Education Zone (11th May 2018)

Sam ran through the apologies, and welcomed everyone to the meeting. 

Officers Reports for Joint Honours Officer and FPSE are attached. 

FH – Petra commended on how well the online option choices worked, with no major problems.  There have also been dissertation extensions in humanities due to the strikes.   

FSHMS – Adrian had nothing major to report. 

VP Education- Sam thanked the FOs/student leaders on the information they provided about hands ins for dissertations.  The You Are More Than Your Diss worked very well, with locations at Hartley Library, Avenue and the Concourse in Building 42.  The event included handing out hot drinks and highlighters, which all went down very well. 

Sam also thanked those who attended the Student Forum on 2^nd May, although the turnout was not as good as expected.  Sam will feed back to the university on a few points about how the forums should look in the future (ideally 2 forums before Easter and exams kick in).  Sam is also keen for the university to support local faculty forums as well for the next academic year. 

Sam promoted the Academic Rep BBQ and hoped to see all reps and Education Zone members there on the 15^th May at 16:00 in Bar2. 

Officer report attached above for PGT officer. 

Clubs and Societies conference happened on the 9^th May, updates were passed on with regard to funding and new membership processes. 

The University is currently on version 5 of the University restructure!  

With the ORC no longer existing in the structure, although we will still have representation for those students. 

The Associate Deans are being appointed in June. 

Sam fed back on some possible changes with regard to student offices, where students could go to any student office for the basic information.  In theory this should not affect the work load of the staff.  Petra suggested online submissions and digital marking should be pushed next year. 

Sam updated the zone on what the Union has been working on with regard to compensation, we were in a good place, however the class action lawsuit has meant that the University is unable to do anything until the class action has ended.  So any compensation needs to await legal action which is likely to take a long time. 

Petra raised the point that Alex Neill had said at the Student Forum, about where the average tuition fees goes and that information would be circulated.  Sam confirmed that Alex is keen for this to go ahead.  In the meantime, the Union is looking at doing the same for where its money goes. 

Adrian raised the issue of inconsistent mitigation, and stressed that the mitigation boards rely on knowing what has been missed. 

Petra commended on a module which has no mitigation or special cons yet of the 16 hours only 2 were taught.   

Sam asked for any issues such as this to be sent to him, including module codes. 

Chloe fed back that in Physical Sciences and Engineering everything appears fine.  Students are happy with the mitigation in place. 

Sam also raised the point that there is a slight disparity across the university on who is setting on what boards/meetings with regard to mitigation, he will be looking into this though. 

Adrian raised an issue that had been brought to his attention in FBLA, around appropriate use of social media and the possibility of communication guidance.  This is something to look at next year however Sam informed the zone that the amended Student partnership agreement has been sent to the university for approval.  This document should serve as guidance.