academic reps
Our Academic Reps are there to act as a key liaison between students and key members of module and programme staff. They’ll be keen to gather your feedback throughout your studies to help influence the development of the student learning experience for those studying on your module.
what is a Module or Programme Representative?
Undergraduate
At Undergraduate level we use a module-based system of representation, with at least one student from every module volunteering to represent the views and interests of the students on their module. If you’re not sure who your rep is, then you can find a list of your reps for 2020/21 via Canvas or your Module Coordinator.
We recruit for new Module Reps at the start of each semester. If you’re interested in putting yourself forward as a module rep next semester then ensure you hit the Volunteer button on your module’s Canvas page. You can also find the Role Descriptor word document.
Each module rep is supported in their role by their Division’s appointed Faculty Officer. They act as a key liaison between the reps, the faculty staff, and the Students’ Union.
Postgraduate
At Postgraduate level it’s a bit different, mainly because Postgraduate courses tend to be smaller with a higher number of specialised modules taking place in any single semester, compared to Undergraduate. As such, representation at Postgraduate level is Programme-based, with one or two representatives representing all students within a single Postgraduate degree programme for the length of the programme, not just one semester.
Similarly, to Undergraduate, a call will go out to all Postgraduate students early into the new academic year to encourage them to put themselves forward as the Programme Rep. To volunteer, volunteer via your Programme Director. If you’re interested in finding out more about the programme rep role, you can also find the Role Descriptor word document.
If you’re not sure who your Programme Rep is, then you can find a list of your PG Programme reps for 2020/21 via Canvas or by contacting your Programme Director.
Each Programme Rep is supported in their role by their Faculty's appointed PGT Faculty Officer. They act as a key liaison between the reps, the faculty staff, and the Students’ Union.
Training
To prepare you for taking on the role of an academic representative, the Union offers an online training module designed to provide you with the specific knowledge and skills associated with being an effective representative. This covers key topics such as how to gather feedback effectively from your students, how to ‘project manage’ the delivery of solutions to any issues raised and provides you with opportunities to ‘Close the Feedback Loop’ helping students see the difference their feedback makes.
All reps are automatically enrolled onto this training course when they volunteer as a rep and the module should be available via the standard Canvas Dashboard. If you’re a representative and are unable to see this module, then do please get in touch with us education.union@stir.ac.uk.
Recognition and Reward
The University of Stirling Students’ Union recognise the significant contribution that our representatives make to improving the student experience for both current and future students at the University. That’s why we’re proud to partner with the University of Stirling in offering all our representatives the opportunity to gain accreditation for their time as a rep on their University enhanced transcript.
To gain accreditation you need to have successfully undertaken the activities associated with being an effective rep. To meet the standard for accreditation, you’ll need to obtain at least four out of the following six criteria:
- Complete the Introductory Training Test
- Attend your first Student:Staff Feedback Committee (SSFC) Meeting
- Attend all your Student:Staff Feedback Committee (SSFC) Meeting
- Attend an Education Zone Meeting
- Attend a Union General Meeting
- Complete and Submit your End of Semester Report.
Please note, for Programme Representatives, your staff/student committee meeting may not be called an SSFC as these meetings can differ at Postgraduate Level. Please contact your Postgraduate Faculty Officer or the VP Education if this is the case.
Accreditations are awarded on a semester by semester basis. To this effect, you’ll need to meet the standard for accreditation each semester you volunteer as a representative. You’ll be able to monitor your progress towards meeting the required standard for accreditation through Canvas.
What to expect of your Representative
All Module/Programme Representatives have a responsibility to represent and act in the best interests of the students within their module or programme. This means listening to any questions or concerns you may have about your module or programme, and then either helping you directly or sign-posting you on to relevant help and support. Reps should provide University staff members with constructive feedback about the particular module or programme, with the overall goal being to improve the module as a whole for both current and future students.
Module/Programme Reps are there to help with academic concerns or quieres. They are not there to help with personal concerns or quieres, though if these concerns do come up when speaking to your rep, the rep should listen with care and direct you to a relevant support service. If you have any personal concerns or quieres which do not relate to your module or programme, please contact either the Student Hub or the Students' Union at theunion@stir.ac.uk.
As of Autumn 2021, all Module and Programme Reps will be required to agreed to a Code of Conduct if they wish to be accredited as a Rep. This Code of Conduct will be attached here shortly. If you wish to make a complaint about a Module or Programme Rep, please contact either education.union@stir.ac.uk or the Union at theunion@stir.ac.uk
Further Information:
If you have any additional questions or queries then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us directly education.union@stir.ac.uk.