Student Journeys: Valuing the HEAR Sheffield Students Union and the HEAR.

Student Journeys:

Valuing the HEAR

Sheffield Students’ Union and the HEAR

Kathryne Fraser: Activities and Sports Manager, Sheffield Students’ Union

Tom Dixon: Activities Officer

Megan Howlett: HEAR Project Assistant (based in Students’ Union Activities

Department)

1. Sheffield University Context

(Kathryne Fraser)

2. Student Consultation (Tom Dixon)

3. Implementation (Megan Howlett)

1. Sheffield University Context

Extra-curricular Opportunities• 70% participation in activities, volunteering &

sport• 17% in Leadership Roles• 320 sports clubs & societies• Volunteering and Fundraising• ‘Give it a Go’ Activities Programme• Student Media• Activities and Leadership Programme in Halls• Course Representatives and governance

NUS Deepening Participation Commission Report 2012

“….Assessing the results of question 23 in the National Student Survey, …the students’ unions who have appeared near the top of the satisfaction list are excellent at….. providing a breadth of activities which encourage engagement and belonging.”

Value of HEAR 6.1

• Employability & HEAR 6.1

• Accessing opportunities

• Role of Personal Tutors

Perfect Timing:

• Extensive extra-curricular programme

• Recognition/employability skills – student demand

• University & Union collaboration

2. Student Consultation

Institutional Protocol (extract) Institutional Aims for Section 6.1

Section 6.1 of the HEAR includes factually-based, non-evaluative details of extra-curricular student activities or achievements that the University is in a position to verify. The University aims to give recognition to additional student activities which broaden intellectual, civic, socio-cultural or international understanding, activities which demonstrate responsibility, leadership, excellence or innovation, and activities which contribute to the University community.

Inclusion Criteria for Section 6.1 In order to be eligible for inclusion in Section 6.1, an activity or achievement must fulfil all of the

following criteria (this list represents a selection of the full criteria):

1. Correspond to one of the three categories identified in the official HEAR Guidance, namely:

• ‘Additional Awards’ (accredited performance outside the academic curriculum); • ‘Additional Recognised Activities’ (unaccredited activities which represent achievement and/or

learning); • ‘University, Professional and Departmental Prizes’ (both academic and non-academic).

2. Be institutionally verifiable before students have completed their academic programme.

3. Not be a direct part of the academic curriculum.

4. Be open to all students at the University or all students within a specific academic cohort, with the exception of certain representative roles which may be restricted to ensure democratic representation of the student population as a whole.

Challenges:

• Identifying Achievements

• Robust quality controls

Student Feedback:

• 6.1 to be “earned”

• Extensive commitments

• Retain independence

• Employability

Summary:

•Verifying leadership & significant achievement/ commitment

•Incorporated employability competencies

3. Implementation

Students’ Union HEAR 6.1 Verifiable Activities

Societies and CommitteesSociety Committee Positions Working Committee Positions Representative Committee PositionsActivities Awards Forge MediaForge Press CommitteeForge Radio CommitteeForge TV CommitteeForge Today CommitteeForge Press Editorial Team

FundraisingRAG Committee Positions Bummit Committee Positions RAG Reps Bummit Volunteers

The Student Communities Endcliffe, Ranmoor and City “Community Development Committee” Positions

Club Sport Club Sport Committee Positions Sports Awards

Sheffield Volunteering Sheffield Volunteering Committee PositionsVolunteering Committee Ambassadors

Project LeadersProject VolunteersSports AmbassadorsSchools VolunteersVolunteering Awards

Representation and Democracy Academic RepresentativeUnion CouncillorSenate Representative Students’ Union Officer

Academic Awards Students’ Union PositionsStudent Marketing Brand AmbassadorsCoffee Revolution Student Group Liaisons

Extra-Curricular Modules and AwardsGive it a Go Professional Qualification CoursesGive it a Go Language Courses

Example Contextualising Statement: President of a Society Committee (to be accompanied by a

description of their society)

The President has overall responsibility for the society and should lead the society committee in its decision-making. S/he should ensure that all other committee members are fulfilling their roles effectively by motivating them, delegating tasks and providing advice and support where necessary. S/he should act as a spokesperson of the society and as a link between the society and Students' Union staff.

“This is such a great initiative! It’s more important than ever for students to show skills rather than just marks.” Comment on Twitter, February 2012.

“This is a progressive step at a time when there has never been such fierce competition amongst graduates”. Forge Press (student newspaper), November 2012.

6.1 Workshop this afternoon with Helen Tattam, Kathryne Fraser and Megan Howlett

Thank you for listening.