Student Representative Roles and Responsibilities

1. Student Representatives Committee (SRC) Role

Student Representatives (SRs) are a critical component of effective communication between students and
the College administration.
SRC at Heinz College Australia comprises four students, two full time students and two part-time students.
The Committee is equally represented by students from both programs MSIT and MSPPM.
SRC can be involved in the National Union of Students (NUS), the peak representative body of all tertiary
students in Australia that works to protect the rights of all students. This could be achieved via connection
with the SA State President of NUS. Information on NUS activities can be accessed at
http://unistudent.com.au/home/
2. Selection Process of Student Representatives
For a new calendar year, all enrolled students are invited to nominate SRC candidates, six students in total
representing part-time and full-time cohorts of MSIT and MSPPM programs, as well as August and January
intakes. If more than one candidate in one category is nominated, then the students are invited to vote for the
candidates. Students cast their votes and the candidates with maximum votes in their category are elected.
In the case of only one nomination in a category, the nominated candidate is elected automatically.
Nominations for two representatives, one from MSIT and one from MSPPM, of the August intake will be
called in November each year. Nominations for representatives of the January intake and part-time students
will be called in February each year. Two students elected in November will be invited to the final SRC
meeting of the year to ensure smooth transition to a new committee. Ex-officio SRC members will be invited
to attend the meetings for the following year.
Selection criteria for student representatives:
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Organizational and planning skills
Reasoning and problem solving skills
Interpersonal skills
Ability to negotiate, make constructive suggestions and find appropriate solutions
Commitment to:
- participating in meetings that are scheduled for 12 months as soon as the committee is
elected;
- taking minutes of the meeting and report the outcomes of the meeting to the student body;
- working with other students and administrators to implement initiatives and solutions;
- creating connections via planning events to enhance communication lines;
- devoting about three hours a week towards this role.
Why to become a Student Representative:
The role enables SRs to develop and/or strengthen leadership skills, connect with various internal and
external agencies, assist the student peers with having their voice heard, be involved in the National Union of
Students to share experiences and participate in nation-wide events for student leaders.

Student Representative Roles and Responsibilities

September 2009

3. Responsibilities of Student Representatives

Student Representatives:
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act as a conduit between students and college administrators;

serve as liaison in bringing any issues/suggestions/feedback to the administration at meetings;
relay key messages from the administration to the student body;
suggest, develop and implement solutions to problems related to campus life;
collaborate with students to coordinate events to enhance students communication opportunities;
represent their fellow students at the following meetings:

College-Wide Student Representative Meetings:

Purpose:

SRs Role:

In Attendance:
When:

Forum for SRs to present any broad issues/concerns/feedback raised by students to

College administrators and support the administration in conveying their concerns to
the student body.
Gather feedback from students prior to this meeting, submit agenda items in a timely
fashion, represent their fellow students at the meeting, take notes, and report back to
students on relevant issues.
Executive Director, Program Director, Student Representatives, invited students, and
invited guests
Schedule developed annually.

Meetings with the Senior Management

Purpose:
SRs Role:
In Attendance:
When:

Discuss strategic, high-level issues with the senior management committee.

Solicit and submit agenda items. Speak on behalf of the students to explain their
issues/concerns and/or suggest ideas for improvement.
Student Representatives and Senior Management committee members.
As negotiated between SRs and management.

Meetings with the Academic Advisory Board

Purpose:
SRs Role:
In Attendance:
When:

Discuss strategic, high-level issues related to academic requirements of the

programs.
Solicit and submit agenda items. Speak on behalf of the students to explain their
issues/concerns and/or suggest ideas for improvement.
Student Representatives and Academic Advisory Board members.
As negotiated between SRs and an Academic Advisory Board.

Student Representative Roles and Responsibilities

September 2009