Resources for Staff
This page offers information and resources to make it easy for University staff to support effective student representation on your course.
Key Dates
There are three key times during the year when Course Directors (and other staff) will be asked by the Union to do specific things to allow for the Student Representation Scheme to function effectively.
1. Rep Election Fortnight
When? 31st October - 11th November 2011
What? Before or during Rep Election Fortnight, all Course Directors need to ensure elections are held for Course Reps on their course. The Students' Union will then ask you to send us the details of all Reps for your course.
More information...
2. Rep Training Sessions
When? From the 15th November 2011 onwards.
What? The Union organises training sessions for all Course Reps across all campuses during November and December. It is important that Course Directors remember to encourage their Reps to attend a training session - or even organise one of their own!
More information...
3. Rep Awards
When? April and May 2012
What? The Union organises an annual Rep Award Ceremony to celebrate the achievements of Course Reps. The Union will ask you to suggest Reps you think deserve awards, so remember to look out for the invitation to submit nominations.
More information...
Promoting the role to students
Click here to download a Powerpoint slide about Course Reps that can be used as part of induction talks or in lectures when you are getting ready to elect Course Reps. You may also find the video below useful to play to students when you are introducing the role of Course Reps to them. If you require flyers / Code of Practice copies in order to encourage students on your course to put themselves forwards as Course Reps please contact the Representation & Democracy team.
Rep Elections
As you are hopefully aware, the Union is suggesting that, where appropriate, courses should elect Course Reps during the fortnight of the 31st October - 11th November 2011. The Union will ensure that there are publicity materials available across the University before and during this period, to raise the profile of Course Reps and help courses attract students to the role.
If you wish to hold your elections earlier than this period, that is not a problem - for example if your students will be out on placement by the 31st October.
Training for New Course Reps
The Students' Union offers initial training sessions for Course Reps from late November. The sessions cover the key aspects of the role and the skills Reps need to be successful, so we strongly recommend you encourage your Reps to attend a session. Course Reps who attend training will also automatically get a Student Rep Loyalty Card that they can use to get discounts across the University at Union outlets.
The Union organises training sessions across all University campuses, and we will be releasing the dates of training sessions shortly (so check back soon!). However, we are also happy to offer bespoke training sessions for courses, schools or groups of courses at a time and location to suit you and your reps. This has the advantage that we can ensure the training is as relevant as possible to the individual course or courses. These can be arranged at any time from now.
Additional Mechanisms for Student Feedback
Every course should seek to adopt at least one additional mechanism for student feedback in addition to Board of Studies meetings. Your first BoS should select an additional mechanism in consultation with both staff and Course Reps.
The mechanisms suggested in the Code of Practice can help you assess what would work best for your specific course.
Please contact the Representation team for feedback and support.
Student Representation Code of Practice
Newly developed during 2010-11, the Student Representation Code of Practice sets out the key principles of Student Representation at Birmingham City University, who is responsible for what and how it should all work. Please click the link below to view the online version, or contact the Students' Union to request a hard copy.
The Virtual Students' Union at 
The Students' Union has been involved in developing a Virtual Students' Union as part of a joint project alongside the University and a local network of Further Education Colleges. Although the resources available through Shareville are not specific to Birmingham City University and are designed more for use by FE students, it is still an interesting resource for those interested in representation at the HE level.
Click here to visit the Virtual Students' Union.
Students' Union Representation Support Contacts
Sarah Blatchford - Representation Coordinator
Khen Nirnfeld - Representation Assistant
Jema Davis - Representation & Democracy Manager