Student Voice Class Representatives System
Promoting the teaching and learning partnership between Students and the University by valuing student feedback to maintain the best possible academic quality.
Class Representatives are the vital link between the University and students, as they work in partnership with the teaching staff, whilst advocating for their peers. They ensure that both the student experience, and the academic standards of the University, align with that of the Student Voice. Class Representatives are trained up by the OUSA Student Voice Coordinator on how to best collect, collate, and communicate feedback from the classroom, straight to their teaching staff. Class Representatives work together with their teachers on what aspects of a paper were appreciated and should be re-implemented for the next semester, and what aspects could be changed or improved upon.
Being a Class Representative is extremely rewarding, you will get a better understanding of your department and build closer relationships with teaching staff, and it’s great for the CV! All Class Representatives will receive:
- Departmental acknowledgement
- OUSA reference letter and certificate
- Further volunteer opportunities, events and prizes
Role and Responsibilities of Class Representatives:
- Ensure you are registered by week 3
- Get added to the Student Voice Blackboard page
- Complete online training
- Contacting staff/ students/ get your name out there
- Complete the online Traffic Light System on Blackboard in week 3
- Gather feedback from peers
- Collate your feedback
- Book in a departmental meeting to discuss your feedback to teaching staff
- Complete the E-diary
- Receive a reference letter/ certificate/ further opportunities/ prizes/ events
Roles and Responsibilities of Otago University Departments and Divisions:
- Each Head of Department is responsible for ensuring that at least one Class Representative is appointed per paper, and multiple Class Representatives are appointed for larger papers
- Ensure Class Representative Recruitment slides are shown to students in week 1 of every paper
- Ensure Class Representatives are registered at: https://classrep.ousa.org.nz/register.php by week 3 (or that Class Rep details are sent to the Student Voice Coordinator)
- Ensure Class Representatives name/s and University email contact details are readily accessible to students on the paper’s blackboard page
- Maintain regular contact with Class Representatives and ensure your paper is running smoothly.
- Heads of Departments are to recognise the value of the involvement of Class Representatives e.g. host a morning tea/ pizza evening etc
- Opportunity for students to nominate staff for Teaching and Learning award
- Divisions are responsible for implementing the Student Voice system and developing processes in ensuring and monitoring the consistent implementation of a Class Representative system within that Division
The Student Voice Coordinator will send out reminder emails and important dates to university departments, teaching staff and Class Representatives, so everyone is on the same page and feeling confident within their role.
For any further enquiries, please contact the Student Voice Coordinator at: leda@ousa.org.nz
Find the Class Representatives Policy here.
Search for a Class Representative here.
Class Representatives Timeline: