School committees with student representation
School Committes with Student Representation:
- Student Student Experience Group
- Board of Study
- School Teaching and Learning Committee
- School Research Degree Committee
- School Meetings
School Student Experience Group (SSEG)
Meets: Once per term
Student Rep membership: Chair Rep (Chair); all other Student Reps
Key staff membership: Head of School; Director of Teaching and Learning; Director of Student Experience; Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange; School Administrator
Reports to: School Teaching and Learning Committee and Student Experience Forum
Purpose: The School Student Experience Group is a key meeting for Reps and senior members of school staff. The meeting is chaired by a Student Rep and may meet termly or more frequently in some schools
‘Student experience’ is a broad term that covers a wide range of issues affecting students’ experience of teaching and learning. In general, it is most effective to address issues at the lowest level - within the School if at all possible. However it is important to note that some issues are best dealt with through other routes. In particular:
- Academic matters, including the delivery, assessment and review of courses and modules are best dealt with through Boards of Study, where there is also student representation
- Campaigning issues are best raised through the Students’ Union
- Issues should only be taken to university committees and meetings that are relevant across schools or concern central university policies and provision
Issues discussed at recent SSEGs include: New appointments; space/social space/study space; assessment and feedback; printing; library resources; workshops/open seminars; Study Direct; student surveys/NSS action plans; careers/work experience; school communication/blogs/social media; IT/clusters/software; lecture capture; lab training; estates/building issues/access; timetabling/exams/teaching; school social events; submission and return of coursework; academic advising; induction and re-induction; staff training; book bundles/swaps; uploading of teaching materials; assessment schedules
Further information: Organisation of the University 2017/18 (10.7) p.75
Boards of Study
Meets: Once per term
Student membership: Students agreed by the School; Student Reps, both undergraduate and postgraduate
Key staff membership: Academic subject lead; course and module convenors
Reports to: School Teaching and Learning Committee
Purpose: Within Schools, each subject area or department has a Board of Study which oversees how individual courses are delivered, managed and their quality assured. These are the committees dealing most closely with each Student Reps’ academic subject area and relevant Reps are expected to attend. Staff contacts in each school can confirm Board of Study subjects and Rep membership
Issues discussed include: Proposed changes to existing modules/assessment/teaching patterns; proposals for new modules; module evaluation questionnaires; feedback; reading packs/learning resources; module content
Further information: Organisation of the University 2017/18 (10.4) p.71
School Teaching and Learning Committee (STLC)
Meets: Once per term
Student Rep membership: One undergraduate and one taught postgraduate Student Rep
Key staff membership: Director of Teaching and Learning (Chair); Director of Student Experience; Heads of Department
Reports to: University Teaching and Learning Committee
Purpose: School Teaching and Learning Committees oversees the quality and management of teaching and learning in each school, including approving changes recommended by Boards of Study and responding to issues raised by external examiners, Annual Course Review and School Periodic Review
Issues discussed in recent meetings include: Revisions to curriculum; approval of changes to modules and courses; discussion of changes to the academic year; external examiner reports; NSS results; departmental action plans; exam board matters
Further information: Organisation of the University 2017/18 (10.9) p.77
School Research Degree Committee
Meets: Once per term
Student Rep membership: At least one postgraduate research Student Representative
Key staff membership: Director of Doctoral Studies (Chair); Heads of Department; key staff with interest in research supervision
Reports to: Doctoral Studies Committee
Purpose: School Research Degree Committees monitor provision for research students and post-doctoral researchers, including arrangements for the appointment of supervisors and for the support and training of research students and for the management of Associate Tutors
Recent issues discussed include: Sussex research funding/bids; Research Council funding; school research strategy; reports from faculty on research leave; research support applications; open access policies; research webpages
Further information: Organisation of the University 2017/18 (10.6) p.74
School Meetings
Meets: Once per term
Student Rep membership: All Student Reps in the School
Key staff membership: Head of School (Chair); All academic and professional services staff in the School
Purpose: School Meetings are to disseminate information, encourage discussion on issues of common interest and take soundings on proposed University policies. Positions agreed or views presented at such meetings will not be binding on Heads of Schools and School Meetings will be advisory to Heads of Schools rather than formal committees of the University.
Further information: Organisation of the University 2017/18 (10.1) p.69