glyntaff course rep assembly - amazon s3 · attendees ieuan jones (course representative) rimsha...

Glyntaff Course Rep Assembly

Course Rep Assembly

5pm Thursday 1st December 2016 EM126

Chair Sophie Banks (Education and Representation Coordinator)

Note Taker Sian Drew (Student Voice Coordinator)

Attendees Ieuan Jones (Course Representative)

Rimsha Ali (Applied Sciences SVR)

Beatrice Vergara (Course Representative)

Andreea Sitoianiu Iobi (Course Representative)

Abigail Bath (Course Representative)

Leanne Jones (Course Representative)

Daryl Richards (Course Representative)

Priye Krishna Munusamy (Course Representative)

Samantha Dulson (Course Representative)

Szimona Szoradova (Course Representative)

William Billet (Course Representative)

Stephen Walker (Course Representative)

Lara Davies (Course Representative)

Ahmad Ghafari (Course Representative)

Tom Powell (Course Representative)

Kevin Sutherland (Course Representative)

Lewis Issac (Course Representative)

Joe Chivers (Course Representative)

Meryem Ozkan (Course Representative)

Brandon Powell (Course Representative)

Abigail Rees (Course Representative)

Daniel Wilmot-Stoyle (Course Representative)

Anthony Gosling (Course Representative)

Elis Mael Wyn Evans (Course Representative)

Laura Cox (Course Representative)

Jonas Marie Dumdum (Course Representative)

Nika Vuletic (Course Representative)

AGENDA

1. Welcome and Introductions

2. Matters Arising

3. SVR Updates

a) Andrea – VR and Loop (Course/Module Evaulations) (Brought up by SB/SD on their

behalf)

b) Hilde – Lab Access (Brought up by SB/SD on their behalf)

c) Rimsha – Recorded Lectures.

d) Carys & Niall – Mental Health services (brought up by SB/SD on their behalf)

e) Katie – Wednesday fixtures clashes with lectures (brought up by SB/SD on their behalf)

f) John and Sian – retention of students in FBS and mature students (brought up by

SB/SD on their behalf)

g) Holly – combined studies (brought up by SB/SD on their behalf)

4. Topics of Discussion – Course Reps

a) The new system to book meetings

5. Any Other Business

Standard Items 17:05

1. Welcome and introductions

2. Apologies for absence

3. Terms of reference and membership

(an item for the first meeting of the academic year)

To provide a platform for Course Representatives to raise/highlight good practice/concerns and issues they have identified, and for Student Voice Representatives and Students’ Union Officers to respond to them and inform Course Representatives of what actions will be taken. 4. Actions from the previous meeting

This is the first meeting of the year so there are no matters arising or action taken.

SVR Updates

Discussion Sophie brings up Andrea’s project on his behalf (Media SVR) his

project will look at the University’s new course/module

evaluations system – Loop. The university wants to get feedback

constantly during the year so they can act upon it before the year

is over but Andrea does state that some things cannot be changed

in a year – structural changes to degrees.

Loop System – Lengthy Process.

The previous course evaluation system needs to be

removed; otherwise it’s confusing for students.

The questions need to be more open and not yes/no.

A student raised the point that there are some oddly

phrased questions, such as “who can’t do this?”

For some of the modules, the system is completely

irrelevant.

Some nursing courses have not received the link for the

system. Mental Health Nursing has not had the link.

There needs to be an N/A box included.

Forensic Science Students stated that they were asked to

complete answers on modules that they have not started

yet.

There’s only one space for answers even if there are two

lecturers on the course: two different teaching styles.

(Biology Courses)

Students have asked for the start date to be moved to later

in the year, not in November.

Andrea asks students to complete their evaluations as all feedback

can help the university

Conclusion Any students who have feedback on the Loop system to contact

Andrea who can incorporate this into his project.

Action Item Person Responsible Deadline

Course Representatives should

provide Andrea (14065746),

with any Loop feedback.

Course Representatives Next Course Rep Assembly –

20th

February

Discussion Sophie brings up Hilde’s SVR Project regarding access to labs

outside of lectures.

On the Glyntaff Campus, Undergraduate Students are not

supposed to enter labs without a lecturer or senior member

of staff present as the labs often contain pathogens

(category B/2).

Students should also only need to go in them in their

scheduled lecture time and not others.

Conclusion Students should not need access to labs on the Glyntaff Campus,

outside of lectures.


Course Representatives should Course Representatives Next Course Rep Assembly –

provide Hilde (14027313), with

any feedback about issues

regarding lab access.

20th

February

Discussion Sophie (Education and Representation Coordinator), brings up

Rimsha’s project discussing recorded Lectures.

The majority of the students agreed that lectures and

seminars should be recorded.

In addition to this they also agreed that lecture slides should

be put on BB before the start of the lecture.

Nursing - The nursing students stated that they have never

had a lecture recorded and that the slides are rarely put up

on BB.

The Thursday lecture for Nursing students has over 250

students present, making it hard to be recorded.

A student raised the point that Lecturers should know their

students’ needs before the start of the lecture and that they

should make a decision then based on whether or not it

should be recorded.

Some students raise the issue that they need to ask the

lecturer before the lecture for permission to record the

session.

The students would like recorded lectures.

Students who are studying science or related degrees often

have to copy notes from books as well as listening to the

lecturer and copying the power point. Meaning that they

often miss information during the lecture.

A student suggested that lecturers should make the final

choice on whether or not their lectures should be recorded.

As a lot of students would then be absent from the lecture

Students should attend the lecture anyway, so not everyone

should be penalised.

Sam Senior is looking into Lecture Attendance and what

might be causing students to not attend.

A student stated that they have recorded lectures and that

their lecture is always crowded.

It was suggested that maybe only students who attended

the lecture could have access to the recordings. Possibly

through a password protected system similar to the grade

system.

Rimsha - Username/Password which you could receive at

the end of the lecture.

Another suggestion was that there were only voice

recordings so that people still need to attend the lecture to

see the power point and understand the content.

Nathan Evans – Lectures only last 45 minutes when they are

supposed to last for 2 hours, only 40 people attend out of

145 students. The power point on BB is also different to the

one that is shown in the class.

Paper registers are awful and not always signed, not an

accurate way of sending the recording to those who

attended.

Conclusion Overall feedback agreed that lectures should be recorded.



provide Rimsha (15011550),

with any feedback regarding

recorded lectures.


20th

February


Carys’ (Psychology SVR) and Niall’s (Law, Accounting and Finance

SVR) project on their behalf. Sophie informs the Course

Representatives that they are looking into Mental Health services

but taking an academic stance on it.

Sophie advises students that they can go directly to Carys and Niall

for their feedback rather than bringing it up in front of the group.

The majority of the students in the room knew where to go

to access the mental health services within the University.

Everyone in the meeting knew that they were able to access

mental health services.

Conclusion The Students are to contact Niall and Carys directly with any

feedback.



provide Carys (14075261)and

Niall (12041661), with any

feedback on Mental Health

Services – especially regarding

academic issues (extenuating

circumstances and course-

related stress)


20th

February


Kaite’s (Computing&Matheamtics SVR) project on her behalf.

Sophie informs the Course Representatives that Katie is looking

into Wednesday away fixtures for Team Sports.

Five students within the meeting were on a Sports Team and

have lectures scheduled for a Wednesday afternoon. (11am-

1pm, 12pm-1pm, sometimes until 4pm).

The Volley Ball Team have to attend their matches over

lectures, otherwise they are fined for missing a game.

Conclusion Not many students participate in University Team Sports.



provide Katie (14039559), with

any feedback about Wednesday

fixtures.


20th

February


Sian’s (Business SVR) and John’s (Business SVR) project on their

behalf. John is looking at retention rates in the Faculty of Business

and Society. Sian is looking at retention rates of Mature Students.

Conclusion Not many students are from FBS in Glyntaff.



provide Sian (15066932) and


John (15083225), with any

feedback if they have thought

about leaving this university in

the past.

20th

February


Holly’s (Humanities&SocialSciencesSVR) project on her behalf.

Sophie informs the Course Representatives that Holly is a

Combined Studies student who is looking for better ways to induct

Combined Studies to all their chosen modules.

Holly is looking for Combined Studies students to get in touch with

her for interviews for her project.

Conclusion Not many students are Combined Studies students but there was a

consensus that they needed a better induction process.


Course Representatives, who

are Combined Studies students

should contact Holly

(15056503) if they want to help

with her project.


20th

February

Topics for Discussion – Course Reps

Discussion The new system to book meetings is not clear and does not

confirm the meeting slot that has been chosen. A student

stated that she did not receive any information after she

submitted to confirm that it had worked.

The system can be a waste of time depending on the

lecturer.

Some lecturers ask for meetings to be booked through the

system.

The programme is hard to find on Unilife, unless you know

where to find it. It needs to be more accessible

Conclusion The programme needs to easier to access and a confirmation

email if possible.


Look into this issue. Sam Senior By the next meeting.

Any Other Business Meeting adjourned at

18:25

Discussion Bus Times

The Glyntaff/Treforest Bus Times are not always accurate.

The Set Times are also wrong as it causes students to either

get their early or late for a lecture.

The Sports Park Buses are not regular enough for the

amount of people who use the park from the campus.

Conclusion


Look into issue. Sam Senior By next CRA

Discussion Extenuating Circumstances

Query – Do you need a Doctor’s note as well as self-

certifying?

Conclusion Will double check with student services.


Sam will check with student

services.

Sam Senior By next CRA

Discussion Parking

The Parking Payment machines do not accept the new £5

Notes. However, there is a change machine in the library.

Conclusion Need to speak to Estates.


Speak to Estates. Sam Senior By next CRA

Discussion Food Prices on Campus

The food is too expensive on Campus.

The Zone shuts at 4pm even though lectures can go on much

later.

The Matrix shuts at 3pm.

The students approached the canteen manager about the

prices and it was stated that the Cafés are not busy during

the summer so they need to charge more to cover staff

wages.

Conclusion Sam Senior will look into this issue.


Look into this issue. Sam Senior By next CRA

Discussion Union Shop

The students have asked if the shop in EM can be expanded.

It was also asked if a similar building as the Meeting House

could be implemented on the Glyntaff Campus, just a place

to relax with free tea and coffee.

The Heating in the USWSU Student Zone is not working

making it freezing in winter and also the light switches need

to be looked into.

Conclusion Speak to the SU



Discussion Card Locks

The locks on the doors in the Glyntaff building prevent

students from gaining access to class rooms without a

lecturer present.

There isn’t any need for the classrooms to be locked.

Lectures often start late as they need to get the students

into the room and it takes roughly 10 minutes to get

everyone settled.

Conclusion Look into who is responsible and speak to Course Leaders.



Discussion Online Testing

The Forensic Science module that is run by Sorcha, asks

students to complete an online assessment with 20-30

seconds to complete each question. – It’s not enough time.

15 Minutes to complete the test.

There should be at least 1 minute per question. Approach

HoLTSE with this issue.

The students have also received sarcastic responses from

the lecturer.

Conclusion Speak to the HoLTSE


Speak to HoLTSE. Sam Senior By next CRA

Discussion Seating

The communal areas such as the canteen and the Library do

not have enough space for everyone and many disabled

students are unable to get through the space. The space is

too cluttered – bags, people and tables.

Conclusion



Discussion Sports Fixtures

A student asked if teams could meet in a neutral university

to compete. The student stated that they often have to

travel to Bournemouth and it takes a long time.

Conclusion Speak to Rachel – VP Activities Officer


Rachel Watson By next CRA

Discussion Student Rep Mixer

It was asked if there could be a student rep mixer.

A place for them to discuss issues and meet each other.

The reps in the room were in total agreement over this.

The mixers could be campus based.

It will also highlight who is engaged with the role.

It should take place at the start of the academic year.

Conclusion Arrange a mixer for the start of 2017/2018


Sophie Banks & Sian Drew End of the Academic Year.

Discussion Forensic Science/ Criminology

The optional modules that were advertised have

disappeared, others have become mandatory.

Timetabling has caused part of the issue, there are not

enough spaces because of the range of courses taking each

modules.

The University need a disclaimer to state that the courses

offered may change annually.

Conclusion



Discussion Heating

Students raised the issue that the heating in AB108 is not on,

making the room freezing. Some lectures have also been cut

short because it has been too cold to continue the work.

Conclusion Contact the relevant people.


Sophie Banks. By next CRA

Discussion First Year Biology

They have 7hrs of consecutive lectures and they are in a

range of buildings without any breaks in between.

The lecturers have told the students that they do not have

any control over the time table and have called it a “glitch”.

Conclusion



Discussion Forensic

Previous years in Forensic Science had to travel across the

campuses to attend lectures. (4-5pm Glyntaff 5-6pm

Treforest.

Sometimes the lecturers are unaware of this issue as they do

not communicate across campuses.

Conclusion



Discussion Doors

The Elaine Morgan Disabled door is broken.

The automatic doors are slow.

Conclusion Speak to Estates



Discussion Smoking Shelters

A student asked where are they on the Glyntaff Campus?

They are supposed to be 5 metres from a university building.

For designated areas, the students need to contact Sam

Senior.

The students stated that they shouldn’t be too far away

from the buildings.

Conclusion Speak to Estates and Sam Senior.


Sam Senior. By next CRA

Discussion Drinking Fountains

It costs between 40p and 80p for a cup of Hot Water.

The AGM motion was mentioned so that students know that

this is being campaigned for.

Microwaves/Kettles

They tried to implement them last year, however it was

stopped because students are considered to be messy.

Whose jurisdiction would they come under for cleaning?

Conclusion The motion was passed at AGM and is being worked on.


SU Officers By next CRA

Discussion Limited Food Options

The Vegetarian and Vegan Options are limited.

A wrap machine was put in in AB Building, however they are

always sold out.

The Vegetarian sandwiches on offer are often spicy need

more options.

Conclusion Look into cheaper alternatives.



glyntaff course rep assembly - amazon s3 · attendees ieuan jones (course representative) rimsha...

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