Representing the Student Voice
Student Representatives (or Student Reps) are individuals who volunteer their time to work in collaboration with the university and Students’ Union at a course and school level to improve the student academic experience.
Why do we have Student Reps?
The University is committed to ensuring that students are provided with the opportunity to contribute to the shaping of your learning experience individually, collectively and through your representational body, your Students' Union.
Being a Course Rep
The role of a Course Rep is vital to ensure a high-quality student experience and to support student retention and success.
What to expect as a Course Rep
Course Reps will volunteer a minimum of 10 hours of their time a term to attend meetings with the university and the Student Voice Team, including time spent collecting and preparing feedback from students on their course.
Responsibilities
- Attend Being a Rep: The Essentials training with the Student Voice Team
- Attend Student Voice Foras and Boards of Studies meetings with the university (one meeting per term)
- Communicate regularly with students on your course and fellow Course Reps in your school to collect feedback, raise concerns and provide resolutions
- Attend Your Course Forums with the Students’ Union. These forums are open to all students to discuss current issues on their courses and raise campaigns with the support of their Academic Life President.
How do I become a Course Rep?
Course Reps are voted in through an in-class election. To become a Course Rep simply contact your Course Director and inform them of your interest. Once elected, you will be invited to attend a training session with the Student Voice Team.
If you are unsure of who your Course Director is contact us on studentreps@ccsu.co.uk and we will help you find your Course Director.
Benefits of being a Student Rep
- Join a dedicated community
- Gain transferable skills and experience
- Receive a reference from the Deputy Vice Chancellor
Being a School Rep
School Reps are students who volunteer their time throughout the academic year to attend meetings on behalf of the student body to raise academic matters and contribute to the development of the student experience.
What to expect as a School Rep
School Reps can expect to volunteer 10 hours a term to attend meetings, gather feedback and work in collaboration with the Academic Life President to champion campaigns.
Responsibilities
- Attend Being a Rep: The Essentials training with the Student Voice Team
- Attend the Academic Regulation and Policy Scrutiny Group and the School Work-based, Placement and Practice Learning Sub-Committee
- Communicate regularly with Course Reps in your school to escalate their concerns to school level meetings
- Attend the Academic Representative Committee with the Academic Life President to raise and support campaigns on academic concerns as well as organise bespoke events for the Reps in your school
How do I become a School Rep?
School Reps are elected from the pool of Course Reps during the initial training sessions in November and December.
There will be a minimum of 1 School Rep per school, but can reach a total number of 14 that will represent different subject clusters in each of the 4 schools e.g. School of Business, Law and Policing (BLP) can have a School Rep for Business, a second for Law and a third for Policing.
It’s not a job with fixed hours. It’s about engaging with students and getting input... and being that bridge to the support services at the university and Students’ Union.
Ali, Biomedical Science Course Rep
Once you are elected
If you have been elected as a Course Rep, please sign-up for training by using the ‘Book onto a Training session’ link below.
You must complete the Being a Rep: The Essentials training session to be fully enrolled as a rep and to gain access to training materials.
It is encouraged that all students sign-up to the Being a Rep: The Essentials session as this is the core training that will help you to understand your role and responsibilities.
In addition, to empower Reps to create change, we are offering further sessions on campaigning, building belonging and inclusion, and how you as a Rep can transfer your skills and experience into employability.
Training with the Students' Union
Medway/Hybrid
- Being a Rep: The Essentials — Monday 24th November, 1-2pm
- Campaigning 101 — Tuesday 25th November, 11am-12pm
- Building and Supporting Your Student Community — Wednesday 26th November, 1-2pm
- Showcasing Your Skills & Experiences — Thursday 27th November, 10-11am
Canterbury
- Being a Rep: The Essentials — Monday 1st December, 1-2pm
- Campaigning 101 — Tuesday 2nd December, 11am-12pm
- Building and Supporting Your Student Community — Wednesday 3rd December, 1-2pm
- Showcasing Your Skills & Experiences — Friday 5th December, 11am-12pm
Online
- Being a Rep: The Essentials & More (summary session) - Saturday 6th December, 10am-12pm
Remember to log all the hours you have volunteered as a Student Rep to receive recognition at the end of each academic year.
The Volunteering Log is also a helpful tool for keeping track of the skills and experience you have gained as a Rep that can be referenced in your CVs.
Being a Course Rep has allowed me to adapt to any conversation as it changed the way I approached different people and interactions.
Udel, LLB Law Course Rep
Further Support and Guidance
If you are a student interested in becoming Rep or a Course Director supporting the recruitment of Reps seeking more information please email studentreps@ccsu.co.uk or book an appointment with Holly, Student Voice Coordinator (Academic Representation).