Origin
The Student-Staff Liaison Committees (SSLC) are the central pillar of the student representation structure and were implemented to establish effective communication between students and 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 activity
- 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 programmes and modules overall.
- learning and teaching delivery, including assessment and feedback methods.
- the provision of study skills support, general student support and/or supervision.
- learning resources, facilities, and study space.
- campaigns and issues raised by the Students’ Union.
- To consider data collected from students that could impact on the shape of the education experience, including, but not limited to:
- National Student Survey data.
- Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) data.
- Module Evaluation data (as permitted according to University policy).
- External Examiner reports.
- Any surveys carried out in-house (e.g. Southampton Student Survey).
- To ensure that student representatives have access to data collected from students that could impact on the education experience, including, but not limited to:
- National Student Survey data.
- Module Evaluation data (as permitted according to University policy).
- External Examiner reports.
- Any surveys carried out in-house (e.g. Student Experience Survey).
- To refer issues which cannot be resolved by the academic team within the School 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 education/School-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) as per the guidance found in the Academic Student Representation Policy.
- To report to the School Programmes Committee and any of its sub-committees as necessary.
Reporting arrangements
- Minutes of the SSLC will be reviewed by the School Programmes Committee.
- Minutes of the SSLC will be submitted to the Faculty Education & Student Experience Subcommittee for information.
- Minutes of the SSLC will be shared with the Students’ Union Representation Team via the Student Voice SharePoint site.
Constitution
- Chair
- Southampton University Students’ Union School/Department President, or nominee.
- Academic Lead – selected by the Deputy Head of School (Education).
- Academic Representatives:
- Director of Programmes/Programme Leads.
- Additional staff only as agreed by both Co-Chairs.
- Student Representatives:
- Southampton University Students’ Union Course Representatives.
- Professional Services Representatives:
- Head of Faculty Student Administration or nominee, usually Taught Programme Administration Team Leader.
- Committee Administrator.
- Additional Optional Attendees:
- Associate Deans (Education) and the Students’ Union Representation Team may attend any relevant SSLC in order 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 share with the Committee.
- Representatives from the Library, iSolutions and other Professional Services teams 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.
Frequency of meetings
The SSLC will meet at least three times per year.
Resources
Secretariat support is provided.
Terms of Reference review
Date of last review:....... June 2024
Date of next review:...... September 2025