Student representation

The Student Representation System (SRS) is a partnership between the University of Birmingham and the Guild of Students. The aim of the SRS is to ensure that every student and postgraduate researcher at Birmingham is effectively represented to the University and the Guild by a fellow student or postgraduate researcher, and are partners in their education to allow a more active involvement in, and ownership of, their learning.

Student representation at Birmingham is coordinated by a joint University-Guild committee, which is co-chaired by the University Director of Student Engagement and the Guild Vice-President (Education). This is known as SRSAB. 

More about SRSAB

Information on the Student Representation System can be found on the Guild of Students website (www.guildofstudents.com/studentreps/).

If you have any further queries about the SRS please contact the Guild of Students. 

The information below has been provided for Staff Liaison Contacts (SLCs) and any other University member of staff involved in the operation of the SRS.

A Staff Student Forum (SSF) SharePoint has been created created to support staff in the implementation and operation of the SRS. Registry, the Guild and staff involved with SSFs (or equivalent) will be able to continually monitor the operation of the SRS and share issues/ideas/good practice throughout the year. Support will be provided via the site when required.

SSFs (or equivalent) minutes (or other agreed documentation suitable for your agreed alternative model of representation) are to be submitted to the SSF SharePoint site by Staff Liaison Contacts (SLCs), SEOs (or equivalent) or SSF admin staff. This will allow colleagues in the Schools/Colleges, the Guild, and Registry to access them when necessary.

• SSF SharePoint site (opens in a new window)
• SSF SharePoint guidance (PDF - 783KB)
• SSF agenda template (Word - 915KB)
• SSF minutes template and guidance (Word - 924KB)
• SSF Terms of Reference template - taught (Word - 921KB)
• SSF Terms of Reference template - research (Word - 921KB)

You should also be aware of the key dates in the SRS calendar, and how to inform Registry and the Guild of any changes to SSF staff contacts.

• Staff Liaison Contact calendar (PDF - 450KB) 
• Inform Registry and the Guild of any changes to SSF (or equivalent) staff contacts (Formstack)
  The latest contacts held centrally can be found on the SharePoint site on the Useful Documents page.

You should be familiar with the University's regulations on student and postgraduate researcher representation, and the Code of Practice on the SRS*. Regulations 2.3 and 2.4, and the Code of practice on the Student Representation System. 
* Legislation are cohort specific. Please ensure you view the Regulation and Code of Practice specific to the year the students started their studies.  

• Cohort specific legislation page

A Student Representation System Benchmarking Toolkit has been jointly agreed by the University and the Guild of Students to support the development and operation of a successful SRS. The Toolkit is to be used by staff and students to understand the baseline expectations in the running of the SRS at School, Department, student, staff, University, and Guild of Students level. Good and excellent practice is also included to help improve.

• Student Representation System (SRS) Benchmarking Toolkit (PDF - 338KB)

Students and postgraduate researchers can volunteer to be a representative via the Guild of Students online portal. On registering via the portal, volunteers are rerquested to complete a mandatory Canvas course outlining the basics of the role and responsibilities. It is not until the course is completed that a volunteer becomes recognised as a representative.
The Guild of Students will support and organise the election of School and College Reps. Please conact the Guild to discuss these.
Information about the training that is available to student and postgraduate researcher representatives in 2019/20 is available below:

• Volunteering portal
• Training availabe to the representatives (PDF - 358KB)

The Guild of Students have also produced a range of documents which you may find useful throughout the academic year.

• Role Description - Student Representative (PDF - 141KB)
• Role Description - PGR Representative (PDF - 142KB)
• Role Description - Senior Student Representative (PDF - 144KB)
• Role Description - School Student Representative (PDF - 166KB)
• Role Description - College Student Representative (PDF - 142KB)
• Role Description - Senate Student Representative (PDF - 141KB)

• Reimbursement Scheme (PDF - 160KB)
• Student Rep Fund application form (Word - 697KB)
• Student Rep Fund evaluation form (Word - 701KB)

The SRS Staff Experience Forum were started in 2015 as a means for University and Guild of Students Staff that are involved with the SRS to come together to discuss potential support, developments and share best practice.

The forum is informal and open to any University or Guild of Students member of staff . The aims of the forum are:

• To share and disseminate best practice
• To discuss potential developments or initiatives that can be made to the system
• To discuss what support can be offered by the Guild of Students

The 2020/21 forum dates are TBC

If you would like further information regarding the SRS Staff Experience Forums or would like to submit an item for discussion please email the Student Voice Department studentreps@guild.bham.ac.uk.  

Effective practice in the operation of the SRS will be collated by the University and Guild of Students and added to the SSF SharePoint site. School and College staff are also encouraged to discuss and add good practice to the SharePoint site. 

Staff members can find out more about the SRS by contacting Registry (Policy).

Information regarding Student Representation on University and College committees can be found in the following document:

Student Representation on University and College level committees (PDF - 48KB)