Throughout your time as a Student Rep, there will be a number of opportunities for training and devel-

opment, to equip you with the skills and knowledge to get the most out your role.

“Repstival” – Student Rep Conference: Kicking off the year is Repstival, the Student Rep Conference

on 21st October that aims to inspire and inform you ahead of your time as a Rep. The Conference will

feature speakers from both inside and outside the University and offer an opportunity to network with

other Reps, SSROs and Students’ Union Officers and Staff.

SStudent Rep Training: The Students’ Union provides a two hour initial training programme designed to

give you all the skills and knowledge needed to carry out your role as a Student Rep. Sessions are fun,

informative and interactive, requiring your active involvement through discussions, scenarios, ques-

tionnaires, small work groups and team tasks. The training will be repeated during the year and also

made available online.

Rep Development Scheme: This year sees the introduction of the Rep Development Scheme, allowing

you to shape your own training. The Rep Development Scheme offers you the flexibility to gain skills,

knowledge and recognition that is relevant to you, as well as enhancing your employability.

There are four levels of the Rep Development Scheme. These are listed below:

We will be advertising further details on training sessions through emails, your SSROs and Hertfordshire Students’ Union’s website at hertfordshire.su/representation (follow the link for Student Reps).

EachEach semester there will be a Coffee Morning arranged for the Student Reps and SSROs in your school. These provide a good opportunity to catch up with other Student Reps and SSROs and discuss your experiences as a Rep in an informal environment. Representatives from the Students’ Union will also be there, meaning these events are a great opportunity to network, work through any problems you have encountered and perhaps plan your next campaign.

ThisThis year we are also looking to hold additional social events to offer Student Reps the opportunity to socialise in a more casual and less role-related environment. Keep an eye on the website and your emails for more information on this.

Perhaps the most rewarding benefit of being a Student Rep is that you are actively playing a part in positive change and the improvement of your University for yourself and those that you represent (that is, both current and future students!)

ItIt is also an opportunity to make friends, work with University staff, get involved in Student Union campaigns, and learn more about Higher Education.

YYou will also gain some valuable employability skills and experience that will stand you in good stead for your future. In your role, through gathering the views of your peers, attending meetings and attempting to make change happen, you will develop skills in communication, organisation and leadership. You will have the opportunity to network, gain vital time management skills and build your confidence. These are key skills that employers are looking for, and will help to set you apart from other graduates and enhance your CV.

With this role comes the feeling of satisfaction and fulfilment that your hard work and effort is making With this role comes the feeling of satisfaction and fulfilment that your hard work and effort is making a positive contribution to the student experience of the peers that you are representing, as well as the future of your programme and the University.

You will receive formal recognition of your achievements as a Student Rep athe end of the year.

AsAs a Student Rep, you are overseen by School Student Representative Organisers (SSROs), who

coordinate the Student Reps within particular schools. SSROs are not representatives, but they can

help you in your representative duties by directing you to people within the University and Students’

Union and answering any queries you may have. SSROs can help you coordinate you as a Student

Rep team and will know the dates for Students’ Union meeting that, which offer a great opportunity to

approach your Elected Officers.

HertfordshireHertfordshire Students’ Union is the independent voice of students studying at the University of Hertfordshire. The aim of the Students’ Union is to make student life incredible for those at UH. We do this by representing and providing services to students – in your position as a Student Rep you are playing a large role in our responsibility to represent. As well as representing students within their programme and the University, we also campaign on both a local and national scale. For more information on current campaigns or to run your own, contact the Elected Officers.

Hertfordshire Hertfordshire Students’ Union is run by a team of five Elected Officers (elected by you, the students!), supported by over 50 members of permanent staff, around 250 student staff and hundreds of volunteers.

EachEach year, the students of the University of Hertfordshire elect five officers to lead the Students’ Union for the next year. Each officer has a different remit, but above-all it is their job to represent students’ views in order to improve your experience while studying here with us! Each Elected Officer is paired with a school of study and works with the SSROs and Student Reps in that school in a supporting role; see overleaf for their contact details.

TheThe permanent staff of the Students’ Union work in both membership and commercial services. Membership services encompass those working in representation, student opportunities and the Advice and Support Centre, while the commercial service side of the Students’ Union oversees the Forum, Students’ Union shops, LetSU and others.

VVolunteers within the Students’ Union offer their time in a number of different ways – from running societies and student media to volunteers such as you who offer their time to represent their fellow students.

TheThe Trustee Board is made up of the five Elected Officers, three student trustees (elected in a cross-campus election) and three external trustees (appointed by the rest of the Trustee Board). The Trustee Board sets the direction of the Students’ Union and ensures that the Students’ Union is governed correctly.