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15.1 Information on Students' Union ÂÒÂ×Ðã, how to run for election and how to find a representative

Students' Union ÂÒÂ×Ðã

Students’ Union ÂÒÂ×Ðã helps you to do more at ÂÒÂ×Ðã, experience something you’ve always dreamt of, turn a curiosity into a new passion and help you reach your potential. The Union cares about the things you care about, it’s made up of all kinds of people from all kinds of places and it’s there to fight for you when you need someone in your corner.
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The Union is the representative body of all ÂÒÂ×Ðã students. It’s run by students for students and is a registered charity, independent of ÂÒÂ×Ðã. All ÂÒÂ×Ðã students at every level are automatically members of the Union (but can opt out), and student leaders are elected annually by and from all current students. The elected student leaders who work full time for you are called Sabbatical Officers and they represent students on various ÂÒÂ×Ðã committees and influence decisions that matter to students. Alongside the Sabbatical Officers there are more thanÌý 2000 other student representatives, who cover every part of ÂÒÂ×Ðã life, from your programme, research studies, department, faculty or the ÂÒÂ×Ðã accommodation you live in.

Further information:

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15.2 Student Clubs and Societies

Student Clubs and Societies

At Students’ Union ÂÒÂ×Ðã, there are over 320 different student-led clubs and societies for you to get involved in. Maybe you are interested in sports with our TeamÂÒÂ×Ðã clubs or low commitment exercise with our Project Active scheme? Perhaps you are keen to perform on-stage in the Bloomsbury Theatre or you want to learn about and celebrate different cultures? With such a diverse offering available there is bound to be something that sparks your interest! Clubs and Societies are a great way to develop your skills and find a community at ÂÒÂ×Ðã. The Welcome Fair in early October is the perfect chance to meet them all in one place and learn more about what they have on offer!

Further information:

15.3 Information on Academic Representatives

Academic Representatives

Your Students’ Union is there to make sure you have the best possible time while you’re studying at ÂÒÂ×Ðã. One of the ways they do that is by working with departments and faculties to ensure that every student is represented and has a voice in the way that the university works.

Every student at ÂÒÂ×Ðã will have a Course Representative or a Research Student Representative who will be your eyes, ears, and voice. They’ll work closely with staff in your department to make sure that they understand what you most value, and take action to deal with things you’d like to see improve. They’ll also work with your Lead Department Representative as well as your Faculty Representatives and the Students’ Union to make things better across the whole of ÂÒÂ×Ðã.

These Academic Representatives are appointed during early October – if you’d like to take up the role, staff in your department can tell you how. If you take up a representative role, the Students’ Union will work closely with you to provide training, support, and advice, and you’ll be able to change the experience of everyone on your course or in your department for the better.

Even if you don’t fancy taking up a role yourself, keep an eye out for your chance to vote for which students you feel will do the best job.

Details of what the role of a Academic Representatives involves and the support offered are set out below. For more information on how Academic Representatives will be appointed in your department, please contact theÌýssees-student@ucl.ac.uk.

Further information:

15.4 Role of the Staff-Student Consultative Committee

Staff-Student Consultative Committee

Every department at ÂÒÂ×Ðã has a Staff-Student Consultative Committee (SSCC) that meets at least three times a year. Staff Student Consultative Committees are meetings where Academic Reps and staff work together to develop solutions to students’ concerns, and prioritise areas for improvement. SSCCs are co-chaired by your Lead Department Representative. Some departments have a single SSCC, while others split this into different levels of study. Most commonly, departments operate both an undergraduate and postgraduate SSCC.

Appointed Academic Representatives sit on the SSEES SSCC, and their contact details are available here:Ìý

The terms of reference for the SSCC are available in the ÂÒÂ×Ðã Academic Manual.

Other SSEES and ÂÒÂ×Ðã Committees

Student Representatives also sit on the SSEES Teaching Committee which meets once or twice a term, the Library and Information Resources Committee and other ÂÒÂ×Ðã Committees including Council (ÂÒÂ×Ðã’s governing body) and the Academic Board.

The nomination/election of student members to ÂÒÂ×Ðã committees is mostly the responsibility of the ÂÒÂ×Ðã Students' Union. You can get further information from the Education and Welfare Officer of the Union. Details of which ÂÒÂ×Ðã committees include student members (and in what capacity) are available through Union representatives.

15.5 Other ways that students can give feedback.

All students are welcome to give feedback directly to their tutors via email or during office hours. It can also be passed on via your Programme Administrator. At the end of each module all students are asked to complete Student Evaluation Questionnaires, which are used to highlight examples of good practice and address any teaching related issues identified by students.

15.6 The Student's Union Advice Service

The Students’ Union Advice Service is available to all current ÂÒÂ×Ðã students, as well as those who have interrupted their studies or recently completed their programme. Trained and experienced staff are ready to support you with any difficulties that might occur during your time at ÂÒÂ×Ðã. The Advice Service specialises in:

• Academic issues - including extenuating circumstances, plagiarism and complaints
• Housing concerns - including contract checks and housemate disputes
• Money and Debt advice – including budgeting and income maximisation
• Employment - including unpaid wages and part time employment contracts
• The team can also offer help and support with many other legal and university matters

The service is free, independent, impartial and confidential. No information shared with the service is shared with your department or any other university staff unless you request it or give your permission.Ìý Students can make an appointment or attend a drop-in session for advice and support.

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Further information:

15.7 Informal and Formal Student Complaints

Student Complaints

ÂÒÂ×Ðã aims to ensure that every student is satisfied with their experience of ÂÒÂ×Ðã. However, we recognise that from time to time problems do arise and students may wish to express concern or dissatisfaction with aspects of ÂÒÂ×Ðã or the quality of services provided.

15.7.1 Informal resolution

Many complaints can be resolved at an informal or local level without needing to submit a formal complaint. Students can speak to their Personal Tutor, Programme Leader, Departmental or Faculty Tutor, Course Representative, or Research Student Representative if they have any concerns about their programme. They can also speak to the ÂÒÂ×Ðã Student Mediator or the Students’ Union’s Advice Service. ÂÒÂ×Ðã strongly encourages this kind of resolution and does expect students to have attempted some form of informal resolution before making a formal complaint.

15.7.2 Formal complaints

If an issue cannot be resolved at a local level, students may feel they need to submit a formal complaint using ÂÒÂ×Ðã’s Student Complaints Procedure. ÂÒÂ×Ðã aims to ensure that all complaints are treated fairly, impartially, effectively and in a timely manner, without fear of victimisation. The Complaints Procedure applies across all Schools, Faculties, Academic Departments and Professional Service Divisions. Students’ attention should be drawn to the timescales set out in the Procedure.

Further information:

• Academic Manual Chapter 6, Section 10: ÂÒÂ×Ðã Student Complaints Procedure
• ÂÒÂ×Ðã Student Mediator Ìý