Student-Staff Liaison Committee (Postgraduare Research Students)
Terms of Reference and Constitution
Origin
The Student-Staff Liaison Committees (SSLC) are a central pillar of the student representation structure and were implemented to establish effective communication between students and academic staff.
Purpose
The University of Southampton and the Students’ Union are committed to working in partnership to provide effective structures for student feedback and representation. The purpose of the SSLC is to consider issues raised by students, which would enhance their student and education experience, and provide action and feedback in response.
Responsibilities and activities
To establish effective communication between students and academic staff.
To consider issues which would enhance the student experience, including, but not limited to:
quality of training and supervision.
progression review experience.
the provision of pastoral, study skills support and general student support.
1learning environment, resources, facilities, and study space.
campaigns and issues raised by the Students’ Union.
To ensure that student representatives have access to data collected from students that could impact on the shape of the education experience, including, but not limited to:
Feedback on mandatory training: Equality and Diversity, Health and Safety, Ethics, Orientation to Teaching & Demonstrating (OTD), Data Management.
The Doctoral College and SUSU Experience Survey.
Any Faculty/School surveys.
To refer all issues which cannot be resolved by the academic team within the School/Faculty to the relevant Professional Service or senior academic for investigation, review, and response.
To ensure that the Academic Co-Chair investigates and responds to all School or Faculty-related points and monitors all feedback raised by students to ensure responses are provided.
To review SSLC activity for the year (last SSLC meeting of the year in the Summer Term) as per the guidance found in the Academic student Representation Policy.
To report to the Faculty Graduate School Subcommittee.
Reporting arrangements
Minutes of the SSLC will be reviewed by the Faculty Graduate School Subcommittee.
Minutes of the SSLC will be shared with the Students’ Union Representation Team via the Student Voice SharePoint site.
Constitution
Co-chairs:
SUSU Postgraduate Research Officer.
Faculty Director of Graduate School (FDoGS).
Student Representatives:
Faculty PGR Programme Representatives as appointed internally.
Academic Representatives:
Deputy Director of Faculty Graduate School.
Doctoral Programme Directors.
Professional Services Representatives:
Faculty Graduate School Team Leader.
Committee Administrator.
Additional Optional Attendees:
CHEP DC representatives to provide advice on professional training and development.
Students’ Union Representation Team may attend any relevant SSLC to provide support and guidance.
Representatives from the Library and iSolutions should be approached by the Committee Administrator in advance of each committee meeting, to ascertain whether there are any written updates which should be shared with the Committee.
Representatives from the Library, iSolutions, and other Professional Services may be invited to attend if both Co-Chairs agree.
Quorum
The SSLC will be quorate with one third of membership plus one in attendance.