A long standing intention of mine has been achieved as we now have (some) of the Student Rep names online.
There is still a lot of work to do on this though. I would estimate that only 25% of the names and email addresses are available. Unfortunately a lot of the Student Reps did not give us permission to pass on this information. This is something we will try to rectify next semester. I also realise that some of the big schools will have to be broken down into departments and it would also be useful to have the year of study of the Reps. For the College of Medical and Dental Science we will also need to ensure that the names of CAWC members (Reps for the MBChB) and the BMedSCi SSC are listed.
Any further thoughts would be much appreciated!
Friday, 27 March 2009
Thursday, 26 March 2009
Joke post: Potter Puppet Pals
To alleviate the intellectual rigours that fill my day I have decided to post another Joke post.
Enjoy!
After watching the trailer for the sixth Harry Potter film yesterday I am actually quite excited....
Enjoy!
After watching the trailer for the sixth Harry Potter film yesterday I am actually quite excited....
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Feedback on exams...
1) Do you get it?
2) Do you want it?
please leave any comments or thoughts or alternatively email me at t.marley@guild.bham.ac.uk
2) Do you want it?
please leave any comments or thoughts or alternatively email me at t.marley@guild.bham.ac.uk
Guild Awards
Last night was the 2009 Guild Awards.
I would just like to say a big-well done to Rich Walker, the Vice President (Student Activities and Development) for organising and hosting the event. I was sitting next to Edward Peck (head of the College of Social Sciences) and Brendan Casey (Director of Academic Services) and they were both hugely impressed with the array of activities and events that we have in the Guild of Students.
Also I would like to give a congratulations to Anna Speed who won the best Student Rep award!
Friday, 20 March 2009
The QAA come to town
Previously I have talked about the QAA Institutional Audit that will be taking place at the University of Birmingham. This is a very important process for the university. Institutional Audit and its result will be seen as an endorsement, or not, of the quality of the degrees which students receive.
Just over a week ago the audit team came on a Briefing Visit. They used this opportunity to talk to three sabbatical officers (me, Jen and Hollie) along with five Student Reps about our experience at the University of Birmingham. The auditors had read and questioned us on aspects of the Guild's written submission over the hour and a half. We discussed a range of issues including Enquiry-Based Learning, the my.bham portal and the Student Rep Scheme.
The QAA main audit visit will run from 27th April to the 1st May. The auditors have expressed an interest to talk to more students, both undergraduates and postgraduates, and I have emailed Student Reps asking for people who are available. Of the six meetings which the QAA will conduct two will be with students. The aim for the auditors is to follow up with university staff on what the students say. This highlights the importance which the QAA attach to student involvement in quality assurance and enhancement.
Just over a week ago the audit team came on a Briefing Visit. They used this opportunity to talk to three sabbatical officers (me, Jen and Hollie) along with five Student Reps about our experience at the University of Birmingham. The auditors had read and questioned us on aspects of the Guild's written submission over the hour and a half. We discussed a range of issues including Enquiry-Based Learning, the my.bham portal and the Student Rep Scheme.
The QAA main audit visit will run from 27th April to the 1st May. The auditors have expressed an interest to talk to more students, both undergraduates and postgraduates, and I have emailed Student Reps asking for people who are available. Of the six meetings which the QAA will conduct two will be with students. The aim for the auditors is to follow up with university staff on what the students say. This highlights the importance which the QAA attach to student involvement in quality assurance and enhancement.
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
Turkey farmers vote for Xmas
BBC News have conducted an anonymous survey of vice-chancellors in England and Wales and found two-thirds would like to see an increase in the cap on variable fees.
I can sympathise with the concerns of these vice-chancellors. For the UK to maintain its world leading position in Higher Education we must invest in the sector. Currently only 0.9% of GDP is invested into HE, below the 1.1% average for the OECD, and the government should do it's bit to cut the spending gap.
Guild Council took a position against any lifting of the cap earlier in the year. Despite the reintroduction of grants, fees are still a barrier to widening access. Fears of escalating levels of debt will only deter students from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Piling more debt on to graduates during a recession would not be a smart move. Also if the cap is lifted the graduate premium (the amount extra a graduate earns by benefit of going to University) would be further whittled away and undercut the incentive for many students to attend.
Lifting the cap would also accelerate the marketisation of Higher Education. Students would be more likely to make their decision on which University to attend based on the price, and not the course that is right for them. This would undermine the culture of Higher Education and be detrimental for both students and staff.
But then what did we expect from the turkey farmers?
I can sympathise with the concerns of these vice-chancellors. For the UK to maintain its world leading position in Higher Education we must invest in the sector. Currently only 0.9% of GDP is invested into HE, below the 1.1% average for the OECD, and the government should do it's bit to cut the spending gap.
Guild Council took a position against any lifting of the cap earlier in the year. Despite the reintroduction of grants, fees are still a barrier to widening access. Fears of escalating levels of debt will only deter students from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Piling more debt on to graduates during a recession would not be a smart move. Also if the cap is lifted the graduate premium (the amount extra a graduate earns by benefit of going to University) would be further whittled away and undercut the incentive for many students to attend.
Lifting the cap would also accelerate the marketisation of Higher Education. Students would be more likely to make their decision on which University to attend based on the price, and not the course that is right for them. This would undermine the culture of Higher Education and be detrimental for both students and staff.
But then what did we expect from the turkey farmers?
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
My Guild Council Report for March
It has been another busy month in the life of your Vice President (Education and Access). In an attempt to enhance accountability I have increased the number of blogs I am making. To date I have written twelve blog posts since the last Guild Council. I intend to keep this pace up and invite all comments, queries and suggestions. www.tommarleyvpea.blogspt.com
- I have held a Student Rep forum and a Postgraduate forum recently to ascertain the views and concerns of those groups. Attendance was not as high as I would like though both were new and I am looking for ways to improve them in the future.
- I was part of a School Quality Review team for the reviews of Theology and B Med Sci.
- I attended the Scholarship Board and we discussed increasing the availability of scholarships for postgraduate students.
- At a meeting of the Quality Assurance and Enhancement Committee I raised the issue of extensions for candidates in Guild Officer election. That committee is also taking the lead in preparations for the QAA Institutional Audit.
- I have attended various plagiarism meetings with students who have been accused of plagiarism.
- I was invited to a meeting with senior University staff to discuss contingency plans for any potential UCU industrial actions, including potential actions short of a strike.
- I am now on the working group to revise the Code of Practice on Reasonable Diligence. We hope to have a new Code of Practice for the next academic year.
- The Learning and Teaching Roadshows that are held by the Univeristy are currently underway. These are used to spread best practice across the institution and I attended the Engineering and Physical Sciences event to provide input. I hope to attend more in the future.
- I have been coordinating the Guild’s delegation to the NUS Lobby of Parliament on 18th March. We will be sending over 10 students to Parliament to lobby MPs.
- Work on improving assessment feedback continues. Watch this space for more info in the future…
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
The issue of experience
The relative experience of different candidate can be an important determining factor for voters. Take for example the recent US election. Obama had some experience in the State and US Senate though this was far outweighed by John McCains experience. Funnily enough McCain actually had some experience 'changing Washington' and had put his name to major overhauls of campaign finance. However, the mind-boggling inexperience of Sarah Palin, the Republican Vice Presidential candidate, was simply in another league. The very fact that Palin was literally "a heart-beat away from the presidency" (not letting us forget that McCain was also very old) was a major concern for many voters.
See this clip below for a justification of Palin's foreign policy experience.
Yes you heard it... Alaska is close to Russia.... That says it all.
So what is the value of experience when you are running for elected office? Some champion their experience and point out they have the know-how to fulfil their manifesto promises. Your experience may demonstrate you have been campaigning for students for a period of time. It may also be shown that you can get results.
Alternatively, the lack of experience can be used to show that you are an insurgent or an outsider, willing to go in and bring Change. This tactic certainly worked for Obama. The reasoning goes; if you have been on the outside you can see objectively how things can be improved and you have not been corrupted, you are part of no clique or faction of power.
In the Guild Officer elections all the candidates have very differing levels of experience. Some may even feel they are more deserving of a position. In almost every other walk of life if you demonstrate effectiveness and commitment to a cause then you will proceed. Only in the world of elections can a 'less-qualified' individual beat a 'well-qualified' individual. The real criteria that we are looking for in our potential Officers is their ability to gather votes. Surely the only experience that counts is in the ability to run an election campaign?
But then in any democracy the voters know best... surely?
See this clip below for a justification of Palin's foreign policy experience.
Yes you heard it... Alaska is close to Russia.... That says it all.
So what is the value of experience when you are running for elected office? Some champion their experience and point out they have the know-how to fulfil their manifesto promises. Your experience may demonstrate you have been campaigning for students for a period of time. It may also be shown that you can get results.
Alternatively, the lack of experience can be used to show that you are an insurgent or an outsider, willing to go in and bring Change. This tactic certainly worked for Obama. The reasoning goes; if you have been on the outside you can see objectively how things can be improved and you have not been corrupted, you are part of no clique or faction of power.
In the Guild Officer elections all the candidates have very differing levels of experience. Some may even feel they are more deserving of a position. In almost every other walk of life if you demonstrate effectiveness and commitment to a cause then you will proceed. Only in the world of elections can a 'less-qualified' individual beat a 'well-qualified' individual. The real criteria that we are looking for in our potential Officers is their ability to gather votes. Surely the only experience that counts is in the ability to run an election campaign?
But then in any democracy the voters know best... surely?
£800 honey..
Yesterday I took part in a shortlisting exercise for students who had applied for the Honey Pot funding.
The Honey Pot provides financial support for undergraduate students on work placements during the summer vacations. They can be awarded up to £800 to cover costs such as transport, accomodation and for those travelling abroad visas and vaccinations. There was a great variety of applications from those looking to do humanitarian placements in Africa to those undertaking research projects at the University of Birmingham. Every application I viewed was of a high quality and the Honey Pot scheme, which is provided by the Careers Centre, is very commendable!
Best of luck to all those who put an application in.
The Honey Pot provides financial support for undergraduate students on work placements during the summer vacations. They can be awarded up to £800 to cover costs such as transport, accomodation and for those travelling abroad visas and vaccinations. There was a great variety of applications from those looking to do humanitarian placements in Africa to those undertaking research projects at the University of Birmingham. Every application I viewed was of a high quality and the Honey Pot scheme, which is provided by the Careers Centre, is very commendable!
Best of luck to all those who put an application in.
"Birmingham is confirmed as top research player in the region"
So says the headline of the latest news story on the University of Birmingham website:
The Higher Education Funding Council for England announced today that it will award the University of Birmingham funding of £44.6 million for research, placing the University top in the region and 11th nationally.
This is the first award of funding that reflects Birmingham’s performance in the Research Assessment Exercise 2008 - a UK-wide survey of research quality - which ranked 89.9% of the University’s research as being “world-leading” or “internationally excellent”.
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham, Professor Michael Sterling, said:
“At the University of Birmingham, we are committed to carrying out research that has global impact; that is agenda-setting; that changes lives. This award recognises that the quality and quantity of research activity undertaken at Birmingham is delivering just that. This confirms the University’s position as a major international research player and the biggest in the region.”
I can't argue with that!
The Higher Education Funding Council for England announced today that it will award the University of Birmingham funding of £44.6 million for research, placing the University top in the region and 11th nationally.
This is the first award of funding that reflects Birmingham’s performance in the Research Assessment Exercise 2008 - a UK-wide survey of research quality - which ranked 89.9% of the University’s research as being “world-leading” or “internationally excellent”.
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham, Professor Michael Sterling, said:
“At the University of Birmingham, we are committed to carrying out research that has global impact; that is agenda-setting; that changes lives. This award recognises that the quality and quantity of research activity undertaken at Birmingham is delivering just that. This confirms the University’s position as a major international research player and the biggest in the region.”
I can't argue with that!
Monday, 9 March 2009
I have now received my ballot paper... tough choices need making
If you are on the main campus or live in halls you cannot fail to notice there is an election on. Various peers will be making impressive pledges, the viability of their claims something that is open to dispute. Students will be harassed while their harassers nothing short of messianic, even by Obamamaina standards. And fundamentally, every candidate proposes Change; of the what, where, when and why of the Guild. I should not be so cynical as I was messianic once.
Being a Guild Officer is hard. I know many of the candidates and their supporters assume otherwise (and I probably did too). You are constantly balancing the expectations of a student body, attempting to meet you manifesto promises and, certainly for myself, reflecting on the organisation to try and make it better. These elements are often not in sync and as a Guild Officer you have difficult decisions, this job is literally a roller coaster.
It was always my aim after the election to do a series of blogs deconstructing the role of democracy within the Guild. As it is the first day of voting I thought I would play my cards now.
In 1790 Edmund Burke, the farther of conservatism, published his Reflections on the Revolution in France. This shaped the way many viewed the French Revolution. However, it is also a political doctrine and one from which we can learn important lessons. His text was written at the onset political turmoil in France. Burke provided a critique of Liberalism, the belief that abstract notions can inform our reality, and signalled his belief in gradual, organic change as opposed to revolutionary overhaul. He pointed out that the masses could not always be trusted and that there is value in order and tradition.
Burke would point out that as a Guild Officer (ie a representative) you are not a delegate of the people. By this you do not do simply what people ask. Your own judgment is important and sometimes representing students means you don't listen to the voices of those students who are in closest proximity. Tony Blair once said: "the hardest thing in politics is not saying yes, it's saying no" and that is an important skill for any Guild Officer to have.
So when you decide to vote, don't vote for the Officer with nice promises or who promises to listen and 'do everything that students want'. Personally I have one question: would they be brave enough to say no to you?
If the answer is yes then I think we have a winner...
With this in mind I point you to the GTV hustings of the two candidates for Vice President (Education and Access): Brigid Jones and Timm Smith!
Being a Guild Officer is hard. I know many of the candidates and their supporters assume otherwise (and I probably did too). You are constantly balancing the expectations of a student body, attempting to meet you manifesto promises and, certainly for myself, reflecting on the organisation to try and make it better. These elements are often not in sync and as a Guild Officer you have difficult decisions, this job is literally a roller coaster.
It was always my aim after the election to do a series of blogs deconstructing the role of democracy within the Guild. As it is the first day of voting I thought I would play my cards now.
In 1790 Edmund Burke, the farther of conservatism, published his Reflections on the Revolution in France. This shaped the way many viewed the French Revolution. However, it is also a political doctrine and one from which we can learn important lessons. His text was written at the onset political turmoil in France. Burke provided a critique of Liberalism, the belief that abstract notions can inform our reality, and signalled his belief in gradual, organic change as opposed to revolutionary overhaul. He pointed out that the masses could not always be trusted and that there is value in order and tradition.
Burke would point out that as a Guild Officer (ie a representative) you are not a delegate of the people. By this you do not do simply what people ask. Your own judgment is important and sometimes representing students means you don't listen to the voices of those students who are in closest proximity. Tony Blair once said: "the hardest thing in politics is not saying yes, it's saying no" and that is an important skill for any Guild Officer to have.
So when you decide to vote, don't vote for the Officer with nice promises or who promises to listen and 'do everything that students want'. Personally I have one question: would they be brave enough to say no to you?
If the answer is yes then I think we have a winner...
With this in mind I point you to the GTV hustings of the two candidates for Vice President (Education and Access): Brigid Jones and Timm Smith!
A quick message from the NUS Vice President - Aaron Porter
The National Union of Students has recently taken to video-messages.
Here is one about the National Student Survey...
If you are a final year undergraduate and not filled in the suvey yet then make sure you do!
Here is one about the National Student Survey...
If you are a final year undergraduate and not filled in the suvey yet then make sure you do!
DVDs in the library?
Last week a student raised with me their concerns that there were not a suitable range of DVDs in the library. Since then I have been liasing with library services to look into this issue. Although this is a slightly more obscure request, I didn't realise before now that for many students DVDs will be on their reading lists.
This got me wondering: is there anything else students would like to see in the libraries?
This got me wondering: is there anything else students would like to see in the libraries?
Friday, 6 March 2009
If you copy from one author, it's plagiarism. If you copy from two, it's research
Over the last two weeks I have been helping quite a few students who have been accused of plagiarism. For varying reasons they were asked to attend an interview with the department to discuss pieces of work within which their lecturers feel the student has lifted passages verbatim from other sources. The ARC often plays an important role providing advice to the students in advance of the meeting with their department. As Vice President (Education and Access) I attend the meeting to support the student. The outcome of these meetings can be hugely significant to a student, they can either be given a warning to ensure that they don't plagiarise again or they can be referred to a College Misconduct Committee were sanctions include withdrawal from the University.
The University website has some very useful information on plagiarism and, most importantly, how to avoid it. If you are ever in doubt about what plagiarism is then talk to your personal tutor.
The University website has some very useful information on plagiarism and, most importantly, how to avoid it. If you are ever in doubt about what plagiarism is then talk to your personal tutor.
Back by popular demand.
I've been blogging so much recently that soon students will start wondering if I'm actually doing any work...
The University has decided to rewrite its Code of Practice on 'Reasonable Diligence' and I attended a meeting on this issue yesterday. This is to ensure the institution is in line with statutory responsibilities with regards to the new points-based immigration system. Rather than attendance monitoring for all international (non EEA) students, the University has decided to strengthen its reasonable diligence procedures for all students. This approach ensures that international students are not singled out nor treated differently from their colleagues.
Currently the policy explains the procedures for how a student can be removed from the University for failing to show due diligence. It was felt by all there that the current process should be streamlined. A fine balance needs to be struck however. Many students feel there is a stigma attached to asking their department for mitigations and a student may fail to attend lectures for a perfectly understandable reason. The new policy should recognise this while balancing the need for the university to deal with those students who apply little or no application to their course in a fair and effective way.
I would welcome peoples thoughts on the issue of due diligence.
The University has decided to rewrite its Code of Practice on 'Reasonable Diligence' and I attended a meeting on this issue yesterday. This is to ensure the institution is in line with statutory responsibilities with regards to the new points-based immigration system. Rather than attendance monitoring for all international (non EEA) students, the University has decided to strengthen its reasonable diligence procedures for all students. This approach ensures that international students are not singled out nor treated differently from their colleagues.
Currently the policy explains the procedures for how a student can be removed from the University for failing to show due diligence. It was felt by all there that the current process should be streamlined. A fine balance needs to be struck however. Many students feel there is a stigma attached to asking their department for mitigations and a student may fail to attend lectures for a perfectly understandable reason. The new policy should recognise this while balancing the need for the university to deal with those students who apply little or no application to their course in a fair and effective way.
I would welcome peoples thoughts on the issue of due diligence.
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
Student Rep forum
Today I held a forum for Student Reps. These are to facilitate ongoing support for Student Reps by allowing them to raise issue with the Vice President (Education and Access) and enabling the VPEA (me) to let them know what is going on.
Turnout was OK. Unfortunately we are not sure that all Student Reps are on our email list. If you are a Student Rep and were not notified please email studentreps@guild.bham.ac.uk
A number of issues were discussed including welfare tutors, assessment feedback and short loan library books, all of which the Guild will now be able to take action on. I hope the Student Reps found the forum useful and these exercises can be repeated again.
Turnout was OK. Unfortunately we are not sure that all Student Reps are on our email list. If you are a Student Rep and were not notified please email studentreps@guild.bham.ac.uk
A number of issues were discussed including welfare tutors, assessment feedback and short loan library books, all of which the Guild will now be able to take action on. I hope the Student Reps found the forum useful and these exercises can be repeated again.
Today there was a great success..
I finally got on top of my emails!
I am actually quite happy about that...
I am actually quite happy about that...
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
The problem with £1,300
In a previous post the Guild's You View survey was criticised for being a waste of money. As one who is keen to deal with issues head on I thought I would dedicate a blog to this matter.
No one can criticise the Guild for not attempting to communicate. This year we have set up the GOS and very soon it should be going out to all registered students. We also have a new website which we are constantly enhancing. I sometimes get frustrated as people assume it is easier to communicate to students then it actually is. If we channeled £1,300 into 'communications' tomorrow what would you have us do with the money? More posters and flyers?
That was the very purpose of the You View survey. To ask students directly what we should be campaigning on and how they want to be communicated with. The problem with £1,300 is that we can spend it, but we want to know how we can spend it effectively.
No one can criticise the Guild for not attempting to communicate. This year we have set up the GOS and very soon it should be going out to all registered students. We also have a new website which we are constantly enhancing. I sometimes get frustrated as people assume it is easier to communicate to students then it actually is. If we channeled £1,300 into 'communications' tomorrow what would you have us do with the money? More posters and flyers?
That was the very purpose of the You View survey. To ask students directly what we should be campaigning on and how they want to be communicated with. The problem with £1,300 is that we can spend it, but we want to know how we can spend it effectively.
Monday, 2 March 2009
A democracy of the people, for the people
"The greatest argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter."
- Winston Churchill -
"A democracy is nothing more than an angry mob, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine."
- Abraham Lincoln -
"Democracy is a very admirable form of government — for dogs."
- Edgar Allan Poe -
"Those who vote count for nothing; those who count the vote count for everything."
- Joseph Stalin -
"Democracy is the worst form of government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time."
- Winston Churchill -
- Winston Churchill -
"A democracy is nothing more than an angry mob, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine."
- Abraham Lincoln -
"Democracy is a very admirable form of government — for dogs."
- Edgar Allan Poe -
"Those who vote count for nothing; those who count the vote count for everything."
- Joseph Stalin -
"Democracy is the worst form of government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time."
- Winston Churchill -
Your view
The Guild of Students wants to hear ‘YOUR VIEW’ to help us plan for the future and ensure we’re providing the kind of activities, services and support you need. If you haven’t already you can still have your say by completing a short online survey which should take around 4 minutes. Your input is important to us!
As a thank you for your valued input, four of the completed surveys will be picked at random to win a top prize of £1,000 cash, or one of three runner-up prizes of £100 cash.
To complete the survey please click the following link: http://sirius.redbrickmediagroup.co.uk/survey/bgs/default.aspx
As a thank you for your valued input, four of the completed surveys will be picked at random to win a top prize of £1,000 cash, or one of three runner-up prizes of £100 cash.
To complete the survey please click the following link: http://sirius.redbrickmediagroup.co.uk/survey/bgs/default.aspx
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