SLC Minutes 26 06 2015

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Minutes of a Student Liaison Committee meeting held on Friday 26th June 2015 at 12.15pm Held in the Boardroom, South Building Present:

Maggie Galliers (Governor) Jahmel Gordon Adam Korczowski Steve Logan (Principal) Mustapha Mohammed Maryam M Nikuie Carol Nkiwane Olu Olaitan Steve Stewart (Governor and Chair of the Student Liaison Committee)

In Attendance:

Shiloh Clarke (Learner Voice and Enrichment Co-ordinator) Jim Edwards (Clerk to the Corporation) Michelle Houlihan (Customer Liaison Co-ordinator) Jo Lawrence (Assistant Principal Student and Learning Services)

S9/15

Welcome and Introductions

Steve Stewart welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made. S10/15

Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Paula Deas, Ela Ozcan, and Paul Aggett, Head of Quality Improvement. S11/15

Minutes of the last meeting held on 27th March 2015

The minutes of the last meeting held on 27th March 2015 were approved as a true record.

S12/15

Matters Arising i)

Under Minute S4/15 (ii), Matters Arising, the Chair confirmed the College’s support of the Student Council on an ongoing basis.

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ii)

Under Minute S4/15 (iii), Matters Arising, it was confirmed that the two apprentices working on the College’s Reception were on the College’s own apprenticeship programme, which demonstrated the College’s commitment to this provision.

iii)

Under Minute S5/15, Maths and English, it was reported that a number of issues had been resolved through the Student Council in conjunction with staff. All problems had been sorted out before examinations took place. The importance of achieving maths and English qualifications was re-iterated, and it was stressed that progression to higher levels of education or to employment was far more likely with the requisite qualifications. The Principal reported that the importance of maths and English had been promoted via posters in lifts and corridors and on classroom doors.

S13/15

iv)

Under Minute S7/15, Student Council Activities, Jo Lawrence reported that Student Services had already arranged for three student groups to attend College during the summer to start work on their UCAS personal statements. The Principal reminded the meeting that this had been an excellent suggestion from a student at the last committee meeting.

v)

Under Minute S7/15, Student Council Activities, Jo Lawrence reported that she attended the first 15 minutes of each Student Council meeting to liaise over any issues and problems.

Student Council Activities 2014-15

1.

Olu Olaitan delivered a presentation on behalf of the Student Council on its activities during 2014-15.

2.

The year had been a busy one with a range of events taking place, ranging from Bite the Ballot, Black History Month and Children in Need to the OHTV Real Talk debate, the Hustings debate and World Aids Day.

3.

A few clubs and societies had been set up during the year; namely, the Bike Club, Gaming Society, Film Club, and the Football Club. These had generally been very successful.

4.

The Student Council’s role in supporting students in making improvements across the College was discussed. Through their advocacy, a number of requests from students had been met, such as Halal food being made available and clearly labelled in canteen areas, a new game and equipment for the ChillZone, and an end-of-year party for all students. A key achievement during the year had also been the improvement of communications between staff and students which had been facilitated by the Student Council. On this last point, Olu reported that a particular issue on her course had been raised with the Head of School and Programme Leader. They had listened to Olu and her peers, and had resolved the problem to everyone’s satisfaction. The respect shown to them by the staff was excellent.

5.

The Student Council had also recognised the need to make further improvements. In particular, it was felt that the election process should be better prepared; that the profile of the Student Council should be raised; that the Student Hub should be made more welcoming; and that events should be better planned and organised. 2

6.

A number of recommendations were put forward by the Student Council including the appointment of a sabbatical officer; the creation of a new role of Student Digital Leader; allowances for members; printing credits for members; tablets for Student Governors and the Student Council President; training for members; and twinning with a university student union.

7.

In response to these suggestions, it was stated that, although there would not enough budget to fund a sabbatical officer, most of the proposals could be met either through the Student Council’s own budget should they close to prioritise these items, or simply because they would be free to implement. In particular, it was noted that the Student Union Officer at Coventry University had a further education background and would be an ideal person to link up with.

8.

It was noted that the College’s Information and Learning Technology Manager had already agreed to mentor any student taking the lead on digital technology.

9.

Steve Stewart concluded this item by thanking the students for their diligence, resilience and hard work during the year. Much had been achieved and Governors were very proud of the students for all they had done. Nonetheless, it was recognised that this was an ongoing challenge for the Student Council every year, and the students were reassured that the College would continue to be supportive of them in all their activities and efforts.

10.

In response, the students stated that they felt communications had improved significantly, that their views were being taken seriously and they were listened to. This boded very well for next year when some students on the Student Council were continuing at the College.

Meeting opened 12.15pm Meeting closed 1.20pm JE

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