► Student Forums
Student Forums/ Federations / Interest Groups
Membership - any student who has not opted out of UBSU
Frequency of meetings – to be decided
Officer / Staff roles – Facilitated (Chaired) by officers, other officers in attendance, staff secretariat
‘Perhaps have an open forum once a month for people to drop in and talk to members of the union. ‘
25 - 29 Female, UK - home student, Falmer, School of Applied Social Science Undergraduate, Yr Two, Full time White
‘Face to face engagement would be the most effective, as it would provide on the spot responses to any questions I might have’
30+, Female UK - home student, Moulsecoomb , Brighton Business School , Undergraduate, Yr Two Part time White
By meeting informally and organising at a level that is appropriate to the issues being discussed students are encouraged to identify those areas of their student experience that could be enhanced and encouraged to put forward proposals to the four policy development groups that would see their collective interests furthered. Currently findings show lows levels of engagement with current democratic and decision making structures of UBSU, with students not feeling able to lobby elected reps (-0.44) or attend UBSU meetings to share views (-2.07). Campus based forums received support as methods of accountability but were still not hugely well received (+2.52) but, small numbers of respondents being taken into account, were slightly better received at partner colleges than main campuses.
There is some agreement with the idea that there should be part time officers to complement the full time officers (+3.47) however, attitudes towards current non-sabbatical offers suggested they are less than effective in representing student needs (-0.81).
The frequency with which these groups should meet should be appropriate to their individual or collective needs. However, those larger groups (School / Site Forums) would most likely meet at least once every term.
To include:
- · Site forums
- · School Academic Forums
- · Sports and Societies Federations
- · Other forums as deemed appropriate by UBSU or students
- · UBSU to monitor activity – equality impact – ensure diversity of views reflects diversity of members interests
- · Groups can receive additional support or incubation where local organisation is not meeting student need
To complement the physical groups appropriate use of other technology should be explored so as to ensure all students wishing to contribute to any discussion should be able to do so in a way that most appropriately meets their individual needs.
Student officers should attend / facilitate these forums
marketing & advertising opportunities click the media pack button.
Delicious
Digg
Facebook
reddit
StumbleUpon