'Big R' representation

When not playing Scrabble on facebook (feel free to challenge me to a game) I can be found representing students. More recently when not doing either of those things I am a prolific blogger.

In a previous thread a commentator speculated it may be worth merging Student Reps and Guild Councillors. This suggestion has been muted before and even though it is an interesting debate I don't personally support merging the two systems. Here's why:

• Student Reps work on a department/school/programme level, there is flexibility built into the system to allow Student Staff Committees to take place at the most effective level. Guild Councillors on the other hand have a uniform constituency, which is their school.

• Student Reps attend Student Staff Committees (SSC) while Guild Councillors attend Guild Council. (GC) For each meeting a Student Rep/Guild Councillor is expected to canvass those they represent and feedback after the meeting. As someone who undertook both roles (to varying success) this is a considerable workload, the job would simply be too big.

• SSCs and GC also have different purposes. Student Staff Committees look very specifically issues affecting students on their programme of study. On the other hand Guild Councillors represent students on a wide range of issues including housing, welfare and student activities.

The key to representation is simple structures and that is what we have.