Contact a Faculty Rep! 

 
What is a Faculty Rep?  

Faculty Reps are the voice of the students at faculty-level meetings. Elected at Student Congress in October, they find out the concerns of the students, represent their students at meetings and working groups, hold advice/support surgeries for Class and Departmental Reps, and are critical in feeding back developments to students and the Students’ Association.

How many Faculty Reps are there?

There are 2 undergrad and 1 or 2 post-grad Faculty Reps for each of the four faculties at Strathclyde. The four faculties are:

Business
Engineering
Humanities and Social Science (HaSS)
Science

The Reps within each faculty work as a team to ensure that there is effective representation for all students in the faculty.

Why is it so important to have students on faculty meetings?

As a devolved university, these faculty-level meetings are critical in shaping the learning experience of the students within the faculty. Key decisions and policies are created and passed at these meetings and to be valuable contributors, Faculty Reps must keep in regular contact with the students of the faculty, and attend any advanced representation training that is offerend. They are fully supported in their role by the Students’ Association.

More about the role and responsibilities please!

In addition to attending and contributing to faculty level meetings (Academic Administration Committee and Board of Study), Faculty Reps will:

Work closely with Class and Departmental Reps and students in your faculty

How:
•    Hold monthly advice/support surgeries for Class/Departmental Reps.
•    Run consultations with students to find out concerns/feelings on issues.
•    On request from Class/Departmental Reps, attend departmental SSLCs to provide support and advice.

Work effectively within your faculty-level team

How:
•    Contribute to Faculty Rep team initiatives such as surgeries, consultations, and campaigns.
•    Brief other team members on outcomes of meetings.
•    Contribute to meetings that other team members are attending by reviewing papers of the meetings    and feeding back any concerns/issues.

Communicate developments within the faculties to the Students’ Association and contribute to university-wide initiatives

How:
•    Keep in regular contact with the Vice President of Education (VPE).
•    Attend the Faculty Rep Summit (once a semester).
•    Update the Education Forum on your work and developments within the faculty.

Ensure effective representation at faculty-level meetings

How:
•    Keep in regular contact with students within your faculty, your team and the students’ association.
•    Liaise with appropriate staff members (ex. Heads of Departments, Vice Deans Academic) regarding        issues/updates outside of meetings.
•    Attend a half-day advance representation training in November 2012.

Feedback developments within the faculty to students

How:
•    Contribute monthly to the student rep newsletter .
•    Use the online forums within your courses/departments/class rep pages to feedback.

 As a Faculty Rep, you should allocate 8-10 hours a month to complete your Faculty Rep duties.

What are the benefits?

Being a Faculty Rep is not only amazing for the CV, it also gives you the ability to have a major influence on the learning and teaching not just within your course and department but throughout the whole faculty. You will work closely with Deans and Vice-Deans of the faculty as well as the President and Vice Presidents of the Students’ Association. It is great for proving your meeting skills (next stop Board of Governors anyone?), your advanced communication skills, and your ability to take on multiple perspectives and work collaboratively with both students and staff for a plausible solution.

How do I go about becoming a Faculty Rep?

Faculty Reps are elected by attendees from their own Faculty at Student Congress on 24 October 2012. To become a Faculty Rep you must first be a Class Rep. At Student Congress you will put your name forward for the position and give a short speech to your fellow Reps. The election will be held at Congress with winners announced at the end.

If you would like more information about Faculty Reps, email ussa.classreps@strath.ac.uk or contact:

• Rebecca Maxwell Stuart, Vice President of Education (ussa.vpe@strath.ac.uk/0141 567 5056)
• Academic Representation Coordinator (ussa.classreps@strath.ac.uk/0141 567 5008)

They are both located on level 7 of The Union building on John Street.