Staff-Student Liaison Co-Ordinating Committee

QA48Form1 UG SSLC Annual Report

STAFF / STUDENT LIAISON COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT FOR UNDERGRADUATE SSLCs in 2011/12

It is the responsibility of the Chair to ensure that a SSLC Annual Report is completed, in consultation with student and staff members of the Committee (QA48 Section 7.1), by 16th July 2012.

Please type this Annual Report and return electronically via email:

To: Academic Representation Centre, Students’ Union, [email protected]

CC: Learning and Teaching Enhancement Office, [email protected]

1. Which degree programmes are covered by this Staff / Student Liaison Committee?

FdSc Engineering Systems – Swindon College BSc (Hons) Engineering Systems (Work Based Learning) - Swindon College

Is this SSLC for: (yes/no) Undergraduate programmes only? Yes

Undergraduate and postgraduate programmes?

2. MEMBERSHIP

Name Student? Staff? (Yes/No) (Yes/No) Chair Ben Tallett Yes No Secretary Will Carroll Yes No Online Election Process Contact Simon Clarke No Yes (i.e. the member of staff within the academic department responsible for liaising with the SU over the annual online election process) Number of staff members: 2 Number of UG students members: 5 Number of PG student members: None Invited to attend? Receives Minutes? (Yes/No) (Yes/No) Subject Librarian Yes Yes Student Rep(s) on the Board of Study / Standing Committee Yes Yes Secretary to the Board of Study / Standing Committee No Vice President (Education), Students’ Union No No Representation and Research Services Coordinator, Students’ No Union [email protected]

3. MEETINGS

How many times has the SSLC met during this academic year? 3

If there were fewer than 4 meetings this year, please indicate why Normally the final meeting is held with the External Examiner (EE) upon his/her visit however the EE was unable to visit Swindon this year.

of 4 4. ISSUES AND GOOD PRACTICE 2009/10 Main topics discussed at SSLC meetings under the following headings and action taken:

What was discussed? What action was taken? Programme content Bsc (Hons) students felt the Units to be reviewed to ensure an and delivery (but not management units were not engineering related provision is individual lecturers), contextualised to engineering and available for 2012/13 BSc (Hons) changes to existing perceived to have little relevance students. units / programmes and to the programme of study. proposals for new units / programmes Students did report that they were pleased with quality of teaching and learning for management units.

Assessment and PT FD students reported heavy Students were able to seek Feedback, including assignment loading in the early extensions which were considered examinations (if part of semester 1. on an individual basis. Assessment applicable) loading being reviewed for future cohorts.

Year 2 FD students felt EPH Assessment planner to be adjusted assignment was issued before for future cohorts and assignment sufficient underpinning knowledge extension agreed. had been attained.

Students reported that the addition of all class ID / passwords to the VLE and on assignment briefs was useful.

Student reps reported they were pleased with the timely and extensive assessment feedback. It was mentioned that it had improved on previous years. Skills development Student reps reported they were and training happy with the teaching and learning and made mention of the good communication between staff and students. Student support It was reported that student (including progress support was satisfactory. The monitoring and the help given by Anna Jachnik for Personal Tutor system) some students was very useful.

Students reported that the study skills sessions given in the LRC and 1.16 by Maria Hacker were very useful and should be considered for future cohorts. Library provision No.

Was the Subject Librarian invited to attend to discuss relevant issues?

of 4 IT and / or e-Learning Students reported that condition IT contacted to review condition of provision of a majority of the keyboards in equipment. Wi-Fi signal survey the rooms they used were poor. conducted in Orion building and Was a member of the Also, students experienced systems improvements made to relevant team invited to difficulties with the Wi-Fi access improve poor signal issues. attend to discuss relevant issues? particularly in the Orion building. Students reported an improvement in connectivity in Orion building.

Other academic It was reported that the students resources (teaching were happy with the quality of accommodation, teaching, accommodation and research facilities and facilities at Swindon College. electronic resources) Careers provision As all students are employed career progression was not Was a representative of discussed at SSLC’s. However, the Careers Service they were often discussed on an invited to attend to individual basis with staff. discuss relevant issues? Other issues or SSLC Registration process at Bath was Kate Moody attended SSLC initiatives (if the SSLC perceived to be poorly managed meeting to understand issues and covers both UG and PG and co-ordinated with insufficient ensure process is improved for students, include, for guidance. 2012/13 cohort. example, supervisory arrangements [but not individual supervisors] Students would like a IMechE contacted no response and research training) representative from the IMechE to received. discuss the benefits of the BSc (Hons) year being accredited to the institution and the application process for IEng.

Students complained workshop H&S manager for Swindon College fire door was being continually said they are aware of this issue used as method of egress which and have building work planned for contravenes H&S regulations. the engineering building over the summer which will resolve this issue.

Poor lighting behind engineering Issue reported to H&S manager at block resulted in a student programme committee meeting and tripping during a fire evacuation. issue being addressed for 2012/13 year.

Car park congestion and double Issue raised at programme parking perceived to not being committee meeting. policed adequately by security.

Students happy with HE common room facilities.

of 4 5. UNRESOLVED ISSUES Which of the issues discussed during this year remain unresolved and what steps are being taken to resolve them?

Students would like a representative from the IMechE to discuss the benefits of the BSc (Hons) year being accredited to the institution and the application process for IEng.

Students reported that condition of a majority of the keyboards in the rooms they used were poor. Also, students experienced difficulties with the Wi-Fi access particularly in the Orion building.

Students complained workshop fire door being continually used as method of egress which contravenes H&S regulations.

Invite subject Librarian to SSLC’s – 2012 / 2013.

6. ONLINE ELECTION PROCESS CONTACT FOR 2011/12 Who will be the Online Election Process Contact for the academic department? (i.e. the member of staff within the academic department responsible for liaising with the Students’ Union over the annual online election process to promote and to market the online election process for student representatives.

NAME: Simon Clarke E-MAIL: simonclarke@swindon- EXTENSION: 01793 college.ac.uk 498313

7. AUTHORISATION It is the responsibility of the Chair to ensure that a SSLC Annual Report is completed, in consultation with student and staff members of the Committee (QA48: Section 7.1).

Chair of the SSLC

Signature: Print Name: Ben Tallett Date: 26th June 2012

In the absence of the Chair, the Annual Report may be signed-off by the Director of Studies or Secretary of the SSLC

Signature: Print Name: Simon Clarke Date:

When you have completed this form, please return via email by the 16th July 2012:

To: Academic Representation Centre, Students’ Union, [email protected]

CC: Learning and Teaching Enhancement Office, [email protected]

The form should be returned by this deadline even if you have further meetings scheduled in the current academic year; the draft form should, where possible, be circulated to members of the SSLC for comment by email. The Secretary should keep a copy for departmental records and the first meeting of the SSLC in the new academic year.