Education Zone (23rd February 2017)

1.1 Apologies recieved. 

1.2 Minutes from the previous meeting - Approved. 

VP DCI reminded everyone that the spring elections were now underway and that voting would be open soon.

There is a strong desire to make printing cheaper amongst the student body and this has been the subject of many You Make Change requests. Many previous VP Educations have attempted to tackle this but been unable to make headway. One option that Elliot has been investigating is All I Want Is Print, an app that allows students to print for free but with banner ads. Elliot is speaking to isolutions about data protection but the service has been recommended by another students union and he will look to have it up and running as soon as possible.

Currently students studying for MRes qualifications are not represented in the academic rep system. VP Education will consult with MRes students, other PGT students and PGR students on the best way to provide them with representation.

The results of the recent Joint Honours Forum are currently being collated ready for release. Many good conversations were had at the event.

The committee discussed the idea of having a single joint honours rep who could liaise with all reps involved with joint honours to improve the current system which is currently ad hoc and often informal depending on the faculties involved.

The committee noted that it is currently hard for specific joint honours reps to fit within the academic rep system, especially if their course was split between faculties.

ACTION VP Education to bring a formal proposal on representation for Joint Honours Students to a future Education Zone.

History AP Maddy detailed the challenges of being academic president of a large academic unit. She proposed that to lighten the burden for future APs the role be split into two co-Aps one to focus on history and one to focus on Ancient History and Joint honours students. There followed discussion on how this system would work and potential alternatives including formalising a senior rep position. 

ACTION VP Education will convene a meeting of APs from the largest faculties to discuss best practice and to explore changes to the existing structures.

The committee decided they would consider the late funding application from the German society. The results of the decision will be sent to the society.

8.1 VP Education 

The Joint Honours forum went ahead successfully along with the all student forum attended by the Vice Chancellor. Elliot extended his thanks to all who attended. In the future they will work with the University to improve the publicity of these forums.

Elliot has spoken to timetabling with regards to the President’s survey on an inter-semester break and that they are receptive to examining the timetable with a view to adapting it to give students more time off or a better break.

With regards to next year’s Faculty Officers, Academic Presidents and Course Reps Elliot is working with the Union’s Learning and Development department  to provide more information, possibly in the form of a booklet. There is already some material available on the Union’s new Learning Management System (LMS) website. More online academic rep training materials will added before the next training sessions.

Work has also begun on the creation of handover documents for next year’s FOs and APs. This should ensure that there is a smooth transition when next year’s post holders take over.

8.2 Business, Law and Art Faculty Officer

• A student forum was planned however the students fed back that they prefer the SSLC structure, so the FO and the Dean will attend the next SSLC instead.
• Students had reported some ambivalence towards recording lectures and feared that it might reduce lecture attendance.
• The FO is exploring a third year – second year peer mentoring initiative to help students pick dissertations and promote collegiality between years.

8.3 PGT Officer 

• Met with the University to discuss issues on exams and the lack of formative assessment. They have said they will look into changing some modules.
• There will also be an increase in the amount of optional modules that are offered.
• Spoke to the Vice Chancellor about getting more feedback and was promised an increase.

8.4  Health Science Faculty Officer 

• The withdrawal of the NHS Bursary has led to a decrease in applications to Health Sciences.
• The SSLC and the forum have been combined to increase student engagement.
• The university will now be visiting students out on placements.
• The You Said We Did campaign has received positive feedback. 

8.5 Humanities Faculty Officer 

• Faculty Forum was a success and the Dean attended, PGR working conditions were discussed with a hope to improve standards
• Attended various SSLCs
• The need to improve access to Enabling Services for Humanities students has been taken to Enabling Services. 

8.6 Medicine Faculty Officer 

Report attached. 

Interlibrary loans

A librarian has said that for the time being they are happy to overlook the two book limit for humanities students. In some cases the library has simply bought the books in question. Different faculties have different limits on how many interlibrary loans are allowed.

ACTION VP Education to speak to the library about interlibrary loan limits and the discrepancy in policies between faculties.

10.1 Open places – some open places still available on the education zone. Interested parties should email democracy@unionsouthampton.org to find out more.

10.2 Excellence in Volunteering Awards – Elliot told the committee they have the opportunity to name an award for this year’s EVAs. Suggestions for the award included:

• Best educational event
• Best educational society
• Best educational activity
• Outstanding contribution to education

The committee did not reach consensus on what the award should be and decided to circulate ideas by email and decide later.

ACTION Everyone to circulate ideas for the potential name for the award