Becoming a Student Rep
Thinking of becoming a Student Rep?
Student Rep Role Description [PDF 39.39KB]
What time commitment is involved in being a rep?
At a minimum School reps should expect to spend 10-hours per term on Rep duties (this equates to an hour a week). This means attending:
- Department meetings (held twice a term)
- School Student Experience Group (SSEG) held once a term
You can also volunteer to act as a School rep on the following committees:
- School Teaching & Learning Committee
- School Research Committee
- Library Consultative Committee
- IT Consultative Committee
- University Teaching & Learning Committee
- Doctoral School Committee
- Environmental Forum
- Senate
Each of the above committees meet once or twice a term.
What support will I get to be a rep?
Training: the Students Union runs training for all elected reps (reps have a choice of dates). The 2 hour session covers all the essential skills you need to be a rep.
Department / School Support: There are key contacts for student reps in the Department and School:
Dr Paul Newbury, Director of Student Experience in Engineering and Informatics
t: 01273 87 2615
e: p.newbury@sussex.ac.uk
w: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/profiles/126552
Laura Tovey, Head of School's Coordinator for Engineering and Informatics
t: 01273 87 2856
e: L.Tovey@sussex.ac.uk
w: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/profiles/289502
Ongoing support from the Student Reps staff team: The Students’ Union arranges meetings to allow reps to discuss issues of common concern with other reps (see contact details at bottom of this e-mail for who we are).
Student Reps Website: All reps are encouraged to use the USSU Student Rep website. The site provides reps with ongoing support and lots of guidance materials as well as links to committee papers.
How do I become a student rep? You will need to nominate yourself by logging onto www.studentreps.co.uk Voting takes place in October.
How long will I be a student rep for? If you are successful you will receive training and start a 12-month term, which runs from (November to October – unless you are a finalist in which case you will finish your Rep duties at the end of the summer term).
What’s in it for me? As well as playing a crucial role in the student experience of Sussex there are benefits to you personally:
Skills & Experience: You will gain the following experience and skills, which will look great on your curriculum vitae (CV):
- Communication skills
- Negotiation skills
- Team-working skills
- Committee experience
- Leadership experience
- Problem solving skills
- Motivation experience
- Organisational skills
- Team working skills
- Lobbying experience
- Presentation skills
Socialising and informal networking: The Students’ Union staff team will organise student rep social events (a calendar of which will be available on the student reps website).
Any further questions? If you have any questions, please check the USSU student rep website or get in in touch with the Student Rep Team.