Tool box for student representatives

Here you will find the student representative manual.

On this page you will find tools and explanations which may help you in your role as a student representative.

If you cannot find the information you need on this page, please contact your local student council, the organizational vice president of the student parliament or the organizational consultant. 

Your role as a class representative

During the first weeks of the autumn semester all classes at NLA University college elects one class representative, and one deputy. These students represents their class during one year. As a class representative you will act as the voice of your class and represent them in meetings with course instructors and in the student council. When elected as class representative, you will also automatically become a member of the student council at your local campus. 

A student representative is an elected person whom have received trust from their fellow students to represent them in procedures, meetings and gatherings where students` opinions are needed. As a representative you play an important part in NLAs quality system. 

During your tenure you will probably receive some inquiries from fellow students. These may be cases of academic matters, or it could be issues in your fellow students daily study life. As a representative you are the spokesperson for your study programme/class, and act as an intermediary between your classmates and the student democracy. 

it is important that the student representative behaves objectively in relation to the opinions that have been expressed in the evaluations, and speaks for the entire student group.

Tools useful for solving cases

As a class representative, you may receive inquiries from fellow students who have challenges with their studies, lecturers or otherwise. It is therefore important to know that NLA has several  support services, so that you can point the student in the right direction. In some cases, it may be wise to refer the student to the Studentombud, if he needs legal help, or to the student chaplain, if he needs to talk to someone.

• The report it system, a simple portal where you can report everything from air quality to bullying.You can find it here.
• Studentombudet, an independent support person who can advise students in their study situation and will ensure that your rights are safeguarded. Contact the studentombudsperson here. 
• The student chaplain and Student counselling. More information here.
• The student welfare organisations. In Oslo there is SiO, Kristiansand SiA and in Bergen Sammen 
• The student representative manual  contains important information regarding the role as a representative.
• The Student Parliament and the Student Councils. We are always available to assist.

 PROCEDURE AND GENERAL RULES 

• When individual students present problems, challenges or points of view, check whether this is representative of the group in question

• Resolve the matter at the lowest possible level. For example, go directly to the course manager and make informal contact with those involved

• Take it up as a matter in the student council. If you believe that these matters apply to several students at the local campus, and/or you have not received a satisfactory response from the person involved, you can raise it as a case in the student council.

• Document the case as thoroughly as possible. For example, write meeting minutes from important conversations, and safekeep emails from those involved in the case.

• Be solution-oriented. It may be a good idea to have thought through potential solutions in advance.

• Be factual! Avoid personal attacks on those involved.

• Always read the case papers and attend meetings prepared.

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Each campus  has a Student Council where all class representatives have a seat. In these meetings, issues are raised that are believed to concern several of the students on the local campus. You can also discuss issues that have been brought up in individual classes. The Student Council can bring relevant matters forward to the Student Parliament. About once a month, as a  representative, you will receive a summons to a student council meeting. It is the student council leader who calls these meetings and writes the case papers. If you have a matter you wish to raise at the meeting, it is a good idea to submit it in writing, so that it is included in the case papers. You can find more information about the student council here.