Education Zone (28th October 2015)

Daniel Cernin, Academic Vice President for Economics, was also present as a non-voting member.

Frazer Delves noted that he was wrongly listed as voting member on the minutes of the previous meeting.

With this change made, the committee voted to approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

The Officers presented their papers to the committee.

Shruti noted that there had been problems with the database of courses not being accurate which had led to complaints. She encouraged Faculty Officers to ensure that they updated and completed the spreadsheet.

FO Medicine noted that the website was clumsy and promised a results night that did not happen.

Discussion followed problems people had had with the website in voting. The suggested 500 word manifesto was deemed to be onerous and the suggestion was made that in the future only an elevator pitch be required for course rep candidates.

Frazer Delves asked if the refer a friend option could be returned. Shruti was unsure why it had been removed and said she would investigate.

Shruti explained the procedure for filling vacant course rep slots at SSLC meetings. Giles asked that the names of those who were chosen to fill the slots were passed on to the Democracy Zone as soon as possible. Emily Stewart assured the committee that this was already underway.

Shruti asked the committee what the procedure should be for selecting students to attend the meeting. The committee decided that they would prefer to choose candidates via email with more information on the committee.

Frazer spoke about the need to provide adequate representation for joint honours students.

Shruti suggested that a working group is formed with the Faculty officers of the faculties that offer joint honours.

Giles said that the data for organising this would require another spreadsheet as some reps would belong to two separate faculties.

Dan provided background on the course and how it was different from other courses within health sciences as it was the only non-clinical degree and that they were a separate academic unit. Ideally elections would be as soon as possible if the motion were to pass.

Debate followed as to whether or not it the course required an academic president or whether they should be represented by senior reps as is the case for other courses that are unusual within their faculty such as audiology.

VP Education said that the idea behind the current system was to mirror the university’s system as closely as possible and adjust for oddities with the creation of academic presidents.

Vinnie asked if this would give more power to certain courses. VP Education replied that different courses have different needs and that this was why additional positions such as senior reps existed. There followed discussion about the vagaries of the university’s academic structures and the rep systems attempt to work with it.

VP Education moved to a vote on the motion.

Motion passed.

VP Education explained the current situation with the ETAs and Course Rep awards. She noted that course reps were now named academic reps as the old name coursed confusion.

VP Education suggested that the name be changed to Academic Rep Awards. No one objected to this proposal. It was also suggested that the categories of awards be reviewed to make them less ambiguous. The awards should also allow for more sharing of best practice and have a higher profile. This is especially important as the TEF is coming.

ES provided some background on the Teaching Excellence Framework proposals.

The university is keen to promote its teaching excellence and it would be good to use the ETAs as part of virtuous circle giving benefits to winners and improving teaching for all.

Shruti suggested that videos of award winners be made to make sharing best practice easier.

There was general consensus that the awards should be bigger and better and be promoted throughout the year reaching more faculties.

There was discussion about the value of merging the ETAs and ARAs into one award ceremony which was a larger and possibly included a meal. A big event would help staff members see the value of the rep system and buy into it.

An indicative vote was held on combining the award ceremonies:
For: 7
Against: 2
Abstentions: 2

Library opening hours at sites was discussed. Funding to extend the hours at SGH has been confirmed and there is ongoing discussion regarding WSA and Avenue.

Discussion then switched to the upcoming referendum on the 24 hour library. VP Education encouraged all committee members to help get out the vote.

It was noted that Democracy Zone had not mandated anyone to be impartial.

PGR Officer said that it would be good for course reps to express an opinions and add to the debate.

VP Education was keen that no one had extra power or undue influence which is why she and the other Sabbatical Officers will be remaining neutral.

SGH Officer queried how the safety bus would operate with a 24 hour library. VP Welfare said that whatever the result of the referendum the union would work with the library on welfare concerns.

In the response to a question on the need for a referendum the VP Education explained that there had been little to no consultation with students and that the union shouldn't speak for students without consulting them first. The referendum results will determine the union’s position on the matter.

VP Welfare added that the University’s planned move to a 24 hour library will still be a trial that is due to end in June and that student input in the outcome of that trial was essential.

FO Medicine said that medics had exams even in late July. It was noted that the trial period for the 24 hour library is scheduled to end on 5th June 2016.

VP Education asked for as much info from medics on their time pressures as possible.

New Business – Buses are overcrowded, especially a problem for medical students. VP Welfare encouraged all present to record all instances of overcrowding to feedback to the university. The uni are currently saying that overcrowding is not a problem.

There was discussion about contributing factors to overcrowding and Shruti informed the committee that she will be bringing a motion to the next Union Council on this subject.

VP Education said that she would be bringing this up all possible meetings with the university and that other sabs would be doing the same.