VUWSA Class Representative Training 2009

1. VUWSA Class Representative Training 2009 Welcome

2. Welcome Thank you for taking on the role of Class Representative and attending Class Rep training. Here you will learn key skills to help you deal with whatever you may encounter in your new role. As a Class Rep, you will be taking a vital part in student democracy and representation. It’s not a big job – but it is important. If at any time you need more information, don’t hesitate to contact us at classreps@vuwsa.org.nz

3. Who Are We? Presenting your training today are: Freya Eng – Vice President (Education) – Education Officer Jasmine Freemantle – President Louise Wallace - Education Advocacy Organiser Freya Louise Tim Jasmine

4. Who Are We? Seann Paurini – Welfare Advocacy Organiser (Kelburn) Louise Wallace – Education Advocacy Organiser (Kelburn) Seann (Kelburn) Louise

5. VUWSA • VUWSA stands for Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association. • It is the official representative body for students studying at Victoria University of Wellington. • Located at the bottom on the Student Union Building, VUWSA is run by students, for students. • VUWSA has defended students’ interests for over 100 years. • You are an automatic member of the Association as soon as you enroll to become a student at Victoria University.

6. VUWSA VUWSA has a wide range of services including but not limited to: • The Food Bank • Different social activities throughout the year • Orientation and ReOrientation • Providing the lockers you see scattered around the campus • Free bus tickets to students who study in more than one campus • Advocacy services • Campaigns such as demanding a universal student allowance • Funding clubs (social and sport) and rep groups • Running the Thursdays in Black campaign • Campus Angels who are students who provide a service for students studying late at university to assist them in getting home safely • Free bread Wednes-days/Fridays • VUWSA also funds the independent weekly student magazine, Salient. • Provide the free diaries and wall planners you have

7. VUWSA • The Vic Uni campus population is verydiverse, comprising over 22,000 students, all with their own views, needs, and interests. • Ngai Tauira is VUWSA’s parallel Māori students’ association is supported and funded by VUWSA. • Representative Groups represent, promote, and serve their interests such as: • UniQ for Queer students • VicCom is the Commerce Students Association • International Students Council for International students and the list goes on. • VUWSA supports cultural and sporting clubs on campus by funding clubs directly through grants, organizing club days, providing meeting rooms for clubs to use, and providing information on how to set up and run a club.

8. The Executive VUWSA is your students’ association. It is run by students, for students, to protect student interests • President - Jasmine Freemantle • Vice President (Education) - Freya Eng • Vice President (Welfare) - Seamus Brady • Vice President (Administration) – Max Hardy • Activities Officer – Guy Williams • Campaigns Officer - Sam Oldham • Clubs Officer - Mariya Kupriyenko • Education Officer - • Welfare Officer – Craig Carey • Environmental Officer – Zack Dorner • International Students Officer – Luke Cao • Queer Officer - Nathan Cooper • Women’s Rights Officer – Caitlin Dunham We run VUWSA on your behalf. They get a small honorarium and bonus (though the President and Vice-Presidents are paid small salaries). They implement the policy you and past students have set, work for students on a daily basis. Then Now

9. The Education Team The Education Team deals in representation and aims to ensure equity and quality. The Education Team also makes sure that Class Representatives and Faculty Delegates are elected and that their respective systems run smoothly.

10. The Welfare Team We deal with things like: a problem with a lecturer, an issue with plagiarism, or an academic grievance. We have a have a Welfare Advocacy Organiser (Seann Paurini) also who will be able to provide you with qualified advocacy services. Seann Paurini Seamus Brady Craig Carey Welfare Advocacy Organiser Vice President (Welfare) Welfare Officer

11. The Class Representative System • The Class Rep System was created in order to have a mediation point between students and university, and students and VUWSA. • Class Reps are appointed in every class in the university in order to ensure equity and welfare for students in their classes.

12. The Role of the Class Representative Be leaders, not followers • You are the vital link between the class, academic staff and VUWSA • Offer low-level support to students • Help monitor courses, making sure students receive good value and quality for their money • Provide vital feedback on the standard of teaching, how and what students are learning and if they’re satisfied

13. Your obligations and responsibilities As a class representative it is your responsibility to keep your class informed about the various VUWSA and NZUSA campaigns such as the: ● campaign for universal student allowance ● university funding cutbacks There many activities that VUWSA runs throughout the trimester such as the upcoming Environment Week, Pride Week, International Week for example. There are many events that will happen. You will receive the class representative newsletter every few weeks containing such information and it is your role to communicate these to the class.

14. Possible Scenario 1 A student in your class has been accused of plagiarism in an internal assessment. They come to you for advice about what their options are. What do you do?

15. Possible Scenario 2 A student wants to bring their pet rat to class because the rat is unwell. The student has asked the lecturer if this is okay, but has been declined. The student comes to you complaining about this. What do you do?

16. Possible Scenario 3 A student has legitimate reasons (for example, they have been very ill) to ask the lecturer for an extension for an assignment but the lecturer denies them of any extensions and the student has come to you for help. What should you do?

17. Possible Scenario 4 A student has complained that the lecturer of your class uses sexist language, and calls the women in the class ‘little darlings’. What should you do?

18. Any other ideas? Raise your hand if you can think of any other scenarios that you may encounter as a Class Representative and what causes of action you may take.

19. VUWSA Contacts (Education) • Vice President (Education) – Freya Eng –evp@vuwsa.org.nz – 027 614 3999 – 463 6988 • Education Officer – – education.officera@vuwsa.org.nz – – 463 6980 • President – Jasmine Freemantle –president@vuwsa.org.nz – 027 563 6986 – 463 6986

20. VUWSA Contacts (Welfare) • Vice President (Welfare) – Seamus Brady –wvp@vuwsa.org.nz– 027 368 6991 – 463 6985 • Welfare Officer – Craig Carey –education.officerb@vuwsa.org.nz– 463 6980

21. VUWSA Contacts (Representation) • Queer Officer – Nathan Cooper – queer.officer@vuwsa.org.nz • International Officer – international.officer@vuwsa.org.nz • Environment Officer – environment.officer@vuwsa.org.nz • Women’s Rights Officer – wro@vuwsa.org.nz • Campaigns Officer – Sam Oldham – campaigns@vuwsa.org.nz

22. Contacts (General) Some university support contacts you may find useful: • The Accommodation Service - The Accommodation Service at Victoria University can help you make the right choice and find the accommodation you want Phone: 463 5896Email: accommodation@vuw.ac.nz • Victoria University Careers (Vic Careers)- Is available to assist with a wide range of queries - from the general exploration of career ideas and the career implications of subject choices, to details of specific jobs, employers, or postgraduate courses.Phone: 463 5393Email: careers-service@vuw.ac.nz • Counselling Service - Confidentially discuss any personal or academic issues affecting you. To help students work out where they are heading and staying on track. Phone: 463 5310Email: counselling-service@vuw.ac.nz

23. Contacts (General) (cont.) • Disability Support Services (DSS) - Any impairment, temporary or permanent, shouldn't affect your learning. DSS provides liaison, accommodations, support, and services for studentsPhone: 463 6070Email: disability@vuw.ac.nz • Student Health Service - Free or low cost health care including specialist services. The doctors are experienced General Practitioners. The practice nurses are highly trained and experienced Registered Nurses.Phone: 463 5308Email: student-health@vuw.ac.nz

24. Your Next Step • Visibility: Introduce yourself to your lecturer and classmates and provide them with your email address. Ask your lecturer to put your contact details on Blackboard. • People need to know who you are!

25. Thanks for coming along.

26. classreps@vuwsa.org.nz