Course reps
A realistic Guide to life at UCLan - written by students!
by Alison Whitfield, 2nd year, Sports Journalism Year, age 19
Course Representatives - Who? What? Where? Why?
Who is my course rep?
A great contact to have when you come to university is your Course Rep or Reps. These people will usually be elected within the first few weeks of teaching after putting themselves forward for the position. Your course rep will be a great person to call on if you need something communicated to your course staff whether it is a positive or negative issue. Course reps meet with course staff and reps from other years a few times a year to discuss appropriate issues. You will usually receive an email or they’ll ask you directly if there is anything you wish them to bring up at the next meeting. It will then be discussed by your tutors and peers to keep a good communication base for your course.
Bev Rimmer is currently the Course Rep for Sports Journalism Year 2:
“I basically gather feedback from people on the course, about which bits they like and don't like, if there's anything they'd like to see changed, etc. Then I go to meetings and talk about what people have said n try and get stuff changed for future years. You become the voice of the course. I gives you pride to be the voice and power of change.”
How can I become a course rep?
Course reps are usually elected by fellow students. Within the first few weeks of teaching, your tutor will usually contact you asking anyone who wishes to be a rep to put their names forward for election. If not, you can always contact your Student Liaison Officers (LO), who will regularly send you emails, about becoming a rep.
What do I get out of it?
Becoming a course rep is a great way to get involved with different aspects of university life as well as developing skills which will look great on your CV. Also, you are responsible for communicating with your fellow students so you will make a lot of friends on your course.
So why not get involved when you get to UCLan and even if you don’t remember who your course rep is and remember to discuss your opinions with them when they ask, it’s your future!
Note from TAG Team: Your course rep can only represent you if you make them aware of your views, issues and comments! You can contact your course rep at any time but its especially important that you share your views when they say they have an up coming staff meeting. Course reps should undertake traning provided by the SLOs and the SU. If you don't feel your course rep is representing you appropriatly the contact your SLO or the SU Education Officer.