Maja Smith - UPSU Vice President Education
Twitter // Facebook
Manifesto update:
Hidden Course Costs
To lobby for free printing for third years’ dissertation and postgraduates and where this is not possible push for all courses to have online module hand ins.
- Follow up on the previously made recommendations from Steph Driscoll (VP Education 2013-2014) to see the impact made on students.
- Arranging a second survey to look into the hidden costs at university, to look at how many students are still effected by hidden costs on their course. This survey will now take place on the 20th November- 18th December and will be asking students about hidden costs that they have faced on their course.
Promote academic excellence:
The creation of a graduation calculator which supports students on the calculations of their degrees.
Supporting the university in keeping graduations on the Hoe past 2020. Campaign for greater module selection support for students across campus.
- Met with Neil Witt to look at the future of learner analytics and how this could play a role in the supporting students with their academic achievements and how lectures will be able to play an even more vital role.
- Researching the current input students receive before choosing their modules.
- Engaging in conversations with individuals from UoP looking at how we can try and support the graduations staying on the hoe for the foreseeable after an incredibly successful graduation week.
Study spaces:
To lobby for more fun, relaxed study spaces across campus, supporting the university in the estate strategy. ?
- Getting feedback from Postgraduates around the need for a larger study space and in turn liaising with the library to support the rehoming of the postgraduate study space to a much larger room with more desk space. This was very successful and I received over 100 responses from postgraduate students!
- I will further be collating all other comments regarding the postgraduate area to support them further in having comfortable accessible learning environments.
Key role related activities update
Academic Regulations
-
It is currently believed that this is not always being upheld and some tutors in the best interest of the student are seeking technical support from TIS to try to open the document. I have being trying to investigate this further. Over the past three years TIS has had 23 cases where academics have sort support with this, which is steadily increasing year on year. I am organising a number of meetings with individuals to give me a great understanding on the area. I am now chair of a task and finish group meeting with a number of university staff to understand the problems.
-
I am currently the chair of the Task and Finish group that is looking into the academic regulation regarding E-submissions. In order to make sure that we are treating all students fairly I am looking into ways in which we can remove the inequality that goes along with the current regulation.
-
I have met with a number of individuals to look at how we can work together in order to support our students more and make sure that we are treating all fairly
Academic Representation review
-
Myself and Sarah Davey have been meeting with all of the ADTL’s to grasp a good knowledge on how each of their faculties use their school and course reps and how we can best support these students.
-
Student Voice have created a document for staff to access, which will support them with their understanding of UPSU and our course rep system.
Other key updates
-
I am working in partnership with Lowri Jones (President), Gina Connelly (UPSU CEO) and Julian Chaudhuri (DVC of Education and Student Experience) on the new Student Charter.
-
Myself and Lowri are currently looking at other universities Charters as well as arranging Student Surveys and Focus groups to support the creation of a Student Charter.
-
I am meeting with Debby Cotton and Jane Collings to look at working with one another in order to support the progression of the reduction of the gender and ethnicity attainment gap .
The role of the Vice President Education involves:
- Representing Students of the University of Plymouth regarding education at, postgraduate and undergraduate level.
- Working to improve student experience in all areas related to education (feedback, course costs, placements etc.)
- Supporting the consistent improvements to the quality of teaching and learning.
- Leading on the development and support of the academic representation system
- Working as a trustee of UPSU