Wednesday 05-02-2025 - 12:02

It’s been a busy start to the new term, but definitely a fun one ✨

From speaking to students about their experiences, making sure that your voice is heard in key decisions that affect your academic experience, student life, and future opportunities, to even heading to Parliament to demand better student housing.

I’ve attended loads of university governance meetings talking about the strategic direction of the university; and as a team, we’ve been reflecting on last term to really figure out what we want to achieve before the year is up.

Here’s some highlights:

 

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Course Rep of the Semester 🥇

We received an amazing 112 nominations for last term's Course Rep of the Semester award. These are the incredible students who go the extra mile to make sure your voices are heard, and we’re excited to announce the winners for each faculty are…

+ Arts & Humanities - Callum Warren-Moore

+ Health & Education - Jules Hunter Hinson

+ Science & Engineering - Eloise Yates

+ Business & Law - Christian Yalamov

Congratulations 🎉

 

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Course Rep wins 🏆

Last term, our Course Reps made real progress, proving that student feedback gets results. Whether it’s tackling issues with course content, facilities, or student wellbeing, they’re making real change happen every day.

 

+ More tutorials and drop-in sessions are being introduced.

+ We saw upgrades in our access to spaces - extra plug sockets have been installed and there’s more rooms available to book for your study sessions.

+ Teaching adjustments have made a difference, with lecturers adapting their teaching style to improve clarity and engagement.

+ Reps boosted student involvement with things like the "Student of the Month award" and plans for an "end-of-year celebration."

 

These are just a few of many changes. One student summed it up perfectly: "Our programme leader went through each comment and addressed all concerns."

We are continuously working on projects and some still require more work, such as lecture etiquette and timetabling. But, thanks to our Reps and all their hard work, they’re on the university’s radar.

 

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Parliament Visit 💂

On Wednesday 29 January, myself and your Wellbeing Officer, Gracie, headed down to London to attend the first APPG for Students of the new government. 10 MPs, and even a Lord, heard from over 50 of our student representatives, talking about issues surrounding student housing, and what politicians need to do to make improvements for students.

Together we discussed how student housing is inaccessible, unaffordable, and insecure, how this disproportionately impacts international, working class, estranged and care experienced students, and what they can do to change this.

 

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Feedback Festival 🧠

Feedback festival is back 🎉

I know you must be wondering what happens when you fill out a feedback form? Do they just sit on some forgotten file or disappear into a digital black hole, never to be seen again?

You’ll be glad to know, that’s not the case. Your feedback is at the core of every major decision made at Manchester Met. Here’s a run down of what happens when you speak up:

 

📖 Your Feedback is Read by Real People

+ From your lecturers to Heads of Department, and even Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education, your comments are carefully reviewed at every level. And yes, they land on my desk too!

+ Basically, your feedback goes way up the ladder—right to the people who can make real changes.

 

📝 Meetings: Where Feedback Turns into Action

+ From various meeting throughout the year, Education Annual Review (EAR) Meetings are where academic leaders, university staff, and I discuss student feedback in detail.

+ Trends in feedback are identified, and if lots of students raise similar issues, it becomes a priority.

+ Action plans are created, we think about what needs to change? Who’s responsible? When will it happen?

+ Officers push for improvements and positive feedback gets recognised - Not all feedback is about problems, we celebrate the good stuff too!

 

📈 Tracking Progress: Does the change actually work?

+ Once changes are made, they don’t just stop there. We keep reviewing, refining, and improving.

+ Changes aren’t made just behind closed doors, you should know what’s happening too. We regularly update students on key changes through social media and newsletters, keep an eye on your emails 📥

+ Some faculties now hold "You Said, We Did" updates, showing students exactly how their feedback has led to change.

+ Not every issue is solved overnight, and some changes take longer than expected, and this is when your Course Reps play an important role in driving change.

 

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Your Voice Matters 💫

It’s important to remember that you’re a part of the change! Whether it’s filling out a feedback form, chatting with your Course Rep, or getting involved in student campaigns.

A massive thank you to everyone who contributes their ideas and feedback 🌟 Your voice truly makes a difference, and it’s not just about one-time fixes, it shapes how Manchester Met evolves for years to come.

Do you have a suggestion? Want to share something great about Manchester Met? I’m here to make sure every student at Manchester Met has the best possible experience, so please drop me a message - I’d love to hear from you.