Click the contents:
1) Introduction
2) Student Parliament Membership
3) Student Parliament Benefits
4) Nomination Form
5) Members of Student Parliament
6) Student Parliament Handbook
Introduction
The Students’ Union believes that representation is a democratic right for all students at Queen Margaret University.
The Student Parliament is here to ensure the student voice is heard at QMU.
It is one of the most innovative of representative bodies across any students’ union in the UK, and it ensures that the views of students are effectively communicated to their lecturers, senior management and Executive Committee.
Student Parliament is the Governing Body of the Students’ Union and gives students the opportunity to mandate their Executive Committee to campaign on their behalf, to debate and resolve issues affecting QMU students’ experience and to campaign to make changes in the University and The Students’ Union.
All QMU students are welcome to attend Students Parliament meetings and to participate in debates.
Elected Members of Student Parliament have voting rights and can make decisions to produce real change for students at QMU through motions (formal written proposal to make change in your Students’ Union or to mandate the Executive Committee to focus on a specific policy or project) put forward and approved by vote.
MSPs are also spokespersons who can liaise with University staff to seek solutions when an issue arises at QMU and who can sit at university committees.
Student Parliament meets a minimum of 4 times a year to discuss matters put forward at the agenda. But as an MSP, there is much more that you can do if you wish to campaign to improve the student experience at QMU! Student Parliament is run in accordance with the Students’ Union Constitution in order to make it fair and democratic.
Do you want to be part of a collective voice? Campaigning to make a difference? Debate issues and seek solutions? Have a say in the governance of your Union?
Then join Student Parliament!
There are plenty of positions and surely one fit for you.
Student Parliament Membership
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Who is who?
All MSPs have the same core duties and roles: representing QMU Students, debating, voting right, making changes and campaigning.
However, depending on their position, MSPs have specific attributes:
- Academic MSPs (Undergraduate School/Level, School Leader and Post Graduate representatives) have specific attribution to raise awareness on issues that may affect the student learning and teaching experience within QMU. The University has a number of representative committees that can be used by students to put forward small personal issues to do with their course and their teaching. In the event, these small issues may become bigger, or concern most of students at QMU, academic MSPs can put forward the matter on SP agenda to seek for a solution. Academic MSPs are also encouraged to sit at appropriate University Committees so that the voice of students can be heard and university policies are feedback to students.
- Student Activities MSPs Student Activities Representative ( 6 representatives) stand on behalf of all students involved in volunteering initiatives in the Students’ Union from societies and clubs to students helping out for a one off events.
- Hall of Residence MSPs ensure that the voice of student living in Halls is heard. Individual and flat issues can be reported to the Accommodation Office and Sanctuary Management Services. However, it may happen that a broader matter that concerns all/ most of students living in Halls arises. Hall of Residence MSPs are here to make The Students’ Union aware of the issues and to mandate the Executive Committee to campaign on their behalf.
- Liberation MSPs are representatives for 8 Liberations Groups identified at QMU. Black, Disabled, International, LGBT, Mature, Part-Time, Men and Women students need spokespersons to ensure there are treated equally. Liberation MSPs represent the diversity of QMU students and can campaign for changes. Liberation MSPs can also join NUS network and be active at an upper university level. Liberation MSPs are encouraged to sit at appropriate University Committees and potential conferences so that the voice of students can be heard and university policies are feedback to students.
- Student Parliament Committee is made up of Chair, Co-Chair and Secretary. The committee has a responsibility to ensure the promotion of Student Parliament and the smooth running of all student parliament meetings. In cooperation with the Student President, and with the support of the Welfare and Representation Coordinator, the SP committee compiles the agenda for each meeting. The Chair and Co Chair have specific attributions to conduct debates during meetings when the secretary has specific duty to put together the minutes.
- Executive Committee Members are ex-officio members of student parliament. They feedback to MSPs on their work and are held to account.
The role and duties of MSPs are flexible and attributions mentioned above are not exhaustive.
How to get involved?
All MSPs have to be elected.
- It may sound daunting to “run for election” but the process is very simple, you just need to be passionate and active a Academic MSPs are also encouraged to sit at appropriate University Committees so that the voice of students can be heard and university policies are feedback to students.
It’s about wanting what’s best for yourself and for the students of QMU.
Student Parliament Committee and Liberation Representatives Elections are held at the AGM at the end of each academic year.
- Positions remaining available are elected at the 1st Student Parliament Meeting as well as Academic and Accommodation representatives. Academic MSPs are also encouraged to sit at appropriate University Committees so that the voice of students can be heard and university policies are feedback to students.
Not all positions are filled at the first meeting, so if you miss this please still contact the Students’ Union about become an MSP.
Nominations for Academic and Accommodation MSPs will open in September 2011. Academic MSPs are also encouraged to sit at appropriate University Committees so that the voice of students can be heard and university policies are feedback to students.
Student Parliament Benefits
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The facts…
• A collective student voice
• Debates issues that affect student experience at QMU
• Representatives from Executive Committee, Schools, Halls and Liberation Groups
• Oversee and ratify the work of the Executive Committee & campaign to make changes in your Students’ Union and in your University
It is worth it!!
The figures…
• The 1st Student Parliament in the UK
• 4+ meetings a year
• 39 Student Members
• Maximum of 8 hours of your time in 9 months!
You do the sums!!
The truth…
• If members do not attend Student Parliament, the Union and the University will never improve!
• If members do not attend Student Parliament the Union Executive team will have no one to hold them to account!
• If no one participates in Student Parliament the Union Executive and the University will not know what the problems and/or issues are
• A collective voice is better than one voice!
The Benefits…
• Meet new people
• Get involved in your student representation
• Accreditation rewarded for your commitment
• Free buffet dinner, tea, coffee and juice!
• Insight into up and coming development of the University and the Students’ Union
• Make decisions that will change your University Experience
What employers see…?
• Transferable essential skills
• Willingness to volunteer
• Involvement in representation
• Ability to make changes
• A character reference from the Student President
• A certificate signed by the Student President
You can do it!!
The skills gained…
• Communication and debating
• Negotiation and Assertiveness
• Listening
• Project Planning
• Meeting skills and Leadership
• Presentation skills
Are you aware that you have gained these skills?
What next…?
• Sign up for another year (if you are a continuing student)
• Make sure you put this on your CV
• Ask the Student President for a character reference when you are looking for a job
How to get involved…
• Put your concerning issues on the agenda for discussion
• Put motions forward to be passed
• Present a concerning matter to the other MSP’s and Union Executive
• Have a debate
• Request some changes
• Ask the Union Executive questions!
Are you ready to be a force for change??
Nomination Form
To join Student Parliament complete the nomination form and return it to cguilloteau@qmu.ac.uk
Members of Student Parliament
Will be updated soon.
