Student Consultative Network

Student Consultative Network &
Vice Chancellors Leadership and Development Program

The Swinburne Student Consultative Network (SCN) provides a platform for student representation that includes Swinburne University of Technology boards and committees, as well as the SSAA Board. Primarily, it provides an avenue for students to directly contribute to SUT's policies and procedures that govern student life. This ensures that student members of the Swinburne community are able to provide feedback about their course, social and general issues relating to student life on campus and to have direct input into their learning environment.

The SCN incorporates the Vice Chancellor's Leadership Program and is part of the SSAA Student Leadership and Volunteer Program. This program will give SCN members the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities designed to develop the leadership skills of students. They will include the formal accredited modules, outlined in the following, as well as the incorporation of induction program and participation on boards, committees and other areas throughout the year.
Contact SCN: scn@swin.edu.au.

What is the role of SCN?

Student representation plays a pivotal role within the Swinburne community, as this ensures that the University's student members have local avenues for input into their learning environment. The Council, Academic Board, Board of TAFE studies and University Faculties hold regular board and committee meetings and are required to have student representation at these meetings. SSAA board also has four student representatives elected annually to represent TAFE, undergraduate, postgraduate and international students, who are part of the SCN. The role of the SCN members is to attend these meetings and ensure that students have a voice within Swinburne and SSAA, providing feedback about their course and addressing matters that affect the wellbeing of students by participating in decision-making processes addressed in meetings.

Your role

As an SCN member you will be required to attend and participate at board and committee meetings as well as Academic Panels and Hearings. It is important for you as a student representative to ensure that you are informed of and aware of student issues and problems. This means talking to other students and letting them know that you are there to represent them on any course related issues they may be having. Keep in mind that you may need to be pro-active in your approach in spreading the word as you will be representing the needs of more students than just your close friends. These following areas can all be incorporated and accredited within the VC's Leadership Program.

Board and Committee Meetings

Most meetings are held on a regular basis. Your participation will depend on the board or committee you sit on and how involved you wish to be. Meetings may also include for example participating in standing committees of Council or Academic Board as well as academic panels and hearings. SSAA Student Academic Advisors will provide training, background and a full briefing to SCN members prior to meetings in order to help you in your roles. It is also a good idea to have debriefs with your Academic Advisors to help you with any problems you may have encountered in the meeting.

Dates of meetings for all Faculties are available in the SCN Induction Manual.

Academic Panels and Hearings

You may be required to attend Faculty Academic Panels and hearings during your time as SCN member. This may include panels relating to: Results; Special Consideration; Progress Review; Appeals - amongst others. SSAA staff will provide training and support prior to these meetings.

Training and Support

SSAA provides elected students (SCN) with training and support so they can best fulfill their role as student representatives. All SCN members are invited to an induction session explaining the SCN, the Student Leadership and Volunteer Program and Swinburne’s structure and their role as student representatives. Induction also offers students a chance to meet one another and ask questions about their role.

What recognition will you receive?

All students that actively participate and meet the required contact hours by attending meetings, academic panels, hearings and training sessions will qualify for an official certificate of participation from the Vice Chancellor which will detail your role and participation. SCN members, not in receipt of an honorarium for their elected position, will be eligible for an SSAA scholarship.

How will your participation be recorded?

The presenter or staff member will record your participation by signing off on your Student Leadership Program Log Sheet. You must ensure that it is signed off immediately after a meeting, panel or hearing and/or that your attendance is recorded on the minutes of the meeting.

To qualify for the official certificate of participation you must:

Complete a Student Leadership Program Log Sheet, signed by a staff member that verifies that you have attended the academic panel or any training or workshops as a SCN member each time you attend.

• Click here for Student Leadership Program Log Sheet.

Forward it to an SCN Officer at the SSAA office by the dates shown on the logsheet. The information will then be updated onto the Student Leadership and Volunteer Program database.

At the end of the year, once SSAA has record of your completed attendance at the required training and service, you will be invited to attend a Student Leadership and Volunteer Program presentation event where you will be issued with your official certificate. You may also be awarded SSAA Leader of the Year or Volunteer of the Year!