Education Zone (14th November 2014)

The apologies were recieved as noted above.

Michael clarified that he had been in attendance at the meeting. Giles noted that he had suggested that Industrial Action should be an open discussion in the next Union Council.

Subject to these amendments, the committee approved the minutes.

Sophia asked each Faculty Officer to deliver a one-minute paper on what they had achieved so far in their role and what they aim to do.

Rhys (FSHS) - Rhys noted that he has focused on building relationships with academic staff and with his Academic Presidents. He has finalised his year plan. He also noted that he was in the process of drafting up a newsletter to be sent out to students: this would contain a section for academic presidents. Rhys offered to post a summary of this newsletter on the facebook group.

Will (Hums) - Will was due to meet with Academic Presidents once they have all attended their SSLCs. He has attended Faculty Programmes Committee and identified no major issues. Will stated that his main aim was to increase awareness of the academic representation system because there is a lack of knowledge in certain academic units. He also aimed to improve relationships with staff, and to take part in employability events.

Stephanie (FBL) - Stephanie noted that she had attended several meetings, including Faculty Programmes Committee. She said none of the current issues in the faculty were of major concern. Stephanie's main aim to improve feedback, in collaboration with Academic Presidents. She also aims to increase the communication between reps and students. 

Sophia added that the elections for the School of Art were being re-run because of a lack of engagement with the previous elections. She offered to update the committee at the next meeting.

Giles (FPAS) - Giles aimed to improve postgraduate marking, particularaly in Physics. He aimed to increase engagement in some sub-areas of ECS. He was concerned that this may require the creation of another Academic President. He was currently writing a bid for the Innovation Fund to get each Faculty Officer a small budget. he was meeting David Gilani to discuss the proposal, and would continue to update the commitee. Finally, he noted that he was working on feedback, but that this would be under another agenda point. Giles added that he was also working to get Faculty Officers acess to the all.soton mailing list without moderation. Giles said he would email through further details.

Shruti (FEE) - Shruti aimed to build on her work from the previous year. Particular items of concern were the use of Blackboard, or the dissemination of deadline dates. Shruti noted that the faculty now display a course work deadline, details and marking criteria at start to each module, so students are better informed. More work on feedback is being done - Shruti expcted an update at the next Faculty Programmes Committee. She also noted that she was working on getting online submission for third year dissertations.

Michael (Student Groups) - Michael noted that he had discussed funding with Sophia earlier in the week, and that this was a common issue for all student groups committees. Michael noted that due to the fact that Education Zone has an especially small pot of money, some societies feel unsupported, and may want to leave. This is an issue for concern. he noted that he and Sophia had discussed a greater involvement between faculty officers and departmental societies. 

Sophia added that she and Carla would shortly be sending out guidelines to student groups for Education Zone Funding.  Michael added that he and Chris McGehan would be hosting drop-in sessions to offer groups help with their funding applications. Michael to update committee.

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Sophia noted that the matters arising being discussed would be from the meeting on the October - these had not been discussed at the 5th November meeting, due to the focus on Industrial Action at that meeting. 

PGT/PGR Officers (Agenda Point 1) - There was a discussion regarding the membership of the committee. Sophia noted that if the Commitee wanted to change its membership, they would need to take a paper to Democracy Zone committee. Severall points were raised, including:

• More members mean a higher number needed to reach quoracy. This is not always reached and hinders the committee's working;
• Their inclusion is a good first step to improving PG involvement in the Union;
• Their inclusion would not have a meaningful impact on the majority of PG students.

Sophia asked the committee to vote on whether or not she should take a paper to Democracy Zone. The votes were cast as follows:

• For - 1
• Against - 6
• Abstensions - 0

Academic Representation Policy (Agenda Point 3) - Sophia noted she had not sent out the policy because it was still in progress. She summarised that the policy was being changed to be less operational. She also noted that Academic Vice Presidents for Social Sciences had been added. 

Course Rep Elections Update (Agenda Item 4) - Carla provided an update: Demoracy has said the 'Suggest a Friend' function would be possible for Course Rep elections, but that this was not a priority.

Zone Plan - Feedback (Agenda Item 5) - Sophia noted that she had not yet had an opporunity to look at how often opportunity profiles had been downloaded. Carla noted that she had updated the 'Staff Lead' and numbering on the Zone Plan. As above, the committee confirmed they were well-informed on the Faculty Officers' Zone plans. Sophia explained that she would be following up with the Faculty Officers who were not present.  Sophia confirmed that she and Carla had met with Democracy to start planning Summer Elections.

Evasys Update (Agenda Item 8) - Sophia thanked those who attended the first Evasys meeting and noted that the next meeting would be cancelled due to lack of numbers. She also noted that she was unable to prioritise campaiging on this issue due to a lack of information or resources from the university. 

iSolution Lunch (agenda Item 9) - Sophia asked those who had not yet confirmed their attendance at lunch on Wednesday 26th November to do so by emailing Robert Price (r.l.price@soton.ac.uk.)

A.O.B (Agenda Item 10) - Sophia noted that she had no solution as of yet. She will continue to chase.

Sophia presented the Academic Rep of the Month Award to Rhys Thomas for "hitting the ground running in his role, working well as a team" and  noted that "his contribution to the zone has been greatly appreciated." 

Rhys made the following points: 

• Current system is confusing and complex. Is currently being changed.
• This committee needs to have input into this change: last consultation was not acted on.

Giles clarified that this is part of a huge multi-million pound project that the university is undertaking. Each project will have a project board that will meet. Sophia suggested that Rhys could meet with Claire Dillury who is involved in this project. Rhys said that he was happy to be involved where possible. Sophia confirmed that the project was still getting started - she confirmed she would  ensure the committee were invited to input.

Giles explained that: 

• This project will be starting a few weeks time;
• Independent from education zone committee so individuals can join in as they chose;
• This is a good time to do this because we have resources to empower us;
• Pro Vice Chancellor wants new way to do assessments;
• A survey would go out and used to generate reports which would be the basis for discussion in each Academic Unit or Faculty; and
• Outcomes should be a solid plan from Faculties to put this in to place from February.

Giles clarified that he would use SUSU outlets and SUSU and Course Rep logos in all materials. He  invited the committee to get involved.

Sophia noted that Giles had the latest update, and invited him to share it with the committee. Giles noted that the UCU would be meeting on Wednesday 19th November to discuss a possible suspension of the assessment boycott. UCU would continue to negotiate with UUK, but could still reinstate industrial action at that point. Sophia stressed the importance of students being informed.

Education Zone Funding

Michael asked the committee if they had any thoughts on guidelines for funding, or on how funding blocs should be allocated. The following points were raised:

• The committee cannot currently afford to fund trips, unless they are very small.;
• Inter-mural groups should be applying to the Sports Development Zone for equipment - this should free up some money;
• Often, applications are rejected purely on their quality, not on their content;
• Retrospective funding was not an option: if a group could afford upfront costs, it seemed unlikely that they had the greatest need for funding;
• Education Zone Commitee was the correct body to make theses decisions, based on their insights.

Michael thanked everyone for their input, and said he would post on facebook to gather more feedback.

 

Student Leader Development Event

Shruti noted that this was a project she was planning to run next calendar year. She explained:

• There is a lack of cross-zonal collaboration within SUSU which needs to be addressed;
• This event will address this lack;
• It will take place in mid-March and last for an afternoon. 
• On Monday 8th December, Sophia will chair a meeting made up of one rep from each zone to plan the meeting. 

Sophia asked for a volunteer from Education Zone Committee. Giles volunteered to go, and to offer feedback at the next meeting.

 

Re-Running 

Rhys asked for clarification on when officers would need to re-run. Shruti noted that the the likely elections period will be between 5th February, and campaigning until 27th February.

Sophia confirmed the date of the next meeting would be the funding meeting on the 12th December. There was some discussion as to whether people would need to declare any conflicts of interest. Sophia confirmed that she would check the procedure with democracy before the meeting.