Stephen Marston, Director General from the Department of Universities, Innovation and Skills came for a student session with a range of students on Friday May 8th.
He really engaged with the students around the table and asked some really challenging questions about our learning experience at the University. A really interesting conversation about the University’s reputation emerged as students are very frustrated at the moment about graduating in the current jobs market. So we are wondering does going to Birmingham really stand us in good stead. Today’s league tables suggests the Birmingham is not where it was three years ago.
It wouldn’t be the Guild, if we didn’t corner him about tuition fees and we didn’t in great style as you would expect. Staff member or not he will be a key player in the debate on fees and our message was simple, so should the NUS. We can’t have people who didn’t have to pay fees be the only ones informing the debate.
This is another example of me giving students at the University the opportunity to question and challenge the people who direct our student experience. The feedback I have had from the students involved has been excellent.
If you would like the opportunity to be involved in something like this, the Minister for Students Lord Tony Young will be visiting the Guild on Wednesday 17 June (12 noon - 3pm – a complementary lunch buffet is provided) and he wants you to share your experiences of studying at University of Birmingham.
To find out more check the link below.
http://www.guildofstudents.com/news/index.php?page=article&news_id=72565
if you would like to come, please fill out the form in the link. Any problems please drop me an email to president@guild.bham.ac.uk
Monday, 1 June 2009
Monday, 11 May 2009
the student exprience..whats the deal?
HEPI Conference “The Student Experience - What’s the deal?”
On Wednesday 8th I went to London paid for by the University about the student experience a massive buzz word being used at the moment. The basis of this buzz is whether we can sufficiently quantify what students should expect or are entailed for from their Universities. A question gaining much prominence because of the tuition fees debate.
The conference was headlined by some heavy hitters in sector including Wes Streeting, NUS President, who was the in fact the only student voice throughout the conference. This was a massive let down, considering the title of the conference. Typical of debates and conferences about students, a lack of the student perspective! Even more shocking, I was the only Student Union President/ Sabbatical there, oh apart from Leeds, but there everywhere so they don’t count.
What did I take from the conference? Umm...
Students are not customers and should not be treated as such. This suggests that a University Degree is a product you buy and it expires on your graduation day.
Great teaching has the single biggest effect on the student experience. Students need to be taught by lecturers who are passionate and enthusiastic and teaching.
Students are not simply apathetic, it’s just they don’t engage in the political process like they did in the 50s. Students are ambassadors in the community not just nationally but internationally, in the volunteering they do locally and over sees. This is the modern form of engagement.
All in all a worthwhile trip to London
On Wednesday 8th I went to London paid for by the University about the student experience a massive buzz word being used at the moment. The basis of this buzz is whether we can sufficiently quantify what students should expect or are entailed for from their Universities. A question gaining much prominence because of the tuition fees debate.
The conference was headlined by some heavy hitters in sector including Wes Streeting, NUS President, who was the in fact the only student voice throughout the conference. This was a massive let down, considering the title of the conference. Typical of debates and conferences about students, a lack of the student perspective! Even more shocking, I was the only Student Union President/ Sabbatical there, oh apart from Leeds, but there everywhere so they don’t count.
What did I take from the conference? Umm...
Students are not customers and should not be treated as such. This suggests that a University Degree is a product you buy and it expires on your graduation day.
Great teaching has the single biggest effect on the student experience. Students need to be taught by lecturers who are passionate and enthusiastic and teaching.
Students are not simply apathetic, it’s just they don’t engage in the political process like they did in the 50s. Students are ambassadors in the community not just nationally but internationally, in the volunteering they do locally and over sees. This is the modern form of engagement.
All in all a worthwhile trip to London
Monday, 27 April 2009
David Lammy at the Guild
A highlight for my term of office…..David Lammy in the Guild
David is the Minister for Higher Education and Intellectual Property in the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and is responsible for ensuring that we sustain and develop world-class Higher Education in the UK.
I invited him to sit on the Panel for the Great Debate on May 8th. Unfortunately because of his extremely busy diary he had to decline the date. Yet I was persistent and continued to badger his office to get him to visit the Guild and he did, important because I want to ensure that the views of students are listened to at the highest level.
So what did we talk about…
· The Higher Education Funding Review and why the NUS should be on it
· The National Minimum Wage and his review on introducing a standard minimum wage for all regardless of age
· The role of Minority Ethnic politicians in Government
· The differences between the University system in the UK and the USA, where David has studied at Harvard University
NUS Conference 2009
At the end of March I attend NUS Annual Conference 2009 in Blackpool as delegation leader, with 16 student delegates from across campus elected back in November. The official report of conference can be found on:http://resource.nusonline.co.uk/media/resource/conferenceenewsletterfinal2009.pdf This will also outline all the election results for the National Executive Committee.
What’s the NUS?
The NUS (National Union of Students) is what is says on the tin. It is there to defend and extend the rights of students. It exists to be the national voice of students. Most student unions across the country have chosen to affiliate with the NUS and pay a membership. The Guild’s fee is £47,000 which is why it is important we engage with the NUS because there is a lot we have to get out of it.
http://www.nus.org.uk/
http://www.officeronline.co.uk/
What is Annual Conference?
Annual Conference is the highest decision-making body of NUS, which takes place each spring and runs for three days. Every subscribing college or university sends representatives to participate in Conference, passing policy that sets the priorities of the National Union for the coming year.Conference determines the policy and decides the major campaigns to be run to benefit the student movement, and by being part of the NUS the Guild, through its delegates, gets its say in the direction the NUS should take.
Here are some of the policies and campaigns are the NUS following this year....
All the policies passed can be found on: http://resource.nusonline.co.uk/media/resource/AC09_CD19_Minutes%20and%20Resolutions.pdf
On a personal note I was disturbed to hear of the racist attacks and abuse experienced by number of delegates in Blackpool. I have asked the NUS President and the Black Students Officer to formally look into this.
What’s the NUS?
The NUS (National Union of Students) is what is says on the tin. It is there to defend and extend the rights of students. It exists to be the national voice of students. Most student unions across the country have chosen to affiliate with the NUS and pay a membership. The Guild’s fee is £47,000 which is why it is important we engage with the NUS because there is a lot we have to get out of it.
http://www.nus.org.uk/
http://www.officeronline.co.uk/
What is Annual Conference?
Annual Conference is the highest decision-making body of NUS, which takes place each spring and runs for three days. Every subscribing college or university sends representatives to participate in Conference, passing policy that sets the priorities of the National Union for the coming year.Conference determines the policy and decides the major campaigns to be run to benefit the student movement, and by being part of the NUS the Guild, through its delegates, gets its say in the direction the NUS should take.
Here are some of the policies and campaigns are the NUS following this year....
- Bin the Broke and Broken HE Funding System, calling for a fairer fees system based on ability to learn not pay. Check out the report http://www.nus.org.uk/en/Campaigns/Broke-and-Broken/Broke-and-Broken-the-report
- Roll out a national system of activist academies, training students and their unions to consistently campaign on the rights of students
- Support student activities and development
- Support student unions in making ethical and environmental choices
- To support unions and their sports teams with initiations policies
- To lobby and campaign for the end to age discrimination in the National Minimum Wage. So all people can have a living wage!
- Review Postgraduate tuition fees
- Support and encourage the promotion of the “Hope not Hate” campaign to encourage voting in the European elections and fight against the rise of racist and fascist parties. Check it out http://hopenothate.org.uk/
All the policies passed can be found on: http://resource.nusonline.co.uk/media/resource/AC09_CD19_Minutes%20and%20Resolutions.pdf
On a personal note I was disturbed to hear of the racist attacks and abuse experienced by number of delegates in Blackpool. I have asked the NUS President and the Black Students Officer to formally look into this.
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