have the opportunity to make a real
difference to learning and teaching, not only for the students in your class
but for future classes by ensuring the student voice is heard at every level.
As a former Programme Rep myself I have seen some of the positive
changes that the University has made thanks to the input from the
Programme Reps, and I am really excited to see what wonderful ideas you
all come up with this year.
I look forward to meeting and working with you all!
HANNAH MARKLEY
ENSA Vice President for Reps & Volunteers 2017/18
Hannah Markley - Vice President Reps & VolunteersChief academic representative who works with reps and the
University to make the system work for students, bringing
about the changes and improvements they need for their
class colleagues. Her role also involves engaging students in
a range of activities through ENSA Volunteering.
E-mail: [email protected]
Manish Khatri - PresidentLeads on campaigns to improve conditions for
students and also co-ordinates the Student Exec to
take forward student engagement initiatives. In
regular discussion with University Management to
ensure that the student voice is heard.
E-mail: [email protected]
Hannah Macleod - Vice President for Sports & SocietiesIs responsible for leading, promoting, supporting and
developing both ENSA Sports and ENSA Societies.
These are two highly active student communities which
collectively make up ‘Team Napier’.
E-mail: [email protected]
4 5
CAMPUS OFFICERSEach campus has two Campus Officers to take forward the issues raised
by students at that campus and provide some support for the Reps in the
Schools based there. Although their main focus is on students at their
‘home’ campus, they also play a huge part in the general campaigns and
activities of the ENSA Student Executive. The Merchiston posts are vacant
at the time of going to press.
OTHER EXECUTIVE POSTSThe Executive also has two other members who support the campus
officers and the sabbaticals. The two roles are Activities Officer, and the
Equality & Diversity Officer. The Activities Officer supports projects,
campaigns and events initiated by the Executive, such as Freshers week and
the Excellence Awards. The Equality & Diversity Officer (post vacant at time
of going to press) ensures that the University and ENSA consider the wider
student demographic when they plan policy, campaigns and events, so
that no group is unfairly excluded.
Ansten AugustusCraiglockhart Campus
Officerensa.craiglockhart1
@napier.ac.uk
VacantMerchiston Campus
Officerensa.merchiston2
@napier.ac.uk
Lu Jiminez MartinezSighthill Campus
Officerensa.sighthill2 @napier.ac.uk
Kary Wei HoCraiglockhart Campus
Officerensa.craiglockhart2
@napier.ac.uk
VacantMerchiston Campus
Officerensa.merchiston1
@napier.ac.uk
Georgia MoranActivities
VacantDiversity & Equality
Franziska BaumannSighthill Campus
Officerensa.sighthill1 @napier.ac.uk
ENSA’s Student Executive Team ENSA’s Student Executive Team
Being a Programme Rep at Edinburgh Napier University allowed me
to network and engage with a wide variety of students and
academics across all the University campuses. It also helped me to
develop personal and professional skills and has opened doors to
new opportunities that I wouldn’t have come across otherwise.
Hannah Markley (VP Reps & Volunteers)TESTIMONIAL
“
”
? ?
?
6 7
ENSA’s Decision-Making Bodies Student Council This is where all Programme Reps across campus can meet to discuss and
vote on the big unifying issues about student life and develop student-
related policy for ENSA to take forward on behalf of Edinburgh Napier
students. It’s also the place where you can find out what the Exec has been
doing – or not doing – in your name, and hold them to account if you think
they could do better, or they have messed up. Hannah Markley (VP Reps &
Volunteers) convenes this meeting.
Student Forums These are less formal gatherings of Programme Reps, usually focused on
a single campus. It’s a good place to discuss shared campus facilities and
issues that need addressed.
The Student Executive This is made up of 11 student members elected by the students on campus
for a year to take forward student issues at campus, senior management
and national level. The Committee is chaired by the President, Manish
Khatri, but it is made up of members with equal status, including the 2 Vice
Presidents, 6 Campus Officers, an Activities Officer and an Equality and
Diversity Officer.
ENSA Trustee Board ENSA is a registered charity and as such is legally required to have a Trustee
Board in charge of the organisation – its assets, its staff, its strategy and
governance. It currently has 9 members, an inbuilt student majority,
including the 3 full-time sabbatical officers, and external lay members who
bring in expertise from different areas (finance/HR etc).
Why be a Programme Representative?
Programme Reps are the key to good
student representation, working in
partnership with the University and
ENSA to improve the student
experience for all students across
every year of each programme, under-
graduate and postgraduate. We know
that the students who experience the
issues first hand usually have the best
ideas on how to improve things.
Your role as a Programme Rep is
to listen to students’ views on your
programme, and take forward those
issues affecting most of the students – ideas for improvement and
constructive solutions on how to fix things when they are not working.
You can bring about the changes necessary by representing the
majority views of your student colleagues to the University at programme
and department level, and if you cannot do that on your own, ENSA is here
to help. You are also there to signpost individuals and small groups of
students experiencing problems to the services best placed to help them.
Not only can you can make a real difference to your programme and
the way it is run for you and peers; you can also, with others, impact on the
decisions the University makes about how your education is delivered and
supported. On a personal level you can develop networks, pick up useful
training and gain transferrable skills, and you can add all this to your CV.
Programme Rep Training
8 9
The Student Learning Experience
The ‘Student Learning Experience’ is a concept developed to help you
understand the different elements that form you and your class colleagues’
learning experience. It consists of everything related to how you learn and
the way in which you are taught.
Students should be provided with plenty of opportunities to contribute
to, and enhance, their own learning experiences by having their voice
represented at all levels of the University. This is where you come in as a
Programme Rep!
Asking a fellow student to tell you about their whole learning
experience may not get the response you are looking for. Breaking the
learning experience down into the different elements illustrated in the
diagram will help you gather feedback and help you identify where issues
may be arising.
The Programme Representative: An Agent for Change
As Programme Reps you are here to seek out and resolve issues; to make a
difference by being part of the solution, to be active learners, researchers
and evaluators who think outside the box, people who bring about change
and improvements, some big and some small.
You might compare your programme with what is being offered at
other universities, and against what is expected of the industry standard. Is
your programme professionally accredited? Does it use current methods,
materials and technology? Is it keeping up with new and evolving practice?
This University, like all others, is responsible for delivering the kind of
student academic experience to give students the practical skills and
intellectual capacity needed to progress along a chosen career pathway.
So, for example, if a class is taught to use a specific kind of software in
relation to coursework, it’s good to check out what the industry standard is
so that your experience is relevant to your future career. If your programme
is out of sync with industry standards, it’s your role as a Programme Rep to
raise this matter.
Programme Rep Training
Student Learning
Experience
Curriculum
Learning Resources
Quality Enhancement &
Assurance
Learning & Teaching Process
Guidance & Support
Assessment and Feedback
Student Progression & Achievement
10 11
The Role of the Programme Rep
As a Programme Rep you are expected to:
�� Undertake induction training provided by ENSA to provide you with
the knowledge and skills to function effectively and appropriately in
your role, and provide an opportunity for you to meet other reps and
ENSA staff and build a stronger and more interactive student academic
community.
�� Promote your own role on your programme and actively seek the
views and concerns of your class colleagues using a range of methods:
moodle, class talks, facebook pages and email – make it clear how best
to contact you.
�� Attend and actively participate in committees and meetings –primarily
Staff Student Liaison Committees and Student Councils and Forums –
to bring your issues, share concerns and create solutions.
�� Represent the ideas of the students but keep out of disputes between
academic staff.
�� Be sure to represent the general interest of your class – not individuals
or small minority groups.
�� Remember to “close the loop” and feedback any outcomes you have
from representations you make to the students – even if the outcome
was not what your class wanted they will want to know what they said
mattered enough for you to have raised it.
�� Make students aware of the services and support they can get as small
groups or individuals from ENSA Advice.
�� If you can’t progress your issues, for whatever reason, tell ENSA and
we’ll try our best to help.
Effective Communication HOW TO ENGAGE WITH YOUR FELLOW STUDENTSBe proactive and visible to your students. There are many ways to help
make yourself visible and known to your fellow colleagues. The more they
can see that you are active, the more point they should see in raising their
issues with you. Make yourself identifiable, available, and approachable.
Here are some useful hints and ideas to get you thinking:
�� Upload your profile picture to Moodle.
This is a very effective way for students
to put a face to a name, know who you
are and how to find you on campus.
�� Use social media to talk to the class.
Set up a Facebook group for your
programme so that students can easily
contact you. Facebook is an easy and
familiar environment that students feel
comfortable using. It provides a way in which you can pass on any
feedback on issues raised.
�� Ask your lecturer if you can have 5 minutes before or after a lecture to
speak to your fellow students. Introduce yourself and explain what your
role is as a Programme Rep.
�� You could arrange drop in sessions. ENSA can book you a room on
campus so that students can drop in and see you to raise issues or ask
questions. You may want to do this a few days before an SSLC so you
can gather any issues to take forward.
12 13
What Issues Will I Deal With as a Programme Rep?
Remember to know your limits as a
Programme Rep! Students may well
approach you with issues that you
cannot advise on, but the ‘Useful
Contacts’ section of this guide provides
relevant sources that you can direct
students to in such a situation.
Here is a list of issues and questions
that you may wish to thinkabout when
consulting with your course colleagues
before a meeting:
CURRICULUM ISSUES • Are the learning outcomes being met?
• What is the match between the expectations of students, the learning
outcomes and curriculum content?
• Does the curriculum content encourage the development of knowledge
and skills?
• How relevant is the programme to future study and employment?
• Are your timetables, workload and assessment arrangements
appropriate?
• What opportunities are available for practical and vocational experience?
• Have employers/regulatory bodies been consulted about course
content?
ISSUES RELATING TO LEARNING RESOURCES• How good was your induction process?
• How do you rate the on-course support provided to you, for example
through your Studies Advisor?
• Are appropriate library services available?
• Are the texts on the reading list readily available?
• Which texts on the reading lists are genuinely useful?
• Is there ready access to computer facilities?
• Is the software you are expected to use matched to your programme
needs and are you trained how to use it?
• What are the most helpful learning resources provided for your
programme?
• Are the necessary programme-specific materials and resources available?
• Is the classroom, study space and equipment that is used for your
programme adequate?
continues >
As a Rep, I now feel like I can confidently question what happens
within the University, whether it is course specific or a whole
University issue.
In the past year I have, on three occasions, brought forward
issues from the student body I represent to either the SSLC, ENSA or
the Programme Leader.
I have gained confidence not only from the skills ENSA has
provided me with, but also the feeling of having a team on the
student body’s side.
Jo Dean (Engineering & The Built Environment)
TESTIMONIAL
“
”
14 15
ISSUES RELATING TO LEARNING, TEACHING & ASSESSMENT (LTA) • Do you understand the criteria for assessment and the methods used?
• What feedback do you receive?
• Is feedback prompt, effective and easy to understand?
• Is the assessment policy and practice clearly described?
• Could timing for coursework submission be reviewed? Is it too close
to exams?
• Is there an unreasonable delay in the return of marked assignments?
• Is feedback personalised to you?
• Are the comments made on marked assignments helpful?
• Is information given on referencing and plagiarism? If so how useful is it?
• Is the range of teaching and learning methods appropriate for delivering
your curriculum? What might be more effective?
• Are class numbers small enough for you to ask questions and get
individual attention when you need it?
• Should there be more, or fewer, lectures, labs or tutorials?
YOU DON’T HAVE TO ALWAYS WAIT UNTIL AN SSLC!Some issues can wait until a formal meeting such as an SSLC but others
can’t. If there is a pressing issue it is usually worthwhile raising it with a
member of staff before the meeting as they may be able to solve the
problem fairly quickly. The best results are achieved through students and
staff working together.
You may sometimes find that issues come up that affect students
beyond your course, or you may want to work with other Programme Reps
in your School, or your Campus Officer on an issue. It is important that
when you work with others you have gathered as many details on the issue
as possible to make sure you ask the right questions of the right people.
Issues Programme Reps DO NOT Deal With
Programme Reps should not be involved in representing individuals or
just small or minority groups of students on the programme. Your role is
to represent the collective wishes of the students in general, primarily on
academic issues (programme) and learning support services (computers,
libraries and the physical environment).
Occasionally you may be approached about an issue which is not your
responsibility as a Programme Rep, such as:
�� Disputes between individual students and academic staff, or between
individual students (for example, allegations of harassment,
discrimination and bullying).
�� Issues covered by formal University procedures (for example, exam
failures, academic appeals, individual complaints, disciplinary hearings).
�� Queries about finance or funding including debt.
�� Welfare problems (for example, housing, employment and immigration,
health and personal issues).
If a student comes to you with an individual problem you should direct
them to a member of academic staff, or to ENSA Advice. Suggest that your
class colleagues call 0131 229 8791 or email [email protected] for
an appointment.
Remind students that personal information provided to ENSA Advice
will remain confidential within the advice team and will not be shared with
anyone outside the team unless you give your consent to do so.
16 17
How Do I Help Other Students?
Does the issue affect
more than one person?
Does the problem only
relate to a single module?
Is it urgent?
Take to SSLCSpeak to relevant
Programme
Leader or ENSA
Does it solely affect
your school?
Is it urgent?
Take to ENSA or
VP for Reps
Speak to ENSA
or Campus Officer
Could this issue be
resolved informally?
Take to SSLC or
Student Council
Speak to your
Programme Leader
Advise the student to
speak to ENSA Advice
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
Staff Student Liaison Committees
As a Programme Rep, you will be expected to gather your fellow students’
views and represent the collective student voice at Staff Student Liaison
Committees (SSLCs).
SSLCs are essential to the development of the University and ensuring
you gain the best student learning experience. They let the staff know from
a student perspective what’s working well, and what might need a bit of
improvement.
Ideally your SSLC will meet twice, but at least one time per trimester.
Your School should provide you with the annual schedule of meetings
that you will be required to attend at the beginning of the academic year.
Keep this time free from other activities. If it is really impossible for you to
attend, send your apologies, then ask for the agenda and papers early so
you can give comments on them. If you do not get a schedule of meetings,
ask for one.
We appreciate that it can be a bit daunting walking into an SSLC for the
first time, but it’s important to remember that you have a legitimate role –
only you know what it’s like to be a student within your School. Schools rely
on you to give them honest feedback so they can change things to ensure
that you have the best student experience possible.
STRUCTURE OF MEETINGS:Minutes of the last meeting will be discussed, leading to minor items, or
reports on progress of actions agreed at previous meetings. Agenda items
will be discussed, along with possible solutions. ‘Any other business’ is
anything that is not already on the agenda. The Chair should announce the
date of the next meeting at the end, but if they do not, ask.
continues >
18 19
SSLCs can cover anything related to the student learning experience, and
should be as positive as possible. Think about how you will present issues
and problems to staff and other students and try to keep things
constructive.
Typical SSLC discussion topics can cover:
• Assessment (e.g. balance between exams and coursework) and feedback
(e.g. is what’s provided adequate and within a good timescale)
• New programme development/existing module review (e.g. curriculum
content. Things that work well; changes; improvements)
• Teaching and Learning Resources (e.g. availability of core texts)
• Learning and Teaching (e.g. size/quality of seminars; size of lectures;
student support/guidance; personal tutors)
• Surveys (e.g. The National Student Satisfaction Survey and Postgraduate
Taught/Research Student Experience). The findings can be discussed.
BEFORE THE MEETING
�� Speak to students - let students know that you are available. Use a varie-
ty of methods to speak to as many students as possible.
�� Speak to other Programme Reps - you may discover that other
programmes are also facing similar issues. This may provide you with
some reassurance and confidence when bringing issues to SSLCs.
�� Submit a written paper if you need an issue addressed and it’s not on
the agenda.
�� Read the agenda and papers once they have been circulated and check
over the minutes of the last meeting to make sure points have been
actioned.
DURING THE MEETING
�� Be punctual and arrive on time, so you don’t miss anything important
�� Listen to the discussion and wait your turn to speak. Try to engage in
discussions and share opinions. Don’t be afraid to ask if you don’t
understand something – especially jargon, the chances are someone
else will be thinking the same.
�� If you are asked for the student view on an issue, don’t feel that
you have to give a definite response. You can ask for time to consult
students on your programme if necessary.
�� Try to keep positive and be constructive. Discuss any proposed solutions
to any issues/problems that are presented by your fellow students.
�� Make notes as items are discussed – this will make it easier to give
feedback to your class colleagues.
�� At the end, ask the Chair to summarise all the actions that need to be
carried out and note any actions you are required to follow up.
AFTER THE MEETING
�� GIVE FEEDBACK, especially to students who asked you to make a
contribution at the meeting on their behalf. Report back to students
about the decisions that affect them, and the responses to any issues
you may have raised. You should be able to feedback actions to
students at the end of lectures, or through Moodle, Facebook or on
School notice boards. You may also need to collect student feedback on
a particular issue to take to the next meeting.
�� Complete any actions assigned to you, and get some more feedback.
Find out what students think about the decisions that have been made
in order to maintain the feedback loop and assure them that their views
are taken seriously.
20 21
The Feedback Loop Feedback is a very important aspect of being a Programme Rep, and should
occur in a loop that feeds back to your fellow students.
Students give
feedback to the
Programme Rep about
the new decisions
that have been
made
The Rep takes
the issues to the SSLC,
student council, ENSA
or Programme Leader,
where it is discussed
and shared with
staff
Programme Rep
gathers student
views, concerns and
issues relating to
their course
The Programme
Rep feeds back
the actions and
outcomes of the SSLC
to the student
body
Providing Effective Feedback
Providing feedback is an essential part of being a Programme Rep but how
do you provide it effectively? ‘The ABCD of Effective Feedback’ was
developed to help you do so. Below each element is explained, with each
contributing to effective feedback.
Effective Balanced
Constructive
Accurate
Depersonalised
The ABCD of Effective Feedback
ACCURATE: When you comment on the learning experience you should be specific, and
provide evidence for what you’re saying. Avoid sweeping generalisations or
emotional language. Research the point you wish to communicate –
sometimes you get a hunch that there’s a problem somewhere and it turns
out not to be the case. Don’t over-exaggerate the importance of an issue or
you will risk it not being taken seriously. Where possible produce some
evidence for your claims e.g. scale, percentage/ number of students
affected. Doing so shows you’ve looked beyond your intuition and found
out how issues affect students.
continues >
22 23
BALANCED: You shouldn’t only pass on negative comments to staff, even if that’s
mostly what you’re hearing from students. You might see that staff have
been trying hard but it hasn’t helped, or isn’t helping in the right ways.
Sometimes the Students’ Association might not be pulling its weight;
sometimes the University isn’t listening and sometimes students
themselves may not be meeting the expectations of the programme.
Having a balanced perspective is crucial for working with everyone
connected to learning.
CONSTRUCTIVE: You’re not just here to identify the problems, you’re also here to help find
solutions. If you raise an issue, you should make a suggestion at the same
time or ask for help in putting one together. Being negative, unbalanced, or
inaccurate only makes it easier for people to ignore what you’re saying,
even if it’s valid.
DEPERSONALISED: Even if students think that a member of staff has done something wrong,
Reps should never make personal comments.
Don’t comment on a specific member of staff directly, talk instead
about the impact on your learning experience. Remember as well that
people are always working within larger systems – staff members may just
be following a wider policy or implementing someone else’s idea. Even if
you’re right to be annoyed with a particular person, the likelihood is that
pointing it out bluntly won’t help to change things, in fact this could make
the situation worse.
Minuting MeetingsAcross the University meetings take place in different ways, depending on
what best suits individual programmes, however, there should be an
element of standard practice. This entails regularly arranged meetings,
good attendance of members and maintaining a record of what happens
at these meetings in the form of minutes.
MINUTES =WHAT ARE THEY? A record of attendance and what the key discussion points were; noting
outcomes; who is responsible for doing them and by when.
WHY DO THEM? Minutes are important so that progress can be reviewed. There is no point
in meetings if their outcomes are not actioned and measurable.
WHO DOES THEM? It is up to the attendees
to decide. Programme Reps
should be capable of doing
this task, or they may wish
to take their own notes and
action points in any case
to promote greater
accountability and
professional practice.
continues >
24 25
HOW DO YOU WRITE THEM? Taking minutes is not particularly complicated, but here is a quick guide:
�� Note people in attendance.
�� Record the date and the programme.
�� Note down important discussion points.
�� Put names/initials next to points that were agreed to be taken forward
by a certain person for a specified date.
�� Formalise your notes document and store it in a designated folder.
�� Send minutes via e-mail to all attendees of the meeting.
IMPORTANT!If at any time there is a dissatisfaction with progress in SSLCs,
ENSA has a team of dedicated staff and elected student
representatives who are eager to help you. Having a record of
minutes from each SSLC that has been attended provides evidence
that can be used to support future endeavours.
!
Benefits of Being a Programme Rep
The hard work you put in whilst being a Rep, attending meetings, and
feeding back to your classmates will provide you with:
• The chance to meet new people on your course and across the University.
• Enhanced employability; your CV will benefit from the communication,
negotiation, time management, problem solving and meeting skills
gained.
• Additional confidence through gaining experience of communicating
with a broad range of people from students through to senior staff.
• The opportunity of influencing University decisions as the voice of the
student body.
• A Certificate of Completion at the end of the year if you have engaged
with the role.
• The opportunity to win the Best Rep Award at ENSA’s annual Excellence
Awards.
• Development of your skills and further opportunities through ENSA’s
Student Development Programme.
• The chance for further progression:
jProgramme Rep
j Student Executive
j Full-time Sabbatical Officer
26 27
Skills Development Skills you gain in an active role as a Programme Rep
It is important to recognise the post of Programme Rep as an investment
in your personal and career development. There are many different
transferable skills that you can develop in the role:
LEADERSHIPPutting yourself forward in a leadership role shows to employers your
aptitude for responsibility, decision making, planning and organising.
Employers are keen for prospective employees to demonstrate they are
capable of juggling competing demands and prioritising a workload.
What is most important? What is most urgent?
USING INITIATIVE Most employers require tangible examples of using initiative and being
proactive, and you can really demonstrate this by setting clear priorities and
going above and beyond what is expected as a Programme Rep.
MEETING SKILLS These skills will be advanced by attending and participating in meetings and
working towards positive outcomes.
COMMUNICATIONYou will learn how to communicate effectively and confidently. When
implementing change many people can often be too aggressive or passive.
The way to bring change is to be assertive. Communicate what you want to
happen, but in a manner that is respectful and clear. Like everything else,
this just takes practice and it may need you to step out of your comfort
zone to achieve the right balance.
ACTIVE LISTENINGThis involves fully concentrating on what is being said rather than just
passively ‘hearing’ the message of the speaker. Engage with your class-
mates by asking them whether they are happy with things, push them for
definitions of what they think the problems are and what they think would
make suitable solutions. ANALYTICAL SKILLSWhen is it a collective or individual issue? When is it important but not
something you can do as a Rep? When do you refer to someone else and
how do you analyse a problem so that you can help progress a solution?
DRAFTING PROPOSALS Gathering evidence and using it to support arguments. Use appropriate
language and formats that are formally seeking positive solutions.
continues >
28 29
PRESENTING PROPOSALS “Owning” the issue by presenting appropriately, as opposed to just reading
from a sheet. Remember that half of any pitch is how you convey your
proposal. Some of the most logical and straight forward proposals are
refused because of poor delivery. People forget that when verbally
presenting ideas they are performing; selling ideas and rationale. If you
simply read out a flat pitch that lacks conviction, then your audience may
not find what you say convincing.
BUSINESS ACUMEN / COMMERCIAL AWARENESS Showing that you have an understanding of what the organisation wants to
achieve through its services, and how it competes in its marketplace.
PROBLEM SOLVINGBeing a problem-solver rather than a moaner. We all like a moan sometimes
it’s human nature, however it achieves very little. Keep a focus on the
issue, break it down and work through the problem until a viable solution
is found.
For me, the experience of being Rep has been a positive one. It has
allowed me to have a feeling of belonging within the University.
Many opportunities have arisen through my role, including
organising a conference, meeting members of Parliament and also
speaking to large numbers of students in lecture theatres. All of
these experiences will stand me in good stead for my future career
and will allow me to be confident within it.
Kaye Nicoll (Bachelor of Nursing)
TESTIMONIAL
“
”
ENSA Volunteering
As Reps, you are volunteering your
time to help improve the student
experience for your fellow students.
ENSA Volunteering is here to support
you and has a hub at Merchiston
Campus, ‘VBase’, where you are welcome to drop in for a chat with the
Volunteering Coordinator.
ENSA Volunteering also runs a VBase website (napierstudents.com/vbase),
where you can build a personalised Volunteer Record, work towards a
Volunteer Hours award, and record and reflect on your skills development.
The University and ENSA encourage all volunteers to record their activity
using the VBase Skills Log. Here you can keep tabs on the skills you’re
developing as you volunteer, make a note of your volunteer hours, and
reflect on the activities you undertake in your role. Your log will populate
your Volunteer Record which will provide an invaluable starting point when
it comes to writing your CV or preparing for job interviews.
The website also hosts hundreds of volunteering opportunities from
charities in the local area, and is the place to go to find out more about
starting a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (or
DofE) is available for any young person up to the age of 24 and gets you
recognition for activities like being a Rep. It’s a great boost to your CV, a real
personal challenge that will test your limits, and a lot of fun.
continues >
30 31
Role induction: When you are first recruited as a Rep,
you will be invited to an induction session where ENSA
and some Uni Staff will introduce you to your role and
equip you with the skills you need to succeed.
Attend Staff Student Liaison Committees (SSLC): SSLCs are meetings between Academic staff and the
Reps on each Programme. They give Reps a chance
to raise academic issues, ask questions about decision
making, and gain insight into how courses are run.
SSLCs should be held at least once per Trimester.
Skills workshops: There are a number of work- shops
that are offered throughout the year that will help
you develop your skills. These workshops are
organised around 8 key skill areas for your personal
and professional development.
Attend Student Council: Student Council is ENSA’s
main forum for discussing issues and ideas for making
policy, and for ENSA’s Exec to consult you to get your
views. We also have guest speakers and Q& A sessions.
These are open to all Edinburgh Napier University
students but only Programme Reps can vote.
Reflective Practice: Reflective Practice simply means
thinking about your actions/experiences to draw
thoughts and feelings into the open. You should use
the VBase Skills Log to record the skills you develop
while performing your role, with practical examples to
illustrate this.
PROGRAMME REP PATHWAY
Role Induction
Attend Staff Student Liaison
Committee (SSLC) x 2
Skills Workshop
Attend Rep Drop-In Event
Reflective Practice
Jargon Buster FE - Further Education: education at college level. More advanced than
school education but not at university level.
HE - Higher Education: education at university level. Often organised
around ‘student centred’ independent learning.
NSS – National Student Satisfaction Survey: annual UK-wide survey
which asks all final year undergraduate students about their academic
experience at their university: teaching quality on the course, assessment
and feedback, academic support, learning resources, personal development,
organisation and management, and overall satisfaction.
NUS - National Union of Students: represents around 5million students
in FE and HE students’ unions; provides research and training, and lobbies
government on issues that affect students’ well-being.
QAA - Quality Assurance Agency (for Scotland): for the safeguard of
standards in HE. It informs and encourages continuous improvement in the
management and quality of HE and carries out reviews.
SPARQS - Student Partnerships in Quality Scotland: aims to improve the
students’ teaching and learning experience. See www.sparqs.org.uk.
Sabs/Sabbatical Officers: students elected to work as paid and full time
leaders for the students’ association for a year.
SEC - Student Experience Committee: university body for the
development and implementation of policy and procedures that ensure
and enhance all aspects of the student experience.
32 33
Useful Contacts
ENSA ReceptionRoom B34, Merchiston Campus
10 Colinton Road
Edinburgh, EH10 5DT
Telephone: 0131 229 8791
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.napierstudents.com
ENSA AdviceMerchiston Office: Room B34
Craiglockhart Office: Room 1/48
Sighthill Office: Room 1.C.30
Tel: 0131 229 8791
Email: [email protected]
ENSA VolunteeringVBase at Merchiston opposite the Student Hub
Tel: 0131 229 8791
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.napierstudents.com/vbase
ENSA Representation and Student EngagementTel: 0131 229 8791
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.napierstudents.com
ENSA Vice President for Reps and VolunteersEmail: [email protected]
Every penny goes to help students
Buy your NUS extra card today
nus.org.uk/extra
www.nus.org.uk
Over 200 student discounts
Including10% offTs & Cs apply
982613 6050 3141 4505Hailey .M TshumaNational Union of Students
dob: 04/06/98
exp: 09/09/18
Details correct at time of printing (June 2016). Visit nus.org.uk/extra for terms and conditions.
A5Flyer-FE(English).indd 2 22/06/2016 12:46
enjoy) Purchase your ENSA Active card at:napierstudents.com/ensa-active
Brought to you by Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association
THE DISCOUNT CARD FOR CHEAPER GYM MEMBERSHIP & HEALTHY FOOD ON CAMPUSSave £55 on annual membership
to [EN]GAGE Sports & Fitness
Centre (discounted price only £80).
Includes unlimited access to the
gym and fitness classes, a free
induction and regular checkups.
Plus discounted bottled water,
soups, salads and jacket
potatoes at all Enjoy
catering outlets.
Purchase your ENSA Active discount card online at
napierstudents.com/ensa-active. You can then
collect your card from [EN]GAGE Sports & Fitness
Centre at Sighthill Campus. Show your card at any
Enjoy catering outlet to receive your discount.
£10BUY ONLINE NOW FOR JUST