Student reps

What does a Student Academic Rep do?  

Student reps work across courses and colleges to communicate best practices to each other.  

Student reps have two main responsibilities: 

1. Collect feedback from students, regarding topics affecting their student experience. 

2. Alert university staff of the issues students are facing. 

Additionally, reps attend several meetings with University and Bucks Students’ Union staff throughout the year, where they communicate their findings with staff and play a key role in finding solutions to problems within their cohort and the wider community. 

What kind of issues do Academic Reps handle?  

Student reps can receive feedback on issues relating to the student experience. This includes areas on: assessment and feedback, teaching, student voice, placements (if applicable), learning opportunities, academic support, learning resources, learning community, organisation and management of the course. 

How can I find out who my Student Rep is?  

You can find out who your rep is by either searching for your course on this link https://www.bucksstudentsunion.org/yourvoice/student-reps/find-your-rep/  

Or emailing surepresentation@bnu.ac.uk and they will be able to put you in contact. 

What happens to the feedback students give?  

Students will give their feedback anonymously and this is collated together in a thematic process (putting the relating pieces together). This feedback is then shared at the University’s Program Committee Meetings (PCMs) where academics and staff can comment with the actions, they will take in response to the submitted feedback. Your feedback will be used to make changes on the student experience.  

Feedback is also shared at the Students’ Union Education Forum, where the College Officers, Representation Team, and Vice Presidents Education and Welfare, will address comments and concerns and will take this to the university committees (e.g. Teaching and Learning).  

What’s a Student-Staff Panel? 

This is a panel made up of student staff. These students are trained in these roles to support meetings as a student representative. These include ‘course validation/approval’ panels. Students on these panels represent the student groups and this is your opportunity to share comments or concerns about the items on the agenda.   

What is a college, Forum?  

A College Forum is a meeting when comments and concerns can be raised, as well as any updates that can be shared. This is specific for each college (CATE, L&I, H&S) but also the cluster groups too. This is an opportunity for specific feedback to be shared in more detail within specific remits – much similarly to how a Program Committee Meeting operates.  

Why should I become a rep?  

There are many benefits to being a rep. It is an amazing opportunity to gain skills and experience in several areas and most importantly represent the views of your year or cohort!  

• Increase your employability – student reps gain skills in high demand from employers such as leadership, negotiation, meeting experience and teamwork. 

• Network and socialise – being a rep is a fantastic opportunity to meet other students and staff within your course or college. 

• Make an impact – the feedback our reps provide has a tangible impact on individual courses, and the wider BNU community. 

• Be recognised – we really value the work of our student reps, and your contributions can be recognised through Rep of the Month, or Student Rep of the Year! 

• Be rewarded – we really value the work our students’ reps complete, and that why we are able to rewarded you up to £100 for the work you do (we are one of the few SUs in the UK who provide this). 

Will I be trained and supported?  

We will train you to be a rep, from what your role does, how to be an effective rep, to collecting feedback. We will be here to support you every step of the way!  

We offer our training in person and online, and if you ever have a question you need answering, head to one of our offices or email surepresentation@bnu.ac.uk and one of our team will get back to you!  

How do I sign up to be a rep?  

You can sign up during our nomination periods by heading to ‘Student Rep Election’ page alternatively, email surepresentation@bnu.ac.uk to find out when the nominations are open or enquire if there is a space. They can also upload your nomination for you.  

As a rep, how can I communicate with my course mates?  

You can have conversations before/after classes, message in group chats (if you have them – or set them up), you can tell them to email you (if this is something you are happy with) or create drop-in sessions for students to share their feedback with as well. If you are gathering feedback, you can create an anonymous survey for students to complete (we can show you how to do this too!)  

Will I get any recognition for being a rep?  

Yes. Every month we accept nominations for ‘Student Rep of the Month’. You can be nominated for this by asking your peers to submit a nomination for you or staff can submit them too.  
We also have the ‘Student Rep of the Year’ award – this is awarded at the end of the year at our annual Union Awards. This works similarly with nomination being submitted as to why you should be the recipient of the award.