Become a Rep
VOLUNTEER TO BE A department OFFICER!
What is a Department Officer?
Department Officers are current students who represent the student voice for the whole of their department. They are ‘team leaders’ for all the Class Reps in their department. We have at least 1 Department Officer in each department in the following positions…
- Architectural Engineering
- Biology
- Civil Engineering
- Construction Management and Surveying
- Urban Studies
- Geography
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Mechanical Engineering
- Brewing and Distilling
- Electrical Engineering
- Physics
- Computer Science
- Maths
- Accountancy and Finance
- Business Management
- Economics
- Languages and Intercultural Studies
- Psychology
- Textiles and Design
What does a Department Officer do?
- Supports Class Reps and works with senior management in their department to solve issues.
- Collect feedback from students and Class Reps on learning and teaching issues.
- Chairs their Student-Staff Liaison Committee meetings twice a semester.
- Attends fortnightly meetings with the Student Union to update the President on issues arising in their department.
- Attends School Committees to input student feedback into changes to courses and programmes.
Benefits of becoming a Department Officer…
- Receive a £150 honorarium twice a year.
- Get specialised training and ongoing support from the Student Union – learn how to…
- represent students’ views democratically
- be an effective student leader
- lead a network of volunteers
- chair meetings
- improve your communication and report writing
- solve problems with multiple stakeholders
- implement positive changes to change the university for your peers and future students
- Become familiar with senior university staff and be one of the first to find out what is going on in your School.
- Attend free events organised by the Student Union and University (snacks included!)
- Get an exclusive Student Union Rep discount card and merch!
- Log your volunteering hours and skills which will appear on your Enhanced Transcript when you graduate.
How do I become a Department Officer?
You will need to fill in an application form, which will be shortlisted by the Student Union.
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE!
VOLUNTEER TO BE A CLASS REP!
What is a Class Rep?
Class Reps are students who volunteer to represent the voice of students in their year/course by gathering student feedback and attending meetings with Heriot-Watt University and Student Union staff. They are the link between the student body and all levels of staff at the university who make decisions about your learning and teaching experience.
What does a Class Rep do?
- Work with student in their year group to collect feedback on what’s working well and less well on their course.
- Attend Student-Staff Liaison Committees twice a semester with senior staff in your department and Department Officer.
- Give regular updates to your Department Officer about issues as they arise and things that are going well.
- Work with lecturers and year coordinators to use student feedback to find the best solution possible.
- Feedback to the students you represent and decisions that are made on the issues you raise.
Benefits of becoming a Class Rep…
- Get specialised training and ongoing support from the Student Union – learn how to…
- represent students’ views democratically
- be an effective student leader
- improve your communication and report writing
- solve problems with multiple stakeholders
- implement positive changes to change the university for your peers and future students
- Become familiar with senior university staff and be one of the first to find out what is going on in your School.
- Attend free events organised by the Student Union and University (snacks included!)
- Get an exclusive Student Union Rep discount card!
- Log your volunteering hours and skills which will appear on your Enhanced Transcript when you graduate.
How do I become a Class Rep?
You will need to let your department know that you are interested in becoming a Class Rep in September 2023. Speak to you Year Coordinator!