Governance

The Discipline of Journalism Media has a number of fora to ensure students are represented, listened to, and where issues arise, they can be acted on in an expeditious manner. Students should in the first instance raise issues relating to modules with the lecturer or module coordinator directly. For programme related issues, these should be raised with the programme director in the first instance. The main forum for students to raise issues beyond these avenues is via their class reps.

Student feedback

We very much value students’ opinions and consider it essential to the smooth running of the Discipline that we are aware of any concerns or questions that students might have. We usually undertake this formally once per semester through the student module evaluation form. Students complete these anonymously online and these are sent to the Head of Discipline, who will read them and then send them on to lecturers after assessment has been completed. They are also kept on file and may be consulted by the Head of School. Copies are also sent to the Director of Quality, the Dean’s office and the Vice President and Registrar.

We commit to listening carefully to student feedback, to reacting to it where necessary, and/or to explaining to students the reasons for any decisions. Sometimes it is not possible to respond in ways that students might wish. For example, we are constrained by such factors as timetables, resources, availability of staff and spaces – as is true for all subjects in all universities. It is also often the case that students will not fully understand the reasons for needing to study a particular topic until they have actually done so – and for that reason, staff will sometimes determine that a student suggestion should not be acted upon. But where such examples arise, we will endeavour to explain the reasons behind our decisions clearly and speedily.

If a student wishes to raise a concern, there are four ways of doing so:

• By approaching the lecturer directly
• By approaching a class representative
• By approaching a year head or the Head of Discipline (HoD)
• By completing class feedback forms during the semester.

Ordinarily, the best way to resolve any problem is through face-to-face discussion, so students are encouraged to raise issues with their lecturers in the first instance, in a spirit of open and mutually-respectful discussion. If for any reason you would rather have someone act on your behalf – or if the problem in question is shared by many people in the class – you can ask your class representative to act for you. Class reps can also approach year heads, the programme director or the Head of Discipline (HoD). You can also approach year heads, the programme director or the Head of Discipline (HoD), though it is best to do so only after you have discussed your concerns with the lecturers directly.

Programme management

Each degree programme or cluster of degree programmes is overseen by a programme director. The programme director is responsible for the day-to-day management of their degree programmes, and may be assisted by year heads or co-directors for smaller programmes. The programme director chairs the Programme Committee, which meets once per semester. Student representatives sit on the Programme Committee. Additionally other administrative functions are the responsibility of particular member of staff.

Student representatives

As a student you may wish to serve as a student representative (known as the ‘class rep’) for your class and represent students at formal meetings such as the programme board and the SSLC. Each programme year should have two class reps and a gender balance is desirable. The Class Rep is responsible for representing the class on all fora within the university. The Students Union provides training for class reps and organises a number of events for class reps annually. programme directors or year heads will facilitate the election of class reps early in Semester One. Academic staff have no role in the selection, evaluation or removal of a class rep, this is a matter for the student body. Usually the class reps will meet informally with the programme director on a regular basis for information and discussion. One formal Student Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC) will take place per semester. The Programme Committee meets once per year.

Programme committees

The Programme Board is the formal decision-making body for the MA programmes and is primarily tasked with day-to-day academic quality and standards; for ensuring effective engagement with students on programme related matters; and deciding on changes to the Curriculum. It is chaired by the programme director and membership includes all lecturing staff and student representatives. Representatives from other disciplines who teach on the programme may also attend. The Dean is an ex officio member of the board. The board is entitled to view the external examiner’s report, minutes of meetings of the Student Staff Liaison Committee, as well as other reports relevant to the programme. In as far as possible the board will make decisions by consensus. While each programme will have its own board, a Joint Programmes Committee (JPC) meeting with all programmes will normally take place. In exceptional circumstances individual extraordinary board meetings may take place.

Student Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC)

The Student Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC) is a forum for students to discuss issues directly with the Head of Discipline (HoD). It is a joint meeting between undergraduates and members of the academic team and the HoD. It takes place once per semester. The SSLC is an important forum for students to feedback on their positive experiences in the programme to date, raise issues that may need attention, as well as ideas they may have for improvements and enhancements. The remit of the SSLC is holistic. Minutes of meetings will be recorded for further action. Minutes are made available to the Joint Programmes Committee (JPC) for discussion.

Complaints

Individual student issues are best dealt with privately and locally in the first instance. In the first instance, students should raise issues directly with their lecturer or module coordinator. Students may also raise issues at any time with their programme director. Any student or body of students may request a meeting with the Head of Discipline (HoD). All students retain the right to appeal decisions and escalate grievances via university processes. For details, discuss with the Student Union (SU) or see guidance here.