Many issues that affect students are discussed by faculty members in many cases without any input from students. In many cases students can make valuable contributions. One way to guarantee students’ input is to include them in the decision making process by having student representatives in university governance bodies.
In faculty councils meetings, every thing that is discussed may not be related to the students. Many issues may, for example, relate to how to enhance department resources, how to make administration more responsive to faculty needs, and so on.
Some of these may be confidential issues, or issues may be at the deliberation stage. One may not like these to be known to others at that stage. So there could be issues in it.
Likewise, one may like to ask: Can the students say that let here be faculty representatives in their association/union meetings. That I am sure will curb their freedom to discuss. Sometimes, the issues are in conflict with those of the other side, and in a meeting you may be making strategies to overcome the problem.
But there could definitely be an arrangement whereby discussion on students-related issues by the faculty council can not be finalized without listening to the students' point of view. I do believe in involvement. That is how the whole corporate world in moving today.
I agree with C.Lewis Kausel's answer. At the University i wort at there are students represenativves who paricipate in faculty assembles. Theior vice is always taken into consideration.Tre students' representarives tke part in every monthly assembly of the faculty.
Dear Nasser, I agree with Janina, we do have at Copernicus University chosen students as representative on faculty boards. They are participating and voting during monthly meetings. There are also students as representatives on the university level, participating in meetings of the Senate of NCU.
Dear Nasser
At the university where I work, the representative student ever attended the meetings of the department, along with the teachers. The participation of the representative of the student group is crucial and important for discussion of problems and decision making.
Yes students' presence is vital as they are the integral part of any educational institute and their thought process can be unique which may help to understand their mentality in a better way.
@ Kamal, students are the most important stakeholders of the university, so they should be represented in the college council. In many universities, they are represented also in the University Council.
It is accepted that representative of the students should be in the council
We have student representatives present practically in all committees in the University, college and department level. Sometimes in the department meetings when we discuss some core issues such as curriculum related, we request them and tell this has to be only faculty. However before we ask them to leave the meeting we take their input after explaining the issues. It works very well and has no problems.
In Sultan Qaboos University is starting to include students in the department and College Board but it is left to the department board satisfaction. For instance, some issues related to students the department prefers to have student in the meeting. Other issues the department reluctant to allow student attend.
Sometimes, YES, but not all the times. This discretion is to maintain confidentiality in some issues, which are not to be disclosed to students.
In my experience most universities has student representatives at the university council or university senate and sometimes in search committees especially for top university administrators. I have seen examples of student representation in university curriculum committees. However, I believe that students should be involved at the departmental level, may be in the curriculum committee or a planning committee. I understand the issues of having students in Personal and Budget committee/s but what harm can be done in having them serve on the scheduling committee?
Yeah! Few students in every batch are more comfortable asking their doubts with the students rather than going to the faculty .
The student organization should be at university. Representatives of the student organization must be submitted in university governance bodies. In this way would be better carried out cooperation of students and faculty members.
We had a student representative present in our plagiarism hearings. I believe that is beneficial to all.
University must ensure that there are sufficient channels for students to provide relevant inputs to the faculty.
Of course, in Serbia student delegation is assumed by the law! Students Union gives its delegates for Univesity bodies!
Dear Nasser Shaib
I would love to have them in Departmental Council and rather than Faculty council.. The voice that is heard from Departmental council can be reflected into Faculty council...
Large amount of Change management initiatives are needed before roping them into the councils.
But, Institutional preferences have to be there when to call them for the meetings to isolate them from confidentiality matters that would be of Integrity concerns.
Kindest Regards
Ramanan
We here have a Student-Administration Committee that meets monthly to get the students views to inform overall policy development. It is important they are heard and they form an important constituency in the university.
Yes, students should be represented since student representatives protect the general interests of the students. For example, according to Norwegian law, the students shall have at least 20 % representation in all governing bodies at the university.
It is correct to have representation but only on matters that touch on them....it would be difficult to have students in examinations board discussing students performance before approval of marks.....Their representation is limited by their status
Dear Stephen At a university all matters affect students and therefore, I believe they should be represented on all governance boards/committees. I also, believe that all committee/board minutes should be public. Transparency is key and in a learning institute students are the most important stakeholders.
After finishing my site visit to a university outside Jordan as an external reviewer two months before, I suggested in my report that there should be student representatives in departmental, faculty, and university councils.
Nasser I agree with the concept, applicability is the matter here. We have faculty board to approve a semester exams where some students have failed others caught in examination malpractice etc....the role of students in such is limited whereas on policy matters like teaching and learning, governance...their input is greatly needed. It is not an open book case..that is my take
If we start on the premise that university is established to cater for students among other things, what is wrong in having them represented on councils that make policies that affect their educational experiences? It is beneficial that student voice is not only heard but acted on in all institutions of higher learning. After all, for the purposes of this discussion, university does not exist in isolation of students.
This is even true as indicated in 1989 United Nations Convention on the Right of the Child which marked a landmark in the developments of rights of children. Article 12 states:
‘parties shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the rights to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child’
It is imperative on the university's councils to involve student voice and prepare them to become active participants in a democratic society. The paradigm has to change to make education democratic where the voice of every shareholder in a is listened to and acted upon.
In most Portuguese universities the students are represented in the "Pedagogical Council". This council can decide about evaluation rules, exams schedule, etc. The student representatives are elected by their peers.
Representatives on and board or council should be a voice for the group they represent. It depends on the motives of the student who joins and how well the minutes of meetings are disseminated to the wider spectrum of interested people.
Dear Kamal, I totally agree. it keeps the meetings transparent and honest. Relevant information can then be disseminated for those who wish to avail it.
Dear Kamal and Gabrielle, I share your viewpoints. Regards.
Yes. They should be involved in matters related to their rights, responsibilities and experiences at the university/college. In addition, they learn about the real world through watching and listening to faculty and staff.
Dear Christina, I agree with what you say and would like to add that some of these students will become academic teachers a little later on in their lives and it's very good for them to get to know (or: immitate) how to behave when having a sort of power over others.
Thank all for your valuable comments. It seems that many agree that students should be allowed to serve on governance committees/council. The main reasons are (1) student representatives carry students’ concerns/points of view into these councils. (2) Transparency which is important in all institutions and can get student buy in into changes and new directions. (3) Leadership training for students.
I think add students who already have experience as lecture's assistant in the faculty council may give different perspective for them. Hopefully they will continue their study to higher education and become faculty members.
In Moi university, we have class reps while in the council the students are represented by the students council. when the students are represented this way, then students students strikes will the things of the past.
The idea of include student in the desicions is quite long. Some times, it is convenient, some times no.
Students should be represented in the departments especially in those issues which affect them directly so that decisions reached can be accepted by all the parties involved. It will enable the students feel being part and own the decision reached
It is not necessary, but preferably because they will serve as a link between teachers and students.
Representation is important in any organization. However, there are matters that are for specific groups only not because the information or issues excludes the students, but the decision making process may require a more mature and higher cognitive and awareness levels.
Definitely! If we want to make decisions and craft policies with the best interests of our students in mind, they should have a seat at the table. We need their input.
Involving student representative is of pivotal importance because they will own the organisational decision.But for some issues which are confidential leaving them out is just ok
Yes, In our institution Student Representatives are there in academic board and college council.
Dear Dr. Nasser Abdellatif ,
Preferably, but there are certain situations and topics that cannot be discussed in the presence of students.
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