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Class Representative Handbook
Te Puka Tautoko i te Māngai Karaehe
2019
1
Welcome / Nau mai haere mai – 3
Importance of Class Representatives – 5
What happens now? – 5
Your role / O mahi – 6
How to be an effective class rep – 7
Being approachable – 7
Tips for working with Facebook – 8
Your focus – 9
Course workload – 10
Teaching methods – 11
Assessment and feedback – 12
Teaching facilities and academic support – 13
Student Privacy – 13
Problem solving – 14
Events, meetings, opportunities /
Ngā Huihuinga me ngā āhuatanga angitu – 15
Staff/student liaison meetings – 16
Formal reviews and consultations – 16
Being a class rep has its benefits – 17
Professional development and personal growth – 17
Other opportunities for representation – 17
VUWSA – 18
VUWSA Education Team – 19
Ngāi Tauira, Pasifika Students’ Council & Post Graduate Students’ Association - 20
VUWSA Advocacy Service – 21
Just five of the many things VUWSA does for you – 22
Relevant Victoria services – 23
Student Charter – 24
2
Welcome
NAU MAI HAERE MAI
3
Haere mai!
Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro, nōna How to use this Handbook
te ngahere. Ko te manu e kai ana i te
mātauranga, nōna te ao. This Handbook seeks to help you learn
about your role as a Class Representative.
The bird that consumes the miro berries, It explains how to be an effective
navigates the forest. The bird that representative and where to receive
consumes knowledge, navigates the world. support. Class Representative. We’ve also
made a copy available online at vuwsa.org.
Kia ora, thank you for putting your hand up nz.
to be a Class Representative this year!
All Class Representatives are required to
Your role has the immense privilege of complete an online training session, and
effecting change in the quality of learning attend mixer events throughout the
and teaching for you and your class. As trimester. You also have access to the
a vital link between your class lecturer, VUWSA Student Representation
VUWSA, and the University, you can Coordinator (SRC) to help you throughout
contribute to immediate improvements in the semester. To contact the SRC, send an
learning opportunities. As well as this, you email to src@vuwsa.org.nz or phone (04)
will personally benefit from the training 463 6987.
and experience of being an advocate and a
spokesperson on behalf of your peers. Our student members on the Education
Team can also be contacted at
Victoria University of Wellington Students’ academic@vuwsa.org.nz (Geo, Academic
Association (VUWSA) and Victoria Vice President) or
University of Wellington (VUW) both education@vuwsa.org.nz (Rinaldo,
share a strong commitment to improving Education Officer).
the quality of education at Victoria. Class
Representatives are at the heart of making On behalf of the Education Team, we are
that commitment a reality. We value excited to help you make the University
students like you who have the opportunity experience even better!
to work collaboratively with staff improving
learning experiences by expressing the Ngā mihi nui,
concerns and ideas of your peers. When you
listen to the members of your class, pass on
their feedback, and connect students with
each other, you’re not only impacting the
quality of education at Victoria, but also
the student-experience. Your effort is
always valued.
4
Haere mai
Importance of What happens
Class Reps now?
TE KAUPAPA NUI O TE MĀNGAI ME AHA ?
KARAEHE
One of the University’s primary strategies 1. Register
is to ‘provide a holistic learning, teaching Fill out the online registration form with
and student experience that is second to your correct contact details. It's also a good
none.’ As a Class Representative, your role is idea to arrange for your email address to be
important in a number of ways, including: put up on myTools so that you can easily be
contacted by your class. Your lecturer can
Support – Class Representatives provide help with this.
the first point of contact for other students
2. Meet with your Course Coordinator
in their class. They help resolve basic Discuss the ways in which you can work
problems, offer guidance and provide together, including how to best
support. communicate class feedback; and deal with
any issues that might arise during the
Consultation – Class Representatives help course. This is an important relationship as
provide feedback about teaching quality they are the first point of referral for the
and assessments, course content and majority of issues.
facilities to academic staff and student
3. Complete Class Representative
representatives.
training
There are two levels of training: Basic
Voice – Class Representatives are, most
(for first time Class Representatives)
importantly, the voice of Victoria students. and Advanced (for returning Class
They provide an important link between Representatives). The online training
students, academic staff and the University modules are designed to inform and
Academic Office. empower you in your role. They show you
how you can best serve your class.
4. Attend Mixer events
Throughout trimesters there will be events
where you can catch up with other class
reps and the VUWSA team. You are
expected to attend at least one per
trimester.
5
Your Role
TŌ TŪNGA
6
Your role
How to be an effective Class
Representative
Be visible - Me kitea Avoid – Me karo
Make sure the students you represent know • Overloading yourself with Class
you and how to contact you. Through the Representative work.
duration of the course, stay in contact and
consult with your class. A class Facebook • Dealing with large-scale or intensive
group is a great and easy way to do this. advocacy cases - refer these ASAP to the
VUWSA advocate or the Student
Communicate - Me Kōrero Representation Coordinator.
Keep in touch with your Course • Counselling students with serious
Coordinator. Keep them informed about personal problems (refer any students
positive aspects of course delivery and who need additional support to VUWSA’s
assessment; and any arising issues. Advocacy Service).
Listen - Me Whakarongo Contact VUWSA Advocacy Service:
Erica Schouten
Be available to listen and support students
advocate@vuwsa.org.nz
with their concerns. 04 463 6984
Engage – Me Whakawarea
Attend Staff/Student Liaison meetings and Being approachable
any Class Representative meetings called
by your school or the Student Your role matters and it’s important that
Representative Coordinator, as well as ones you’re proactive. You should be known
you organise. by both students and staff in your course
or programme. Class Representatives
Promote - Me tokona rely on making themselves known –
usually by addressing the class in
Promote your classmates’ participation in lectures, both at the beginning of the
University-wide reviews and consultations. course and at regular intervals during
the course. We recommend that you
make yourself known to support staff,
such as course administrators, in
addition to academic staff.
7Your role
Tips for working with Facebook
• Confirm with your Course Coordinator - In such cases you might find that a
that you’re setting up a class page on simple question could end up
Facebook. leading to personality attacks or
destroying the morale of your class.
• When setting up a Facebook group,
make sure your class group is ‘private’ - If this happens, ask students to
to maintain class confidentiality. email you so that the discussion
remains one-on-one.
• Ask your Course Coordinator to post
the link on Blackboard so your class
can easily access it. • Be careful with content. Content
may not always be 100% accurate.
• Make sure it’s understood that the When mediating posts, check
Facebook group has been established peoples’ sources of information.
by you and not the Course Coordinator.
Use the page for general course • Remember all discussions on these
discussion and support. For example, pages should remain respectful and
supporting one other through constructive.
assignments, providing clarity on
aspects within the course outline,
encouraging one another through Any questions about Facebook, contact the
various aspects of the programme. The Student Representation Coordinator:
page can also be used to organise src@vuwsa.org.nz
study groups and social events.
• Take care to ensure a positive Top tip no.1
and constructive environment. Be visible to students and staff in
your course or programme.
- This means telling students,
from the outset, what is appropriate to
post and, if needed, moderating
content.
- This is especially important when
potentially sensitive course issues
arise.
8Your role
Your focus
As a class rep, your key role is to provide Questions to focus on:
feedback to your lecturers, course
coordinators and the University about your • Does the course follow the stated
fellow classmates’ experiences. course aims and objectives?
From time to time, students may come to • Are the course aims and objectives
you with a variety of issues. Don’t take on easily understood?
an issue alone, the University and VUWSA
are available to help you create a great • Have students been consulted when
student experience in the classroom. major changes have been made to the
course?
9Your role
Course workload
Questions to focus on: individual students have issues around
balancing the course load with their
• How manageable is the course personal lives, don’t take their issues upon
workload? yourself to resolve. Instead, refer them to
the range of resources, programmes and
Think about the number of words required workshops offered by Victoria Student
in an assessment, number of assignments Services and Support, and VUWSA’s
and amount of class preparation. Does this Advocacy Service.
match what’s in the course outline and is
it realistic? Each point in a course should Victoria also has a Student Workload Policy
correspond to 10 hours of work. regarding the clustering of assessments,
and requires that workload distribution is
• Are assessments placed well clear for students to understand. Refer to
throughout the course to help students the Student Workload Policy and talk to
balance their workload? the VUWSA Education Team about queries
that you may have!
Workloads have an impact upon your
wellbeing and your ability to study. If
Top tip no.2
Don’t take any serious issues on by yourself. You can refer students to VUWSA’s
Advocacy Service, and the Student Representation Coordinator.
10Your role
Teaching methods
Issues about any staff should be taken Teaching methods can be personal. Make
directly to the Course Coordinator. Don’t sure your feedback acknowledges the
bring any staff-type issues to Staff/Student strengths of individual lecturers and
Liaison Meetings; and please do not discuss includes encouraging aspects.
staff-type issues on social media.
If an issue with teaching methods; or
Questions to focus on: frequent clashes with tutors arises,
it should be talked about with the
• Is lecture content clearly Course Coordinator quickly. If you don't feel
communicated? confident doing so, contact
src@vuwsa.org.nz for extra support. As a
• How effectively are support materials Class Representative, it’s also helpful to
and other media employed during include a number of suggestions, such as:
teaching time? providing PowerPoint handouts, including
multimedia in the lecture, recording the
• Does the course provide students
lecture or repeating key points.
with the necessary discipline skills
to continue their study and work
aspirations?
11Your role
Assessment and feedback
Questions to focus on: • In the case of exams, all students are
expected to attend and sit these
• Are specific assessment items unless they are seriously ill or
appropriate to the course content? experience a bereavement of an
immediate member of the family.
• Are the assessment criteria and • If this is the case, advise the
guidelines clearly communicated to student to talk to Student
students? Health or Counselling, 24 hours
either side of the exam, as they
• Have students received sufficient
may be able to apply for an
feedback?
aegrotat pass.
All course assessments should relate to
specific learning objectives in the course
outline. Assessment should be weighted If a student is having issues related
fairly and spread evenly (this gets to plagiarism, refer them to VUWSA’s
reviewed regularly so if there are issues, Student Advocate. The Course Coordinator
raise them with the VUWSA Education will determine whether the work in
Team). Deadlines for items of assessment question is plagiarised; and follow the
should not fall within the exam period or correct procedures assisting the student
trimester break; and all assessment through the process.
criteria needs to be clear and accessible to
If students are unclear about deadlines,
students.
criteria or feedback look
Returned work must have sufficient at all documentation provided about the
feedback from the marker. It should be assessment, including the course outline.
returned in time for students to use the Then talk to the Course Coordinator and
feedback for their next piece of assessable ask them to clarify any confusion with the
work. class.
Student ID numbers should be used in If it appears that students are
any publication of assessment or exam disadvantaged in any way, talk to the
results. You may find students approach Student Representation Coordinator about
you with a variety of personal issues. your options.
For most individual matters:
• Encourage students to talk with their
lecturer ASAP; and offer to sit in as a
support person. 12Your role
Teaching facilities & academic support
Questions to focus on: Student privacy
• Do students have access to All NZ Universities are bound by the
Victoria Library and information New Zealand Privacy Act.
communication technology (ICT)
facilities and resources? What this means is:
• Is there adequate support in place • Any disclosure of personal information
for students on placement or work must be by informed consent
experience?
• Students cannot be pressured to
• Are Victoria staff responding to email provide consent
or phone messages in a timely manner
from students? • A student can withdraw their
consent to any disclosure of personal
information at any time, even if they
Top tip no. 3 signed the agreement on the enrolment
All New Zealand Universities are form that allows disclosure. Any issues
bound by the New Zealand involving student privacy and informed
Privacy Act. consent should be taken to the lecturer
involved and/or the head of school.
13Your role
Problem solving
If you need help contact the VUWSA Student 2. Resolution
Representation Coordinator or the VUWSA
Student Advocate. Request a meeting with your Course
Coordinator and work together with
Three steps to resolving issues them in tackling the issue. Briefly state
the information you have, advise them
1. Clarification of the students’ views on the matter, and
any proposed solution you may have. In
Discuss and clarify specific details with such meetings, be sure to use diplomacy
students who raise them, and determine in finding a solution, and take notes so you
precisely how their learning has been have a written record. Once a mutually-
affected. Consider whether the issue is agreeable solution is reached, report the
personal or affects the class as a whole. If outcome together to the class.
the issue is personal, refer them to VUWSA’s
Student Advocacy Service. 3. Referral
If the issue affects other students in the If no solution is found, contact the Student
class, ask the whole class for feedback. You Representation Coordinator who can make
can approach your classmates directly or sure the issue is raised to a higher level.
ask them to email you through Blackboard
or Facebook.
14Events, Meeting,
Opportunities
NGĀ HUIHUINGA ME
NGĀ ĀHUATANGA ANGITU
15Events, meetings, opportunities
Staff and student liaison meetings
Staff/student liaison meetings are an Formal reviews and consultations
important opportunity for sharing
communication between Schools and Class • As a Class Representative you might
Representatives. They’re typically called ask the lecturer at the beginning of
and facilitated by the Head of School, your course to briefly comment on the
Programme Director or School Manager. last evaluation, and any subsequent
When these meetings occur, Class changes – you can also do this online.
Representatives are required to attend. Every lecturer is required to publish
changes to their courses online.
How to approach the meeting
• Course evaluations are facilitated by
What to do before a meeting: the Centre of Academic Development
(CAD) and are distributed to all
• Read the agenda that is emailed to you. students usually on the last day of
class.
• Consult with your class about any
relevant information on the agenda. • The University takes evaluations
seriously. All Schools and Programmes
What usually happens during staff/student are required to address areas of
meetings? concern highlighted by students.
• Schools might inform Class • All Programmes in the University
Representatives about what’s must undergo a Programme Review
happening in the School and Faculty. once every seven years.
• Discussions should focus on the • The VUWSA Education Team
School and its students as a whole, not facilitates participation in Programme
individual staff. Reviews through online surveys.
Top tip no. 4
Take notes of any actions you need to take; and any information you need
to report back to your class.
16Events, meetings, opportunities
Being a Class Rep has its benefits
Victoria Plus Award Points Personal growth
The Victoria Plus award, administered by Class Representative grow in their
Vic Careers, recognises students’ volunteer confidence, networking skills and ability
contributions and support work. Attending to empathise with others. You’ll have the
training and representing your class is a opportunity to make a positive difference;
major component to completing this Award. and these opportunities will help you learn
more about yourself, how you operate and
Class Representative Certificates your leadership strengths.
If you attend a training session, you can Other opportunities for representation
request a Class Representative Certificate at
the end of the trimester. Faculty Delegates
Class Representative Service Awards and Faculty Delegates provide an essential
Student Representation Celebration student voice within the University decision
making process. Being a Faculty Delegate is
At the end of each trimester, your the next step in University representation.
classmates have the chance to nominate Delegates are formal members of Faculty
you for a Class Representative Service Boards and Committees. They can also
Award. These awards recognise Class sit and vote on the Student Academic
Representative who have actively Committee. If you’re interested in becoming
contributed to their fellow students’ a Faculty Delegate, talk to the Student
learning experiences. Representation Coordinator.
At the end of Trimester Two, VUWSA and VUWSA forums and elections
Victoria host a Student Representation
Celebration to recognise Class A democratic body, VUWSA is led and
Representative– all Class Representative controlled by its members. As a member
are invited to attend! you’ll have the opportunity to participate
in our forums, which focuses on student
Professional development and personal issues like education, welfare, housing and
growth public transport; and in our elections later
in the year.
The skills you will gain as a Class
Representative include decision-making,
communication, negotiation, organisation,
delegation and advocacy.
17VUWSA 19
VUWSA
VUWSA Education Team
The class representation system is Education Officer
organised and administered by the VUWSA
Education Team in partnership with the
University. The Education Team is headed
by the Academic Vice-President, who is
supported by the Education Officer, and
the Student Representation Coordinator.
Rinaldo Strydom
Academic Vice President (AVP) The Education Officer supports the AVP
with all academic activities led by VUWSA
at the University.
P: 463 7406
E: education@vuwsa.org.nz
Student Representation Coordinator
Geo Robrigado
The AVP oversees all student
representation at the University and
ensures that issues raised are taken to the
appropriate VUWSA contact, Victoria staff
member and Victoria services. Joseph Habgood
P: 463 7406 The Student Representation Coordinator,
E: academic@vuwsa.org.nz a staff member of VUWSA, provides policy
advice to representatives, ensures that
representation is adequately resourced; and
is your first point of call for any enquires or
questions.
P: 463 6987
E: src@vuwsa.org.nz
19VUWSA
Ngāi Tauira, Pasifika Students’ Council &
Post Graduate Students’ Association
VUWSA is the primary representative
student body at Victoria University.
However, VUWSA works in close association
with other very important students
representative organisations on campus,
including Ngāi Tauira, Pasifika Students’
Council and Post Graduate Students’
Association. Alongside the VUWSA
President and Academic Vice President,
the Āpiha Matauranga from Ngāi Tauira;
Academic Officer from Pasifika Student’s
Council and the President of the Post
Graduate Students’ Association are also
members of Academic Board.
20VUWSA
VUWSA Advocacy Service
VUWSA’s Advocacy Service is available to • Directs and refers students’ to other
help Victoria students deal with any of the services that might be able to help
issues they might be facing. Independent
from the University and confidential, the • Just listens.
Service provides free support, advice and
information to all Victoria students. The Service provides information and
advice, so students can make a decision
The Service: about their best course of action.
• Provides students with information Contact VUWSA’s Advocacy Service
and advice
P: (04) 463 6984
• Explains University regulations and M: 02 1 045 6214 (best to text)
processes E: advocate@vuwsa.org.nz
• Suggests options Appointments are available at other
Campuses by arrangement.
• Helps prepare and/or attend meetings
as a support person Top tip no. 5
VUWSA’s Advocacy Service is free,
• Advocates on students’ behalf independent from Victoria and
confidential.
• Supports students’ during disputes
21VUWSA
What does VUWSA do for you?
Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Wednesdays, all day – visit Tim Beaglehole
Association (VUWSA) is here to help you Courtyard for our Fruit and Vege Market.
have an awesome student experience while Bring your own reusable bags.
at Victoria. VUWSA is independent from
Stress Free Study Week - come get free
the University and free for all Victoria
breakfast, lunch and coffee all week during
students to join. Study Week.
Here’s just five of the things we do: 3. Provide advocacy
1. Make sure your voice is heard We offer free, independent, confidential
advocacy services to students. Our
Our student executive consists of 10 elected
advocacy can help with academic issues;
students who are responsible for the
accommodation problems; employment
strategic direction and governance of
and other disputes.
VUWSA.
4. Keep you social
We have student representative’s at all
decision-making levels of the University. We put on great events throughout the year,
There are students representing your such as OWEEK, Re-Set Week, ArtsWeek
interests in every class and Faculty at and other market days, including once-a-
Victoria. month food trucks on Kelburn Campus.
2. Support your welfare and well-being 5. Communicate your voice
We have welfare services available to help We produce Salient, the weekly student
you – when and if you need it. magazine of Victoria University. Salient is
free, and available on Campus each Monday
Monday to Friday – pick up a free
during term.
Community Pantry food parcel or free
inter-Campus bus pass from 9am to 5pm Contact us:
(bus passes require that you show your P: (04) 463 6716
timetable) E: kelburn@vuwsa.org.nz
A: Level 4, Student Union Building
Free Menstrual Products
If you need pads or tampons to get you
through the day at uni, you can collect a
free pack of menstrual products from the
VUWSA Kelburn or Pipitea office, or from
22
the Te Aro Library.VUWSA
Relevant Victoria services
Relevant Victoria services:
• Accommodation service
• Counselling service
• Creche service
• Financial support and advice
• Maori Student Support
• Pacific Student Support
• Student Health
• Student Learning Support (SLSS)
• Vic Careers
• Disabilities’ Support Services
23VUWSA
Student Charter
The Student Charter was developed student success and wellbeing in their
by Victoria’s Academic Office and the study; and engagement outside the
Victoria University of Wellington Students’ University.
Association (VUWSA). It was adopted by the
University Council on 18 February 2013. • Seeking and responding to student
feedback on the experience of courses,
A commitment between staff and students, programmes and student life.
the Student Charter outlines what’s
expected from you and the University • Fair and transparent procedures for
to ensure a great student experience. dealing with complaints.
A particular focus for class reps from
the Student Charter is: Being an active • An environment that fosters overall
member of a scholarly community, physical and emotional wellbeing.
committed to enquiry and integrity.
Communicating concepts, ideas and
The Student Charter includes these arguments effectively
goals:
• Read extensively, purposefully and
• A system of student representation critically.
that emphasises partnership in making
• Develop writing and speaking skills
decisions that affect the student
through guidance, practice and
academic experience and broader
feedback.
university experience.
• Explore issues and solutions to
• Respecting individual differences,
problems through interaction with
privacy and wellbeing.
others.
• Enabling access to staff to support the
quality of learning and the University
experience.
• Valid and fair assessment against
clearly-stated learning goals.
Top tip no. 6
• Integrity in the academic community. Be an active member of the Victoria
scholarly community,
• Providing services that support
24VUWSA
Student Charter continued
Broadening social and cultural • Constructive feedback that contributes
engagement to further learning.
• Develop an international perspective • Opportunities to reflect on strategies to
through disciplinary study. achieve high standards of performance.
• Understand and apply the Treaty of • Academic support for setting and
Waitangi. achieving personal goals.
• Build awareness of the nature of • Resources, services and spaces that
cultural difference and intercultural encourage self-directed learning.
communication.
Engaging intellectually with others
• Apply for study abroad or other
experience beyond the University. • Interact during a programme of study
with leading scholars at the University.
Developing autonomy in pursing
knowledge and understanding • Develop a strong sense of disciplinary
relevance in undertaking any enquiry.
• Clear information for understanding
expected standards of academic • Work collaboratively with staff and
performance. other students to build skills of
enquiry.
25For more info head to:
www.vuwsa.org.nz/class-
representatives
Kelburn, Level 4, Student Union Building 04 463 6716
kelburn@vuwsa.org.nz www.vuwsa.org.nzYou can also read
