Academic Representation

Your elected representatives’ core role is to represent your voice by gathering your feedback and ensuring it’s heard, valued and acted upon. Your reps work with Falmouth University and the University of Exeter to improve your university experience.
Students talking and taking notes at The Big Rep Meeting

Academic Representation

During your time at University, you may have feedback on your course that would improve your student experience. Academic reps work with their university to share this feedback and make positive changes. This section provides you with more information on who your reps are, resources for staff and how you can sign up to be a rep!

How Do I Become a Rep?

If you'd like to become a course rep and represent your year group, all you have to do is sign up! Check out our sign-up form to find out more information.

Have you been a course rep before? Maybe you'd like a bit more of a challenge... We're accepting nominations for Department Reps (Falmouth) and Subject Chairs (Exeter) in our Autumn Elections. Nominations open Monday 23rd September!

What is a Course Rep?

 

 

Transcript

 

I'm a Student

What are academic reps?

Academic representatives are students elected or appointed to represent their peers in discussions with university staff. Their role is to voice student concerns, provide feedback on academic matters, and help improve the overall educational experience. They act as a bridge between the student body and academic staff, ensuring that students' needs and opinions are considered in decision-making processes.

Reps at Falmouth University

At Falmouth University, your Academic Rep team is made up of Course Reps and Department Reps. Course Reps represent their peers’ views within a specific course, and every year group on every course has at least one course rep. Department Reps represent their peers’ views across the whole department, and lead Student-Staff Liaison Group (SSLG) meetings that students and academic staff attend.

Reps at University of Exeter

At the University of Exeter (Cornwall), your Academic Rep team is made up of Course Reps, EDI Reps and Subject Chairs. Course Reps represent their peers’ views within a specific course, and every year group on every course has at least one course rep. EDI reps also represent students at course level on matters specifically relating to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion on your course. Subject Chairs represent their peers’ views across the whole subject area, and lead Student-Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC) meetings that students and academic staff attend. You may also encounter portfolio reps who have a focus on specific areas of your course, such as employability or studying abroad.

Who is my rep and how do I contact them?

We've created a handy tool for you to search for your rep! We're still adding the newly elected reps into the system but if you're logged onto the website, you'll find their details here:

Find My Rep

I'm interested in becoming a rep, where do I start?

To become a course level representative, all you need to do is sign up! Sign-ups will be open from 16 September 2024 to 11 October 2024. You can find out more on out Autumn Sign-ups page. Your Department Reps at Falmouth and Subject Chairs at Exeter are elected into the role due to the high number of students they represent. If your department does not yet have a Department Rep or Subject Chair for 2024, you can nominate yourself for the role from 23 September. Nominations close on 4 October. Visit this page to nominate yourself. If you are not interested in nominating yourself for the role, you can still vote for your next department rep or subject chair! Voting will open from 7 October, 12pm to the 10 October, 12pm.

What do course reps do with my feedback?

Course reps collect and analyse student feedback on various aspects of your course, such as teaching quality, assessment methods, and learning resources. They then communicate this feedback to your academic staff team. Their goal is to ensure that student concerns are addressed and that the course continuously improves based on student input. Course reps also work to find solutions to any issues raised to them by their course cohorts, and keep students informed about the actions taken by staff in response to their feedback.

I'm having problems with my rep, what can I do?

At the SU, we work hard to ensure our reps are fully trained and equipped with the skills they need to represent their students. However, we recognise that things don’t always go to plan. If you are concerned about the wellbeing or general conduct of one of your course or department representatives, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Studentvoice@thesu.org.uk and we will work with you to informally address the matter.

I'm a Rep

Already a rep? We've compiled a selction of digital resources and training materials to help you with your role! You can find the rep hub here:

Rep Hub

Here's what you need to know about nominating to be a Sabbatical Officer!

Think you’d like to run for sabbatical officer but don’t want to run this year? Here’s 4 ways you can learn more about the role ahead of elections next year!

Meet your Community Officer Ollie

Meet your Community Officer: Ollie Miners

Hi! My name is Ollie, and I am a second year History and Politics student here at the Penryn Campus. I have written this to introduce myself and my role, and to let you know of a exciting, new initiative I have set up - Community Officer Surgeries, where I will be free to meet with any students who have problems with or suggestions for student life on campus.

The Big Rep Meeting is coming up soon! Here is everything you need to know

This meeting is a chance for your course reps to feedback to wider university staff about your experience of a wide range of facilities and services outside of your course.

 
 

Falmouth & Exeter Students' Union logo

Falmouth & Exeter Students' Union
Penryn Campus
Penryn, Cornwall
TR10 9FE

© Falmouth & Exeter Students' Union 2021

Falmouth & Exeter Students’ Union is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) registered in England and Wales, charity number 1193045