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. The aim of the Student Representation System (SRS) is to ensure that every student at Birmingham is effectively represented to the University and the Guild by a fellow student.

Governance

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

The SRS and Staff Student Forums (SSFs) are regulated by the within the University by 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

Code of Conduct

To support the Code of Practice for the Student Representation System, a Code of Conduct (below) has been introduced to ensure that the expectations from all reps remain the same.

A student rep:

1. Will actively engage with the Rep System and Rep Community throughout the year.

2. Will deliver feedback at key points within the academic year and endeavour to close the feedback loop where possible.

3. Will use my position as a Student Rep to the academic benefit of all students.

4. Will respect all students’ contributions to the feedback process and to our academic community equally when gathering feedback and representing students.

5. Will deliver all feedback and discussion with students and staff in a respectful and reasonable manner at all times, even where I may disagree.

6. Will honestly and constructively represent the views of my cohort, as I understand them, when delivering feedback.

7. Will attend committee meetings relevant to my role wherever possible; and where absence is unavoidable, to inform the relevant chairs or organisers at the earliest opportunity prior to the meeting.

8. Will engage fully and enthusiastically with the Rep System to the best of my ability and understand that I am able to seek support from the Guild of Students and my School where I am uncertain or facing difficulty

Complaints against those who may have broken this code of conduct or against the system as a whole can be filed by completing a complaints form which can be found here: I'm A Rep - Guild of Students

Rep Recruitment and Training

Students and postgraduate researchers can volunteer to be a representative via the Guild of Students online portal. On registering via the portal, volunteers are requested 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 College Reps. Please contact the Guild to discuss these.
Information about the training that is available to student and postgraduate researcher representatives is available below:


Further Information for Students and Postgraduate Researchers

More 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

 

 

Useful Documents for staff and students

The role descriptors for the Student Rep scheme are currently being updated.

The Student Representation System is one of a number of quality assurance processes which help check that the University is meeting agreed standards and expectations. Student Reps may be asked to comment on other quality assurance process during their time as a Rep; to help them understand what quality assurance involves and what the different processes cover here are some quick guides:

These quick guides can be shared in SSFs and to all students who wish to understand these processes better. 

Find Out More

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) 

 

Student meeting

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